Edhat Staff
(Photos: CDFW)
A young male mountain lion that was burned in the Thomas Fire is now recovering, according to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CFDW).
On December 22, the thin and approximate 5-month-old cub was found in Santa Paula with burn injuries to the pads of all four feet. He was captured and transported to CDFW’s Wildlife Investigations Lab in Rancho Cordova for treatment, their Facebook page stated.
Dr. Jamie Peyton, Chief of Integrative Medicine at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, has been providing consultation and assistance with the care of his burns, which includes applying sterilized tilapia (fish) skin to the most severe injuries. The unusual technique, which doctors in Brazil have successfully used on human burn patients, creates a biologic bandage to protect the burn area and provides collagen to help speed healing.
The lion cub has responded well to treatment so far and is expected to recover, the CFDW announced on Friday. Due to the cat’s young age, as it would still be dependent on its mother in the wild, damage to its habitat and degree of medical care needed, CDFW plans to place the cat in captivity.
