Another angle on a ghost bat. Picture: Adelaide Zoo
From general health check-ups, broken bones, unusual objects in stomachs and checking for young, X-rays are an invaluable tool used at Adelaide and Monarto zoos.
The Advertiser was given exclusive access to some of the most interesting images from Zoos South Australia’s X-ray files, including ingrown nails on Sumatran tiger Tuan and a health assessment on a female western quoll that was part of a reintroduction program in the Flinders Ranges — she had six dependent young in her pouch at the time of the x-ray.
In 2008, with the support of Total Medical and Imaging Solutions, the Adelaide Zoo Animal Health Centre was offered the opportunity to purchase two computer radiography machines for the price of one.
They were ex-medical military machines used by the army, which has enabled the zoo to improve diagnosis and shorten anaesthetics used on its animals.
Veterinarian Dr Lynley Johnson said radiographs were consistently taken during routine health checks and enabled vets to diagnose underlying arthritic or soft tissue changes that could often be treated before the animal presented any clinical signs.
She said the X-rays can also be sent via email to a colleague for a second opinion while the animal was still on the table.
“We can also zoom in or out on an area of interest which can enable closer examination of the area in question,” Dr Johnson said.
“This system provides many advances and aids to our team and more importantly the care and health of the animals under our care.”
Originally published as Make no bones about such rare animal vision "
A ghost bat. Picture: Adelaide Zoo
- General check-ups to broken bones, here’s a different view of our zoo
- Zoos South Australia
- Adelaide Zoo.com.au
sm flipboard done
ReplyDelete