100 g tumor removed from cobra's body in Coimbatore zoo

COIMBATORE: In an initiative aimed at protecting the caged wildlife, a complex surgery was conducted on a five-foot long cobra at the Coimbatore Zoo on Friday morning. A tumor, weighing 100 gram, was removed from the cobra's body.
Dr K Asokan, director of Coimbatore Zoo conducted the rare surgery. Speaking to TOI, Dr Asokan said during routine examination of animals and reptiles at the zoo a few days back, he found that one of the four cobras had two tumors with multiple tumor growth.He soon decided to operate on the reptile. The removed tumor has been sent for biopsy test. Based on the test report, Dr Asokan would decide whether to remove the other tumor or not.
Dr Asokan was assisted in the surgery by snake specialist Sadik Ali and RM Saleem of environment conservation group.
"Surgery is just the first step. Based on the biopsy report, we will administer medicines to the cobra to prevent the tumor growth. The surgery has ensured its healthy living apart from ensuring its life span,'' added Dr Asokan.
"Animals and reptiles in zoos deserve better veterinary care. Whenever there is an emergency, we provide the best treatment possible to the animals and reptiles in the zoo,'' said Asok.