Rhino Gets Party Zoo Officials Worried She Wouldn't Live To Enjoy
BROOKFIELD, IL – On Oct. 18, the Chicago Zoological Society celebrated a special birthday for Layla, an 8-year-old eastern black rhinoceros at Brookfield Zoo. The zoo said this birthday was significant for Layla as she has faced health issues over the past year. Last December, the zoo’s veterinarians diagnosed Layla with a life-threatening, obstructive sinusitis that was blocking her ability to breathe. Since January 2018, Layla has undergone two dozen medical procedures and staged surgeries to treat the problem.
The zoo said a birthday cake was prepared especially for her. The nutritious cake featured a variety of fruits and vegetables frozen in flavored ice blocks, decorated with leafy greens, and topped with a watermelon and carrot that served as a candle. In addition, the zoo’s animal care and veterinary staff had their own party with birthday cake and party hats to honor Layla and to celebrate how well she is doing.
After several months of surgeries, in early August, veterinarians had a breakthrough when they were successfully able to deploy a silicone stent into a surgically created opening in Layla’s right nasal passage, according to the zoo. The stent holds the nasal passage open to allow for normal airflow, while preventing any further growth of inflamed tissue.
With the right side stented open and Layla breathing more comfortably, veterinarians were able to focus their efforts on surgically opening up the more severely affected left passageway, where the problem originated. In mid-August, the zoo said the team had another major breakthrough and successfully deployed a stent into her left side, allowing her to breathe comfortably from both nostrils.
“Layla’s medical care has been a significant challenge given her size and the associated difficulty of accessing the primary problem deep inside of her thick skull. Her well-being has been our primary focus and concern over the past year. Our veterinarians have worked closely with our animal care staff to ensure Layla was comfortable and tolerating the repeated anesthesia and surgical procedures,” Dr. Michael Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine for the Chicago Zoological Society, said in a release.
Several consulting veterinarians and companies volunteered their staff’s time and donated equipment to assist on Layla’s case throughout the year, the zoo said.
Adkesson added, “We are very grateful and appreciative to those who have worked closely with our dedicated staff in doing everything possible to help Layla and give her the best chance of celebrating many more birthdays.”
Photo provided by Chicago Zoological Society.
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