An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals or following shadows instead. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Veterinary School, where ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter diagnosed Victor with an advanced cataract in his left eye.
“He wasn’t going to let me get too close to him at that point. So, we had to bring him in actually and look at him under sedation right before surgery just to confirm our suspicions that he had a cataract.”
Victor underwent the cataract surgery on February 19th. Due to anatomical differences, the procedure required special techniques, including ultrasound for vein access and a tubing system for post-op care. Carter says taking on this surgery was a whole new challenge.
“Being the first surgery in the species it was definitely a unique challenge. Most of the animals I do surgery on is cats, dogs, horses, birds, and with alligators, their whole anatomy is just quite different.”
Now back at the zoo, Carter says Victor is much better at finding his food.
“He will be farsighted but that will be kind of par for the course for him. He normally hunts underwater in farsighted conditions so he’s doing great.”
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