Tiger at Seneca Park Zoo being treated for benign tumor

Rochester, N.Y. — Katya, a female Amur tiger at Seneca Park Zoo, is undergoing treatment for a noncancerous tumor in her bladder, according to the zoo.

The 20-year-old animal is on medication and will continue to be monitored closely.

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The veterinary team detected the tumor during a routine physical last March.

“Given her advanced age, and because testing indicates it is likely a noncancerous tumor, surgery is not an option," Seneca Park Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Chris McKinney said in a statement. "We began a protocol of Immunocidin, the same medication we used to slow the growth of Masai giraffe Kipenzi’s malignant tumor.”

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The zoo said the tumor has reduced in size by roughly one-third since last February.

“Clearly, the medication is helping, and Katya has not shown any symptoms related to her tumor,” McKinney continued. “Her blood work also looks very good. She does have some arthritis which is very common at her age. She receives weekly laser therapy for her hips and shoulders, as well as medications to reduce inflammation to help alleviate arthritic symptoms.”

Katya is currently the oldest Amur tiger accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

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