Page 5 - ACT Paws and Hooves - Autumn 2023

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Page 5 - ACT Paws and Hooves - Autumn 2023
P. 5

COVER
                                                                                                         STORY









       Sealife star gets a check-up




       Polly







       the







       Gentoo







       penguin                                                  Dr Joanna Hedley, Senior Lecturer in Exotic Species



                                                                at the RVC, explained,

                                                                       CT is an invaluable tool
                                                                for penguins as their anatomy
                                                                can make the interpretation of

       We were delighted to welcome a VIP (very important       other diagnostics challenging.
       penguin) to the RVC Small Animal Referrals Hospital
       back in the Spring. Polly is a Gentoo penguin who lives   Polly was a delightful patient
       at the Sealife London Aquarium. Gentoos generally live   and we’re really pleased that
       to 15-20 years old in the wild but her wonderful care    we were able to help her.
       and environment at the aquarium has meant that Polly
       has reached the grand old age of 28.

       Unfortunately, just as when humans age, animals can also   team is now monitoring her behaviour and activity for follow
       start to experience health issues associated with old age   up assessments and treatment.
       and Sealife were concerned when Polly looked a little   The CT machine was funded by the RVC Animal Care Trust
       lame. After receiving an x-ray at the aquarium with their   as part of the 30th birthday celebrations for the Small
       vets, she came to the RVC where the specialist Exotics   Animal Referrals Hospital and we are so grateful to our
       Team decided to give her a CT scan to see what might be   supporters for enabling us to purchase this cutting-edge
       happening in her joints.
                                                             equipment. The RVC is very proud to work with Sealife
       Polly’s CT showed some new bone formation in her leg   London and other organisations focused on conservation
       joints which would indicate mild osteoarthritis. The Sealife   like ZSL London Zoo. We are always excited to welcome
       team took her home and she soon settled back in with her   our more exotic patients to the hospital and in recent times
       colony of 15 penguins and started a mild flirtation with   this has included sea turtles, an anteater, a boa constrictor
       another penguin called Loki. The aquarium’s husbandry   and even a tiger cub.








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