As Ellen explained back in April, our staff, in conjunction with our Health and Behavior Working Group, determined that Gordo should receive his first physical exam at CSNW this year. Dr. Erin went to work assembling a team of medical professionals and our Positive Reinforcement Team, consisting of Jenna, Sabrina, and Ellen, with help from the entire staff, spent the last few months working with Gordo so that he would allow us to isolate him and accept an anesthetic injection by hand. I’m happy to say that all their hard work paid off, as yesterday Gordo willingly presented his arm for Ellen and Dr. Erin.
After Gordo was anesthetized, we took a few quick chest x-rays as a preliminary cardiac screening before weighing him and then moving him into the clinic for the rest of his procedure.
In addition to Dr. Erin, the medical team consisted of anesthetist Mekenzie Kmack, dentist Cheri Bloom, sonographer Korey Krause, echocardiograph technician Amy Owens, vet assistant Krissy, and chimp house volunteer Nancy Suttles, who jumped at the chance to put her experience as a retired RN to use helping to monitor Gordo during his recovery.
Here, Dr. Bloom begins her dental exam while Korey performs an abdominal ultrasound:
Dr. Erin and Dr. Bloom prepare to take dental x-rays:
Dr. Bloom and Dr. Erin perform a dental cleaning:
We are thrilled to finally own a top-of-the-line portable ultrasound machine, which means that local technicians like Korey and Amy can utilize our equipment and the images can then be sent to specialists for interpretation and analysis. Our medical teams typically work on different tasks simultaneously to maximize the amount of information we can obtain while keeping the duration of anesthesia as short as possible.
Amy performs the echocardiogram:
Mekenzie manages Gordo’s anesthesia while keeping a close eye on his vitals:
While some additional x-rays are taken in the clinic, we are able to take many of them during the brief period after the chimps are returned to their enclosure but before they wake up:
The chimps are given oxygen and propped up with blankets to help ensure they have a safe recovery:
Nancy records vitals until Gordo is awake and alert:
Eventually, the rest of the group is allowed to come check on Gordo from a distance:
When he is ready, they are allowed to come into the neighboring enclosure, where they can check in on him and offer him reassurance:
Gordo happily put his back to the cage so he could be groomed by his family:
Dora even snuck him a little kiss:
After a good night’s rest, Gordo was allowed to return to his group. They were all happy to see him, but none more so than Willy B! Who knew?
We are so grateful to Dr. Erin and her amazing team for their work to keep Gordo happy and healthy! Here’s a word from Dr. Erin herself:
I’m pleased to report that based on Gordo’s exam and preliminary results from the imaging and labwork, Gordo looks to be in pretty good shape!
The ultrasound, chest and abdominal radiographs will be sent out for review by a board certified radiologist. The echocardiogram results will be sent to our veterinary cardiologist and a report compiled and submitted to the Great Ape Heart Project. The GAHP not only sends us a detailed report and recommendations for treatment and follow up, they have a huge database on cardiac health and disease of great apes so every report submitted adds to that body of knowledge.
I still have labwork results to review and compare to past reports but nothing alarming is standing out so far.
The one health issue that did need to be addressed during this exam was an infected molar. Gordo appears to have sustained some facial trauma as a juvenile that caused some misalignment in the dentition on his right side. While his teeth were still healthy during his pre-travel exam at the Wildlife Waystation back in 2021, yesterday’s exam revealed an obvious tooth infection with x ray confirmation of root involvement. While I can’t ask him to rinse with salt water, the staff is doing their best to keep him on soft foods and he will have to go without nuts and seeds for a few days.
Gordo is a shy chimp and it’s going to take some time for me to win his trust back but I hope on some level he understands how very much he is loved. And hopefully he will feel better very soon with that infected tooth out! So grateful for the dedicated and creative staff that will find a way to get those post extraction meds in. I see a lot of pudding and peanut butter filled dixie cups in his near future!
Marcie says
Ah sis sneaks in a kiss, so sweet.
Dan Oksiuta says
Blog didn’t get posted to FB (yet?) had me worried for a bit something was amiss. Glad to find it was just a busy time. Kudos & thanks to the exam team. Must take a big chunk of their time away from dealing with us hairless apes.
Susan Feeley says
Oh, my goodness, that certainly was a group effort with the medical team and staff on high alert! Gordo couldn’t have been in safer hands, but no doubt it is always a big concern for these procedures. Good to see Gordo awake and alert especially with Willy B keeping a close eye there. Lots of treats for Gordo!!
