On Might 21st, “Mia,” an 18-year-old reticulated giraffe was immobilized for a collection of procedures to assist decide the reason for some lameness she has just lately been displaying. Standing roughly 15 toes tall and weighing near 2,000 kilos, she offered critical challenges when it got here to soundly immobilizing her for the examinations and coverings.
It took a extremely coordinated effort by a crew of over two dozen people, together with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, zookeepers, and a farrier, to immobilize Mia and concurrently carry out a wide range of duties. These duties included radiographs, hoof trimming, dental floating, vaccines, aquapuncture, and the gathering of blood.
Due to a giraffe’s extraordinary anatomy and dimension, the best problem was safely immobilizing Mia and retaining her below anesthesia whereas sustaining her very important indicators at a wholesome degree. Grownup giraffes are one of the vital difficult animals to anesthetize with the potential of not with the ability to get well from anesthesia being a critical danger.
The process was managed by Zoo Miami veterinarians, Dr. Nick Buscaglia, Dr. Marisa Bezjian, and Dr. Gwen Myers, assisted by veterinary technician’s, Rosemary Lucas and Dianna Gutierrez. They had been joined by Steve Foxworth from the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program in Colorado and all had been supported by members of the Zoo Miami Animal Well being and Animal Science groups.
All through the process and whereas below anesthesia, Mia’s head was stored elevated on a particular board whereas Animal Science workers always massaged her physique to stimulate blood move. After radiographs didn’t reveal any critical orthopedic points, hoof inventory farrier, Steve Foxworth, carried out corrective trimming of Mia’s hooves with the hope that it’ll relieve strain that could be inflicting lameness. Following the completion of the mandatory duties, Mia was given the reversal medicine and recovered in textbook trend!
Right now, Mia has been reunited with the remainder of the herd. She might be carefully monitored to see if the procedures lead to therapeutic the reason for her lameness or if additional therapy might be obligatory.