Special patients

Though he doesn't have a favorite species, Dr. Suedmeyer does have patients with whom he's developed special relationships. Here he describes the persistent process through which he earned the trust of a gorilla.

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