A Day With the Vet

A Day With the Vet
The Detroit Zoo veterinarian is busy, with over 4000 patients to see. While most people think of doctors treating sickness, most of our time is spent keeping healthy animals well! Prevention of disease by performing annual exams, dentistry, vaccinations, and deworming, and by maintaining good diets and quarantining new arrivals is always worthwhile.



Anesthesia
Unlike dogs, cats, (or children!) zoo animals cannot be held easily for examinations or treatments, so most must be anesthetized. Zoo veterinarians are usually very general in their knowledge of all animal diseases, but they must be specialists in anesthesia. Blowguns, dart rifles, and a sharp eye are often needed to calm an unruly patient!







House Calls
While the Detroit Zoo does have a brand new beautiful hospital, it is often necessary to go out (in all weather!) to see sick animals. This requires taking radiology equipment, dart guns, an ECG machine, and all drugs out into the field - and being prepared for almost any emergency. This maned wolf had bladder stones, which showed up with a radiograph (X-ray.)