La Mesa Vets Perform Rare Procedure on Northwestern Grey Wolf

Yana, a protected wolf ambassador, received specialized care at a local clinic for a persistent nasal issue.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Yana, an 11-year-old protected Northwestern grey wolf and ambassador at the California Wolf Center in Julian, received specialized medical treatment at Pet Emergency and Specialty Center in La Mesa for a persistent nasal discharge. This marked an extraordinary case for the clinic and its veterinarians, as Dr. Todd Cecil had never treated a wolf before in his decades of experience with exotic animals.

Why it matters

The California Wolf Center is San Diego County's only wolf preserve, and Yana serves as an important ambassador for the species. Obtaining a proper diagnosis and treatment for her condition is critical to ensuring her health and ability to continue in this role.

The details

Yana was transported from her enclosure in Julian to the La Mesa clinic, where veterinarians sedated her, performed a CT scan, and then conducted a rhinoscopy procedure using a camera to examine a mass detected on the scan. Doctors collected a sample for further testing to determine the cause of Yana's nasal discharge.

  • On March 19, 2026, Yana was brought from the California Wolf Center in Julian to the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center in La Mesa for treatment.

The players

Yana

An 11-year-old protected Northwestern grey wolf and ambassador at the California Wolf Center in Julian.

Dr. Todd Cecil

The exotic animal specialist at the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center in La Mesa who performed the procedures on Yana, despite never having treated a wolf before in his decades of experience.

Shawnie Williams

The chair of the California Wolf Center board who coordinated Yana's visit with Dr. Cecil, with whom she has worked for 30 years.

California Wolf Center

San Diego County's only wolf preserve, where Yana serves as an ambassador for the species.

Pet Emergency and Specialty Center

The La Mesa clinic where Yana received specialized medical treatment.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I have not had a chance to work on a wolf before.”

— Dr. Todd Cecil, Exotic animal specialist

“I've known Dr. Cecil for thirty years and we've worked together on all kinds of animals and I said how would you like to do a procedure on a wolf - he laughed at me - and here we are.”

— Shawnie Williams, Chair of the California Wolf Center board

“We need to know what's going on and make her healthy - she's our ambassador. She's one of our own.”

— Shawnie Williams, Chair of the California Wolf Center board

What’s next

The veterinarians at the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center will analyze the sample collected during the rhinoscopy procedure to determine the cause of Yana's nasal discharge and develop a treatment plan to address her condition.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of specialized veterinary care for protected and endangered species, even when it requires transporting the animal to a facility outside of its normal habitat. The collaboration between the California Wolf Center and the La Mesa clinic demonstrates the dedication of these organizations to ensuring the health and well-being of Yana, an ambassador for her species.