EAGAN, Minn., Aug. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD, and Crutchfield
Dermatology (Eagan, Minnesota)
recently assisted the veterinary staff with a unique patient, Haps,
a sand tiger shark, to help with his scoliosis (abnormal curvature
of the spine) at the Minnesota Zoo (Apple
Valley, MN). Sharks in the wild, as well as in human care,
can develop scoliosis. Some types of scoliosis are caused by an
abnormal and persistent contraction of muscles along just one side
of the spine that causes the spine to be curved. Veterinary and
animal care professionals are investigating possible contributing
factors for this type of scoliosis, but they have not yet
identified an apparent cause for the condition. Veterinarians in
Australia reported that Botox has
the potential to correct the spinal curvature in sharks.
Earlier this month Dr. Crutchfield III (also a Clinical
Professor of Dermatology at the University of
Minnesota Medical School) worked with the Minnesota Zoo's
veterinary staff to administer Botox to Haps the shark. They are
happy to report that there is an improvement in the spine curvature
of Haps, the shark. The case of scoliosis for Haps remains
challenging. The animal care team continues to support Haps and
work to maintain the best quality of life for him.
"I was delighted and optimistic when the care staff at the
Minnesota Zoo asked if I would help administer Botox to 'Haps' the
shark to help improve his condition of scoliosis. Over the past 18
years, I've administered almost a million units of Botox to humans,
but this was the very first shark. In fact, by all accounts, Haps
was the very first shark ever treated with Botox in the United States. I was extraordinarily
impressed with the dedication and care of the veterinary and
support staff at the Minnesota Zoo. They treat every animal
entrusted to their care just like family. It is quite remarkable.
Dr. Rachel Thompson, the Minnesota
Zoo's veterinarian, and I planned out the procedure, and I assisted
her in the administration of Botox to the stiffened muscles along
his spine. Dr. Thompson is a top-flite veterinarian and, as I
discovered, a natural at injecting botox. I am happy to report that
after just a couple of weeks, Haps is doing better, and that warms
my heart," said Dr. Crutchfield.
Both the Minnesota Zoo's Veterinary staff and Dr. Crutchfield
recognize that there is still a lot to learn about sharks. They are
honored to be contributing research to the shark community and
providing exceptional care to and attempting to improve the quality
of life for Haps the shark by going well 'above and beyond the call
of duty.'
About Charles E. Crutchfield III,
MD:
Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D. is
a graduate of the Mayo Clinic Medical School and a Clinical
Professor of Dermatology at the University of
Minnesota Medical School. He currently is the Medical
Director of Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan, (serving the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area), Minnesota. Dr. Crutchfield is an annual
selection of the "Top Doctors" issue of Mpls. St. Paul magazine and the "Top Doctors for
Women" issues of Minnesota Monthly Magazine. Dr. Crutchfield is the
co-author of a children's book on sun protection and dermatology
textbook. He is a member of the AΩA National Medical Honor Society,
an expert consultant for WebMD and CNN, and a recipient of the
Karis Humanitarian Award from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine.
Dr. Crutchfield was also given "first a physician" award,
Healthcare Hero, 100 most influential, and one of the Top 100
African –American Newsmakers in the
United States by TheGrio, an affiliate of NBC News.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grio_Awards.
Dr. Crutchfield is the President of the Minnesota Association of
Black Physicians. He resides in Mendota
Heights, MN with his wife and three children and several
hairless sphinx cats.
SOURCE Crutchfield Dermatology