A Nottinghamshire veterinary practice has had an unexpected visitor from Valley Wildlife when Brutus, a 12.5-year-old Giant Hairy Armadillo, was brought in after keepers noticed sudden lameness and an unusual amount of weight gain.
Despite eating normally, Brutus had stopped coming out as much, prompting zoo staff to contact Sutton-in-Ashfield Vets for Pets.
Exotic vets Steph and Gabi at the practice carried out a full-body X-ray with support from veterinary nurse Ruth. The X-ray revealed Brutus had early arthritis affecting multiple joints, including his back left knee and both front elbows.
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Brutus was prescribed pain medication and, since his treatment, he has become active again and returned to a healthy weight. As a practice with multiple members of the team who have an interest in exotics, they have treated a range of birds and reptiles.
However, this was their first patient from a zoo collection, and with Sutton-in-Ashfield Vets for Pets already working closely with Valley Wildlife, the team hopes that Brutus will not be the last exotic visitor.
Practice owner and head veterinary nurse Faye said:
“Brutus really was something you don’t see every day. Seeing as we work with cats, dogs and small animals most days, it is a real shock when you look up and see an armadillo being carried through reception.
“But he was a character who took it all in his stride; it was lovely to see him perk up after we gave him his pain relief.
“Caring for animals as unusual as Brutus is one of the best parts of our job, and he has definitely earned a spot as one of our all-time favourite patients.”