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A trip to the clinic for Jody

July 29, 2020 by J.B.

Earlier this year, we took Jody into the clinic to assess a lump developing on her foot. Unfortunately, the mass continued to grow after that procedure and cytology results suggested that further evaluation and testing was warranted.

We’re so lucky to have assistance from people like Dalila Fairchild, CRNA, who ensured that Jody was safely anesthetized and monitored throughout the exam.

Dr. Austin Hardegree assisted Dr. Erin with the foot evaluation and biopsy while Dr. Krystina Stadler, a veterinary radiologist, helped by imaging the foot mass prior to the procedure and following up on a suspected uterine fibroid discovered during Jody’s last exam.

While Dr. Stadler brought her own equipment, she also tried out our brand new Butterfly ultrasound unit, which we recently purchased though a grant from the Ruth Foundation. This user-friendly ultrasound unit works with an iPad (also purchased with the grant) and will help Dr. Erin with both general exams and emergency procedures. We are also grateful once again to Best Friends Mobile Veterinary Care for use of their digital x-ray – the only piece of equipment that we must still borrow. With more chimps joining our family as soon as next year we will undoubtedly be doing even more procedures, so we look forward to purchasing one of our own soon.

With the exam, biopsy, ultrasound, x-rays, and teeth cleaning done, we wheeled Jody back to the recovery room.

We’ll have to wait for these latest test results to see what, if anything, comes next. For now, Jody is sipping Coke and eating grapes in a sea of soft blankets. She will have to stay isolated for at least a few days to ensure that the stitches stay in place long enough for her incision to heal, but her friends will be able visit her regularly though the mesh.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy M says

    July 29, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    Is there a reason, medical or otherwise, you let Jody drink Coke? Not questioning your decision, just interested in the reason(s) behind it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • J.B. says

      July 29, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      When you are trying to get medication into a chimp, you use any means at your disposal ๐Ÿ™‚ Jody had to take an herbal medication to support blood clotting prior to the biopsy and she would only take it in Coke. While recovering, we wanted to give her something to sooth her throat so she got the rest of the bottle in small sips. We’re so careful with their diets overall that we feel OK letting loose a bit when they are sick or on medication.

      • Amy M says

        July 29, 2020 at 6:19 pm

        Thanks, JB! I know you’re very careful with what the chimps eat so I figured there was probably a good reason behind it. I was just interested in what it was! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Lynn Gold says

    July 29, 2020 at 6:19 pm

    How do you anesthetize her? Like how do you get her away from the other chimps& then how do you put her under so you can get her to the operating room? Is it a liquid med she drinks?wondering.O.R. RN-curious.thx for taking care of the boss.praying for her swift healing.

    • J.B. says

      July 29, 2020 at 6:31 pm

      Hi Lynn – Planned procedures always begin by separating the chimp from the group the night before. That alone tips them off to what is going to happen, so in some cases we give diazepam the night before to ease their anxiety. In the morning, we turn their water fountain off and give more oral sedatives. When we’re ready for the procedure, we administer an injectable anesthetic. In some cases the chimps will willingly put their shoulder or thigh against the caging to receive the shot, but in other cases we unfortunately have to take them by surprise. Occasionally we have to dart, but we do all we can to avoid that. With younger chimps we can use drugs that work in very small volumes and the injections are much less traumatic, but with most of our guys we have to use the older, safer anesthetics so it does sting and the needle does hurt. Once they are safely anesthetized in the enclosure, we go in and move them to the cot and wheel them into the clinic where the anesthetist is waiting for them with gas anesthesia.

  3. Lynn Gold says

    July 29, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    Whoops!it’s Jody, not Jaime.

  4. Maureen says

    July 29, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    So hard to see her lying there on the table like that. Of course she’s well cared for, and of course it’s for her best health, but that’s how my heart works. Clearly, I couldn’t have been a doctor. Glad she’s getting pampered (Herbal meds usually do taste wretched) and can see her friends. Hoping for good results very soon!

    • Betsy says

      July 29, 2020 at 9:20 pm

      You have such a kind heart Maureen, it’s a gift.

      • Maureen says

        July 30, 2020 at 6:05 pm

        Aw, so kind of you, Betsy. Thank you.

  5. Marya says

    July 29, 2020 at 6:29 pm

    Thanks to the entire team for your expert care and concern! It’s so relieving to know the chimps are in such good hands all around.

