|Articles|April 15, 2011

Kansas City Zoo photo gallery: The technicians' day

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Discussing the procedure

Dr. Kirk Suedmeyer discusses the immobilization procedure with senior technician Andrea Lowery,RVT, and veterinary technician intern, Corryn Anderson. An immobilization is the process ofanesthetizing an animal at the zoo for treatment or preventive care, as in Zuri’s case.

Monitoring Zuri

After preparing for Zuri’s immobilization and Dr. Suedmeyer administering the initial anestheticagents via darts, Andrea waits with Dr. Meredith Wainstein for them to take effect. They keep watchover Zuri as she falls asleep and record the time and how she responds to the anesthetic drugs.

Keeping records

Andrea fills out her patient’s medical record on the go in the van during transport back to thehospital.

Heavy load

It takes everyone to help lift Zuri onto the radiography table.

Lots of recordkeeping

Back at the hospital, Corryn assists with more medical recordkeeping.

Endotracheal tube placement

Andrea assists with Zuri’s endotracheal tube placement.

Monitoring vitals signs

Monitoring her patient’s vital signs and depth of anesthesia is invaluable. Just like with“domestic” patients.

Drawing blood samples

Andrea holds off a vein, as Corryn draws blood samples.

Placing a catheter

Andrea identifies the lateral saphenous vein for intravenous catheter placement.

Placing a catheter

Placing the intravenous catheter.

Intravenous fluids

Corryn secures the catheter and begins intravenous fluid therapy for cardiovascular supportunder anesthesia.

ECG tracing

Andrea obtains a reading from Zuri's echocardiogram

Precise recordkeeping

Recording everything on Zuri’s medical record as it happens is of paramount importance.

Placing fly repellent

Placing fly repellent ointment on Zuri’s ears is one of the last things Andrea will do for herat the hospital. Zuri is then returned to her enclosure to recover.

A limping goat

Andrea and Corryn's afternoon begins with obtaining shoulder radiographs on Shirley, a limping goat, asShirley’s keepers look on.

Shirley the goat

Shirley also has samples taken from her for monitoring her health.

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