Serval Cat Found High on Cocaine, Rescued from Tree in Ohio—What Happened?

Cincinnati Animal CARE, a local animal rescue organization, recently posted on Facebook that a serval cat doped up on cocaine was rescued from a tree in Ohio.

On January 28, it was reported to the Hamilton County Dog Wardens that an "exotic cat" was stuck in a tree - later turned over to animal experts.

Upon capturing the animal, they determined it was a serval, an African wildcat prohibited in Ohio. DNA testing confirmed this suspicion later on. But what authorities discovered next shocked them more.

Exotic Cat Found Positive for Cocaine

The cat tested positive for cocaine exposure, much to the shock of the animal rescue group.

According to IFLScience, Cincinnati Animal CARE now tests captured exotic animals for drugs, following a case in early 2022 where a capuchin monkey tested positive for methamphetamine.

The serval has been transferred to Cincinnati Zoo, where it received some of the best veterinary care available since the animal rescue facility was not ready to deal with the species and the cat's bizarre situation.

Cocaine Effect on Animal Brain

A study explains that when a person is exposed to cocaine, the drug can cause long-lasting changes in the brain that impact the connection between specific brain cells.

Cocaine can specifically affect a type of brain cell that releases glutamate, a chemical involved in reward and pleasure.

The study tells us that long-term cocaine exposure causes substantial changes in the function of glutamate in the brain's reward pathway in animals. This is why cocaine users can develop an addiction and a strong desire to use the drug repeatedly.

Cocaine can also affect the brain's stress response, contributing to relapse and the developing of stress-related disorders.

Cocaine-exposed animals are more likely to seek out the drug in response to stress, and the more they use it, the more sensitive they become to both the drug and stress.

How's the Ohio Cat?

The cat's owner reportedly cooperated and agreed to cover the cost of the cat's treatment until the ownership transfer was completed. The case is still open, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture is also looking into it.

In a Facebook post, Cincinnati Animal CARE commended the Cincinnati Zoo for helping Amiry, the cat, receive the medical attention he required and the Dog Wardens and Medical Staff for their efforts in the rescue.

They also urge people to visit their county animal shelter before going to breeders when looking for their next pet.

Cocaine Cat, Bear, and Snake

This is not the first time an animal has been discovered under the influence of drugs. When Australian police raided a crystal meth lab in 2016, they found a 1.8-meter (6-foot) pet python at the scene.

The python was behaving aggressively, which indicated that it had been exposed to methamphetamine particles.

The discovery of a serval cat high on cocaine comes at an interesting time, given the recent release of the film Cocaine Bear.

This film is based on a true story from 1985 about a black bear in Kentucky who ate a large amount of cocaine dropped from a drug smuggler's plane. The bear died soon after, and authorities later discovered its body.

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