Time is running out for LSU mascot Mike the Tiger after it was found that his cancer, originally diagnosed in May, has spread despite stereotactic radiation therapy. The therapy, never before performed on a tiger, was not expected to cure Mike’s rare spindle-cell sarcoma. It was hoped that the radiation would buy him some quality time, and it does appear to have done that.
Cancer has Spread in LSU’s Mike The Tiger
LSU veterinarian Dr. David Baker said at a press conference Wednesday that while Mike has developed several small tumors in his lungs, he is not in any pain or discomfort. He’ll remain in his outdoor habitat on campus for now to allow the LSU community to say their good-byes. If and when he starts to show signs of pain, he’ll be brought into his night house, and his caretakers will provide palliative care; when that fails, Baker promises, he will be humanely euthanized. Mike is expected to live for another month or two.
Mike VI, a 420-pound Bengal-Siberian mix, was born in the summer of 2005 and arrived at LSU from an Indiana rescue facility in August of 2007. Glenn Guilbeau of the Baton Rouge Advocate reports that the mascot will eventually be cremated; his remains will go into the campus LSU Sports Museum along with those of Mike IV and Mike V.
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