Watch as Maxi, Zoo Miami’s spotted hyena, undergoes abdominal surgery
Maxi the hyena underwent extensive surgery at Zoo Miami Friday after she stopped eating. Veterinarians went in to see what was ailing the spotted hyena.
Maxi, 7 1/2 years old, had been refusing food and regurgitating what little she did eat for some time before she was taken to the zoo hospital, Zoo Miami said Friday.
She came to the zoo from Belgium in April 2019 with Obi, a 4-year-old hyena from Germany, as part of a breeding program.
At the hospital, she was x-rayed, had her blood taken and checked by ultrasound for a possible obstruction or other abnormality in her abdomen.
Dr. Jeff Toll, a veterinary internist, found some minor objects in her digestive tract. It was decided exploratory abdominal surgery would have to be done to figure out what was affecting Maxi.
Dr. Briana Danielson, a veterinary surgeon, performed the surgery, which took a little over an hour. While feather quills and other items were found, the medical team didn’t think those were the cause of Maxi’s ailment.
The Animal Health team thinks Maxi is suffering from a behavioral issue. Diagnostic tests are still pending and will arrive next week.
For now, Maxi is back in her exhibit and is recovering from her surgery. She will be closely monitored.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 6:04 PM.
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