Which little kitty is missing?  Nikita the smallest of the young amur tigers at the Peoria Zoo has been confined indoors for the last two weeks. Visitors have noticed only two juveniles playing in the yard lately because Nikita became very lame after some rough play with her siblings. We sedated her and took x-rays to determine the cause of her injury.  The films showed no evidence of a fracture but swelling insider her knee joint. She is back to using the leg after several days of pain medicine, anti-inflammatory medication and rest.  Her x-ray study has been electronically submitted to the Orthopedic Department at University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Specialist will review her case to determine if arthroscopy surgery is necessary to getting her back outside to play.  Confining her indoors has been hard but one of the other cubs stays inside to keep her company.  Spring is just around the corner so we hope to see the tiger gang enjoying the singing of the birds, leaves and flowers budding and of course the return of all the zoo visitors.

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