Trucha
Trucha Tigress
Female Siberian/Bengal Tiger Hybrid
Born 1993-Died 8/29/2009
Rescued 5/18/07
With one final breath she lifted out of the cancer ridden body that had once been Trucha the tigress. She had literally been bred to death. In the wild she would have had cubs once every three or four years as she spent the time in between raising her family and teaching them all about what it means to be a tiger. In captivity tigers are bred two to four times a year because there is a huge demand for cute, cuddly cubs.
Breeders, like the notorious Robert Baudy of Savage Kingdom, who used Trucha until he was shut down by USDA, will purposely inbreed their cats to try and produce the white coat color that accompanies the genetic defect. The cubs can only be used for petting sessions, photo ops and other pay-to-play schemes for a month or two before they are too big to handle. Many die from the rough handling, being dropped, and being starved and poisoned to keep them small. Meanwhile their mothers are already pregnant with the next litter of cubs to be exploited.
Trucha had just taken her last breath, but I felt like the weight on my chest was such that I would never again be able to breathe. I suspect that those who stood with me, Dr. Wynn, Scott, Cathy and Chris were all experiencing some similar form of grief as we eased Trucha out of her captive existence to whatever lays in store for her next. No matter what that is, it has to be better than the lousy hand she was dealt this time around.
Imagine being born in some tiny, filthy jail cell and then ripped from your mother at the age of only two weeks. The only one who would ever care about you for the next 14 years calls your name, moaning for the return of her cubs, but you are put into a metal cage in the breeder’s house. He is a slovenly sort and uses the lure of playing with baby tiger cubs to get young girls into his home. They will do just about anything to be the one who gets to feed you that bottle of cold, putrid liquid that bears no resemblance to the warm milk of your mother.
The young girls are often outcasts who do not have strong family or social ties and are subject to the bad influences so prevalent in big cat owners. They are often drunk or high on drugs when they come to care for you. They have no real training and your needs go untended due to neglect and ignorance. As soon as your eyes are opened you are subjected to hours upon hours of flashing light bulbs as you are handed from one laughing, giggling person to the next. You scream for your mother. You scream for it to stop, but no one hears your cries. Those who would rescue you have no legal recourse to liberate you from your tormentors. Those in charge of insuring your welfare are never there for you.
You have grown too big in just 3 or 4 months to be used this way. Your mother has already produced another litter of cubs, who are being pulled from her to start the process over. Your eyes have been so badly damaged that you only see shadows. You jump at everything and your world darkens in around you. Maybe it is better that you can’t see what is going to happen to you next.
You are relegated to some small, concrete and steel cell where you will be fed rotting flesh of whatever is cheapest; road kill, sick cows; the meat that cannot be sold. Your water bowl will be green with algae or swimming with mosquito larvae if it has water at all. The temperatures at both extremes will challenge your will to live because all you may have is a leaky box for shelter. You will be thrust in with other inmates, including your own litter mates, in the hopes that you will breed young. Your incestuous breeding is exactly what the breeder wants because that will get him more white cubs and the white cubs fetch more money.
You become the tiger version of a puppy mill. Your days of boredom, neglect and abuse turn into months and then years. Somewhere, far, far away tigers like you are roaming hundreds of miles. They are choosing their own mates, raising their own young and they are the most respected individuals in the forest. You have never known a single day of freedom, but you are hard wired to expect it. Every day is just one more reminder that you are a prisoner.
Most of the estimated 5000 tigers in the US will live and die in these same miserable conditions. You were one of the lucky ones. When Savage Kingdom was shut down the zoos, circus acts and backyard breeders only wanted the white tigers. They left you and three other golden tigers behind to die. The government agencies that regulate the trade in tigers either didn’t know, or didn’t care that you were slowly starving to death. By the time Big Cat Rescue learned of your plight, Bella the tigress was almost dead. The rest of you weren’t far behind. You had just about given up hope.
After 14 years of being bred to death, you found a true sanctuary; one that doesn’t breed and doesn’t allow “accidental” breeding either, which is the way that pseudo sanctuaries explain how they have cute little money-making cubs every year. In your last two years you had the best of everything that money could buy, but money couldn’t buy back your health. The cancer was inoperable and had spread throughout your entire mammary system. The one thing Big Cat Rescue couldn’t give you was your freedom, but they did give you the freedom to make many of your own decisions.
