A welcome distraction
January 10, 2020 by J.B. -
I’m happy to report that our patient is doing very well. He’s taking his meds without too much cajoling, leaving his bandage on, and even playing with his caregivers. This last procedure doesn’t seem to have phased him much at all. It may even feel like a relief.
Typically, chimps in recovery require lots of distraction techniques to keep them from removing bandages and picking at their sutures. You can’t just stick a cone on a chimpanzee, so instead we stick random pieces of surgical tape all over their bodies and occasionally add “distraction sutures”, which are shallow absorbable sutures that the chimps can focus on without causing any harm to the actual incision. Overwhelm them with things to pick at and just maybe they won’t pick at the one that matters. At least not right away.
But none of this was necessary, because we woke up to a couple inches of snow this morning and it’s all Burrito can think about. Snow balls. Buckets of snow. Snow drizzled with juice. I don’t remember him being this crazy for snow in winters past, but it is a welcome distraction right now.
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Sweet boy, so glad he’s happy 🙂
I’m so happy to see that my dear boy is healing. He has been through so much. He really enjoyed the snow.
Ahh so good to hear that he is feeling well and enthusiastic. Also so very interesting to know some of the tricks you employ to keep them from bothering the important site, especially the ‘distraction sutures.’ I’ve always wondered about techniques that allow you to further care for them, once they are on the other side of the fencing and mostly out of your reach and control. I can only imagine how complex and time consuming it all is.
Job well done! I’m excited for Burrito to get on with enjoying life and to leave the trials of 2019 behind him.
Thank you for the update and the wonderful news and for taking such excellent care of Burrito:) Beautiful pictures!
From the looks of your weather it appears Burrito will have snow distractions galore since your forecast shows snow for the next 9 days! I am relieved to hear Burrito is doing so well, thanks for the update and the photos, especially the closeups!
Well Burrito is amazing! A human that would have had a toe amputated would be a wreck, the average human anyway. Good job Burrito at bouncing back so well!!
Update much appreciated!! He’s been thru a lot, but he’s a trooper and a strong guy!! Thanks for taking such good care of him!! Love and hugs to you all…
I bet his toe was really aching before with the infection. Hopefully he is all done with medical care needs and can just obsess about snow and time with his girls!! It’s been good to see him improving every day.
So glad Burrito is feeling better!
Snow with juice what a fun treat! Glad to hear he’s doing so well.
I imagine the girls miss their friend! I know it’s kind of strange but I like ice cream because of the cold sensation in my mouth. I think burrito and I have something in common! So happy Burritos feeling better! Hi to all the chimps!
we also paint finger nails in an attempt to distract from surgical sutures! They are such amazing healers! I’m so happy to hear Burrito is bouncing back so quickly from this last procedure. Hopefully he will not need another exam anytime soon!
That is too cute and so fun to see him play with the snow.
I think of this sweet, sweet boy everyday. I am glad this is going to be over for him soon. Buckets of snow snacks, Yay! 🙂