Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

clinic

Jamie and Foxie’s Exams

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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:

When the Cat Comes Back

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After her long post-clinic recovery day yesterday, it was good to see Jamie immediately go on a patrol. Someone has to make sure things are in order!

It was also good to see the personalized night bag just for Jamie that was part of the HOOT! event. Thank you, Cee Cee :).

Tomorrow, J.B. will be providing an update on Jamie’s clinic trip and Foxie’s too, which happened today.

Missy’s Trip to the Clinic

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Recently, during the course of a positive reinforcement training session, Jenna noticed a spot on Missy’s gums that indicated a possible tooth infection. Missy is considered a higher anesthetic risk patient due to her age (less than one month shy of the big five-oh) and a previous adverse reaction to anesthesia, so Dr. Erin assembled an experienced team that could safely diagnose and treat her.

Dr. Erin and Krissy were assisted yesterday by many familiar faces, including anesthesiologist Dan Low, vet tech Jennifer Garcia, echo tech Amy Owens, sonographer Korey Krause, and veterinarians Donna Menshing (also a CSNW board member) and Lexi McGilvray. It was also our first opportunity to work with Dr. Charles Dyer of the Dental Coalition for Conservation.

Preparing a chimp for an exam involves isolating them from their group, typically the night before, and then moving the other chimps to a separate part of the facility in the morning so that we can administer the initial injection safely and without interference.  Negra, Foxie, Jamie, and Burrito were happy to take a walk on Young’s Hill before breakfast but, predictably, Annie would not leave Missy’s side. After some intense negotiation involving bananas and juice, we agreed that Annie could stay and keep watch over Missy but from two rooms down.

The positive reinforcement training team—Sabrina, Jenna, and Ellen—had prioritized Missy’s injection training over the last several weeks and their work paid off, as Missy calmly accepted an injection by hand from Ellen. Once anesthetized, Missy was weighed and brought into the on-site veterinary clinic.

As predicted, Missy kept the anesthesia team on their toes but they were prepared. The decision was made to pull two incisors and slightly narrow the scope of imaging and other diagnostics so as not to prolong the exam any longer than necessary.

Annie was relieved to see Missy returned to Front Room 1 for recovery.

The team, including chimp house volunteer and retired nurse, Nancy, monitored Missy’s vitals closely until she was alert and active. All the while, the chimp house staff and volunteers worked around Missy’s procedure and recovery to keep up with the routine.

This morning, Missy was back with her group and ready to forage.

We’re grateful to Dr. Erin and to her incredible team of volunteer medical professionals for dedicating their time and their hearts to Missy’s care, with particular thanks to Dr. Dyer for traveling all the way from Texas (!) to take part and share his knowledge of exotic animal dentistry.

And as for Missy, I sure hope the Tooth Fairy can pay in tomatoes.

Dora’s Check-Up

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Dora made her first appearance in the veterinary clinic last week for a routine physical exam. Like Rayne, she willingly took the anesthetic injection (this time from Sabrina and Dr. Erin, with a prior assist from the entire positive reinforcement training team). While we have to wait for specialists to review some of the data the team collected, Dora appears to be in perfectly good health.

Many thanks to our great crew of volunteer professionals, from the vet techs, sonographers, and veterinary student extern helping with the procedure to the cardiologists and internists reviewing the results—and of course to our very own Dr. Erin!

Someone recently asked on social media what types of procedures the chimps undergo when they are in the clinic. While the answer depends on many factors, including their age, sex, clinical history, stability under anesthesia, and the amount of time since their last exam, we generally try to do the following:

  • Update Vaccinations (e.g., rabies, tetanus)
  • TB test
  • Glucose Reading
  • Fecal Exam
  • Urinalysis
  • Blood tests
  • EKG
  • Dental Exam and Cleaning
  • Dental X-Rays as needed
  • Echocardiogram
  • Cervical, Chest, and Abdominal X-Rays
  • Joint X-Rays as needed
  • Full Body Exam

Our goal is to perform these exams as infrequently as possible so it’s important to gather all the information we can while they’re in the clinic.

And that requires a great team.

Hopefully Dora will continue to stay healthy and out of trouble so she won’t have to come back to the clinic for a while.

Rayne’s Exam

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Rayne took a trip into our veterinary clinic recently for a physical exam. Take a look at what goes into making such a trip possible.

Some of Rayne’s diagnostic results are pending review by specialists, but she appears to be in very good health!

If you’re new to this blog, here’s a primer on the ethical considerations that factor into decisions around physical exams.

And if you want to learn more about the kind of care we can provide without having to take them into the clinic, check out a few examples of our work with cooperative x-rays, EKGs, and ultrasound.

Beans, Beans the Magical Chimp

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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.

Technicians take an x-ray of Honey B’s hand before entering the clinic
The amazing care team monitoring Honey B after the procedure.

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.

Terry had the “best seat” in the house to check in on his friend.

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.

Tough decision of which boomer ball to begin with
Obvious choice for someone like Rayne is to tackle the most challenging kind first

A Trip to the Clinic for Willy B

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Willy B took a trip to the clinic this morning. The main purpose of the procedure was to investigate some swelling in his scrotum. As usual, Dr. Erin assembled a great crew to ensure that Willy would have the best care possible.

Dan Low, MD and Leah Bezzo, CRNA, both with Seattle Children’s Hospital, kept Willy safely under anesthesia. Tom Lendvay, MD, a urologist with Seattle Children’s, performed the initial evaluation with ultrasound assistance from Korey Krause, RDMS.

Willy also had a full cardiac workup, including chest radiographs and an echocardiogram by Marneye Driesen, RDCS, since some forms of heart disease can cause fluid to begin backing up in cavities such as the scrotum.

While he was under, Willy was also given a complete abdominal ultrasound.

Echocardiograms require a more powerful ultrasound machine than the one we own, so we are very grateful to the Woodland Park Zoo for once again allowing us the use of their machine. The machine was delivered to the sanctuary by Barbra Brush, LVT, who also participated throughout the procedure, including giving William a thorough dental cleaning.

The results of the echo and samples from his scrotum will have to be sent off for analysis but based on what we’ve seen, Dr. Erin has reason to believe that Willy B will benefit from some cardiac medication, just like his buddy Cy and like good ol’ Burrito across the way.

Willy did great throughout the procedure and is recovering quickly – due in part to the fact the we have kept his feet nice and warm and fashionable. We think it’s also due to the fact that he has a standing 2:30pm appointment to display and cause chaos in his group, to which he has never once been late.

Thankfully, he also seems to understanding the importance of getting rest after a clinic visit, so we’re hoping that he’ll take an afternoon off just this once.

Many, many thanks to this amazing team of medical professionals who traveled great distances to join us this morning and of course to our own Dr. Erin and Grace! We will continue to seek the donation of a portable cardiac ultrasound machine but if that is not in the cards, be on the lookout for a fundraiser sometime next year 🙂

We’ll share updates about Willy B when we know more.