Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary

extraction

An Appointment with the Dentist

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Well at least it wasn’t a rattlesnake this time…

Yes, poor Burrito was back in the clinic today to have an infected tooth extracted. Dr. Erin and Sofia were accompanied by Dr. Cristina Bender and her husband, Matt, from Pearl Care Dental in Ellensburg, Dr. Dan Whitemarsh of Cle Elum Dental Clinic, and veterinarian Dr. Austin Hardegree, who ran anesthesia and performed ultrasounds. Our friends at Valley Veterinary Hospital were also kind enough to lend some specialized dental equipment for the afternoon.

Since Burrito would be under anesthesia for the extraction, Jim Repsher, PA-C came to give him injections in both knees to help alleviate his arthritis.

Burrito has been through a lot in the last few years but he seems to somehow bounce back stronger every time. We have no doubt he’ll be up and running again very soon. For now, though, he is going to get some rest under close supervision from Dr. Erin…

…and a his chimp family, of course.

We’re so grateful to all the folks who give their time and energy to help care for Burrito and his family and friends. How fortunate are we to have such an amazing team of people looking after them.

Feel better soon, Bubs.

Burrito in Recovery

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Today was Burrito’s big dentist’s appointment. A month ago, after we noticed he had fractured a lower canine tooth, he had an initial exam to help determine the course of action and his ability to withstand anesthesia. You can read about that exam in this blog post written by J.B.

The echocardiogram from his first procedure showed some cardiac disease, as expected, and confirmed that the treatment we have had him on for the last three years was appropriate.

Today, we owe a debt of gratitude to the chimps’ local veterinarian Erin Zamzow and tech Amanda Carner, veterinary dental surgeon Loic Legendre, his intern Adriana Regalado and veterinary technician Barbara Boyle, nurse anesthetist Kurt Smudzinski, CSNW volunteer Rebecca Smudzinksi, and the staff and volunteers who came as support crew. And we are so grateful to everyone who helped us fundraise for the clinic, allowing the chimpanzees to receive medical treatment at home.

One thing that we’ve learned about Burrito with these past two procedures is that he can tolerate A LOT of sedative and anesthetic drugs. Once he was finally completely sedated, he was in the skilled hands of the veterinarian team. The canine tooth that was recently fractured was extracted, and a front tooth that had been broken for some time was also pulled after reviewing x-rays taken on the spot.

Burrito tooth extraction

Right now, he has a whole circle of compassionate people watching over him (we feel your concern and caring too!)

compassion circle

Based on his quick bouncing back last time, we have no doubt that he’ll be back to his usual self, toy in mouth, with the girls in no time… just with two fewer teeth.

Burrito with toy in mouth

Burrito with blue stick in mouth

Burrtio with toy in mouth

Burrito with block in mouth on YH

If you’d like to add your support for Burrito and crew, we have a wishlist full of a variety of needed things that you can gift to the sanctuary, and / or you can make a donation in Mr. B’s honor. Thank you for all of your support!