Vetnuus | July 2024 11 soon after this that we realized we had to be strong for Lily and we needed to start doing what was necessary to ensure her survival – which at this stage was not guaranteed. I never believe what poachers say when giving statements on these animals and the conditions of captivity but they said they had kept her in a rucksack for about 12 days before being caught. I believed them somewhat because the pangolin I saw in front of me, the pangolin that was once feisty as hell, was now weak, fragile, dehydrated, totally emaciated and traumatized beyond human comprehension. Once again Lily was hospitalized and treated aggressively for pneumonia, severe dehydration, malnutrition and this all while she was carrying another little fetus. After a very stressful few days, Lily started perking up and after regaining enough strength she started walking again and foraging for her food. She was then transferred to Emma for rehabilitation. A few days later she collapsed in the veld and after rushing her back to me she was diagnosed with clinical babesiosis. Most healthy pangolins are carriers of this tickborne blood parasite but very seldom show any signs of clinical disease. Lily’s immune system and whole body were so severely compromised that she had no defence mechanisms to fight off any more insults. She was treated with numerous drugs as she proved to be resistant to most of the drugs used to treat babesiosis, she received three blood transfusions as she was so anaemic that she was at risk of dying due to organ failure and after literal blood, sweat and tears she seemed to have recovered. This joy was short-lived as she started deteriorating again. She had now developed Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anemia. After many different approaches and unconventional methods, she was treated for this and slowly started recovering. This was not where the struggles ended. I remember it as clear as day. I came in to treat her on a quiet Sunday morning and did a routine ultrasound examination to check that the fetus was still healthy. Sadly, in front of me, I had a very still image of this tiny little pangolin fetus. The scan showed no movement and I immediately started changing settings and tried to scan again as if I had made some mistake. Nothing changed… there was no heartbeat anymore. Sadly Lily had only enough left in her to fight for only one life… her life. One is always torn between finding a balance of interfering and letting nature take its course but with the risks of uterine infections, amongst others, I had to intervene. The first induction in a pangolin in South Africa was performed and after a long struggle, Lily eventually expelled the fetus and could focus on healing from this tremendous loss and huge trauma. These are just a few of the challenges that were faced with Lily and her journey to where we are now. From about September 2021 to July 2023 Lily underwent various treatment and final stages of rehabilitation and was eventually released in August 2023 and is now living her best life as a wild pangolin again. The journey was extremely tough - mentally, physically, emotionally and financially but this little girl was worth all of this and more. Lily deserved a chance to be wild and free and that is what we gave her in the end. v
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