Durban — This week, veterinary dental specialist Dr Cedric Tutt visited uShaka Sea World dolphins.
Over the years, Tutt has been helping uShaka Sea World maintain the animals’ good dental health in their care.
South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) spokesperson Ann Kunz said all animals and humans develop dental health concerns in their lives, and dolphins are no exception.
She said that when Tutt examined the dolphins’ teeth last year, he identified three dolphins requiring further attention.
Kunz explained that while general anaesthesia is possible and is routinely done at other facilities that house cetaceans, the procedure certainly is not easy, and there are increased risks to the animal.
“For this reason, we prefer to perform short surgical procedures using a local anaesthetic, and good pain control,” Kunz said.
She said that asking a dolphin to remain still with its mouth open while a dental specialist examines its mouth is much like asking a young child to sit open-mouthed in a dentist’s chair.
Kunz said many of the animal behaviourists in the mammal and bird department have cared for the dolphins for over 25 years, some over 30 years, and have developed secure, strong relationships of trust.
She said training the dolphins to open their mouths for an extended period and remain calm during the evaluation procedure was built on this solid relationship of trust.
“Dr Tutt was able to perform various dental procedures while he was here. His evaluation not only included an expert, visual evaluation, but he made detailed dental X-rays (radiographs) of their teeth and gums. These allowed us to identify some issues of concern, which were then immediately attended to. Two of the dolphins needed a tooth cavity filled and one dolphin needed a tooth extraction,” Kunz explained.
“We are extremely grateful to Dr Tutt for his help and value the incredible contribution that he is making to ensure that the animals in our care receive the best medical treatment possible.”
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