Injured serval recovers under the care of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital

The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in Glenferness has been assisting an injured serval (Leptailurus serval) which they suspect was attacked by hunting dogs.

Wildlife rehabilitation specialist at the hospital, Nicci Wright said the serval had been transported on a low bed truck from the Lesotho border to the Bloemfontein SPCA. The SPCA took her to a local veterinarian who assisted with the lethargic and critically injured cat. Once she was treated for a collapsed lung and stabilised, she was transferred to the Glenferness facility.

“We sedated the serval in order to examine her carefully and we suspect she was attacked by hunting dogs. She had many lacerations and bruising, indicative of dog bite wounds, and this might also explain the collapsed lung too,” added Wright.

After the serval’s wounds were cleansed and she was hydrated, she was placed on long acting antibiotics and pain medication.

Wright said she was recuperating well from her original injuries. The hospital, however, also noticed that she showed no signs of feeling and a deep pain along the entire length of her tail, which was likely as a result of the attack and local nerve damage. The decision was therefore taken to amputate two thirds of her tail to avoid the loss of tail function while still maintaining good tail length and normal behavioural functioning.

Wright added that she was adjusting well and the tail and other wounds were healing.

Once she is fully healed, she will be placed in a release programme on a private reserve where she can live as a wild serval once again.

The Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital treats indigenous animals free of charge, relying solely on the donations and support of the community.

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/272767/cute-animals-from-midrand-spca-are-looking-for-a-home/

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/272818/rescued-juvenile-vervet-monkey-reunites-with-mother/