Rayne’s Exam
March 18, 2025 by J.B. -
Rayne took a trip into our veterinary clinic recently for a physical exam. Take a look at what goes into making such a trip possible.
Some of Rayne’s diagnostic results are pending review by specialists, but she appears to be in very good health!
If you’re new to this blog, here’s a primer on the ethical considerations that factor into decisions around physical exams.
And if you want to learn more about the kind of care we can provide without having to take them into the clinic, check out a few examples of our work with cooperative x-rays, EKGs, and ultrasound.
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JB – Do the chimps object to being isolated from their family overnight? And how do they react to having to fast?
Please update us on the results of the check-up. Do chimps get an extra helpings of breakfast on the day following the fast and exams? Thank you and everyone helping with Rayne’s prep and exams.
Thank you for sharing this, its so cool that you can ease them into the clinic with no fear.:revolving_hearts:
Ive only been sedated at hopital once, and now I’m wondering if my doctor used a broom handle to try and rouse me too…:wink:
The best part of this video was seeing Raynie back with her friends and climbing up the door. On this feast of St. Padraig, I wish our Raynie-girl all of the luck of the ethnicity of her choice
And, as is my tradition on this green day, I will put in a good word with the Saint on behalf of Annie and her kind to keep snakes rerouted away from Young’s Hill and the Brae this year.
Most chimps are OK with being separated overnight. If they are nervous, they might get a sedative at dinner. The fasting part is easy because they have a normal dinner, then we turn off their water early in the morning, and then we induce anesthesia before they would normally have breakfast. So they don’t feel like they’re missing out on anything.
They deserve an extra helping for all they went through but anesthesia can be hard on the stomach so we don’t want to do anything to make them sick. We start with soft foods and drinks later in the day and then a normal breakfast the next day.
Yeah, I was looking forward to the Recovery Pudding Cups, too!
When I had an exploratory, it was at the end of the semester, and I had a reaction to the topical antibiotic, so they gave me Benadryl. uh oh…. my friends came to pick me up, and I was far from ready to go!:laughing:
It took more than saltines to get me going. It was just before Christmas, so the nirse went and busted a couple of cookies for me from their gifted trays. Otherwise, I would have happily slept with that calf massaging machine working my legs for another day!:smile:
Nice of Willy B to welcome back his best girl! And Cy and Mave, too
Glad to hear Raynie has a clean bill of health! She was so cooperative with presenting for the needle! All of that PRT has really paid off!
Thank you for inviting us to observe the precision of Rayne’s physical exam. Your team, and PRT Queen Rayne, almost make this look easy. Rayne was beyond cooperative, she knew exactly what was expected of her and she willingly decided to “cut to the chase” and offer up her thigh without any hesitation! Thanks going to her caregiver and trusted friend, Ellen. (I am curious how many months of training did it take to get Rayne to this point?)
I reread your post “First, Do No Harm”. Thank you J.B. for including the link to it. One of my all time favorite posts. Those who call this sanctuary home are so very fortunate to have an extraordinary team of professionals, ever at the ready, to care for all their ongoing needs. Seeing Rayne back with her pals, recovered safely from anesthesia and back in the fray, must be an enormous relief for all of you. Knowing everyone is in the best health possible thanks to your dedication and caregiving must be the greatest comfort of all. Hugs to everyone!
Have you ever shown a chimp the video of their trip to the clinic? If so how did they react?
Hi Keith – No, we’ve never tried that.
Just my opinion, but with their past, I feel like that might be traumatic.
And JB, I was surprised to see in video comments that Jamie doesn’t mind a trip to the clinic!
It’s quite possible that she enjoys the effects of the anesthetics. I’ve heard of a few other chimps that seem overly eager for a shot – more than you would expect just from the result of training. Who knows? Lots of humans find pleasure in various ways from the same or similar drugs.
Thanks, JB. That answer took me to a whole other place… tripping chimps….
:joy:
Thanks, JB. I still think you have one hell of a book in you. 🙂
Great video of Rayne’s check up. This would have been a good time to lotion her forehead.
Thank you to the CSNW staff and all involved with the procedure…thank you for taking such
good care of our precious Rayne.