Nigel the puma
Vet Performs Industry First Life Saving Leg Amputation On Puma
2 years ago 
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A veterinary surgeon and nurse at Vets4Pets Newmarket have successfully led an operation to remove the front leg of a puma at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, alongside a multi-disciplinary team from Sampson Park Vets and Animates Vets.
Nine-year-old Nigel the puma was suffering from a deteriorating arthritic condition, which was causing loss of function in his front leg. His veterinary team consulted an orthopedic specialist and trialled medical management including steroids and Solensia, but Nigel was unresponsive to treatment. This led to a severe debilitating limp and was causing a lot of pain, leaving a stark choice between amputation or euthanasia.
Nigel's treatment was funded by donations from visitors to Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, which is a registered charity that was originally established as a sanctuary for parrots in the early 1990s, who raised nearly £5,000 following a fundraising campaign.
The operation took place in a sterile theatre set up in Nigel’s enclosure and saw removal of the entire limb, including the scapula. After an intense five-hour operation, led by Iain Cope, veterinary surgeon and practice owner at Vets4Pets Newmarket, and Shannon Grimwood, veterinary nurse at Vets4Pets Newmarket, Nigel is now on the road to recovery and adapting well to life with three legs.
Iain is an RCVS recognised Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine with 16 years’ experience and has worked at Vets4Pets Newmarket for six years. He had helped treat Nigel previously, but along with the park keepers had noticed his condition was becoming debilitating and affecting his quality of life.
Iain commented: “Nigel’s case was certainly unique and one we haven’t come across before. Working alongside Lincolnshire Wildlife Park and a team of local vets and veterinary nurses, we applied our knowledge of domestic cat amputations to a big one.
“The approach was extremely similar, and the operation ran as smoothly as possible. It’s so rewarding to have relieved Nigel of the pain he was suffering and given him a new lease of life.”
The operation is thought to be an industry first and has had a huge positive impact on Nigel’s quality of life, with the puma no longer showing signs of pain. Aftercare will include close monitoring alongside pain relief and a course of antibiotics, but already Nigel is acting like a new cat.
Vets4Pets Newmarket has worked with Lincolnshire Wildlife Park since 2020, paying monthly visits alongside a local practice team providing comprehensive support. Nigel’s muti-centre surgical team also included Caroline Blake from Sampson Park Vets, and James Cook and Sarah Pellett from Animates Vets.
For more information about Vets4Pets, visit www.vets4petscareers.com.
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