Real Fix Magazine
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This
No Result
View All Result
Real Fix Magazine
No Result
View All Result

A 28-stone gorilla goes to the dentist!

RealFix by RealFix
December 11, 2015
in Animals, Bizarre, Most Popular
0
A 28-stone gorilla goes to the dentist!

A team of vets and dentists carry out the tricky root canal on Pertinax at Paignton Zoo. See SWNS story SWGORILLA: Pertinax, a 28 stone (179kg) gorilla at Paignton Zoo in Devon has had a root canal operation. It took a team of dentists 40 minutes and was a complete success said the zoo.

117
SHARES
119
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsapp

Here’s one occasion where the dentist might have been more afraid of the patient – when a 28-stone silverback gorilla needed treatment.

Pertinax, a western lowland gorilla, exposed a nerve after fracturing a tooth and needed root canal surgery.

Zoo staff feared the 33-year-old giant would develop an infection or abscess and called in animal dentist Peter Kertesz to take care of their great ape.

Pertinax was put to sleep on the floor of his compound at Paignton Zoo, Devon, as a team of staff assisted Peter for the 40-minute procedure.

A team of vets and dentists carry out the tricky root canal on Pertinax at Paignton Zoo. See SWNS story SWGORILLA: Pertinax, a 28 stone (179kg) gorilla at Paignton Zoo in Devon has had a root canal operation. It took a team of dentists 40 minutes and was a complete success said the zoo.

A team of vets and dentists carry out the tricky root canal on Pertinax at Paignton Zoo. See SWNS story SWGORILLA: Pertinax, a 28 stone (179kg) gorilla at Paignton Zoo in Devon has had a root canal operation. It took a team of dentists 40 minutes and was a complete success said the zoo.

He removed the damaged nerve tissue and replaced it with biocompatible material to preserve the tooth.

Jo Reynard, from the Paignton Zoo vet team, said: “When a tooth is fractured the living pulp becomes exposed.

“This can lead to an infection and an abscess.

“The dentist removed the pulp and replaced it with special biocompatible material, so preserving the tooth. It is quite an involved procedure.”

Gorillas have large razor sharp teeth, despite being herbivores, which they use to grind through tough plant material and bark.

They also have long canines which are used for display and to defend against external threats.

Peter was assisted by several vet nurses and other members of the team at Paignton Zoo in Devon and dental nurse Monika Mazurkiewicz.

Neil Bemment, Paignton Zoo curator, said: “We were really pleased that Peter was able to come and assist with Pertinax.

“Dentistry is a highly-specialist field, all the more so in exotic animals.

“Pertinax deserves the best and duly got it – the operation was a complete success.”

A team of vets and dentists carry out the tricky root canal on Pertinax at Paignton Zoo. See SWNS story SWGORILLA: Pertinax, a 28 stone (179kg) gorilla at Paignton Zoo in Devon has had a root canal operation. It took a team of dentists 40 minutes and was a complete success said the zoo.

Peter, from London, got his first taste of animal dentistry in 1978 when he looked after a cat and over the years he has travelled the globe working on exotic species.

He said: “Animals or people, it’s all the same. They need treatment, they get treatment.

“The size is what varies, and the location. It is all about teamwork.”

While Pertinax was asleep zoo staff took the opportunity to give him a full health check before he came round and returned to his normal self the next day.

Previous Post

Teen who unwittingly worked unpaid for 10 weeks vows to spend public’s donations on sick kids

Next Post

Man is now raising money for the same charity he STOLE from

RealFix

RealFix

Real Fix is a completely free true-life magazine. Check out our Facebook page for more videos and clips, or download our New Real-Fix Podcast for astonishing interviews with some of the real people behind our amazing stories.

Next Post
Man is now raising money for the same charity he STOLE from

Man is now raising money for the same charity he STOLE from

You Must See

Fisherman stunned at hauling in huge common octopus ‘with suckers as big as 50p pieces’ off the British coast

Fisherman stunned at hauling in huge common octopus ‘with suckers as big as 50p pieces’ off the British coast

June 23, 2022
One of Britain’s oldest nurses revealed she has no plans to retire – and said she will keep working full-time as long as she feels fit

One of Britain’s oldest nurses revealed she has no plans to retire – and said she will keep working full-time as long as she feels fit

June 23, 2022
Postman leaves hilarious note for homeowner – after he was accosted by her guard BUNNIES

Postman leaves hilarious note for homeowner – after he was accosted by her guard BUNNIES

June 23, 2022
The captain of a cargo ship jumped overboard to rescue – a MEERKAT

The captain of a cargo ship jumped overboard to rescue – a MEERKAT

June 23, 2022
Vet has performed rare caesarean section surgery – on a GUINEA PIG

Vet has performed rare caesarean section surgery – on a GUINEA PIG

June 23, 2022
Young British couple who struggled to find work during Covid are now living the dream “off-grid” – out of a school bus in the US

Young British couple who struggled to find work during Covid are now living the dream “off-grid” – out of a school bus in the US

June 23, 2022
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This

Real Fix is a trading style of South West News Service Limited.
Copyright © 2022 South West News Service Limited.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Bizarre
  • Crime
  • Health
  • Inspiration
  • Love This

Real Fix is a trading style of South West News Service Limited.
Copyright © 2022 South West News Service Limited.