Today, Honey B took a trip to the clinic so Dr. Erin could investigate a hand wound that wasn’t healing properly. As some of you know, chimps are notoriously good healers, which is fortunate given the frequency of wounding in this species. Most of the time, wounds heal with very little intervention- some pain meds for a few days, topical flushing or spraying with antiseptic solutions as well as laser therapy are often all that’s needed to complement their healing process.
Despite her healing and our efforts with antibiotics and laser therapy, it wasn’t enough to clear it up. Thankfully, the inflammation remained localized at the site of the wound and didn’t spread elsewhere like it tends to in humans.
After much discussion and consideration, Dr. Erin and staff agreed Honey B should make a trip to the clinic. In superhero fashion, she assembled a team of professionals to help determine what is happening in Beanz’ hand while she was in the clinic. We are always amazed at the professionals willing and eager to assist in the chimps’ anesthetic procedures and this time was no exception: Dr. Dan Low (MD) and Leah Bezzo (CRNA) from Children’s Hospital managed anesthesia. Yousuf Jafarey (DVM) from the Woodland Park Zoo, and Jim Repsher (PA) from Kittitas Valley Healthcare, scrubbed in to help assess, culture and flush the wound and perform a regional limb perfusion to concentrate antibiotics deep into the tissues. Ian Gadbaw (LVT) from PAWS Wildlife Center, came over to get a feel for how chimp exams are done and was a great help, along with our very own caregiver Krissy, in assisting with what we needed throughout the procedure and exam. While being treated for her hand, Honey B also got a good checkup, including a full dental exam, cleaning and polishing, abdominal ultrasound, and blood and urine samples.
We also have to give a huge thank to our positive reinforcement training team, which includes caregivers Sabrina, Jenna, and Ellen. With their tireless effort and dedication to training, Honey B was able to be anesthetized with relative ease. This is a perfect example as to why PRT is an important part in the chimps’ care. Honey B was willing to present her hand for the anesthetic instead of the use of a dart gun, which as you can imagine, can be a traumatic experience; both for chimpanzees and caregivers.
Beezle (my nickname for Honey B) has recovered from the anesthesia and currently resting in the recovery room and is expected to be reunited with Gordo in the morning, just to make sure all the anesthesia has worn off.
All of Honey B’s friends were curious as to what was happening to their friend. Each rotating around different viewpoint to check in on Honey B.
Since we are on the subject of Honey B, I will share a fun little story. My watch band had recently broke. The new one I purchased has Van Gogh’s The Starry Night design on it and came with a free background of the famous painting.
As you may know, the chimps are very attune with any changes regarding the caregivers. Even the most minuscule change doesn’t go unnoticed. Honey B immediately caught site on the new watch band the other day, even though a majority of it was covered by my sleeve. When I showed her the watch, the screen lit up with the Starry Night painting on it. She stopped what she was doing, even in mid-chew, and seemed memorized by it.
What was she thinking while staring at my watch? I can’t definitively say, but I will say she has some good taste. Cy and Lucky had a similar response when I showed them. This probably won’t mean anything as the novelty of something new wears off, but I’m just going to pretend.
Here are some bonus photos from the day!
Today’s food puzzle for the rest of the chimps was boomer balls! And Rayne seemed to win this race of collecting as many as she could.
As always, a big thanks to everyone on the care team! I’ll bet not everyone can say they’ve treated a chimp! She’ll enjoy the pudding tomorrow!
I guess one way to tell if she likes the painting is to slip a color copy in some day with magazine pages, and see if she picks it out!
My gratitude to all of you for taking such good care of Honey B. Chimpanzee and her friends and neighbors. With any luck and perscipacity, Ms. Beans can soon obtain access to another garden hose and find out the true measure of its length.
Many thanks to all the professionals helping with Honey B’s exam and treatments. The chimps are fortunate to have so many individuals willing to devote their time and expertise to help.
Poor Honey B. What an ordeal. I hope she heals up soon.:revolving_hearts:
Thank you to everyone for taking care of her.
A big THANK YOU to the medical staff and SPEEDY RECOVERY to Beeee!
Honey B really has great artistic sensibilities, although we already knew that from her skill at nest architecture.
Poor Beans, though! Seems like she’s always getting banged up. Thankfully CSNW has great medical staff to get her patched up quick!
Oh no! Honey B, how did you manage to get a wound on your hand? What type of shenanigans were you up to? Thankfully there was no large spreading of infection. Whew. I know HB is filled with gratitude over everyone coming to her rescue. I thank you all! I hope HB recovers quickly so she can join Gordo, who I imagine feels quite lonely right now. Or maybe he’s happy to have some quiet time alone from Ms. Beez!!
Chad, I love your watch face. To Honey B, it must look like you’re wearing a tiny TV screen on your wrist, and in a way, I guess you are! Vincent is my all time favorite artist. Who isn’t captivated by the beauty of his ‘night study’ The Starry Night? I see a correlation between the chimps and Vincent van Gogh. Both look out from barred windows to watch beautiful sunrises across their grassy valleys.
oh poor dear Honey B we are sorry she had to go through this but are grateful to all of you for taking such excellent care of her and all of the Chimps. We wish her a speedy recovery. Sending hugs:)