The cancer treatment for LSU’s live tiger mascot has not had the desired effect.
LSU said Wednesday that the tumor in Mike VI’s head had grown and progressed further towards his nasal cavity while the cancer has also spread to other areas of his body. The discovery was made Monday when the veterinary school of medicine did a CT scan on the tiger.
The cancer has also spread, and Mike has developed multiple nodules on the lower right rear leg, throughout his lungs and elsewhere. At this time, LSU’s Attending Veterinarian David Baker, DVM, PhD, believes that Mike could live another one to two months, but he will be humanely euthanized before he succumbs to the cancer. “We will not allow Mike to suffer,” said Dr. Baker. “We will monitor him closely every day and will humanely euthanize him when the time comes. This is about treating Mike with dignity, compassion and respect.”
Mike was diagnosed in May with spindle cell sarcoma and has received radiation treatments for the cancer. The tiger, born in 2005, is the only tiger who lives on a college campus and was introduced as LSU’s mascot in 2007. Per the school, he made his Tiger Stadium debut when the Tigers hosted Florida on Oct. 6, 2007.
He was preceded by Mike V, who was 17 when he died. Mike IV lived for over 20 years.
