Tala, our 12-year-old gray wolf, recently had a special veterinary appointment at Northwest Trek, and we’re happy to share that it was a success.
During Tala’s physical exam last fall, our veterinary team detected a heart murmur. Heart murmurs can be indicators that an animal has heart disease, which may require treatment. To further diagnose her heart condition, we welcomed visiting veterinary cardiologist Dr. Nadolny, who came to Northwest Trek to perform a detailed heart exam right here on site.
With Tala comfortably under sedation, our animal care team, led by Head Veterinarian Dr. Kadie Anderson, worked closely with Dr. Nadolny to complete a comprehensive cardiac assessment. This included listening to Tala’s heart, monitoring her rhythm using an EKG, and performing an ultrasound of the heart, known as echocardiography.
While the heart exam was the main focus, the team also took the opportunity to perform another brief general wellness check, examining Tala’s overall condition.
We’re pleased to share that Tala’s recent heart exam went very well, with encouraging results for a wolf of her age. Head Veterinarian Dr. Anderson explained, “Dr. Nadolny confirmed that Tala’s heart murmur is due to minor, age-related changes to her heart valves. We’re relieved that these changes are mild and not expected to impact her long-term health.”
Routine monitoring like this allows our veterinary team to identify potential concerns early and ensure Tala continues to receive the best possible care as she ages. Tala’s care team also works closely with her to develop trained behaviors that enable her to participate in her own healthcare, including safely listening and monitoring her heart through a protected barrier.
After the exam, Tala was carefully monitored as she recovered from sedation and returned to her habitat, where she spent the rest of the day resting and enjoying familiar surroundings.
Preventive care and specialty exams are a vital part of animal welfare at Northwest Trek, and we’re grateful to Dr. Anderson and Dr. Nadolny for their expertise and teamwork. Be sure to visit the wolf habitat during your next visit.
