Kansas City Zoo photo gallery: Dr. Meredith Wainstein's first patient as a resident

First day on the job

It was the first day of a 3-year residency in Zoological Medicine for Dr. Meredith Wainstein. Here, she speaks with her new mentor, Kirk Suedmeyer, DVM, DACZM, Director of Animal Health at the Kansas City Zoo.

Meeting Zuri

On the way to meet her first patient, Zuri, an African lioness.

Monitoring Zuri

Sitting in front of Zuri’s enclosure, waiting for the initial anesthetic drugs to take effect. Dr. Wainstein and Andrea Lowery, senior technician, keep watch over Zuri as she falls asleep and record the time and how Zuri responds to the medications in the dart.

Checking vitals

Back at the hospital, checking Zuri’s vitals.

Ophthalmic exam

Dr. Wainstein performing an ophthalmic exam.

Placing an endotracheal tube

Placing Zuri’s endotracheal tube. Dr. Wainstein uses a stylet and a laryngoscope with a long blade.

Securing the endotracheal tube

Tying the endotracheal tube in place.

Checking vitals

Checking Zuri’s vitals (again).

Tail nail

Dr. Suedmeyer explaining about "tail nails" that lions have.

Obtaining a skin biopsy

Dr. Wainstein obtaining a skin biopsy that will be used for research at other institutions.

Ultrasonographic exam

A complete ultrasonographic exam is performed.

Ultrasonographic exam

More ultrasonography.

Back to the enclosure

Returning Zuri to her enclosure.

The complete package

Back to the "Day in the life of a zoo veterinarian" home page

Three-part blog about the zoo encounter

Immobilization and exam for Zuri the lion

Video: An ounce of prevention - examining a lion

Photo galleries of Zuri and her caretakers:

   > Meet Zuri, a 5-year-old lioness

   > Zuri's immobilization

   > Procedures performed on Zuri

   > The technicians' day

   > Dr. Meredith Wainstein's first patient as a resident

A typical day for two zoo veterinarians

Video: A typical day at the zoo hospital

Photo gallery: Tour the zoo hospital

Video: Gorillas and goats - all in a day's work

Practicing high-quality medicine

Video: Preventive medicine at the zoo

Video: Technical innovations benefit zoo animals

Challenges at the zoo

Video: The challenges of practicing veterinary medicine in a zoo

Video: The most difficult animal

All animals treated equally

Video: Chicken vs. elephant

Video: Not playing favorites

Video: Special patients

Communication strategies

Video: Easy team communication - take a cue from this zoo tech

Video: Communication and zookeepers as clients

The economy's effects

Video: Effects of the Great Recession on the zoo

Video: Fundraising for the zoo