Volume 25, Issue 2
while we solve a minor problem or other. As the skin was being closed, Jenny moved her right arm ever so slightly. She was immediately seized, naturally, by several of the zoo attendants. Nevertheless, the surgeon, Dr. Wayne Gossert of Oak Cliff, who for this day was most respectful of the efforts of the anesthesiologist, backed off about twenty feet and refused to return until he was reassured by several people that it was safe to come back.
The thing that made it safe was the introduction of succinylcholine, which we gave at first in very small doses, for fear that gorillas, like four-legged animals, may respond and may be very sensitive to succinylcholine.
The initial dose of twenty mg was followed by an additional 160 mg to finally produce a quiescent state in which the remainder of the skin could be closed.
During the transfer back from the operating table to the cage, respirations were supported with an Ambu bag, and when the patient was laid on her side in the cage, the cage door was closed. At that time, the endotracheal tube was suctioned, the gorilla rolled up on her side, and she was extubated. She promptly rolled over, sat up, and looked groggily around the room. Her first willful act was to strip away the remaining small bits of tape that held the IV in place.
This is now 10:30 in the evening, seven and one half hours after the beginning of anesthesia.
The next day she began feeding on liquids. She improved slowly and steadily, gaining weight, and completely recovered.
Now the problem rose among zoo officials as to the diagnosis. It was apparent that she had no mechanical cause for her intestinal obstruction. The zoo director and chief veterinarian were both in agreement that her problem was probably psychological and was related to the addition of a second female gorilla in the zoo family. They were convinced that Jenny’s life was saved by the nine liters of intravenous fluid that she received during the course of her anesthesia and surgery, that these had restored her fluid and electrolyte balance to the point where she was no longer nauseated and had adequate urine output.
They were elated because gorillas apparently lose the will to live and die very shortly after becoming ill, even with minor illnesses.
This diagnostic dilemma was solved seven months later in December, when it was discovered that Jenny delivered a four pound baby gorilla.
Thus, the diagnosis of her June illness was morning sickness, or hyperemesis gravidarum.
Since that time, Jenny delivered three additional babies. She is now nineteen years old and in the peak of health. From a scientific point of view, we have made the following conclusions: First, do not get in the cage with a gorilla.
Second, it is unlikely that gorilla anesthesia will replace human anesthesia, in spite of some similarities.
Third, intravenous fluids are beneficial to sick gorillas as well as sick humans.
Fourth, one mg of atropine was insufficient to relax the pyloric sphincter in this particular gorilla.
Fifth, Jenny had a normal human-like response to succinylcholine and thiopental.
Lastly, seven and one half hours of methoxyflurane anesthesia administered in the first trimester of pregnancy did not lead to teratogenic effects in this particular newborn.
Copyright 1972, Audio Digest Foundation
