Rescued Manitoba lynx flown to Ontario for MRI after having a seizure
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A rescued Manitoba lynx has received a new diagnosis after a trip to Ontario.
Lumi Lynx was found surrounded by dogs and with an injured eye near the Swan River in late August. Rescuers believe her mother was injured or killed.
Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Center in Île des Chenes, about 20 kilometers southeast of Winnipeg, took the cat into its care.
They determined that permanent damage to his eye meant he could not be released back into the wild.
Zoe Nakata, executive director of Wildlife Haven, said things took a turn for the worse in October, when Lumi began having severe seizures.
Nakata said, “She had certainly won our hearts by that time, but the seizures were dangerous to her health and survival.”
The staff gave Loomi medication to control the seizures as much as possible, but they did not know what was causing the seizures. They decided he needed an MRI and a complete neurology evaluation.
Nakata said, “To do something like this on Linux is quite unique. It doesn’t happen every day – in fact, it might not even happen here in Manitoba.”
In late January, Lumi was moved to Guelph, Ontario, along with Nakata and another Wildlife Haven staff member. With the help of the National Wildlife Center and the Ontario Veterinary College, Lumi underwent an MRI, neurology evaluation and blood tests.
Nakata said while it is not unusual for Wildlife Haven to work with organizations outside the province, it was the first time to send an animal out of the province for specialized testing.
Tests revealed that Lumi’s seizures were likely the result of stroke-induced epilepsy. It is believed that when his eye was hit, his brain was injured.
“This is something the team of experts has seen with other mammals. It is seen in dogs,” Nakata said. “It’s not going to get worse, so that’s a good thing.”
Lumi will have to take medication for the rest of her life to control seizures, Nakata said, but knowing the cause means the team can provide better care to Lynx.
The lynx can live up to 14 years in the wild or 26 years in captivity.
Sherry Cox, director of the National Wildlife Center and a veterinarian involved in Lumi’s trials, said hosting the lynx was special.
Cox said his team never had the links on the site; There are more bobcats in southern Ontario.
The lynx and bobcat are closely related cats, but the lynx is larger, has longer tufts of hair on its ears, and is found further north.
“We obviously don’t get to see these species all the time,” Cox said via video chat. “It’s a real joy to see them.”
Cox called Loomi a “great patient” who was laid-back. The diagnosis is important to her care, Cox said.
With an MRI, neurology teams can put together the full picture and make sure Lumi doesn’t have a brain tumor or brain abscess, Cox said.
“They can then say what they think is happening to him, and that really determines our treatment.”
Nakata said, with funds provided by some “generous donors”, the trip cost about $10,000.
The cost of care adds up quickly, she said, with the daily cost of caring for each animal averaging about $50 per day.
Sometimes, the rehabilitation center may have as many as 300 animals at once. Currently, there are about 50 animals at the facility, which is a normal number for the winter.
Nakata said, “It feels like a privilege that we got to be a part of the story of giving these animals a second chance.” “I don’t know many people who can say they’ve traveled with the Lynx.”
Lumi has now settled back in her enclosure. The staff rearranged the space and added more slips for additional enrichment. Lumi likes to climb and jump, Nakata said.
Nakata said, as soon as they learned that Lumi could not be returned to the wild, it was decided that she would eventually be moved to the Assiniboine Park Zoo. That move was delayed by the development of her tour, but it is still planned to become her permanent home.
“We just have a few things left to do to make sure that his care plan is stable, that he’s stable,” Nakata said.
“She’s amazing. She’s very stable and looks like a very relaxed and happy lynx.”
Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Center sent Lummi, rescued from dogs as a kitten, to Guelph, Ontario after she suffered a seizure. Tests indicate that Lumi, whom they plan to move to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, possibly has stroke-induced epilepsy.