  6. Lissete says

    July 29, 2020 at 6:48 pm

    She doesnโ€™t pick at her stitches? Praying for encouraging test results.

    • J.B. says

      July 29, 2020 at 7:05 pm

      They sometimes do. Obviously, you can’t put a cone on a chimp, so we use other means. Most importantly, the veterinarians use multiple layers of sutures and tissue glue. Then, we bandage the incision, which provides some level of distraction. We have also tried pieces of tape and “distraction sutures”, so that they might pick at things that are less consequential, but they rarely work. In most cases, we just keep the chimp isolated and hope that they leave the sutures alone.

  7. Patti Wudi says

    July 29, 2020 at 7:08 pm

    The6are so blessed to get the very best care from you.

    • Patti Wudi says

      July 29, 2020 at 7:09 pm

      Sorry for the typo

  8. Linda C says

    July 29, 2020 at 7:17 pm

    oh, poor sweet Jo looks so long and tall on that table, even though I know she isn’t.
    Thanks to all of the docs and nurses, as always.
    Hoping she won’t miss out on the watermelon-bowl forage on the 8th! Her expression always takes the cake.
    Okay, crossing fingers again….when will all of the results be back, JB?

    • J.B. says

      July 30, 2020 at 7:58 am

      We should have the biopsy results back next week and then Dr. Erin will consult with her colleagues. Hopefully we will have news to share by the following week.

      • Linda C says

        July 30, 2020 at 7:00 pm

        Thanks, JB

  9. Jo Kesl Dewees says

    July 29, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    I love you Jody, I’m sending good vibes and a prayer your way for good test results. No matter what I know all your friends at CSN will take the best care of you and make your days happy ones.

  10. Kathleen says

    July 29, 2020 at 8:19 pm

    Oh dear, and here I was swooning over Jody’s precious face in yesterdays blog not having any idea what today held in store. Seeing the word “clinic” in a blog headline always causes me to panic ever so slightly. Good to see Jody is in so many caring experienced hands. I hope she’ll be alright and I hope her recovery is comfortable and fast. I’m keeping Jody in my thoughts, sweet girl. Add a blanket to her big cozy nest from me.

    As always, thanks for being open and for keeping us in the know. I can only imagine how worried you must be for your friend.

  11. Arlene and Michael says

    July 29, 2020 at 8:29 pm

    I am so sorry that dear Jody is going through so much but I know she is in good hands. Thank you all for taking such wonderful care of her and thank you to the medical team and Best Friends too. Hoping for the best results from her tests and that she makes a speedy recovery. Those pictures are so touching. Get well soon sweet Jody.

  12. CeeCee says

    July 29, 2020 at 8:49 pm

    Sending all my love to sweet Jody.
    Thank you for taking such good care of her.

  13. Betsy says

    July 29, 2020 at 9:08 pm

    Best wishes for an uneventful recovery to Jody. I take comfort in your words that injuries that would bring a human to their knees are speedily overcome by the chimps, especially with the help of such attentive and loving caregivers. With more chimps coming it’s good you have the state-of-the-art medical equipment you need, if there’s anything else you want, please let us know.

  14. Elaine Reininger says

    July 30, 2020 at 2:41 am

    Thanks so much for the step-by-step photo record of what went on yesterday and for answering peoples questions about what happened. Being able to TOUCH them must be eventful to you all too when they are always behind screens and glass. She looks so helpless on the stretcher and operating table. Hope lab report has good news.

  15. Barbara H. says

    July 30, 2020 at 3:40 am

    Very interesting. So glad someone asked the question about the coke. It did
    cause me to wonder also. But, it all makes sense as the question was answered.
    I wish Jody the best and a speedy recovery. I am so happy to hear more chimps
    will be coming to CSNW. What a nice place for them to enjoy once they arrive.
    Keep us posted. Thank you.

  16. Kathleen says

    July 30, 2020 at 8:14 am

    Had to reread this again and look at the very last photo of Jody testing. Precious image, oh how those long lush eyelashes get to me. The photo is my touchstone to send Jody well wishes from afar. xoxo to you dear Jody.

  17. Jojo says

    July 30, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    Sweet Jodie Iโ€™m sending you my love and keeping you in my prayers. Get well soon Sugarfoot! Fingers crossed the biopsy is clear.

  18. Tobin says

    July 30, 2020 at 8:34 pm

    I’m just now reading this post (it wasn’t up yet last night in my time zone). Sigh…my dear, dear Jody. I love her so much, and I send her my love.

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