On Friday, October 15, the Wildlife Center admitted a rather feisty young patient -- a juvenile Bobcat. The bobcat was found in early September by the side of the road in Prince George County. Her rescuers picked her up and took her to Joyce Bulls, a permitted rehabilitator in Sussex County. Joyce became concerned about the bobcat's ability to hear, so she arranged to transfer the cat to the Wildlife Center.
Upon admission, the veterinary team sedated the very alert and aggressive bobcat so they could perform a complete physical exam. The young bobcat -- a female -- is smaller than expected for one seen at this time of year; however, this could be a young cat from a second litter, or could just be naturally small in size. Weighing in at a little more than seven pounds, the bobcat is in good body condition, though several types of parasites were found when a fecal examination was performed. The veterinarians started the bobcat on medications to kill off the parasites and also treated for fleas. The bobcat was also found to be slightly anemic, which could be due to the parasites or her diet.
Currently the young bobcat is being housed in an outdoor isolation pen until her parasites are gone. Follow- up bloodwork and a fecal analysis will be performed on October 22. So far, the bobcat doesn't seem to have trouble hearing, though further assessment will be needed.