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

Kamaia, considered one of two African lions who stay 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 properly to remedy, the zoo mentioned, he gave the impression to be affected by underlying continual well being points. To this point, veterinarians have been unable to seek out the trigger.

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

Roadblocks to Kamaia’s restoration

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

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

Fortunate for Kamaia, he lives together with his brother who was additionally his littermate. After some assessments, 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 rigorously thought of 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 anything irregular throughout the surgical procedure.

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

Kamaia’s prognosis

Kamaia will keep off-exhibit for the subsequent few weeks in order that his care workforce can intently monitor him whereas he recovers, the zoo mentioned. However now, a minimum of, he has a preventing likelihood, because of Dinari.

“The work finished over the previous two days has been extraordinary, and I couldn’t be prouder of the workforce. 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 resulting from irreversible age-related well being points.