Big relief for big cats

Wildlife Conservation Society

Veterinarians have developed an osmotic pump that delivers pain medication to leopards, tigers and other big cats needing operations. The permeable, capsule-sized device is implanted under the cat's skin during surgery, diffusing a continuous supply of painkillers while the animal recovers. When no longer needed, the pump is removed with minor surgery.

Try making a kitty swallow a pill, let alone a leopard or tiger! You can lace their food, but big cats often don't eat when in pain. The implant is safe from their claws until it is ready to be removed, and trials with it show cats recover faster.