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Summary of Transcript:
Saving teeth is important as it can be more traumatic to remove them. Dr. Kim Rainwater, the director of veterinary services at the Fort Worth Zoo, discusses a recent dental procedure performed on a female jaguar who broke her lower canine tooth. The jaguar, almost 11 and a half years old, had a piece of her tooth missing and underwent a root canal procedure to fix it. The dentist assessed whether the rest of the tooth under the gum was healthy and if it could be saved. The jaguar was able to continue eating normally after the procedure.
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Summary of Description:
The Fort Worth Zoo performed a root canal on an 11-year-old jaguar named Xochi after discovering she had a broken canine with the help of their veterinary staff and Dr. Bonnie Bloom. The procedure was successful in helping Xochi normally eat again.
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Sometimes animals need root canals, too!
Introduction
Animals are just like humans; they, too, suffer from tooth problems. The Fort Worth Zoo in Texas, United States, recently shared a video on their website of an 11-year-old jaguar named Xochi, who required a root canal procedure to restore her broken canine tooth.
The Story of Xochi
According to the Fort Worth Zoo website, when Xochi’s keepers observed that she was having difficulty chewing her food, they quickly became aware of a damaged tooth. The problem was then referred to the zoo’s veterinary staff, who quickly sprang into action to restore Xochi’s broken canine. Dr. Bonnie Bloom, a licensed veterinarian, was called in to perform the root canal surgery.
The Root Canal Procedure
The root canal procedure is usually performed when the dental pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth, becomes infected or inflamed. During the process, the veterinarian removes the nerve and pulp and cleans and seals the tooth to prevent bacteria from forming inside it.
Dr. Bonnie Bloom, DVM, is an experienced veterinarian who has performed root canals on many animals. She has stated that root canals can be tricky and therefore require precision and expertise when performing the procedure, especially on jaguars, which are known to have strong jaw muscles that can be tricky to handle.
Impact of the Procedure
After the root canal procedure, Xochi’s tooth was completely restored, and she could normally eat again. The staff at Fort Worth Zoo expressed their relief and joy at the success of the surgery, as it was a matter of concern that Xochi would not have survived on a restricted diet and would have required further dental attention.
End Results
The Fort Worth Zoo prides itself on its dedication to providing its animals with high-quality care, and the root canal procedure performed on Xochi only underlines that fact. The zoo has a team of dedicated veterinarians and staff members who routinely perform dental work on animals in their care. Additionally, they always work with the best tools and resources to ensure the animals receive quality care.
Conclusion
The story of Xochi’s successful root canal procedure offers insight into the level of dedication the Fort Worth Zoo staff provides to ensure that animals in their care receive the best medical attention possible. With an emphasis on the importance of constant monitoring and quick response to notice any slight changes in their animal’s behavior, the Fort Worth team supports animal health and wellness.
Animals, just like humans, must care for their teeth to maintain good oral health. Dental problems can seriously impact an animal’s behavior, diet, and even their lives if left unattended. Fortunately, animals have veterinarians who specialize in oral health and are ready to help the animals get the care they need. The next time you visit a zoo, pay close attention to the animals’ behaviors and realize how lucky they are to have animal care professionals looking out for them.
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Source Description
Sometimes animals need root canals, too!
When keepers discovered Xochi, the 11-year-old jaguar, had a broken canine, the veterinary staff, along with the help from Dr. Bonnie Bloom, DVM, were quick to perform a root canal and get her back to eating normally again.
Website: www.fortworthzoo.org
