Monkey Business

MONKEY BUSINESS. As a lifelong animal lover, I always felt conflicted about zoos and never visited as an adult because it pained me to see animals in captivity.

My outlook changed last year when I was asked to consult on a sick chimpanzee at the LA Zoo with a debilitating skin rash. Of course I agreed to help an animal in distress!

At that very first housecall to the zoo, my heart was thumping when I met Jean, my chimp patient, and held her hand, which was so similar to mine. After all, we humans share 98.8% of our DNA with chimpanzees. I felt so much love for her & vowed to do what I could to help.

But there’s not much information out there about rashes in chimps. So I started reading veterinary journals and consulted with animal medical specialists.

We did blood tests and skin biopsies, and diagnosed her with severe dermatitis and allergies. I recommended an anti-inflammatory diet with healthy fats, so she gets avocados and fish oil, a coconut oil body spray, and she’s on the same prescription pills that we use in human patients.

I’m happy to report that Jean’s rash is almost gone and she's thriving. It’s been my great pleasure and privilege to take care of her and other animals, and I am proud to be a member of the zoo’s Medical Advisory Board.

I’ve also gained a deep admiration and respect for the veterinarians and handlers at the Zoo and learned about their efforts towards conservation, education, and animal health.

While I hope someday there will not be a need for zoos, for now, they are a place where orphaned, trafficked, and sick animals can be rehabilitated and cared for.

To learn more about the LA Zoo and to support their work, please visit www.lazoo.org.