Minja's annual exam and dental appointment

On the first of March, Minja went to Otjiwarongo to visit the dentist and to have her annual examination.  Annual examinations are generally performed in April of each year on all of CCF’s cheetahs, but since Minja has been waiting to see the dentist for some time now, we decided to combine her dental appointment with her annual exam so she would only have to be anesthetized once.  Dr. Profitt, our human dentist friend who graciously takes care of all of CCF’s cheetahs, examined her teeth and took several dental radiographs.  Fortunately she did not need a root canal!  Her annual exam included taking blood samples for overall health evaluation, taking a vaginal cytology to check her stage of the estrus cycle, performing an ultrasound (sonogram) exam of her abdomen to check her kidneys and other organs, removing all ticks, applying Frontline parasite prevention, collecting a fecal sample for gastrointestinal parasite check, giving her annual vaccines against rabies virus and feline distemper, and a general physical exam to evaluate her body and hair coat condition, feel her joints, and check her weight.  Minja checked out just fine, she is a healthy cheetah who now also has clean teeth and a beautiful smile! 

 

See attached photos.

Thanks!

Gabriella Flacke, DVM, MVSc

Veterinarian