NEWS - PHOENIX DOCTORS REMOVE MONKEYS KIDNEY

Phoenix Doctors Remove Monkey's Kidney

 10 Aug 2011, 3:23 PM MST

10 Aug 2011, 3:23 PM MST

PHOENIX - A team of doctors headed up by a cardiovascular surgeon have performed a successful surgery on a Phoenix Zoo mandrill with a large abscess on her kidney.
34-year-old Wucaria is the oldest mandrill in the United States, who lives in captivity at the Phoenix Zoo. She was showing signs of pain and lethargy, so zoo veterianarians enlisted the help of some "human" specialists who volunteer their time and service to the zoo.
Dr. Brian deGuzman from St. Joseph's Hospital was asked to assist with the removal of Wucaria's right kidney.
It's been more than two weeks since the surgery, and Wucaria is recovering well. She is back on exhibit at the zoo.
“A procedure like this requires an incredible amount of teamwork,” says Dr. deGuzman. “The Phoenix Zoo veterinarians are an extraordinary team and have been really accepting of the advice that I can provide on the animal cases. Each person on the team brings something different and unique to the table to help out these animals.”
There are 15 people on the Animal Health Advisory Committee. Medical specialists and zoo veterinarians meet once every three months to discuss challenging animal cases at the zoo.