Pittsburgh Zoo Lion Gets Checkup After Epilepsy Diagnosis

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – An anesthetized lion receives a series of X-rays at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

Then, the 400-pound cat is wheeled into the Animal Care Center. It's more than the usual two-year checkup.

"He has idiopathic epilepsy, which means he intermittently suffers from seizures," says Dr. Ginger Sturgeon, director of animal health.

She and her staff check his blood and liver for possible side effects from a month of phenobarbital, the same epilepsy medication used on humans.

Lion keeper Kathy Suthard says Razi had his first seizure a couple years ago.

"I heard some commotion from his room. When I looked closely, he was on his side, and he was having a seizure at that time."

"It's a lot easier for us to prevent this disease than to try to deal with it later on," Dr. Sturgeon says. "And his kidney looks nice. You don't see any cysts. It's of normal size."

While he's under anesthesia, he'll get a full, head-to-tail checkup.

Kathy Suthard says epilepsy is very rare among lions, especially young adults.

"I've never known a lion; in all the times I've worked with them, to have a seizure disorder," she says.

Kaidi, the female lion, was unperturbed by Razi's seizures. But Ajani, the other male, was protective of his brother.

"He watches his brother," Dr. Sturgeon says. "Then, when Razi starts to come out of it, Ajani will go over and lick his brother, and kind of help him get back on his feet."

Razi is later returned to his den - before that anesthesia wears off.

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