News and Stories

Root canals performed to save teeth

CINCINNATI, OH (August 9, 2024) – During recent physical exams, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden veterinarians discovered dental issues in Zero the 8-year-old Malayan tiger and Barafu the 5-year-old cheetah.  It was determined that root canals were necessary for both cats, and these were performed by Dr. Jamie Berning, a veterinary dental specialist at Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery of Ohio.

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“We noticed fractures and pulp exposure. In humans, you would do a root canal to repair this, and the procedure for large cats is similar,” said Dr. Jessica Heinz, Cincinnati Zoo veterinarian. “We’ve worked with Dr. Berning before and were thrilled that she agreed to help out Zero and Barafu.”

The surgeries were performed back-to-back.  Barafu needed two extractions in addition to the root canal. Zero needed root canals on two of his canine teeth.

“Dental health contributes greatly to longevity, and our hope is that these procedures will extend the lives of these animals and improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Heinz.  “Both cats recovered quite well post-op and are back to their normal routines.”

Barafu lives at the Zoo’s off-site breeding facility where he contributes to the population of a species that is endangered.  The cheetah population worldwide has shrunk from about 100,000 in 1900 to an estimated 7,000 cheetahs today. Cincinnati Zoo has been working with partners across Africa for decades to support cheetah conservation efforts to ensure this wide-ranging species thrives into the future.

Zero’s beautiful smile can be seen at the Cincinnati Zoo during regular zoo hours – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  Members get Early Entry and are welcome to enter the Zoo at 9 a.m.

DID YOU KNOW…. You pay more than $10 less per ticket, on select days, when you purchase tickets online!  That’s a $40 savings for a family of 4!