A gorilla with a tooth abscess went to see a dentist (8 photos)

It's a situation that every dentist is familiar with: a patient comes in with a severe toothache and needs immediate treatment. But what if it's a gorilla that needs help?





This is exactly the situation faced by Professor Katja Koeppel of the University of Pretoria, a wildlife health expert and senior veterinarian.

Workers at the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria noticed a tooth abscess in a 23-year-old male western lowland gorilla, but Binga refused to take antibiotics and was in pain.



A 23-year-old male western lowland gorilla needed a tooth extracted

With surgery the only option, Koeppel joined a team of six veterinarians. They tranquilized Binga and then extracted his molar.

"This gorilla is 400 pounds of pure muscle. It can come out of a deep sleep in a matter of seconds, and you can't hold it down," says Koeppel, who has worked with more than 400 gorillas in her career. "So I have to make sure the anesthesia is right."

"When I shot Binga with a tranquilizer dart, he came running at me and stopped a few feet away. I was just praying that the cage bars would hold!"





The primate was taken to Professor Gerhard Steenkamp, ​​a veterinary dentist, who performed the two-hour surgery. Given the risks associated with prolonged anesthesia, doctors monitored the patient's condition and performed an echocardiogram.



Professor Katja Koeppel from the University of Pretoria was responsible for the anaesthesia

Pretoria Zoo pays special attention to the health of its residents. Regular dental checks, vision tests and blood tests are carried out, as well as ultrasounds of the heart and abdomen, chest X-rays and even a reproductive health assessment.

Binga is currently doing well. He has been advised to brush his teeth and floss regularly.





The operation lasted 2 hours

Binga was born in 2001 at the Zurich Zoo. He arrived in the South African capital in 2008 after the death of the dominant male.

"We are grateful for the veterinary care and the unique opportunity to learn," said Leslie Mudimeli, director of the National Zoological Gardens.

There is now hope that Binga will find a mate and increase the numbers of the endangered species.



Although the western lowland gorilla is the smallest subspecies, it can reach a weight of 275 kg and is extremely strong.