Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of illness and mortality in captive chimpanzees. As many of you know, we’ve been treating Burrito since 2012 for hypertensive heart disease. What you may not know is that Cy also suffers from cardiovascular disease – in his case, dilated cardiomyopathy. To better manage his symptoms and slow the progression of the disease, Dr. Erin arranged for a cardiac exam from Dr. Lynne Nelson, lead cardiologist at Washington State University’s veterinary hospital. Dr. Nelson has been a great friend to the sanctuary for many years and has helped oversee Burrito’s care.
Dr. Nelson’s expertise was also called upon this week to assess Lucky. While Lucky has appeared to be in good health overall, her pre-transport exam from Wildlife Waystation suggested the possibility of an enlarged heart. We knew that further diagnostics would be required once she and her friends settled into their new home and social group.
And then there’s Terry. Terry has not shown any signs of cardiovascular disease, but he was due for a re-check of his fractured canine tooth, and any time a chimpanzee is anesthetized in the clinic, we want to obtain as much information as we can to help manage their care. Dr. Erin thoughtfully scheduled Terry’s re-check at a time when he could also receive a thorough evaluation from Dr. Nelson.
Three chimps in three days. Heart Week, you might call it. Or Hell Week, if you are a member of the staff responsible for getting the chimps into the right enclosures at the right times so that we could make this all work. We are incredibly grateful to all of the staff and volunteers for all the effort that went into making these exams possible while keeping the rest of the chimp house humming along like usual.
Before I share more of the week’s events, I’m sure you want to know what we found. Lucky has a healthy heart for her age, thankfully. Ultrasound revealed a few things that we’ll want to keep an eye on, but she does not suffer from any significant cardiovascular disease. Cy’s echocardiogram showed some improvements from his last exam—likely from the medications he has been on—but also some disease progression. Dr. Nelson was able to recommend changes to his medication regimen that should help. Terry’s exam showed good news on both fronts—his fractured tooth is healing nicely and his heart is healthy for his age, though he shows some mild cardiac changes that warrant monitoring every few years. Thankfully, he doesn’t have any signs of heart failure and requires no medication at this time.
It’s not fun for us to have to bring the chimps into the clinic, but it is at times necessary. One of the ways that we can reduce the trauma associated with exams under anesthesia is to work with the chimps so that they will take an injection by hand, rather than by dart. Our positive reinforcement training team, and the work of others before us at the Waystation, made it so that all three chimps willingly presented their arms and legs for their anesthetic injections. According to Jenna, who has been training with Lucky, Lucky was downright nonchalant about being poked. The Valium-spiked sip of juice probably helped a little, too.
As is often the case here, Dr. Erin, Sofia, and Dr. Nelson were aided by a number of other medical professionals who came to volunteer their time and talents. Mekensie Kmack, CRNA, who has helped many times before, oversaw Lucky’s anesthesia. New to the team this time was Marneye Driesen, who assisted with the echocardiogram.
Some of our procedures, such as abdominal radiographs, are performed outside of the clinic while the chimps are in recovery (but still anesthetized) to minimize time under anesthesia.
It’s important to keep the chimps warm during recovery – these socks are not just for fashion.
The same team assembled again the next day to examine Cy’s heart and perform routine diagnostics and cleanings.
We’ve found that there’s no use hiding what is happening from the other chimps. Once someone is out of the clinic, they are laid in the recovery room while their friends look on through windows or neighboring enclosures. This reassures them and provides a comforting presence when the chimps wake up from anesthesia.
Cy was groggy, as is to be expected, but he perked right up as soon as Kelsi put on one of his favorite movies, Must Love Dogs.
It was unfortunate that Terry had to return to the clinic so soon after having his fractured tooth repaired, but it was important to get x-rays of the tooth and underlying bone to ensure that he had healed properly. Dr. Whitemarsh, DMD, was on hand again to help.
Sonographers Korey Krause and Tanya Herbert, also new to the team, performed an abdominal exam while Michelle DiMaggio, LVT, monitored anesthesia and otherwise assisted Dr. Erin.
As I write this, Lucky and Cy have been reunited with the group. Terry, who had his procedure this morning, will remain apart for the night while he recovers. Hopefully the others let him get some rest.
