More Than Skin Deep

Veterinary care at the zoo ranges from everyday checkups to more complex, long-term cases.

One case that stood out in 2025 was with male polar bear, Siku, who is afflicted by allergy-induced skin disease.

In early 2025, Siku was experiencing significant discomfort. The condition, similar to eczema in people, caused persistent itchiness that led to self-induced skin wounds. Initial treatments, including antihistamine therapy, had little effect.

In March, he was switched to a veterinary medication commonly used in dogs with similar conditions. The change made a noticeable difference, reducing his itchiness and allowing his skin to heal.

With the goal of better understanding his condition, Siku was anaesthetized on May 30 for a comprehensive exam and allergy testing with a consulting veterinary dermatologist. During the procedure, a large patch of fur was shaved and 56 different allergens were administered into the skin at specific sites. Overall, Siku was found to be in good health, but the testing revealed a range of allergies, including dust and storage mites, grasses and weeds, alfalfa, and a yeast known as Malassezia.

From there, his care became more targeted. Alongside his ongoing medication, he began daily sublingual immunotherapy delivered in a small amount of seal oil. This involves administering micro-doses of these allergens over time to build up his tolerance.

Siku remained stable through much of the year. In November, he experienced another allergic flare-up which required additional treatments and, on the advice of the consulting veterinary dermatologist, a shift to a different medication. This change resulted in greater control of his condition.

Allergy-induced skin disease can have wide-ranging impacts on an animal’s health and wellbeing. It can be painful, disrupt sleep, and lead to secondary infections, sometimes changing behaviour in noticeable ways. Managing it requires ongoing attention and adjustment.

Siku’s care reflects the complexity of managing the health and wellbeing of animals in our care, from ongoing monitoring and adapting treatments to working with veterinary specialists when new insight is needed. It requires coordination across teams and a shared understanding of how small changes can affect the whole.

It’s a collective effort, supported by the people, expertise, and resources behind the scenes that make this level of care possible.