When you decided that you didn’t like living with Modnic any more, after 14 years of being forced to, you got your own private space, your own mountain cave den and your own ball and pool. As long as you were letting your rescuers know that you had a healthy appetite for life you were given supportive care, but when the disease had begun to erode the little joys you found in eating, playing, swimming and chuffing, you knew they would be there for you to ease the transition.
Today, when you closed your eyes for the last time, it was in the respectful presence of just a handful of the many people who had come to know and love you. Your tragic life was an inspiration to thousands of people who came to know you over the Internet. All that you endured was finally brought out into the light and while there was no justice for you, it was still a huge stride for your kind. On the very day that you died, a major supermarket chain pulled their sponsorship of a fair that was using a live tiger act.
Your suffering was not in vain. You could shut your eyes and say your job here on earth was done.
Savage Kingdom Rescue: TJ, Bella, Modnic and Trucha
A hundred times or more a year Big Cat Rescue is contacted by someone trying to unload a tiger, lion, bobcat, serval or some other exotic cat who has outlived his usefulness. In most cases the people calling are those who have used the animals to support themselves, or to make themselves more popular, and now the cat no longer serves their needs. Then the cat has to go.
Big Cat Rescue can only take in a limited number of big cats each year because each cat is a 10-20 year commitment. Most of the cases do not meet Big Cat Rescue’s criteria for accepting a cat as they will not assist these irresponsible owners in continuing to breed and use animals by being a dumping ground for last year’s babies.
This case at Savage Kingdom was different. Robert Baudy was world renown for producing what are commonly referred to as “throw away tigers” because they are so often lame and cross eyed from the inbreeding that goes into producing the white tigers that will fetch a big price.
When USDA finally shut down the 84 year olds’ breeding activities in August of 2006 an era of abuse came much closer to an end. A friend of Baudy’s had managed to place all but four tigers by May 14, 2007. If she could not find a home for these last four tigers she was going to have them euthanized on May 18th because she could no longer afford the time and resources needed to care for the cats.
TJ, Bella, Modnic, and Trucha were the last four cats that needed a home and Big Cat Rescue stepped in to provide one. On May 18th, 2007, Rescuers transported the four to their new home at BCR. They now have spacious grassy enclosures with shrubs and trees, large mountain dens, and pools to cool off in.
Years of Over Breeding Shorten a Tigress's Life
Trucha and Modnic were the two 14 year old sisters that we rescued from Savage Kingdom (See video at the bottom of this page) Thanks to you and some very generous donors we were able to build them a tiger cat-a-tat that was much larger than our usual tiger enclosures with an extra large den and pool. Since they had always lived together in much less space, we thought this would be sufficient for them, but I think they looked around at other tigers who had their own individual dens and pools and figured they could get on that list.
They got along most of the time, but would not share the den or the pool and even though they have separate feeding lockouts, they would still scream at each other at feeding time. If you have never stood between two screaming tigers you just cannot imagine that heart stopping sound. It sounds like the end of all time, but that is all it ever is with them...just a lot of scary noise. Savage Kingdom had been shut down by USDA in August and until the following May, when we were first contacted, these tigers were only subsisting on what woman would drive in to give them a couple times a week. Zoos and backyard breeders had rushed in to get the white tigers, but left these four to starve to death.
A few of our old circus tigers passed on and the circus is out of tigers now (they no longer buy and breed them, but do rent them from breeders) so we can use the cages they built here. We took two of the 1200 square foot enclosures and joined them with a hallway so that Trucha and Modnic could be together and yet still have their own pools and their own dens and at feeding time we could shut the hall door if that made them feel any more secure about their food. Starving is something big cats don't forget or get over easily and they had been starving for 10 months before the rescue.
"As soon as Dr. Wynn felt Trucha's stomach you could see on her face that things were very bad."
Modnic has always had a sore, about the size of a quarter, on her shoulder. It looked like a hot spot the cats get from a mosquito bite and it came and went (almost) but never quite healed. We had been working with both girls to get them used to the idea of going in the transport wagon so we could move them, but they weren't having any of that. You just can't argue with a tiger. We decided that since we would have to knock them out to move them we would biopsy that sore and see if there was something else going on. We did that in August and moved Modnic to the new double cage after removing the sore, but it took so much of the drug to knock her out that we didn't have enough to move Trucha. The sore really looked like a tumor once the vet started cutting at it but the lab report didn't come until about 10 days later. Read more about Modnic in the Fall issue of the Big Cat Times.
