SKLNSMOTKEY

As the veterinarian responsible for the health and wellbeing of SKLNSMOTKEY's monkey performers, I'm often asked about how we keep our animals in optimal health. The answer involves a comprehensive approach to nutrition, preventive healthcare, and daily care routines that ensure our monkeys remain healthy, active, and thriving throughout their lives with us. In this blog post, I'll share insights into our animal healthcare program and the scientific principles that guide our approach.

The Foundation: Species-Appropriate Nutrition

Proper nutrition forms the cornerstone of our health management program. Each species of monkey has specific dietary requirements, and we tailor our feeding protocols accordingly. Our primary performers—capuchin monkeys, macaques, and squirrel monkeys—each receive diets designed to mirror what they would consume in the wild, with appropriate modifications for their activity levels as performers.

Daily Diet Components

A typical daily diet for our monkeys includes:

• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (40-50%): Providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. We rotate between 15-20 different types to ensure nutritional variety.
• High-Quality Commercial Primate Biscuits (25-30%): Specially formulated to provide balanced nutrition with appropriate protein levels and essential micronutrients.
• Protein Sources (10-15%): Including cooked eggs, small amounts of lean cooked meat, insects (for some species), and legumes.
• Nuts and Seeds (5-10%): Providing healthy fats and additional protein, offered in limited quantities due to their high caloric content.
• Browse and Forage Items: Fresh leaves, flowers, and branches that encourage natural foraging behaviors while providing additional nutrients and fiber.

Feeding Schedule and Presentation

We don't simply provide food in bowls. Instead, we distribute meals throughout the day to mimic natural feeding patterns and use various feeding enrichment methods that encourage problem-solving and natural foraging behaviors:

• Morning meal: Primarily fruits, vegetables, and primate biscuits
• Midday meal: Protein sources and additional produce
• Afternoon snacks: Small portions provided during or after training sessions
• Evening meal: Complex mix including nuts, seeds, and slower-to-consume items

Food is presented in puzzle feeders, scattered for foraging, frozen in ice during summer months, or hidden throughout their enclosures to promote active searching—all methods that stimulate both physical activity and cognitive engagement.

Hydration

Clean, fresh water is available at all times through automatic drinking systems. During warm weather or when traveling, we supplement with electrolyte solutions to ensure proper hydration. Some monkeys also enjoy herbal teas (caffeine-free) and diluted fruit juices as occasional treats.

Comprehensive Veterinary Care

All of our animal performers receive regular preventive healthcare and prompt attention for any medical concerns that arise. Our veterinary program includes:

Preventive Care Schedule

• Quarterly Health Examinations: Each animal receives a thorough physical examination every three months, including weight monitoring, dental check, and assessment of overall condition.
• Annual Comprehensive Exams: Once yearly, we conduct more extensive examinations under light sedation, including blood work, dental cleaning, and diagnostic imaging as needed.
• Parasite Prevention: Regular fecal examinations and appropriate deworming protocols.
• Vaccinations: Species-appropriate immunizations on veterinary-recommended schedules.

Health Monitoring

Between formal examinations, we employ several monitoring strategies:

• Daily Observations: Trainers and care staff report any changes in behavior, appetite, activity level, or appearance.
• Weekly Weigh-Ins: Regular weight monitoring helps detect subtle changes that might indicate health issues.
• Behavioral Assessment: We use standardized behavioral observation protocols to detect early signs of stress or discomfort.
• Training Participation: Changes in enthusiasm for training or ability to perform familiar behaviors often serve as early indicators of health concerns.

Medical Facilities

Our facility includes a fully equipped veterinary clinic with:

• Examination and treatment areas
• Laboratory for basic diagnostic testing
• Digital radiography equipment
• Surgical suite for minor procedures
• Recovery areas designed specifically for primates

For more complex diagnostics or specialized treatments, we partner with a nearby veterinary specialty hospital that has experience with primate patients.

Environmental Health and Enrichment

Healthcare extends beyond nutrition and medical treatment to include the overall living environment and psychological wellbeing of our animals.

Housing Design

Our housing facilities are designed to promote physical and psychological health with:

• Vertical Space: Multiple levels, climbing structures, and perches allow for natural locomotion.
• Visual Barriers: Areas where animals can retreat from view when desired.
• Natural Substrates: Varied flooring materials including wood chips, grass, and soil areas.
• Temperature Control: Climate-controlled indoor areas with access to outdoor spaces when weather permits.
• Appropriate Social Groupings: Housing compatible individuals together to allow for natural social interactions.

