‘Liko Is One Lucky Big Island Dolphin’
Preview Hawaii -- Hawaii’s Dolphin Quest “Dolphin Liko”- One Very Lucky Dolphin
Waikoloa, HI (PRWEB via PR Web
Direct) November 24, 2004 -- An expert team of marine mammal veterinarians,
medical researchers, cosmetic surgeons and dolphin trainers recently joined
forces to apply the latest advances in human regenerative medicine in an attempt
to restore a bottlenose dolphin’s damaged dorsal fin.
“Liko’s story is a
story of medicine with a big heart,” said Dr. Rae Stone, a Dolphin Quest
veterinarian and co-owner. “It shows extraordinary voluntary cooperation across
several human medical and veterinary disciplines that has involved numerous
experts with cutting-edge technology and specialized experience. Liko is one
very lucky young dolphin.”
The procedure on Liko, a three-year-old male
dolphin at Dolphin Quest on Hawaii’s Big Island, took place on July 30 and
marked the first-ever marine mammal application of extracellular matrix tissue
repair. Liko (pronounced Lee-ko) continues to undergo pioneering veterinary LED
(light emitting diode) therapy to stimulate tissue growth and regeneration in
his injured fin.
Liko sustained a tear at the base of his dorsal (top)
fin, likely in a game of “chase” with his dolphin cohorts. While wild dolphins
have been observed with similar and more severe lacerations that can result in
eventual loss of the dorsal fin, Dolphin Quest veterinarians organized the
groundbreaking procedure in an effort to keep as much of Liko’s dorsal fin
intact as possible. A dolphin's dorsal fin consists of soft, cartilage-like
tissue.
FIRST-EVER DOLPHIN ‘ECM’ …
“Liko’s progress has been
fantastic and he’s well on his way to healing completely,” said Dr. Steve
Badylak, the University of Pittsburgh tissue engineering expert enlisted by
Dolphin Quest. “The things we’ve learned working together to save Liko’s dorsal
fin will help other dolphins in the future and many, many other animals of all
kind, as Liko’s story helps introduce the concept of regenerative medicine to
the veterinary field.”
The use of extracellular matrix for the repair of
soft tissues was developed by Dr. Stephen Badylak, research professor in the
Department of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and
director of the Center for Pre-Clinical Tissue Engineering at the University of
Pittsburgh’s McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Once in place, the
matrix, a 3-dimensional scaffold void of cells but with structural and
functional proteins still intact, serves to recruit the appropriate cells for
tissue remodeling without producing scarring.
The extracellular matrix
used in Liko’s procedure was derived from pig urinary bladder and provided by
ACell™ Inc., which Dr. Badylak and his team at the University of Pittsburgh
custom-designed for Liko in consultation with veterinarians Dr. Stone and Dr.
Jay Sweeney, Dolphin Quest co-owners.
A major challenge the team faced
was keeping the application in place on an active dolphin in a saltwater lagoon
environment. The medical team employed a specially-designed sling custom-made by
Otter Bay Wetsuits to protect the extracellular matrix patch.
Drs. Stone
and Sweeney led the team that performed the procedure, which included Dolphin
Quest veterinarian Dr. Gregg Levine, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Paul Faringer of Kona,
Hawaii, veterinary technician Abby Simmons-Byrd, research and development
manager for ACell, Inc, Dr. Melyni Worth of Thor Laser & LED Therapy, and
George Biedenbach, Director of Animal Management at Dolphin Quest
Hawaii.
LIKO IS ‘LED’ THERAPY LEADER…
Liko’s Light Emitting Diode
(LED) therapy treatments began in September with equipment donated by Dr. Worth.
LED wavelengths are longer than laser light and penetrate deeper to increase
energy metabolism at the cellular level. Liko is the first known marine mammal
to receive LED therapy for tissue regeneration and the results to date are
promising.
“His recovery since the start of LED work is excellent,” said
Dr. Worth. “It was a big turnaround for him. Before the LED work he was looking
a little worrisome.
“Liko’s story absolutely holds promise for other
dolphins and other species, and most of all for humans. In Europe, LED/laser
therapy is fairly well appreciated for the treatment of wounds in humans, but
has been fairly slow coming to the U.S., and has only just been given any kind
of clearance for human use here,” she continued.
Though LED light is
three times brighter than the sun, the medical treatment wands are cool to the
touch, highly portable to use and do not damage skin of dolphins or humans.
Thermal imagery revealed patterns of increased vascular development in Liko’s
dorsal fin and more rapid healing following application of localized LED
therapy.
Human cosmetic surgeon Dr. Faringer performed the initial
procedure in July that prepped Liko’s wound for the sequence of fin-saving
treatments to follow. But all agree the most important member of the dolphin’s
expert medical team is Liko, himself. The young dolphin’s calm comportment in
human care allowed the initial surgery and weeks of groundbreaking intensive
regenerative therapies.
“An important part of our animal care and
training is building a relationship of mutual trust and conditioning our
dolphins to being touched and treated by their veterinarians and trainers,” said
Biedenbach, Liko’s training director at Dolphin Quest Hawaii. “Liko’s
cooperation makes him a key member of his own medical team and has gone a long
way to improve his chances of a successful recovery.”
‘OPTIMISTIC’ LIKO’S
FIN WILL BE FINE…
Liko’s dorsal fin continues its remarkable healing as
the young dolphin continues to participate in his pioneering regenerative
therapies in a quiet lagoon alongside the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort.
Veterinarians are excited by his progress, but caution that Liko still has a
ways to go on the road to recovery.
“When we first put Liko’s medical
team and treatment plan together, we were outwardly hopeful, but harbored some
serious doubts that we would be able to save this dolphin’s dorsal fin,” said
Dolphin Quest veterinarian Stone. “But Liko surprised us all. Today we’re
optimistic that his fin will eventually be fully restored and strong enough to
stand up to the rigors of a robust male dolphin lifestyle.”
Contact:
Carrie Riley
Preview Hawaii
808-823-1133/phone
808-821-8143/fax
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Additional Information:
http://www.previewhawaii.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/11/prweb182277.htm