At Assiniboine Park Zoo, caring for 130 species, from polar bears to primates, requires specialized expertise, and sometimes, a little help and creativity from your friends.

Earlier this year, we collaborated with a local equine veterinary hospital to obtain helpful MRI scans to support the well-being of Rusty, one of our ring-tailed lemurs.

He arrived at the Zoo with a neurological condition called Toxoplasmosis, which can affect both humans and animals. While his condition is not a concern to the other lemurs, animals, or our care staff, it does affect his behaviour and movement. A few months after his arrival, he had a head tilt and would sometimes walk sideways around the habitat. He's not in pain and is otherwise living well at the Zoo, just a little differently.

After these signs were observed, he received a treatment plan from our veterinary staff, which significantly reduced his symptoms. However, they wanted to dig deeper and get a better understanding of his overall health.

“While Rusty had been diagnosed and received treatment before arriving at our Zoo, we decided to seek out an MRI scan to help confirm if Toxoplasmosis was what was causing his symptoms, determine an overall prognosis, and better manage his symptoms,” said Dr. Alan Glassman, Associate Veterinarian, Assiniboine Park Zoo.

Assiniboine Park Zoo veterinarians are working to secure Rusty into the MRI machine at Elder's Equine.

The challenge was finding an MRI machine that could accommodate Rusty, a six-pound primate who is roughly the size of an average house cat. After not having much luck asking around, we pitched this unique idea to one of our trusted partners: Elder's Equine Veterinary Services in Cartier, Manitoba.

“We received an MRI machine to help us scan for horse bones and tendons last year, and I mentioned to the Zoo team that we could probably get a small animal in there. When they approached me with the opportunity to obtain MRI scans for a ring-tailed lemur, I contacted Hallmarq, the company that had manufactured the MRI, for their thoughts, and they were excited to try! With their help, we established protocols within the machine to image the brain and primarily identify soft tissue. They also agreed to donate the cost of the scan for Rusty, which was very appreciated,” said Dr. Chris Bell, owner and head veterinarian of Elder’s Equine.

Dr. Chris Bell and his team at Elder's Equine Veterinary Services, observe Rusty, the ring-tailed lemur, during his MRI scans.

Among the other adjustments needed for Rusty’s MRI appointment were changes to the orientation of the magnetic field to scan his brain tissue, getting a non-metallic oxygen tank so he could breathe comfortably under sedation but not affect the scans, and manipulating the smallest horse hoof holder Elder’s Equine had to secure Rusty into the machine.

After careful transport and a brief sedation, our teams worked together to obtain MRI scans of Rusty’s brain. They were able to scan for different densities and from different planes to evaluate him thoroughly. Our small but mighty lemur did very well throughout the appointment.

Rusty, the ring-tailed lemur, during his MRI scans.

His scans were sent from Elder’s Equine to a veterinary radiologist for interpretation and came back with helpful results. “Rusty’s MRI scans ruled out a lot of things, which was the main benefit of having them done. We didn’t see any masses in his brain, inflammation, or ear infection that could cause similar signs. These scans, paired with what we knew of him before arriving, helped us know more of what was going on,” says Dr. Glassman.

Dr. Bell and his staff review Rusty's scans.

Since arriving at the Zoo, Rusty has adapted well to his treatment and has been phased off some of his medications. Dr. Glassman says that his realistic goal for Rusty is for our team to manage his symptoms effectively, so he doesn’t experience a flare-up or worsen. The optimistic goal is to eventually wean him off all his long-term medications.

The collaborative effort for Rusty’s MRI scans highlights the creativity and trusted relationship dynamics that Assiniboine Park Zoo is fortunate to have with different partners across the province.

“We are so thankful that Elder’s Equine exists in Manitoba. Dr. Bell and his team of specialists are so knowledgeable, easy to work with, and open-minded. We appreciate the strong relationship we have with the specialists at Elder’s, and we look forward to continuing to tap into their expertise and work together on important cases like this one moving forward,” says Dr. Charlene Berkvens, Director, Animal Health & Nutrition, Assiniboine Park Zoo.

The Zoo has worked with Elder’s Equine for over 10 years on a variety of animals in our care, including reindeer, horses, donkeys, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and even a camel. For Dr. Bell and his team, this was a unique opportunity to go beyond their typical scope and try new things.

“We’re able to bring together different vets with different specialties and accomplish something we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to or find out alone. It’s that collaboration across everyone involved that allows us to do this. It was a really cool experience to be a part of between our practice, the Zoo, and Hallmarq,” said Dr. Bell.

While Rusty’s condition is permanent, thanks to Elder’s Equine Veterinary Services and Hallmarq, we now have a clearer path forward to continue supporting Rusty with the highest quality of care.

Assiniboine Park Zoo wants to thank Elder’s Equine Veterinary Services for their support and services. We also want to thank Hallmarq, the makers of the MRI machine Rusty used, for donating the cost of the scan.