Mystic Aquarium Povides Dental Surgery On Young Hooded Seal - Released After

By Becky Giantonio 

Mystic, CT - There were plenty of reasons to smile at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration’s seal release this morning at Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown, R.I. The release marked the end of a rehabilitation process that included oral surgery by Tufts University and Angell Animal Medical Center veterinarians trained in dentistry, who made a special trip to Connecticut in February to help the seal.

The male yearling hooded seal was originally rescued on January 17, 2009, by the Whale Center of New England in Gloucester, Mass., and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration’s Seal Rescue Clinic the same day. The seal was thin, and the admittance exam revealed moderate dehydration and an elevated white blood cell count. Aquarium veterinarians also noticed fractures in the seal’s upper canine and incisor teeth, which can be painful and lead to severe infection if left untreated.

Dr. Allison Tuttle, D.V.M., Diplomate ACZM, staff veterinarian at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, contacted Dr. Jean Joo, a veterinarian trained in dentistry with Tufts VETS in Walpole, Mass., which is affiliated with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, to see if she would perform the tooth extractions.

“The canine teeth of seals have very deep roots and are difficult to remove without specialized equipment,” said Dr. Tuttle. “This was the first seal I’ve worked with that needed both upper canine teeth removed. I contacted Dr. Joo, because Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine specialists have shown an interest in assisting us with our rehabilitation cases in the past, and we knew their expertise would be invaluable.” 

Dr. Joo agreed and contacted Dr. William Rosenblad, head of oral medicine and dentistry at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston and an assistant professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, to assist with the surgery on February 20 at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. Dr. Rosenblad arranged with iM3, which manufactures professional veterinary dental equipment, to get the necessary instruments on loan for the extraction. The team removed two canines and one incisor.

“I had never worked with a marine mammal, so I was excited about the opportunity to help this seal,” said Dr. Joo. “If not extracted, each tooth’s pulp would have died, which would have led to the development of painful abscesses that could become infected.”

“Dr. Tuttle presented the unique opportunity to collaborate with a great team and work on a challenging procedure,” said Dr. Rosenblad. “The procedure of removing teeth is similar to that in humans, but the roots of seals’ teeth are much larger, so it becomes more extensive.”

The tooth extraction was successful, and the seal was given antibiotics for five days after the extraction to prevent infection.

“The seal healed quickly,” said Janelle Schuh, stranding coordinator at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. “That same afternoon, he began eating fish again.”

The seal has since been eating well and gained weight. Prior to release, Seal Rescue Clinic staff confirmed that the seal was able to catch live prey. Blood work results earlier this week were normal. 

About Sea Research Foundation, Inc.
Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and Immersion Presents are divisions of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in the State of Connecticut. The mission of Sea Research is to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through education, research and exploration.

About Sea Research Foundation’s Stranding Department
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration has been rescuing stranded marine mammals for more than 30 years, and is a founding member of the Northeast Regional Stranding Network. The network consists of independent organizations dedicated to caring for sick and injured animals and learning more about the reasons they come ashore. Stranding Department staff care for sea turtles and marine mammals, from the smallest seals to whales. In all, the aquarium has responded to more than 800 stranding calls from the public, treating more than 300 marine mammals and releasing more than 160 that would have died had they been left on the shore.