How hard is it to immobilize a giraffe? Watch one at Zoo Miami being treated for pain
Getting a giraffe that is more than 16 feet tall and nearly 2,000 pounds immobilized is no easy task.
But even giraffes need to be treated for pain.
On Saturday, more than two dozen people, including veterinarians from Zoo Miami and elsewhere, gathered to treat the zoo’s 11-year-old reticulated giraffe name Pongo.
And it was quite a production, video shows.
Zoo Miami spokesman Ron Magill said Pongo “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.”
He had been receiving medications to help manage his condition.
The team included Dr. Marisa Bezjian, Dr. Gaby Flacke, Dr. Gwen Myers and Dr. Rodney Schnellbacher from Zoo Miami; Dr. Beth Hammond and Dr. Alan Glassman from Lion Country Safari; Lauren Hinson from the Brevard Zoo and Steve Foxworth, Andrea Widdifield and Maddie Munns from the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program in Colorado. Also helping: Members of the Zoo Miami Animal Health and Animal Science teams.
Pongo was given X-rays, hoof trimmings and laser therapy. Veterinarians also collected blood and tissue samples and shaped and attached custom rubber shoes.
“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,” Magill said in a news release. “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.”
X-rays showed that Pongo had a recent fracture in his left rear foot and an old fracture in his front right foot. Doctors treated the injuries with laser therapy and he was fitted for custom shoes “designed to immobilize and support the recently fractured foot while helping to balance the opposing foot.”
When the procedures were complete, it took about 40 minutes for Pongo to be able to stand again.
“Pongo has made a full recovery from his anesthesia and has been reunited with the rest of the herd,” Magill said.
“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.”
