Bear Has A ‘New Lease On Life’ After Amputation Of Giant Tongue
- 6 years ago
A young bear in Myanmar has a “new lease on life” after veterinarians amputated an extremely enlarged portion of his tongue.
A young bear in Myanmar has a “new lease on life” after veterinarians amputated an extremely enlarged portion of his tongue.
According to a release from the University of Edinburgh, it had grown so large that it touched the ground, and the animal often had trouble holding his head upright due to the weight.
The trouble began not long after the bear and his brother, both cubs at the time, were rescued by a monastery.
A previous surgery had initially appeared successful, but the swelling returned.
More recently, a University of Edinburgh veterinary surgeon and personnel from other institutions traveled to Myanmar to amputate the excess tissue.
Over six pounds of tongue was removed, and the bear is said to be recovering well.
The cause of the enlargement remains unknown, but the team believes it may have been caused by mosquito-borne elephantiasis.
A young bear in Myanmar has a “new lease on life” after veterinarians amputated an extremely enlarged portion of his tongue.
According to a release from the University of Edinburgh, it had grown so large that it touched the ground, and the animal often had trouble holding his head upright due to the weight.
The trouble began not long after the bear and his brother, both cubs at the time, were rescued by a monastery.
A previous surgery had initially appeared successful, but the swelling returned.
More recently, a University of Edinburgh veterinary surgeon and personnel from other institutions traveled to Myanmar to amputate the excess tissue.
Over six pounds of tongue was removed, and the bear is said to be recovering well.
The cause of the enlargement remains unknown, but the team believes it may have been caused by mosquito-borne elephantiasis.