Yuan Xiao NameYuan Xiao Other NamesLe Shui Chinese Names缘小 Stud Number628 Date of Birth2006-Aug-06 SexMale Current LocationChengdu Zoological Garden Born atChengdu Zoological Garden MotherYuan Yuan - #491 Father , a giant panda at the Base, was successfully operated on after sustaining a broken right leg during an altercation with other pandas in its group. Its condition is still critical, the Base said, and now it is under a 24-hour surveillance and care.

About two weeks ago, the two-year old panda broke its right leg during an altercation with other members of its group, specifically a break in the upper portion of the thighbone.. Since the giant panda is an endangered species, veterinarians and orthopedists tried conservative healing methods at first. They tried twice to manipulate the fractured bone into place without surgery, but both attempts failed because Yuan Xiao NameYuan Xiao Other NamesLe Shui Chinese Names缘小 Stud Number628 Date of Birth2006-Aug-06 SexMale Current LocationChengdu Zoological Garden Born atChengdu Zoological Garden MotherYuan Yuan - #491 Father started to move around after recovering from anesthesia. Finally, they decided to operate.

The experts said the surgery required strict sterile conditions to avoid the risk of infection such as osteomyelitis (bacterial infection of the bone and bone marrow) and/or amputation. To guarantee the complete success of the operation as well as to reduce transportations cost and lower the possibility of infection, the veterinarians of the Base and specialists from the Eight -One Orthopaedics Hospital of Chengdu PLA made a detailed plan and decided to perform the surgery at the Base’s new veterinary hospital.

At 10:30 am on October 8, 2008, Yuan Xiao NameYuan Xiao Other NamesLe Shui Chinese Names缘小 Stud Number628 Date of Birth2006-Aug-06 SexMale Current LocationChengdu Zoological Garden Born atChengdu Zoological Garden MotherYuan Yuan - #491 Father underwent surgery. The operation took three hours since a callus has formed due to the long period of time between the break and the surgery. The surgeons rejoined the broken bones and then fixed them with titanium alloy plates that are said to be the firmest type for the present. At around 1400, the operation was completed..

The major challenge now is post operative care since pandas cannot really listen to doctor’s orders or speak up when there is something wrong. After recovering from anesthesia, Yuan Xiao NameYuan Xiao Other NamesLe Shui Chinese Names缘小 Stud Number628 Date of Birth2006-Aug-06 SexMale Current LocationChengdu Zoological Garden Born atChengdu Zoological Garden MotherYuan Yuan - #491 Father may bite and scratch at the gypsum bandage. Therefore, to help Yuan Xiao NameYuan Xiao Other NamesLe Shui Chinese Names缘小 Stud Number628 Date of Birth2006-Aug-06 SexMale Current LocationChengdu Zoological Garden Born atChengdu Zoological Garden MotherYuan Yuan - #491 Father get through the hard times, extra attendants were added to ensure 24 hour care. Its favorite foods (bamboo shoots, apples, panda bread, and honey) have been made available to it to prevent/limit movement. Attendants also assist the young panda to urinate and defecate.

The Base has said Yuan Xiao NameYuan Xiao Other NamesLe Shui Chinese Names缘小 Stud Number628 Date of Birth2006-Aug-06 SexMale Current LocationChengdu Zoological Garden Born atChengdu Zoological Garden MotherYuan Yuan - #491 Father condition remains critical. .

Translated by Kitty Hee
English edited by E.H. King