First Beluga Whale Surgery Under General Anesthesia at Shedd Aquarium

Groundbreaking Beluga Whale Surgery

• 🐋 A 12-year-old beluga whale named Kimaloo at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium underwent surgery to remove cysts from her head and neck.
• 💡 This procedure marks the first known instance of a beluga whale receiving surgery under general anesthesia.

Complex Anesthesia Procedure

• 👨‍⚕️ A team of over two dozen veterinarians and technicians, including Dr. Cararissa Tang, performed the surgery.
• 🩺 The process involved removing Kimaloo from the water in a sling, administering injections, and placing an IV catheter, similar to human procedures.
• 💨 Ventilation was provided for Kimaloo's lungs while she was under anesthesia to ensure her safety.

Challenges and Recovery

• ⚖️ Administering general anesthesia to beluga whales is complicated due to their size and unique physiology.
• 🌟 Kimaloo, weighing over 1,000 pounds, successfully recovered from the operation, which is a significant achievement.
• 🎶 To aid in reversing the anesthesia, the team used strategies such as speaking to Kimaloo and playing recordings of her pod.
• ✅ The whale is now eating well and being monitored closely, with hopes for a long and high-quality life.