San Diego Zoo Hospital

Saturday morning my members group visited the San Diego Zoo Hospital. This special treat was by invitation of our host, Senior Veterinarian Dr. Meg Sutherland-​Smith. Back in July Dr. Meg called the zoo’s education department and asked if she could be part of the «Sunrise Surprise» tours program. Our education department leader, Vik Cowan, was very surprised to receive this invitation. Vik said that zoo visitors, members and staff are almost never allowed inside the hospital.
Dr. Meg joined my group outside the Otto Center Auditorium and lead us around the zoo perimeter to the Balboa Park hospital entrance. During the walk she described the hospitals operation and staffing as well as her job and her background. Dr. Sutherland-​Smith completed undergraduate education at Virginia Tech then moved to North Carolina State University for her master’s in biochemistry and veterinary school. Dr. Meg has been on staff at the San Diego Zoo for 17 years.
The hospital doctors and staff takes care of more than 4,000 animals in over 800 species. The hospital is located adjacent to the zoo but far enough away for isolation and quarantine of animal patients from the general zoo population. Each person entering and leaving the hospital steps through a shoe disinfectant solution to help limit the spread of infections.
Dr. Meg took my group into a large hospital examination room. Two assistants helped her perform an examination of a Blue Crowned Pigeon, one of several of these birds on exhibit at the zoo. A keeper had reported seeing the pigeon having difficulty walking. We watched the bird being anesthetized using a small gas mask. Then they inserted a breathing tube and attached an oxygen level monitor. It looked remarkable like what has been done to me several times in the hospital. Dr. Meg showed us several other breathing tubes for different size animals, one over three feet long. (See pictures)
Dr. Meg then demonstrated the use of a new digital radiography system. This amazing device resembled a regular x-​ray machine in operation but instantly sent the image to a nearby computer. She showed us how the image could be zoomed and how the intensity and contrast could be manipulated to facilitate the diagnosis. The advantages in time saved and enhanced utility was immediately obvious. Holding up an old film image x-​ray to the light seemed very old fashioned after this demonstration. And Dr. Meg told us how she could share the digital images across the internet during consultations with other doctors.
The San Diego Zoo Hospital is also a teaching hospital where veterinary students can get hands on experience. Here is an interesting link which describes the experience and workload:
It is a privilege and honor to meet and talk with the dedicated people who make our San Diego Zoo the best in the world. It’s a great place to visit! Thank you keepers, educators, doctors and the entire staff.