Sophie Sparrow , RVN , BSc ( Hons )

ZSL London Zoo , London

ENVELOPE sophie . sparrow @ zsl . org

Sophie graduated from Harper Adams University in 2011 with a BSc ( Hons ) in veterinary nursing and practice management . She has worked predominantly in zoological institutions and is now Senior Veterinary Nurse at ZSL London Zoo . She is combining her interest in conservation veterinary nursing and rehabilitation by studying for a diploma in animal physiotherapy .

ABSTRACT Osteoarthritis is common in older domestic and captive exotic felids and impacts their quality of life . An African serval ( Leptailurus serval ) had undergone an onychectomy ( declaw ) on all four paws , prior to confiscation from the pet trade . Physiological changes later in the serval ' s life can be attributed to this , with radiographic evidence of bony changes at the onychectomy site of the second phalanx in the digits , with concurrent stifle osteoarthritis . Nonpharmacological interventions and pharmacological agents were used in the management of the condition .

Keywords osteoarthritis , African serval , onychectomy

48 Veterinary Nursing Journal