Bite wounds are probably the most common injuries we see in chimps. Our treatment protocols for these wounds tend to be fairly conservative: administer analgesics for pain, clean frequently with antiseptic spray, and monitor closely. There are a few reasons for this. First, chimps have a superhuman (literally) ability to heal. Wounds that would send me racing to the ER for stitches will close up on their own in chimps with little to no treatment in a matter of days or weeks, remaining uninfected and leaving no visible trace once healed. Second, because of the frequency of wounding in captive groups, there’s always a risk of antibiotic resistance if antibiotics are over prescribed. And third, many forms of diagnostics and treatment require the chimps to be anesthetized—something we avoid whenever practical out of concern for their overall safety and well being.
Once and a while, though, there are wounds that require a bit more than the typical conservative approach—like recently, when Rayne received a bite to her third digit (middle finger) that resulted in some swelling. When the swelling persisted even as the wound appeared to heal, Dr. Erin wanted to rule out an underlying fracture. Thankfully, our Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) team was able to train Rayne to hold her hand in the x-ray box so that we could get some images without the need for anesthesia.
Here, Jenna asks Rayne to hold her hand flat in the box so we could get the first in a series of shots.
Jenna then withdraws her hand and Rayne holds hers still (while that other hand is trying to investigate the x-ray generator!).
The good news is that Rayne did not have a fractured digit. Interestingly, you can see an old healed fracture on her 2nd digit (index finger).
Though the swelling soon began to subside, PRT also made it possible to treat Rayne’s finger with a therapeutic laser to help encourage the healing process. For this, Rayne needs only to sit at her station marker and respond to Grace’s command to present the fingers of her left hand through the mesh. It was Rayne’s choice to pull up the orange ball and sit on it.
Sabrina is then able to program the laser, at Dr. Erin’s direction, and apply it to Rayne’s finger.
The only problem? Everyone wants a turn!
Positive reinforcement training requires a lot of staff time but these little opportunities to apply all that effort can really add up in the form of improved diagnostics, more effective therapies, and fewer trips to the clinic. Even if we learn that a chimp will require a more complex exam or treatment under anesthesia, we can often go in with a head start given the information we are able to obtain.
For her part, Rayne seems pretty happy to participate.
You want me to rotate my hand 90 degrees for a lateral view?
Here, you can laser my feet, too!
Just keep that juice coming.
I’m so glad it all turned out well, JB. Those last 2 photos are a hoot!
Looks like literally everyone wants a turn! Laughing out loud at that photo! And the last picture of her is great. Smart of her to pull up the orange ball as a seat, and to hold her hand still while investigating what was above her. Great PRT training at work. Must be very satisfying. So glad the training has permitted treatments without anesthesia. What a great blog!
What a wonderful confirmation of the benefits of all your hard work in their training. Rayne was a star…well done! The photo of the others wanting their turn is hilarious…..anything for a treat eh?!!
With all that special attention and care, Rayne might have been imagining she was having a spa day.
It’s wonderful all your time spent patiently training your willing participants has paid off. Everyone benefits.
Thanks for the education JB, always interesting to learn more about primate behavior and training. Had to laugh at the orange ball seat and queueing for treatment for everyone and all body parts.
You “guys” are awesome!! Having worked as a volunteer, and sometimes keeper/cleaner, at W. Waystation, I can appreciate how you have gotten the chimps to cooperate with you. I love seeing the chimps happy!!
:slight_smile::heartpulse:
I was really enjoying Rayne’s interest in the whole thing, then got to the part where everyone was interested in it! That finger was really swollen, I hope it returns to normal quickly with the laser treatment.
Hi Cindee – Believe it or not, the swelling in Rayne’s finger had mostly subsided when these photos were taken. Chimps have a large callous on the outside of their intermediate phalanx (in between their 1st and 2nd knuckles) to aid in knuckle-walking, so their fingers are very large to begin with.
I want to compliment and comment JB on his, usual, articlate and entertaining commentary! He, as always, anticipates our questions ahead of time. Thank you for your detailed, and, orderly, descriptions of the processes invloved in, chimp, care. Great sense of humor: “Just keep that juice coming”!
Wow, JB, what a process! Thank you so much for the extra effort in including “us out here” in the process and detailed pics. That little orange ball made me laugh and the others all hanging around (literally) to see the goings on was really sweet. PRT must be quite time-consuming for the staff in teaching the chimps how to respond. I recall watching an early video of you and a few chimps in the early days doing PRT and how effective it is. What I really want to know is how on earth the staff are able to look out for every finger and toe and eye and other body parts so closely alongside all the daily responsibilities of the facility?!! It’s really remarkable what you all are able to do on behalf of the chimps and their needs!! REMARKABLE!!!! And thank you for all the dedication, fortitude, skill, time, and love that it takes every minute of every day. Just simply Amazing.
I think it might come in part from feeding them through the mesh. that probably gives them opportunity to notice how their fingers, toes, and faces are doing.
that last pic… Hey, did you see how I aced that… I’m too sexy for my… too sexy for my…
:joy:
That’s all so sweet. Hope the finger heals soon 🙂
Its so great when they participate voluntarily with their care and treatment!! Great job!!