Phoenix Zoo’s Sumatran tiger, Jai, suffering from chronic kidney disease
Jan 11, 2022, 3:00 PM
(Phoenix Zoo Photo)
(Phoenix Zoo Photo)
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Zoo announced Tuesday its 17-year-old Sumatran tiger is suffering from chronic kidney disease.
Veterinarians examined Jai on Thursday after he had started drinking more water than usual and eating less, which resulted in weight loss.
They said he previously had elevated renal levels, but only recently had become clinically affected by the disease.
“We are continuing to monitor Jai closely and hope his appetite may increase by offering him some special items to encourage him to eat,” Dr. Gary West, senior vice president of animal health and living collections, said in the release.
“Unfortunately, renal disease and ultimately renal failure is common in big cats and there is no cure.”
A urinalysis of Jai pointed to a possible secondary infection, which is being treated with antibiotics.
Kidney disease is one of the leading causes of death in Sumatran tigers, according to the zoo.
The median life expectancy for Sumatran tigers is 18.4 years.
Jai was born at the Louisville Zoo and has been in Phoenix since 2005.
