PREVIEW

Veterinary dentists in Cincinnati have had some tricky customers this summer, as a tiger and cheetah from Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden went in for root canal procedures.

Veterinarians identified dental issues in Zero, an 8-year-old Malayan tiger, and Barafu, a 5-year-old cheetah, during routine physical examinations. Following these assessments, it was determined that both big cats required root canal procedures. These were expertly carried out by Dr. Jamie Berning, a veterinary dental specialist from Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery of Ohio.

“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,” explained Dr. Jessica Heinz, a veterinarian at the Cincinnati Zoo. “We’ve worked with Dr. Berning before and were thrilled that she agreed to help out Zero and Barafu.”

The surgeries were conducted consecutively, with Barafu also needing two extractions alongside the root canal. Zero required 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,” Dr. Heinz added. “Both cats recovered quite well post-op and are back to their normal routines.”

Barafu resides at the Zoo’s off-site breeding facility, where he plays a crucial role in the conservation of his endangered species. The global cheetah population has dramatically declined from approximately 100,000 in 1900 to an estimated 7,000 today. The Cincinnati Zoo has long collaborated with partners across Africa to support cheetah conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of this wide-ranging species.

Visitors can admire Zero’s striking smile at the Cincinnati Zoo during regular opening hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Zoo members enjoy Early Entry privileges and may enter the Zoo from 9 a.m.