VOLUNTEER VOICE October 2013 In This Issue... - Denver Zoo

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Volunteer VoicePrimate PanoramaStephanie Valdez 303-758-0114penguin75@ecentral.comDr. Jennifer Taylor-Cousar’s picture courtesy of National Jewishwebsite; eFlow nebulizer picture from Pari Pharma websiteNATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH HELPS DENVER ZOO ORANGUTANFor 114 years National Jewish Health has been specializing in respiratory, immune andallergic research and treatment. In 2010 the Denver Zoo called upon Dr. JenniferTaylor-Cousar to consult when Mias, our 27 year old orangutan had what veterinariansbelieved was chronic air sacculitis. Since his arrival in 1997 Mias has struggled withsinus and respiratory issues that resembled a head cold. He was also very lethargic andcould be found in a corner ofthe exhibit holding his head.With the help of Dr. Taylor-Cousar his DNA was sent toJohn Hopkins and it wasdetermined that Mias'sdisease resembled cysticfibrosis which is herDr. Jennifer Taylor-Cousarspecialty. Because thephysiology of great apes is more similar to humans thanto other animals zoos often consult human physicianswhen one of them becomes ill.Cystic fibrosis is a disease of children, adolescents andyoung adults, which is characterized by abnormalmucus secretions and fibrous scarring in various organssuch as the pancreas, liver, lungs and digestive system.One of the earliest cases of cystic fibrosis in nonhumanprimates was reported in March of 1978 byscientists at the Yerkes Regional Primate ResearchCenter of Emory University where it was discovered ina young rhesus monkey.Mias during one of his nebulizer treatments at the zooA course of treatments was started with a nebulizerusing albuterol and saline twice a day and every othermonth antibiotics also twice a day. Nebulizersaerosolize medications so that they can be taken directlyinto the lungs. Dr. Taylor-Cousar prescribedmedications are delivered through both a PariLC andeFlow Technology nebulizer. The eFlow Technologybasednebulizer distributes the albuterol to open Mias'ssmall airways while the saline helps to moisturize andbreak apart the thick secretions in his lungs. Mias'sprimary keeper, Cindy Cossaboon has an amazingrelationship with Mias and is able to have him sit stilleFlow nebulizer technology(Continued on page 19)Page 18
Volunteer Voice(Continued from page 18)while she holds the nebulizer to his face as he inhaleshis medication. Along with the breathing problems itwas found that Mias lacks a pancreatic enzyme whichaids in digestion. Now he has started taking medicationto help with this condition and Staff has seen animprovement.All of this took place behind the scenes out of sight ofthe general public. Then in April 2011 Channel 4 did ainterview with keeper Michelle Valois and Dr. Taylor-Cousar about how National Jewish Heath was calledupon to help Mias and a connection was made betweenvisitors and the zoo. With the addition of a full-sizeddoor between the inside exhibit and the keeper hallwayvisitors now have the opportunity to see how Animalcare staff is able to treat Mias. One day I was able toobserve Cindy when a young boy asked me what wasgoing on. When I explained that Mias was getting hismedication with a nebulizer the boy responded “Justlike I do because I have asthma.” While Mias wasgetting his treatment he was joined at the door by ourfemale Nias and young juvenile female Hesty. Iexplained to the guests what the keeper was doing andthat she also was giving food treats to the others. Thevisitors were able to see the interaction between Cindyand the family group reinforcing the animal/peopleconnection that the zoo strives to make.Mias with HestyTo date Mias has shown great improvement movingaround his exhibit more and even painted a picture forDr. Taylor-Cousar. Nias's DNA shows no mutationsand she is not a carrier for cystic fibrosis. We are stillwaiting for test results on Hesty and she may be acarrier. There are plans to test relatives of Mias todetermine if any of them are carriers or show symptomsof the disease. Cindy has traveled to both Borneo andSumatra and the rehabilitation centers are finding thistype of respiratory disease in wild orangutans.Mias, Nias and HestyCindy worked with orangutans at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs from 1999 until September2002. She came to the Denver Zoo as a relief keeper in 2002 and in the fall of 2008 started in Great Apes in theorangutan section. Along with Jody Hodges, Michelle Valois and several other team members they care for fivewestern lowland gorillas and five orangutans. All are part of the Great Apes Heart Project collecting dataregarding heart problems in captive great apes. Now Mias and Hesty will contribute to the understanding ofcystic fibrosis in captive primates. His story and the care given by Cindy and the other team members help topromote the Denver Zoo mission to “Secure a better world for animals through human understanding.”Page 19
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VOLUNTEER VOICE October 2013 In This Issue... - Denver Zoo

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