PITTSBURGH — Dakila, one of the new Visayan warty pigs at the Pittsburgh Zoo’s new ‘Islands’ exhibit, underwent an echocardiogram for a heart abnormality on Wednesday.
According to zoo officials, Dakila underwent the echocardiogram as a precautionary measure.
“All of our new animals are quarantined when they arrive, said Dr. Ginger Sturgeon, the zoo’s director of Animal Health. “This allows us to ensure our new animals are healthy while preventing any contagious illnesses to be passed on.”
Dakila is the youngest of three Visayan warty pigs that were introduced into the Pittsburgh Zoo last year.
“Though Dakila was acting normally, we noticed that she was much smaller than the other two pigs, Pearl and Calaya. She was also unthrifty in appearance with a poor hair coat,” Sturgeon said.
Due to those concerns, the animal health team ran a series of tests, which revealed that Dakila’s heart wasn’t pumping as strongly as it should. According to the zoo, Dakila’s heart abnormality has not turned into heart failure.
To help with Dakila’s heart condition, animal care officials at the zoo began serving her more avocado, vitamin E and medication to help her heart.
The new medication and diet has allowed Dakila to put on more weight and has developed a more lush drab coat.
“Seeing the immediate improvement Dakila’s health, as with any of our animals, is always a rewarding feeling,” Sturgeon said.
Zoo officials will keep Dakila on the new diet as her condition continues to improve.
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