Western Daily Press (Saturday)
BEARING UP: ROOT CANAL OP AT ZOO
DENTIST VISITS WILD PLACE:
NORMALLY it is the patient who is a bit apprehensive about visiting the dentist. But these pictures show a brown bear being given root canal surgery.
Neo, a four-year-old European brown bear, underwent the procedure to treat an abscess at the base of one of his canine teeth.
His keepers noticed that his tooth had become fractured soon after Neo became active following seven weeks of torpor – a slightly lighter form of hibernation.
The operation was performed inside one of the bear dens at the Wild Place Project, near Bristol, by veterinary dentist Martin Brice.
He was assisted by the conservation project’s in-house vets Michelle Barrows and Charlotte Day.
Mr Brice, of Emersons Green Veterinary Surgery, said: “I’m used to treating much smaller, domestic patients at my clinic in Bristol and it’s always a pleasure to be asked to help out with dental procedures on zoo animals.
“Neo’s root canal surgery was essential to treat the infection that caused the abscess.
“It is possible that he might require further treatment in around six months as he’s quite a young bear and his teeth may not yet be fully mature.”
Neo was under general anaesthetic for around three hours, which also allowed zoo vets to carry out a full health check.
The Wild Place Project is run by Bristol Zoological Society.
A general anaesthetic provides the perfect opportunity to get up close to our more dangerous species MICHELLE BARROWS
Michelle Barrows, head of veterinary services and conservation medicine at the society, said: “We regularly carry out visual checks on our animals, however, a general anaesthetic provides the perfect opportunity to get up close to our larger and more dangerous species and carry out diagnostic tests as well as physically assess their condition.
“As expected, Neo had lost some weight following torpor but is still in good body condition. His other results came back all clear and he has made a quick recovery following his dental work.”