Feline Mammary Tumors
Trucha's diagnosis: Mammary gland carcinoma.
At least three issues contribute to the high prevalence of cancer in big cats.
A meat based diet, of food raised for human consumption, is laden with hormones and antibiotics.
Big cats are bred repeated for the photo op/ cub market instead of being spayed.
Melengestrol acetate (MGA), has been used as a contraceptive in zoo felids since 1975 and is linked to an increased risk of developing mammary cancer.
More than 80% of feline mammary tumors are malignant. Mammary tumors are known to be at least the third most frequently occurring tumor in the cat, following hematopoietic neoplasms and skin tumors. The incidence of mammary tumors in the cat is less than half that of humans and dogs. However, this tumor accounts for 17% of neoplasms in female cats.
Mammary neoplasia has been reported to occur in cats from 9 months to 23 years of age, with a mean age of occurrence of 10 to 12 years. The majority of affected cats are intact females.
"Mammary cancer in cats often spreads to the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and kidneys"
Hormonal influences may be involved in the pathogenesis of mammary tumors in the cat. Although the association between ovariohysterectorny and incidence is not as strong as in the dog, most studies show that intact cats are more likely to develop mammary tumors than oophorectornized cats. Studies have been done to determine the role of progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen in causing feline mammary tumors. Low levels of progesterone receptors have been found in the cytoplasm of some feline mammary tumors. Several reports have also documented a strong association between the prior use of progesteronelike drugs and the development of benign or malignant mammary masses in cats. Dihydrotestosterone receptors have not been found in mammary tumors in cats. Only 10% of the feline tumors assayed were positive for estrogen receptors; a much higher percentage of positive tests is seen in dogs and humans.
Pathology and Natural Behavior
Many of the tumors, especially the large, more invasive neoplasms, adhere to the skin and are ulcerated. Lymphatic and lymph node invasion is frequently present and visible at necropsy. In several studies, more than 80% of the cats with a mammary malignancy had metastases to one or more of the following organs at the time of euthanasia: lymph nodes, lungs, pleura, liver, diaphragm, adrenal glands, and kidneys.
More than 80% of the feline mammary tumors are histologically classified as adenocarcinomas. The frequency of diagnosis of the specific types of adenocarcinomas differs slightly among pathologists, but most agree that tubular, papillary, and solid carcinomas are the most common.
History and Signs
"Cats with a large tumor size will have a average survival time of 4 to 6 months."
Feline mammary tumors are often presented to the veterinarian 5 months after they are initially noted. Thus, the tumors are usually in an advanced state of development when they are handled clinically. The neoplasm may adhere to the overlying skin but rarely adheres to the underlying abdominal wall. The tumor is usually firm and nodular. At least one quarter of affected patients have ulcerated masses. The involved nipples may be red and swollen and may exudate a tan or yellow fluid. The tumor can involve any or all mammary glands and is noted equally in the left and right sides. More than half of the affected cats have multiple gland involvement. Metastatic lung and thorax involvement may be extensive and may cause respiratory insufficiency because of a pleural carcinomatosis with an effusion, often containing malignant cells.
Surgery
The success of surgery is hindered by the invasive nature of the disease and its tendency for early metastasis. Radical mastectomy (i.e., removal of all glands on the affected side) is the surgical method of choice because it significantly reduces the chance of local tumor recurrence. The cat usually has four pairs of mammary glands. The two cranial glands on each side have a common lymphatic system and drain into the axillary lymph nodes and then to sternal nodes. The two caudal glands tend to drain to inguinal lymph nodes.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is not used routinely to treat feline mammary tumors. Presently, there are no major claims that radiation increases the survival rate of feline mammary tumor patients.
Chemotherapy
Combination chemotherapy using doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide has been shown to induce short-term responses in about half of the cats with metastatic or nonresectable local disease. In one study, 7 of 14 (50%) had a partial response (> 50% regression). The median survival time for those cats responding was 5 months versus 2.5 months. The chemotherapy protocol can be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks. The major side effect with this protocol has been profound anorexia and mild myelosuppression.
Prognosis
In the last 20 years, little progress has been made in extending the survival time of feline mammary tumor patients. Because stromal invasion is almost always present and metastases are frequently present at the time of surgery, a guarded-to-poor prognosis should always be given. With conservative surgery, 66% of the cats that have had their tumors surgically excised have a recurrence at the surgical site.