As usual, the information we collect to help the chimps in our care will also be shared with the Great Ape Heart Project, so that we can help other captive apes suffering from cardiovascular disease.
Many thanks to Dr. Erin, the staff, and the amazing team of medical professionals that came to care for Lucky, Cy, and Terry this week. Thanks as well to all of our donors that make this level of care possible. If you’re interested in the veterinary care we provide at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, why not register for our upcoming Virtual Visit on Saturday, April 15th at 2pm? To learn more, click here.
So So grateful for all those professionals reaching out to protect and help The Chimps to stay Healthy and Happy. I think once they’re outside enclosure is open they will progress in mind and body …..having an Active, Sunny ,Airy Environment to romp …..Will Just Sooth The Soul:hugging: I CAN’T WAIT:blush:
It must be amazing to share space with these beautiful beings while they are asleep. You really do provide them with the best care! Curious…do they watch movies other than when recovering from medical care?
Oh, yes. Cy would watch movies all day if we let him, but we know he has important work to do in his group so he can’t be glued to the TV all day. That said, TV is a part of our regular enrichment program.
I find these trips to the clinic for the exams facinating. You have a wonderful team of medical professionals to rely on and I’m happy to hear that the chimps cardiac problems seem to be stabilized for now. Thank you for taking such good care of our loveable chimpanzees.
All that flappy, chunky area around the mouth is just adorable:hugging:…yah…. just want to scoop it up into your hands and relish it….
Every aspect of your three day cardiac exams + extra exploration fascinates me. Starting with your amazing team of professionals right down to the chimps curiously keeping a close eye on their friends recovery to discovering that “Must Love Dogs” gave Cy such joy while he recuperated (thanks Kelsi for watching with him!). I am relieved to hear Lucky, Cy, and Terry are alright (all things considered).
Thank you J.B., the post and photos (especially the image of the feet warming up in the holiday socks) drive home the immense responsibility in holding the lives of 16 chimpanzees in your hands.
Phew!! What a busy several days!! Im glad to hear Cy is stable and maybe even slightly improved! Also happy to hear Lucky and Terry’s hearts are doing well! Great job to the team!!
This was such a fascinating post. Thank you JB for thaking the time to write it up so clearly. I would think that for any DVM it must be fascinating to have a chance to provide care for a chimpanzee, I can’t imagine that opportunity comes around very often. I’m looking forward to learning more on the 15th.
Thank God for this sanctuary, providing the mental and physical health for these beautiful Chimpanzees. Are thier health problems caused from what they were forced to endure for the sake of so called horrid researxh they suffered so cruelly through?
Cardiovascular disease seems to be a disease of captivity for chimpanzees and other great apes, as it is also seen in zoo populations. There’s still a lot to be learned, though, so we can’t say definitively what causes it.
I can appreciate that it must be stressful to their caregivers to have one of the chimpanzees (let alone three) in the clinic. I am grateful to all of you who take such good care of our friends who live at the sanctuary. As always, I pray for their good health and healing…and happiness.
So, Cy likes a movie about dogs (or at least with the word in the title)?! Well, as long as no one in the film is clad in a plaid shirt, I hope that Cy will enjoy the performance…
it’s from 2005 Chicago….I can’t remember, but don’t think there’s any plaid! 🙂
Thank you JB for such a comprehensive blog about a very important part of what you do there. Whilst we all love the photos and videos of their cheeky antics, mealtimes and keeping their caregivers healthy by endless walks on the hill, this reminds us all that their health is also a huge part of your care for them. Well done and many thanks to all the team for such excellent work.
Didn’t Dr. Willy B, D.M.D. just give Terrys tooth a follow up exam in last weeks video?!
It turns out that Dr. Willy B’s credentials are fake and “The Chimpanzee School for Good Teeth” doesn’t even exist.
Lol
What an informative post, J.B. I was curious about the anesthesia process and now I know. Thank you. Silly me, it didn’t occur to me that you would have trained them to present their arms. Clueless am I. The medical set up is amazing. What a difference from a few years ago. It’s nice to know the chimps are in such a safe place with do many highly skilled and caring hands.