El zoológico de Miami reveló que un equipo multidisciplinario de veterinarios logró inmovilizar a una jirafa que presentaba dolencias en sus patas con el objetivo de tratarla y salvarle la vida.
El equipo de veterinarios se tuvo que enfrentar a un “reto extremo” para tratar la grave cojera que la jirafa de 11 años ‘Pogo’ estaba padeciendo desde hace varias semanas afectando su calidad de vida.
Sin embargo, el equipo de expertos tuvo que realizar una de las intervenciones más complejas debido a que inmovilizar a una jirafa con anestesia representa un grave riesgo para su vida debido al nivel de tolerancia que tienen estos animales a estos medicamentos.
“Las jirafas adultas son uno de los animales más difíciles de anestesiar y la muerte como resultado de no poder recuperarse de la anestesia es un riesgo grave. Por esta razón, la decisión de inmovilizar a Pongo fue desafiante pero necesaria porque es posible que se haya tenido que considerar la eutanasia”, explicaron.
GIRAFFE IMMOBILIZATION PRESENTS EXTREME CHALLENGES
On Saturday, September 19th, “Pongo,” an 11 year old reticulated giraffe was immobilized for a series of procedures that were necessary to improve his quality of life which had experienced significant decline over the last several weeks. Standing over 16 feet tall and weighing close to 2,000 pounds, he had been suffering from severe lameness that had significantly restricted his mobility and was making it difficult for him to go through day-to-day activities without debilitating pain despite receiving medications to help manage his discomfort.It took a highly coordinated effort by a team of over two dozen individuals from several institutions, including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, zookeepers, and farriers, to immobilize the giraffe and then to simultaneously perform a variety of tasks. Those tasks included X-rays, hoof trimming, the shaping and attachment of custom rubber shoes, laser therapy, and the collection of blood and tissue samples.Because of a giraffe’s extraordinary anatomy and size, the greatest challenge was safely immobilizing Pongo and keeping him under anesthesia while maintaining his vital signs at a healthy level. Generally speaking, adult giraffes are considered to be one of the most challenging animals to anesthetize and death as a result of not being able to recover from anesthesia is a serious risk. For this reason, the decision to immobilize Pongo was challenging but necessary because without being able to perform the procedures prescribed, euthanasia may have had to be considered. The procedure was managed by Zoo Miami veterinarians, Dr. Marisa Bezjian, Dr. Gaby Flacke, Dr. Gwen Myers and Dr. Rodney Schnellbacher. In addition, Dr. Beth Hammond and Dr. Alan Glassman from Lion Country Safari joined Lauren Hinson from the Brevard Zoo and Steve Foxworth, Andrea Widdifield and Maddie Munns from the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program in Colorado, all of whom were supported by members of the Zoo Miami Animal Health and Animal Science teams. X-rays revealed that Pongo did have a recent fracture in his left rear foot as well as an old fracture in his front right foot. He received laser therapy and was fitted for custom shoes that were successfully attached to his rear feet. The shoes are designed to immobilize and support the recently fractured foot while helping to balance the opposing foot. Throughout the procedure and while under anesthesia, Pongo’s head was kept elevated on a special board while Animal Science staff constantly massaged his neck and body to stimulate blood flow. Following the completion of the necessary tasks, everyone held their breath as Pongo was given the reversal drugs in hopes that he would be able to wake up and stand on his own. Though he awakened and was able to hold his head up relatively quickly, it took him nearly 40 minutes following the reversal for him to finally stand which brought a huge sense of relief to the entire team!Today, Pongo has made a full recovery from his anesthesia and has been reunited with the rest of the herd. It will take several weeks for his fracture to heal. He will be closely monitored over the next few months to ensure continued improvement and that he has a good level of comfort.?: Ron Magill
Posted by Zoo Miami on Tuesday, September 22, 2020
De esta forma, la jirafa fue inmovilizada para someterla a una serie de procedimientos como radiografías, corte de cascos, terapia con láser y la recolección de muestras de sangre y tejido de este animal de casi una tonelada de peso.
En ese sentido, los estudios permitieron evidenciar que la jirafa de cerca de 5 metros de altura tenía una fractura reciente en la pata trasera izquierda, así como una fractura “vieja” en pata delantera derecha.
Ante este hallazgo, el equipo de veterinarios decidió diseñar y personalizar unos zapatos de goma para inmovilizar y soportar la pata recientemente fracturada, mientras ayudan a tratar la pata opuesta.
“Pongo recibió terapia con láser y se le colocaron zapatos personalizados que se sujetaron con éxito a sus patas traseras. Los zapatos están diseñados para inmovilizar y soportar el pie recientemente fracturado mientras ayudan a equilibrar el pie opuesto”, explicaron.
Ver más: Cazadores matan a la única jirafa blanca de Kenia y a su cría
La mayor preocupación se presentó cuando los veterinarios suministraron los medicamentos para revertir los efectos de la anestesia, ya que las esperanzas estaban puestas en que la jirafa pudiera despertarse y pararse por si misma.
Pero tras unos 40 minutos el enorme animal logró pararse y caminar lo cual trajo una gran alegría y tranquilidad para el equipo de veterinarios que estuvieron en esta espectacular misión, quienes pudieron ver que la jirafa se ha recuperado y se ha reunido con el resto de la manada.
“La fractura tardará varias semanas en curarse y será monitoreado de cerca durante los próximos meses para asegurar una mejora continua y que tenga un buen nivel de comodidad”, resaltó el zoológico.
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