Spinal Surgery and Determination Sa... ( SARASOTA Fla. May 28 /- Olla has ...)

Spinal Surgery and Determination Save Lioness

Date:5/28/2008

SARASOTA, Fla., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Olla has had some hard knocks in her life, including those that shattered her canine teeth, a legacy from one of her owners. Then, in March, the 400-pound lioness lost the use of her back legs. In many sanctuaries, this usually results in euthanasia.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080528/CLWFNS1 )

Luckily for Olla, the non-profit Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, which rescued her five years ago, is near Dr. Anne Chauvet, a veterinary neurosurgeon and founder of Veterinary Neuro Services -- still a relatively rare specialty. Chauvet operated on a herniated disc that was compressing Olla's spinal cord and causing the paralysis. To aid in her recovery, Legacy Pools and its affiliate, Arthur Pools International of Los Angeles, donated a custom pool to help Olla regain the full use of her legs.

"Performing surgery on such a large animal is challenging," Chauvet said. "Six people carried her to the procedure rooms for a myelogram dye study of her spinal cord and the subsequent surgery. I know of only a handful of other instances where such surgeries have even been attempted on big cats." The entire procedure took about six hours, she said. The surgery and aftercare was donated, and Chauvet also searched for someone willing to provide a pool for Olla's rehabilitation.

"We knew that time was of the essence because it was important that Olla not become depressed and lose her will to live. We want to be sure she can heal and live a full life," said Pamela Evertz of Arthur Pools International, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of portable and above ground pools.

Kay Rosaire, founder of the Big Cat Habitat, is optimistic about Olla's recovery. "She is standing and walking and trying to play," Rosaire said. "We believe the exercise in the pool will be the fastest way to rebuild muscle stre
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