Bonnie says
I was surprised, that its been 3yrs since he’s been checked. Why aren’t they all checked yrly? I know it must involve alot to get it done, but medical issues like his infected tooth can cause other health issues.
J.B. says
Hi Bonnie – That’s a great and valid question, and one that we think about all the time. Logistically, we wouldn’t have a problem doing yearly exams. In fact, since a year is an arbitrary amount of time in the context of illness and disease progression, we could choose to do them every six months or even every three months to make sure we catch each and every sign as early as possible. But we have to balance that goal with the equally important goal of protecting the chimps from the risks and trauma of anesthesia. As far as we can tell, there’s no correct answer, so every institution has to use its collective experience and judgment to do what’s best for the animals in their care. Here’s a little more on what goes into the decision: https://chimpsnw.org/2022/01/first-do-no-harm/
Kathleen says
Oh poor Gordo. That extracted tooth is going to be painful. Hopefully the yummy soft treats will makeup for it all! I’m also hoping this sweet shy guy will forgive and forget quickly simply because he’ll be feeling so much better. Sending big thanks to everyone involved in this extensive project—amazing teamwork!
And I was so happy to read that Willy B was happiest to see Gordo back with the pack. Willy B is full of surprises.
Kathleen says
After rereading the blog this morning, I just wanted to add that I remember when you purchased the medical trailer, it was amazing. Thinking back, that wasn’t that long ago, maybe 10 years. Now, with the in-house medical facility I am amazed by your equipment….make that portable equipment. And obviously I am impressed by the numerous professionals who squeeze themselves together around the patient performing their duties like it’s a pit stop at the 24 H du Mans.
Gordo looked relatively small lying on his back in that first photo after his examination. And I loved the closeup of Gordo sleeping peacefully under his lingering anesthesia with the oxygen tubes in. Sweet Gordo, it’s heartwarming to see his family reassure him and themselves, too.
Arlene and Michael says
So relieved to know Gordo is doing well after tests and the tooth extraction. Thank you all for taking such excellent care of him and all the Chimps and bovine!!!
Nancy Duryea says
I’ll add my thank you to everyone involved in Gordo’s exams and tooth extraction…those are not fun, I’m glad he was out.
It appears that his buddies missed him and were glad to have him back. such a sweet kiss from cute little Dora.
Gaynell says
What outstanding team work of all involved. I’m happy everything looks OK for Gordo’s health checkup. That tooth extraction must give him great relief. How nice that his chimp family was there for support, even with a little kiss.
Linda C says
Wow, Willy B is indeed an enigma!
Thanks to the whole team! Im glad to hear that everything looks okay so far.
Dr Erin, I propose that YOU get to dole out some of that pudding and pb! It’ll help with any possible hurt feelings. And maybe sneak him something small in the future, so he knows it wasn’t personal. :slight_smile:
The other day I came across someone making french toast with Kings Hawaiian rolls, and I immediately thought of my chimpy friends, and how much they’d love that!
Eli says
Aww, Gordito. I’m so glad his PRT skills paid off and he was able to accpet the injection!!!
I’m glad his health is looking good. I imagine he must feel so much better to have that bad tooth removed!
Roberta S. says
What an amazing example of, and tribute to the care, consideration and caliber of the humans involved in this effort, on and off site. I’m so happy that Gordo and all at CSNW are loved and cared for so kindly and diligently on this and every day. 🙂 Thank you!
Cindee says
That look he’s giving the camera says “Traitor”!!! LOL
Linda C says
At the very least, astonishment. “wth, dude!?”
Linda C says
I wonder how they did things at WWS…how often they had to be taken in, and how they went under (since you knew Cy arrived with a diagnosed heart condition). Maybe our former caregiver blog friends can tell us their fav recovery treats and treatments.
Susan C. says
Thanks to Dr. Erin and the entire medical staff. Gordo was indeed in great hands for this procedure. Thanks also to the CSNW staff who prepared Gordo for his procedure and who take care of him so wonderfully on a daily basis. Sounds like all good news for Gordo. Having recently had an infected tooth and removal, I can say that Gordo will feel 100% better without that tooth and the pain that comes with it.Thanks to all!
Adrienne says
Thank you for your efforts and dedication, med team and Dr. Erin! Speedy recovery, pal! :heartpulse::banana::strawberry::avocado::grapes:
Debbie says
Wonderful report! Good job Gordo. Keep up the fitness we want you around a long long time ?