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Chapter 29

Monkeys and Other

Nonhuman Primates

As a veterinary student and later as a veterinarian, ture is the large hemispherical cranium, set above and
I worked with a variety of monkeys and other non- behind a foreshortened, doglike face. The neck is short
human primates. As a radiologist, I occasionally see like that of a human.
monkeys from our local zoo, but I rarely see pet The trunk is quite elongated, not unlike that of a cat.

monkeys. Once or twice, I have radiographed circus Seen in lateral profile, the thorax appears relatively
monkeys. I have no dealings with research facilities, small compared to the abdomen, which is tapered cau-
and animals from the zoo are invariably accompanied dally (Figure 29-2). From the ventrodorsal perspective,
by their keepers and are anesthetized by experienced the primate heart bears a strong resemblance to the
zoo veterinarians before being radiographed. human heart.
Having worked in a large metropolitan zoo and The limbs are disproportionately long in compari-
spent time as an observer in a regional primate center, son with the torso. Likewise, the hands and feet appear
I have gained enormous respect for these animals large compared to the rest of the forelimbs and hind
but perhaps the most lasting impression has been of limbs. The fingers often appear distinctly curled when

their strength and agility. Accordingly, I must advise radiographed, even in an anesthetized animal (Figures
great care and caution when radiographing nonhuman 29-3 and 29-4).
primates.
For example, an inexperienced veterinarian would
be well-advised to obtain expert advice before attempt- III INJURIES
ing to handle, restrain, anesthetize, and radiograph
even a small primate. Better yet, the handler or experi- Monkeys are subject to most of the same injuries as
enced owner should assist with the primate. Zoos and people, as well as a few that are unique to their aerial
veterinary colleges can be most helpful in this regard. activities. For example, a baby monkey loses its grip

The help is out there, and veterinarians should take on its mother, falls to the floor of its enclosure, and
advantage of this help and will be glad they did. strikes its head. The baby appears stunned but other-
wise alright. A few weeks later a bump appears on the
top of its head, which gradually enlarges. Skull radi-
III NORMAL RADIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY ography reveals an expansive lesion on the upper half
of the cranium, the result of intradiploic hemorrhage
Morphologically, monkeys and other nonhuman pri- or intraosseous hematocele. Most such lesions, although
mates resemble people, more or less. They have hands, alarming, are harmless and largely disappear with ad-

fingers, feet, and toes. Many have prehensile tails that vancing age.
are capable not only of grasping, but of bearing the
entire weight of the animal. Some parts, for example,
hands, function almost exactly as do their human III DISEASES
counterparts, while other parts of the anatomy, like the
lung, more closely resemble those of dogs and cats Nutritional Secondary
(Figure 29-1). Hypoparathyroidism
The skull of a nonhuman primate, for example, a
Capuchin monkey, lies somewhere between that of Over the years, the most common disease I have diag-
a human and a dog. The predominant anatomical fea- nosed in pet primates has been nutritional secondary
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