Koko the gorilla signs up for dental treatment

WHEN Koko the gorilla used the American Sign Language gesture for pain and pointed to her mouth, 12 specialists, including three dentists, sprang into action.

The result? Her first full medical examination in about 20 years, an extracted tooth and a clean bill of health.

About a month ago, Koko, a 300-plus-pound ape who became famous for mastering more than 1,000 signs, began telling her handlers at the Gorilla Foundation in Woodside she was in pain. They quickly constructed a pain chart, offering Koko a scale from one to 10.

When Koko started pointing to nine or 10 too often, a dental appointment was made. And because anaesthesia would be involved, her handlers used the opportunity to give Koko a head-to-toe exam.

"She's quite articulate," volunteer John Paul Slater said. "She'll tell us how bad she's feeling, how bad the pain is. It looked like it was time to do something."

Twelve specialists a Stanford cardiologist, three anaesthesiologists, three dentists, an ear and throat specialist, two veterinarians, a gastroenterologist and a gynaecologist volunteered to help.

"It's not often that we get to work on a celebrity," said Dr David Liang, assistant professor of medicine at Stanford. "Probably, Koko is less demanding."

The team came to Koko, bringing portable X-ray and ultrasound machines. They set up shop at her "apartment", which looks like a remodeled box car, complete with a makeshift toilet, television and DVD player.

After four hours of tests including a colonoscopy, gynaecological exam, dental work, X-rays, and ultrasounds doctors pronounced her fit.

Koko was 33 on July 4.

While gorillas in captivity are known to live into their 50s, they are susceptible to heart disease and a thickening of the arteries.

Her teacher, Francine Patterson, was at her side when the anaesthesiologist prepared to put her under in the morning, and apparently Koko asked to meet her specialists.

They crowded around her, and Koko, who plays favourites, asked one woman wearing red to come closer. The woman handed her a business card, which Koko promptly ate.

Otherwise, Koko was calm, Liang said.