LSU Vet Med dentist performed root canal on jaguar at Audubon Zoo
August 16, 2024
Dr. Melissa Blazevich (LSU 2016) at Audubon Zoo performing dental procedure on a jaguar.
On June 4, 2024, zookeepers at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans noticed that Valerio, a 9-year-old male jaguar, appeared to have a fractured (broken) tooth. The team took photos of the tooth and discussed treatment and care with Audubon’s veterinary staff. Hilary Householder, DVM (LSU 2016), associate veterinarian at Audubon Zoo, contacted her classmate, Melissa Blazevich, DVM (LSU 2016), DAVDC, assistant professor of veterinary dentistry and oral surgery at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. The Audubon and LSU Vet Med teams made plans to perform the root canal.
On July 19, Dr. Blazevich, assisted by dentistry nurses Meg Quinn and Michelle Badeaux and fourth-year veterinary students Phillip St. Martin and Sudarshini Coimbatore, traveled to Audubon to perform the procedure in the Zoo’s veterinary hospital. Dr. Blazevich cleaned the anesthetized jaguar’s teeth and performed a standard root canal on one of Valerio’s maxillary canine teeth. As a board-certified veterinary dental specialist, Dr. Blazevich is specially qualified to perform this procedure.
Team works on Valerio: From left, Dr. Hilary Householder, Sudarshini Coimbatore, Michelle Badeaux (in maroon scrubs), Dr. Melissa Blazevich, and Dr. Robert MacLean.
Audubon Zoo has reported that Valerio has been doing great since his recovery. “Staff have reported he is very comfortable, and they no longer see any signs of discomfort with his mouth,” said Dr. Hilary Householder. “He is back on public exhibit every other day, rotating with Audubon's other jaguar, 3-year-old female Reina. His appetite has returned, and he is showing no signs of any problems.”
In addition to the LSU Vet Med faculty, staff, and students, Audubon Zoo staff who assisted in the procedure were Senior Veterinarian Robert MacLean, DVM; Associate Veterinarian Hilary Householder, DVM; Hospital Manager Amanda Adkins, BAS, RVT; Veterinary Technician Rachel Fendrich, RVT; Curator of Primates & Swamp/Jaguar Jungle Elizabeth Wilson; and Zookeeper Hunter Racer.
The jaguars have two dedicated zookeepers that are part of the Swamp/Jaguar Jungle Animal Husbandry Team that care for all of the South American and Native North American species in the Louisiana Swamp exhibit and Jaguar Jungle exhibit.
Added Dr. Householder, “Audubon Nature Institute and LSU Vet Med have a longstanding relationship of collaboration both in the care of our resident animals and the training of veterinary students and house officers. Audubon veterinary staff often consult with LSU Vet Med faculty on a variety of cases in order to facilitate the best medical care possible for the animals that call Audubon Nature Institute home. We are also able to provide hands-on experience in zoo and aquatic medicine for LSU veterinary students and house officers.”
Root Canal Complete: Valerio’s mouth after the teeth cleaning and root canal.
Continued Dr. Blazevich, “LSU Vet Med faculty and staff often help in the zoo setting upon the invite and request of the Audubon Zoo veterinarians. Based on my conversations with the zoo veterinary staff, they are well equipped to perform many procedures; however, they call in specialists when needed. This yields a wonderful comradery among all the veterinarians and staff. I believe it is important to have a good relationship so that we can explore and learn more about a variety of varied species from all aspects, while also providing interesting learning experiences for our students.”
About Audubon Zoo
Located in historic Uptown New Orleans, Audubon Zoo features exotic and endangered animals from around the globe. Amidst canopies of great oak trees, experience the wonder of nature in a shaded wonderland that includes beautiful architecture, delicious cuisine, kids' play areas, and more. Audubon Zoo is consistently one of the country’s top-ranked zoos, voted as one of the top ten zoos in the country in the USA Today “10Best” reader poll and ranked as one of the top things to do in New Orleans.
About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.