NEWS - YEARS CATCH UP WITH AILING MONKEY

Years catch up with ailing monkey

PALOMA MIGONE AND LAURA WESTBROOK

26/08/2011

Charlie the rhesus monkey has already lived for nearly twice his species' normal lifespan, but now suspected heart disease has laid him low and his vet predicts he has only six months left to live.
The 42-year-old monkey, from Upper Hutt's animal shelter Helping You Help Animals (HUHA), was taken to a Massey University vet in Palmerston North yesterday after he was found pressing his head against his bedding.
HUHA founder Carolyn Press-McKenzie said she was going through "an emotional roller-coaster" as the monkey had to go under anaesthetic, which was "highly risky" at his age.
He had had a CT scan, an X-ray and a range of blood tests, and was "doing well" following the visit.
Veterinarian Baukje Lenting said the X-ray showed Charlie's heart was enlarged, which could mean he had heart disease. She hoped to do an ultrasound next week to confirm if he had the illness, and his blood tests results were also due next week.
Dr Lenting said Charlie also had an infection of the vertebrae in his spine, which would be treated with antibiotics, and possibly arthritis. The problems were due to his advanced years, as his organs were not functioning as they once would, she said.
Dr Lenting was confident Charlie would be stabilised and she would consider it a success if he lived for another six months.
Rhesus monkeys, common from Afghanistan to northern India and southern China, typically have a lifespan of about 25 years.
Ms Press-McKenzie said if Charlie was in too much pain he might have to be put down.
"I love having him in my life, but when his time has come we'll just be so proud to have known him, and so proud to have given him the freedom," she said.
Charlie came to HUHA about five years ago when the Whirling Brothers Circus closed down.
- Stuff