Chack the Jaguar Undergoes Root Canal Treatment at Akron Zoo
Vets from Akron Zoo and local dentists from Ohio have carried out root canal treatment on Chack the jaguar.
Zoo vet Dr Kim Cook was joined by local dentists Drs Lisa and Nelson Petrov to carry out the procedure. Chack had broken a canine and keepers spotted it during a daily health check. The zoo’s cats are brought up to interact with their keepers and the veterinary team and they willingly show their paws and open their mouths to show off their pearly whites when prompted. Although Chack was coping well and going about his daily business without any troubles, the team thought it best to carry out treatment on the tooth to reduce the risk of further damage and dental infection.
The procedure took around 45 minutes and it was carried out under general anaesthetic. Once Chack’s tooth was fixed, the team also took the opportunity to give him a quick health check.
By the evening, Chack was up and about and back to his normal self. He managed dinner that night with no problems.
The 15 year old jaguar, who was born in Guatemala and came to Ohio at the age of three years old, is one of the zoo’s most popular residents. He fathered two sets of cubs in 2005 and 2009 with Noam, the female jaguar, and everyone is delighted to see him back in action and charming the crowds again.
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