San Diego Zoo panda has incurable heart problem
- Share via
Reporting from San Diego — An elderly giant panda at the San Diego Zoo has been diagnosed with an incurable heart problem.
The zoo says Gao Gao (Gow Gow) had a medical checkup Tuesday and was found to have pulmonic stenosis, a narrowing of the pulmonary heart valve.
Gao Gao was put on medication and is responding well to the treatment, but the condition is progressive. It’s most commonly the result of a birth defect.
The zoo says symptoms can include a heart murmur and fatigue. Gao was diagnosed with a heart murmur three years ago.
The panda, who’s about 26 years old, also has high blood pressure.
Gao Gao and two other pandas are on loan to the zoo from China. Only 1,600 are believed to remain in the wild.
ALSO
Endangered butterfly could get new lease on life with breeding program at San Diego Zoo
An awww-some spring with newborn and baby animals at the zoo
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
