- Gladys the gorilla’s recovery process in Gorilla World at the Cincinnati Zoo following surgery
- The collaboration between Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Innovations in veterinary care exemplified by the creation of a 3D-printed cast for Gladys
- The implications of Gladys’ recovery for future veterinary practices in zoo settings
- Conservation efforts and the importance of maintaining the health of captive gorillas for species preservation
Gladys, the gorilla, is recovering from her medical journey at Gorilla World in the Cincinnati Zoo after undergoing a complex surgical procedure to mend a broken humerus. This injury, resulting from an altercation with two younger females in her troop, shed light on the challenges and necessities of advanced veterinary care for large primates in captivity. The incident required a multi-disciplinary approach involving top surgeons from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and anesthesiologists from the Cincinnati College of Medicine, highlighting a remarkable collaboration between veterinary professionals and human healthcare specialists.
Given the rarity of such injuries at the Cincinnati Zoo, the veterinary staff contacted surgeons and anesthesiologists with specialized expertise. Dr. Alexander, an instructor of anesthesiology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and a UC Health anesthesiologist, alongside Dr. Chelsey Thomas, played critical roles in monitoring Gladys throughout the surgery. This operation involved repairing the fracture and installing a temporary cast to ensure the stability of the bone structure until a more durable solution could be crafted.
Significantly, this incident has underscored the innovation possible within veterinary care, notably with the involvement of GE Additive in creating a custom titanium 3D-printed cast for Gladys. This pioneering solution promises a faster and more secure recovery process, demonstrating the potential for 3D printing technology in animal healthcare. The successful application of such technology speaks volumes about the future of veterinary treatments for similar injuries among large animals, potentially setting new standards in the field.
The enthusiastic response from the surgical and zoo veterinary teams about Gladys’ surgery’s success and the optimistic outlook on her recovery illuminates the benefits of such interdisciplinary collaboration. The precision with which screws and plates were placed to secure the bone signifies a leap forward in wildlife veterinary practices, offering hope and a model for future treatments. Furthermore, this event exemplifies how integrating human medical techniques and technology can be adapted to address the complex health challenges zoo animals face, potentially revolutionizing care procedures and recovery measures.
Beyond the immediate health implications for Gladys, this recovery journey has broader significance for conservation efforts and preserving endangered species like gorillas. Zoos often serve as frontiers for animal conservation, housing endangered species and fostering breeding programs to increase population numbers. Ensuring the health and well-being of these captive animals is paramount to their survival and the overall success of conservation initiatives. Cases like Gladys draw public attention to the plight of these magnificent creatures and demonstrate the lengths to which conservationists and veterinary professionals will go to protect them.
As Gladys continues to recover behind the scenes at Gorilla World, her story is a testament to the advancements in veterinary medicine and the collective efforts of dedicated professionals across various fields. This collaborative approach provides a lifeline for animals like Gladys and enhances our understanding of the intricate healthcare needs of large primates. It underscores the importance of continued innovation and cooperation in the quest to safeguard the well-being of animals in captivity, ultimately contributing to broader goals of wildlife conservation and species preservation. The insights gained from Gladys’ treatment and recovery process can potentially influence future veterinary practices in zoo settings worldwide, demonstrating the power of science, technology, and human ingenuity in the service of animal health and conservation.
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Source Description
Gladys the gorilla is recovering behind the scenes in Gorilla World at the @cincinnatizoo after undergoing surgery to repair a broken humerus. She sustained the injury during a scuffle with the two younger females in her troop.🦍
A break like the one Gladys suffered is not a common injury at the so the vet staff enlisted the expertise of top surgeons from @cincychildrens and anesthesiologists from the @cincinnaticollegeofmedicine.
Dr. Alexander, an anesthesiologist and instructor of anesthesiology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and a UC Health anesthesiologist, and his colleague, Dr. Chelsey Thomas, monitored Gladys while the Zoo veterinarian team and surgeons from Cincinnati Children’s performed an operation to repair her fracture and applied a temporary cast to provide stability until a stronger, gorilla-proof cast could be made. Within less than a week, GE Additive created and delivered a custom titanium 3D-printed cast for Gladys. 💝
Surgeons and zoo are pleased with how the surgery went and optimistic that the screws and plates that were placed in Gladys’ elbow will hold the bone in the right position.
Read more about the collaborative efforts of these veterinary teams in Connect through the link in our bio.