Enrichment Program

Our comprehensive enrichment program includes:

• Physical Enrichment: Rotating novel objects, climbing apparatus, and manipulation items.
• Sensory Enrichment: Introducing new scents, sounds, and textures to stimulate the senses.
• Food Enrichment: Beyond regular meals, we provide foraging opportunities and food puzzles.
• Cognitive Enrichment: Problem-solving toys, training sessions, and learning opportunities.
• Social Enrichment: Appropriate groupings and supervised interaction opportunities.

We rotate enrichment items and activities on a scheduled basis to maintain novelty and prevent habituation. Each animal's preferences are recorded, allowing us to provide individualized enrichment that they find most engaging.

Special Considerations for Performing Animals

Working as performers creates specific health considerations that we address through specialized protocols:

Travel Health Management

When our monkeys travel for performances, we implement additional measures:

• Pre-travel health checks to ensure all animals are fit for the journey
• Specialized transport crates designed for comfort and stress reduction
• Familiar items and bedding to maintain a sense of security
• Consistent feeding schedules even during travel days
• Regular rest periods and exercise opportunities during longer journeys
• A traveling first-aid kit and emergency medical supplies

Performance Wellness Monitoring

Before, during, and after performances, we conduct additional monitoring:

• Pre-performance assessment of energy levels and alertness
• Monitoring for signs of stress or fatigue during the performance
• Post-performance physical checks
• Scheduled rest days between performance blocks
• Adjusted training and performance schedules for older animals or those with specific health needs

Geriatric Care: Aging with Dignity

As our performers age, their healthcare needs change. We have a specialized geriatric care program for our senior monkeys that includes:

• More Frequent Health Assessments: Bimonthly rather than quarterly examinations
• Modified Diets: Adjusted for changing metabolic needs and dental status
• Supplementation: Additional vitamins, joint supplements, and other supportive care as needed
• Adjusted Housing: Modified climbing structures, heated resting areas, and easier access to resources
• Reduced Performance Schedules: Gradually transitioning to fewer or less demanding appearances
• Retirement Planning: A thoughtful transition to retirement when performing is no longer appropriate

Our retired performers remain with us in specialized retirement housing where they continue to receive excellent care for the remainder of their lives.

Training's Role in Healthcare

One aspect of our healthcare program that visitors don't often see is how we use training to facilitate medical care. Through positive reinforcement training, our monkeys learn to:

• Voluntarily enter transport crates
• Present various body parts for inspection
• Accept topical medications
• Remain calm during stethoscope examination
• Step onto a scale for weighing
• Accept hand-feeding of medication
• Present for injections (for more cooperative individuals)

This cooperative care training significantly reduces stress during medical procedures and allows us to monitor health with minimal disruption to the animals' routines.

Record Keeping and Health Analytics

A crucial but often overlooked component of our healthcare program is our comprehensive record-keeping system. For each animal, we maintain detailed records including:

• Complete medical history
• Daily behavioral observations
• Food consumption records
• Weight trends
• Training progress
• Enrichment preferences and participation

This data is regularly analyzed to identify patterns and trends that might indicate emerging health concerns before they become serious problems. Our digital record system allows for quick access to historical information during health assessments.

Research and Continuing Education

To ensure we're providing the best possible care, we stay current with the latest advances in primate medicine and welfare. Our veterinary and animal care team:

• Attends specialized conferences on zoo and wildlife medicine
• Participates in continuing education programs
• Collaborates with primate specialists at universities and zoological institutions
• Contributes to research on captive primate health and welfare
• Regularly reviews and updates our care protocols based on new information

Conclusion: A Comprehensive Approach

The health and wellbeing of our monkey performers is our highest priority at SKLNSMOTKEY. Through a comprehensive approach that addresses nutrition, preventive healthcare, psychological wellbeing, and specialized care for performing animals, we ensure that our monkeys not only survive but thrive under our care.

This commitment to excellence in animal healthcare is reflected in the vitality, longevity, and positive behavioral indicators we observe in our animals. A healthy, happy monkey is not only an ethical imperative but also makes for a better performer—creating a situation where the interests of the animals and the quality of our shows are perfectly aligned.

If you have questions about our animal healthcare program or would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to reach out. We believe in transparency regarding our animal care practices and are always happy to share information with interested visitors.