From Dr. Erin:
The last few days have been even busier than usual at the sanctuary!
Both Jamie and Foxie had complete exams this week. The decision to anesthetize any of the chimps is never taken lightly but when it comes to anesthetizing older chimps (Jamie is turning 48 in a couple weeks and Foxie is 49), we are especially careful and consider several factors before making the decision to perform an exam under anesthesia. These factors include what data we can get through positive reinforcement training, how long it’s been since their last exam, as well as any previous health concerns or current changes in behavior or affect that indicates there may be a health concern.
In Jamie’s case, as J.B. noted in a previous blog post, Jamie has been slowing down over the last several months and her belly has become more pronounced. While the physical changes can certainly be ascribed to aging (ask me how I know) and the change in social structure since Jody’s passing, we couldn’t be sure and there was something “off” enough about her that an exam was warranted.
With Foxie, we were concerned about a cough that developed this past summer and persisted in spite of various medications to address possible causes.
Both chimps did well under anesthesia and while Jamie wanted an extra day of rest before rejoining the group, Foxie was clamoring to be back with her family before breakfast this morning. The procedures consisted of a complete dental exam, including x rays and cleaning, abdominal ultrasound, echocardiogram, head to toe physical, full body x rays, and sample collection for diagnostic tests on blood, respiratory fluid and urine.
Jamie’s team on Friday included local professionals Dan Whitemarsh, DDS and Tanya Hebert, sonographer. Traveling from west of the Cascades were Jaime Sheehan, echo tech, Milo Torres, LVT & the wonderful Dr. Dan Low and anesthesiology intern Pat Herndon. Dr. Yousuf Jafarey, an experienced primate vet and dear friend, flew up from California just to participate in the exams!
Jaime Sheehan returned yesterday to perform Foxie’s echo as well. The rest of Foxie’s team consisted of Dr. Charles Dyer, the dentist from the Dental Coalition for Conservation (who performed in Missy’s dental care in July), Korey Krause, sonographer from Kittitas Valley Health, David Liston, MD and Kate Uselman, CRNA from Seattle on anesthesia, as well as Dr. Jafarey and myself.
We have some preliminary information from the exams that will help guide care for both of these amazing older ladies and are awaiting lab results, radiology, and cardiology reviews that will further inform protocols for keeping them as comfortable as possible in their golden years.
I am incredibly grateful to the professionals that lend their time, effort and expertise to these exams, it really is a team effort to ensure the chimps have the safest and most thorough exam possible. I am so appreciative and impressed by the staff and volunteers who rearrange schedules, take on extra work, come in early, deal with clinic equipment spilling into the foyer and all support each other as well as the chimps. I work with the most wonderful people!
And we are so fortunate to work with the incomparable Dr. Erin!
The team prepares blood samples:
Jamie’s teeth are examined and cleaned while she is given an abdominal ultrasound:
The team monitors Jamie during recovery:
Jamie sleeps off the events of the day:
Foxie receives a dental cleaning and abdominal ultrasound:
X-rays are taken of Foxie’s teeth:
Nothing speeds up recovery like some pudding in a cup:
Jamie and Foxie enjoying a lunch forage on the hill this afternoon:
I am keeping Jamie and Foxie in the intentions of my heart. I love them both. Thank you for the great health care which you provide to all who have this sanctuary as a home.
Jamie is indeed a bit smarter than our Fabulous Ms Fox:, she held out for an extra day of pudding!
Fingers crossed that all is well.
Thanks to all of the doctors and staff who assisted–thank you for caring for our favorite chimpy people on the planet!
Heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people who take such special care of our beloved chimpy people. Whilst it’s always worrying to see that they need procedures done, we know that they couldn’t be in better hands. Do Jamie and Foxie cooperate with offering their hands for sedation or do they have to be darted? Great news that they have both recovered well and we look forward to their test results being good too. Thank you all so much.
Jamie is the most cooperative chimp I’ve ever know when it comes to taking injections. Foxie did put her arm up for the shot but she was very upset when she got poked.
Thank you for the update and hoping all is well with the results. Most sincere thanks to all of the team of professionals and volunteers, who work so hard to make sure these chimps receive the best care. So happy that Foxie and Jamie are back with their family and in their normal routine again:)
Thanks you to the wonderful medical professionals, sanctuary staff and volunteers for all your enormous efforts on behalf of chimp health. Fingers crossed Jamie and Foxie’s tests don’t show any serious medical cocerns at this time.
I’m also hoping for favorable results from all exams. Thank you for providing excellent care and for the pictures.
Wishing for good test results for both Foxie & Jamie:revolving_hearts:
Good to see them back in action.
I pray for the best of health for Jamie and Foxie (and all of the CSNW residents). I know they get the best care possible.
Holding my breath with fingers crossed until you hear the results for both precious ladies. I am so grateful to everyone who offered their experience and time ensuring Jamie and Foxie received the full Premiere Care Package. Thank you!
Also want to add that I would have a great urge to hug Jamie and Foxie while they were under anesthesia. Being close to them with no barriers—just to be able to place my hands gently upon their beautiful faces and stroke their heads. Would love to know what that dear bed-head hair feels like. :). Be well Jamie and Foxie.
Heartfelt thanks to you all at team Jamie and Foxie and for sharing their medical procedures with us- keeping us in the loop as it were. As always you are so generous with your time including sharing the photos with us.I felt I was with you every step of the way. Your loving care and skill will work wonders for these two darlings. Bless you all and bless you, Jamie and foxie :sparkling_heart::sparkling_heart:?
Well done, medical staff! :bouquet:
It is the beautiful loving and caring energy that IS CSNW, with all it’s fantastic people caring for these wonderful chimpanzees, that attracts fantastic professional people who are willingly donating there expertize and time to care for our beloved chimpanzees.
I have said it before: Dr. Erin must be deeply loved and respected in de medical world to have so many collegues willing to come and help care for the chimps.
You are ALL beautiful and wonderful people.
Thank you very much!!
So grateful for this group of generous skilled and kind humans doing so much to make up in some way for the dispicable actions of other humans in the past, and for giving all they can now to some of the non-human primates who have paid the price and deserve so much. Thanks to all and thanks for sharing and buoying us up!
Please thank the entire team for their excellent, selfless care of our precious little ones!
Prayers for the very best results and praises to all those involved!
Nice to see the ladies out in the sunshine today.