All of these animals are monitored during anesthesia with pulse oximetry, a measure of heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. With the help of medical technology, zoo vets arrive at diagnoses earlier, predict outcomes more accurately, and treat symptoms more successfully. Given the range of species and potential problems in zoological medicine, there’s sometimes a first-time technological solution. It might be the application of familiar technology to an unfamiliar species, or the replacement of a traditional medical tool with a newer one. The process of applying such techniques in wild animals, however, is anything but routine. Even the simplest technique may require a degree of modification, depending on the species. In order to make such adjustments, we collaborate with experts in other medical fields, including domestic and large animal veterinarians, physicians, medical technicians, and veterinary and human dentists. Adding to the challenge, most of our patients must be restrained, anesthetized, or trained for months before they will tolerate even simple technology-based procedures.
