"Operant Conditioning of Diabetic Primates to Accept Insulin Injections" Cynthia E. Stringfield, D.V.M. and Jennifer K. McNary
The Los Angeles Zoo Introduction: Diabetes can affect a large variety of primates. At the Los Angeles Zoo we currently have two cases of diabetic primates that have been or are in the process of being trained, using operant conditioning methods, to accept insulin injections without any type of manual restraint.
Case Reports:
"David", a red-tailed moustached guenon (Cercopithecus cephus cephus) was found to be diabetic in May of 1997 after a routine preventative medicine exam. This animal was wild caught and estimated to be 14 years old. He lived with two other animals and when his diet was evaluated, it was determined that he was eating primarily the grapes and bananas from the diet. His diet was altered, however, the keeper had difficulty getting him to eat other items in hs exhibit environment. After three months of no improvement on a hypoglycemic agent, "David" was brought to the Health Center to live in a large squeeze cage and undergo intensive training. Per his keepers, "David" was very aggressive to people and other animals and "didn't like anybody". This monkey was high-strung, suspicious, cautious and reacted quickly and instinctively. Operant conditioning was started and "David" worked with one person for two sessions a day. A clicker and colored target were used, with food rewards given for the proper response. His diet was drastically altered to increase fiber and eliminate sugar and was accepted readily. This diet was used during the training session and the remainder was given after the training session. This initial training allowed "David" to become comfortable with his trainer and learn what was expected of him and how to succesively respond. He became an expert at stationing and putting his arm through the bars to touch the target. He never became comfortable having his arm manipulated, and would retreat when his arm was handled. However, when he would approach in a less formal manner, it was apparent that he liked to lay down with his back facing the trainer in a submissive manner. He would allow his back and other parts of his body to be scratched. His training was then altered to have him present in this manner. He was moved to a double dog-run type chain link outdoor enclosure. His training rapidly progressed from scratching his back, to pinching the skin, to poking with a needle, to administering a small amount of cold saline SC, to administering insulin. "David' is currently in the process of being regulated and is monitored via urine analysis for glucose.
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