Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo: General Discussion

AmbikaFan said:
Ambika definitely sounds as if her legs are bothering her more than when I was there six weeks ago. Her arthritis seems to have worsened so quickly compared to 20+ years for Shanthi. My heart breaks for Shanthi; I've never seen visible abscesses on her feet before..... You used the plural--both feet had abscesses?
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I spoke with several keepers while there and they all said that Ambika's arthritis is fairly new only developing quite quickly over the last two years. As with Shanti it was unfortunately both her front feet that had abscesses. You can tell she is in a great deal of discomfort when moving around even though she seems to be moving around much more than the last few visits. I would like to think that the drive to be where ever Bozie goes is what motivates her to move around at times. The two are always not far from each other whenever I see them and whenever Bozie moves if theres no food in front of Shanti she seems to follow her.

I will post some pictures when I get a chance to. They are all on my phone so i have to upload them to my computer before posting.
 
I love that Shanthi has a bff. She never really had that before, and it's nice to see them gleefully reunite after being apart for about a minute!

Teva made Shanthi two big shoes so that keepers could put topical antibiotics on those abcesses and have it remain on there for long enough to provide some effect. They mentioned a problem with the shoes, but short of her taking them off, they'd at least keep the woulds clean and the antibiotics on for a while.

Now that she has visible lesions, could you do me a favor? Next time you're there, could you ask if they're using a Dakin's Solution on her feet? It's used for non-healing wounds and also eliminates enough of the infections that it's like a start-over point, with virtually all bacteria again sensitive to a wide variety of antibiotics. If meds aren't getting rid of abcesses, it's time for a Dakin's Solution. I knew she was getting foot soaks with Chlorhexadine, but it clearly hasn't been working well.

I look forward to your pictures!
 
PS I love how you sweetly poke fun at Shanthi's lifelong passion for food! Before the renovation, she'd even brave the hotwire in the trees right across from the ECC doors to get some particularly appealing browse. Despite her undeniable love of food, she never looks overweight. I thought Bozie looked way too round, but keepers told me she was at a good weight for her.
 
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