Franklin Park Zoo lion undergoes profitable surgical procedure with assist from his brother

Kamaia, one in every of two African lions who dwell at Roxbury‘s Franklin Park Zoo, underwent a profitable surgical procedure to have his spleen eliminated Friday — and he has his brother Dinari to thank.

Kamaia’s well being journey

Kamaia, 14, has been coping with well being issues since March when he was identified with an acute case of pneumonia, Zoo New England mentioned in a press launch.

Whereas he responded effectively to remedy, the zoo mentioned, he gave the impression to be affected by underlying persistent well being points. To date, veterinarians have been unable to search out the trigger.

Then, in early June, veterinarians found that Kamaia was severely anemic and had a enormously enlarged spleen, the zoo mentioned. This meant he would want to have his spleen eliminated.

Roadblocks to Kamaia’s restoration

For Kamaia to have the ability to bear spleen removing surgical procedure, the zoo mentioned, he would want a blood transfusion.

Zoo New England Director of Animal Well being Chris Bonar mentioned within the launch that blood transfusions sometimes can’t be completed at zoos on account of a scarcity of appropriate donors for the animals.

Fortunate for Kamaia, he lives along with his brother who was additionally his littermate. After some exams, veterinarians decided that Dinari was an ideal blood donor for Kamaia.

“Dinari and Kamaia had been born in the identical litter, and are an extremely shut, tightly-bonded pair. These selections are being fastidiously thought-about with each of their greatest pursuits in thoughts,” Zoo New England President John Linehan mentioned in a press launch.

Kamaia’s surgical procedure

On June 8, Dinari was put below anesthesia and had blood drawn. The subsequent day, with the assistance of Tufts College veterinarians, Kamaia underwent a three-hour surgical procedure to have his spleen eliminated.

The zoo mentioned veterinarians found the spleen was twice its regular dimension, however that they didn’t discover the rest irregular throughout the surgical procedure.

The zoo mentioned veterinarians despatched samples of Kamaia’s spleen for additional testing. They hope the exams will assist them discover the underlying reason behind his well being issues, however the take a look at outcomes aren’t anticipated for a number of extra days.

Kamaia’s prognosis

Kamaia will keep off-exhibit for the following few weeks in order that his care crew can carefully monitor him whereas he recovers, the zoo mentioned. However now, not less than, he has a preventing probability, due to Dinari.

“The work completed over the previous two days has been extraordinary, and I couldn’t be prouder of the crew. We stay hopeful that Kamaia has a easy restoration,” Linehan mentioned within the launch.

Dinari and Kamaia have lived at Franklin Park Zoo since 2015. They got here to the zoo after 21-year-old Christopher the lion was euthanized on account of irreversible age-related well being points.