The most significant prognostic factors affecting recurrence and survival for feline malignant mammary tumors are tumor size, extent of surgery, and histologic grading. Tumor size is the single most important prognostic factor for malignant feline mammary tumors. Cats with a large tumor size will have a average survival time of 4 to 6 months. Cats with a small tumor size will have a significantly better survival time with a median of about 2 years.
TRIBUTES FOR TRUCHA
Even before Modnic and Trucha came to Big Cat Rescue, they had been together. When they came to Big Cat Rescue, they played, they fought, they picked on each other – just like true sisters. Even when they were in separate cages, they still played with each other through the fence. Trucha recently passed away and, not only left us missing a dear friend, but left Modnic without her playmate.
Last night, I went to feed Modnic and she was as playful as ever, but this time with me. She stalked me, ran from me, and darted around her cage. I am glad that I was able to be there for Modnic when she didn’t have her playmate she has been with for so long. True Blue you will be missed by many…..Jennifer, Volunteer Staff/Board Member
Like many other people, upon hearing the plight of Trucha and her 3 companions, I donated to help save them when they were about to be put to sleep, and was so excited when they came to BCR. Over the next 2 years, I was fortunate enough to see Trucha on a number of occasions during my visits. She was a beautiful girl with agorgeous feminine, gentle expression. She would lie at the edge of her enclosure beside the road, twist her head towards me and ‘chuff’ when I spoke to her. I really don’t know how she could forgive people, after the suffering she had endured prior to coming to BCR, but she did. We humans need to learn from animals like her.
I made a point of going to see her during my last visit in early August, knowing in my heart that it would probably be the last time we had a ‘chuffing’ conversation and I am so glad that I did. We had a ‘chuff’ at each other, and that memory will stay with me forever. I thank BCR and all the volunteers for making her last 2 years happy ones – never going hungry, always loved. Now free from any pain and captivity, you can finally run free Trucha!”….Daphne, Volunteer Keeper Trainee/Advocat
I got to know and help care for Trucha after her rescue. It wasn’t long before I fell in love. One of my favorite things was to give her enrichment, since no tiger at BCR enjoyed treats as much as she and her sister Modnic did. She would make me giggle seeing her running around with a bag of spices or slurping up an ice cold bloodsicle on a hot day. Trucha always looked forward to any visits with her keepers & would chuff away, just so appreciative of the love we showered on her and the new home we provided. She was like a kid in a candy store, just enjoying every minute of it.
Once she was diagnosed with cancer, it was heartbreaking. We didn’t know how long she’d be with us. I made sure to say extra long goodbyes whenever I knew I’d be away from her for awhile. I never guessed she’d survive with us another year, so there were many special goodbyes, many special times together. She enjoyed life with gusto, right up to the very end, chuffing her thanks for every little thing we did. The memory I have of spending those last days with her will remain tucked inside my heart forever. She deserved so much more. I just wish she could have been with us longer, she was such a sweetheart. You always wish you could say “goodbye” just one more time. She was our Trucha – a tiger gone too soon……Julie, Volunteer Senior Keeper
Trucha had a miserable life, forced to endure what no living creature should. Her last chapter at BCR was all good for her. She felt physical and emotional comfort, love and was well fed, had a clean den of her own and …privacy!! RIP brave tiger…..Merrill, Volunteer Partner
Trucha is finally free from illness and pain. She is the epitome of strength and courage. If we, as humans, could endure HALF of what this beautiful tigress has endured, we would have NO cause for complaint in our lives. She was and is a beautiful tigress, and her memory lives on in my heart. I consider it an honor to have been chuffed at by this beautiful, majestic tigress who spent her last days happy and safe and surrounded by people that loved her dearly….Regina, Volunteer Senior Keeper
Another beautiful and gorgeous fighter just left us…She didn’t stay long with us, but we sure gave her a lot of love!!!! She not only had a sad experience with the cruel human world before coming to us, but then she had to fight against this terrible cancer! Not fair!!! Not fair!!! She was such a good tiger and she had such a beautiful face with big eyes full of love! I am so glad I went to see her every day during that last week…It seems like you get to know them so well, that just by looking at their eyes, you know time is really close…She needed that rest! Finally, the battle against that illness was just too much for her….I know she is now running free and without any pain!!! I will always remember our sweet fighter – Trucha….Marie, Volunteer Senior Keeper
More Memorials at https://bigcatrescue.org/category/memorials/
