Vet Teamwork Helps Zoo Monkey

Animal care staff, at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park has treated an endangered monkey with a rare medical condition.

The zoo experts and South West veterinary specialists took the sick primate for a CT scan at a veterinary hospital in Somerset. The brown or variegated spider monkey (Ateles hybridus) is called JR (its full name being Jean-Robert). This species comes from South America and is listed as Critically Endangered.

Jo Reynard, who is a Paignton Zoo vet, vet nurse Celine Campana, Head Keeper Craig Gilchrist and Kate Jenner who is Senior Keeper all took JR to Cave Veterinary Specialists, based near Wellington in Somerset.

Jo explained: “Vets and keepers had concerns about JR for a while. Although he appeared well and active, there were subtle changes in his general condition that rang alarm bells. We took him for a CT scan as he had abnormally high cortisol levels in blood tests which led us to believe he might have Cushing’s disease. This can be caused by a small tumour on either the adrenal gland or pituitary gland.”

With the help of Cave’s Head Nurse Stuart Ford-Fennah and anaesthetist Nicki Grint, Jo and Celine managed to anaesthetise JR. He was then injected with a contrast medium to highlight abnormalities.

JR is in his prime for a spider monkey, aging at around 20 years. He arrived at Paignton Zoo in 2010 from Zoo Frejus, in France. He is one of the five brown spider monkeys in the Zoo’s troop, sharing his enclosure with Luna, Lijuana, Sophie and Paru.

Tim Trevail, who serves as consulting image specialist, carried out the scan and analysed the images. Computed tomography (or CT) uses computer-processed X-Rays to produce virtual slices of specific areas to a scanned body. Said Tim, “We found that JR has changes in his pituitary and adrenal glands consistent with an adenoma - a small benign tumour.”

Jo explained, “This is not a malignant cancer but causes problems by secreting excessive amounts of a hormone. When the tumours are large they can be removed surgically, however as this was a very small lesion we are going to try medical treatment. This was a rare procedure, a rare condition and a rare species. It was a great team effort from Paignton Zoo staff and the experts at Cave Veterinary Specialists.”

Humans can get Cushing’s disease, although it is quite unusual. The prognosis for JR is fairly good. Jo: “Cushing’s disease requires long term treatment - there are a few options that we’re reviewing. The important thing is that JR is our breeding male. The condition can suppress fertility and – as the species is Critically Endangered – we are very keen for him to go on to father offspring with our females.”