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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
> Procedures performed on Zuri
> 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
Communication strategies
Video: Easy team communication - take a cue from this zoo tech
Video: Communication and zookeepers as clients
The economy's effects