Unique surgery was executed on the sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) of Sosto Zoo. It was necessary because a life-threatening prolapsus was diagnosed.
Initially we hoped that the 5-cm-long-tissue would retract, but after its size became 4 times bigger, our vets decided to execute the surgery.
Detailed plan had been elaborated before the surgery, since only 2 similar operations had been described so far and only one of them was successful.
Pinocchio is the keepers’ favorite shark from the 16 shark specimens of the Ocenarium of Sosto Zoo. Since it is a captive born animal, it is very curious and often follows the divers.
The staff of Sosto Zoo worried about the animal’s reaction when catching, but it went surprisingly well, the animal swam easily into the special trap. After removing, our vets sedated it and placed in a container filled with liquid anaesthetics. The surgery was discharged by Dr. György Pelle, the main vet of the animal hospital of Nyíregyháza. He cut the exserted mucous membrane fold, then stitched the wound. After the successful surgery, the animal was placed into a separated container and it was observed for 1,5 hours until complete recovery, then it was replaced in the big tank of Ocenarium.
Video: http://www.rtlklub.hu/hirek/belfold/video/162209
