Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s Website! Have you ever wondered where zoo animals go to get treatment when they are sick or hurt? This week interns got a behind the scenes look at the veterinary hospital at the San Diego Zoo that helps all creatures, big and small. [caption id="attachment_120153" align="aligncenter" width="4752"] Dr. Sutherland-Smith is the Director of Veterinary Sciences at the hospital. She has been working with the San Diego Zoo for over 25 years, stating that she loves her job because it brings new and rewarding challenges everyday.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120147" align="aligncenter" width="4552"] First, Dr. Sutherland-Smith pointed out the incredible pieces of technology held in the clinical pathology lab. This particular piece of equipment is a special kind of microscope. It has a second attachment to the left of the main scope that has two viewfinders. She explained that it is very helpful for teaching some of the various aspects of clinical pathology.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120154" align="aligncenter" width="3320"] This piece of equipment is a ventilator that distributes oxygen and anesthesia to the patient. It's similar to the machines used for people, except this machine would be used for much larger animals. The right size ventilator for the animal is crucial for it to get the right amount of anesthesia and oxygen.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120152" align="aligncenter" width="4383"] This is one of the main operating rooms in the hospital. If you look above, you can see windows that lead into a viewing room for other professionals to watch a surgery. This room is filled with all different kinds of equipment necessary to perform a safe operation.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120151" align="aligncenter" width="4752"] The radiology suite is where doctors can perform x-rays on the animals. On the ceiling are tracks that allow the x-ray to accommodate larger species. The radiology suite is also used to perform ultrasounds on the animals to get a better look inside their body.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120155" align="aligncenter" width="3337"] Interns were shown x-rays of many different kinds of species. This particular x-ray is of a toucan. You can identify the details in its beak and obtain a vivid image of its spinal cord and skull. These images help doctors understand what is going on inside the animal without using invasive procedures.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120156" align="aligncenter" width="2890"] This x-ray is of a red flanked duiker. If you look closely in the abdomen area you can see an extra set of bones, indicating that the animal is pregnant. X-rays like these help doctors to determine the position of the baby, to ensure a safe birth.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120150" align="aligncenter" width="4105"] The treatment room is where animals come to receive help from the doctors. On the right, the cabinets hold all of the equipment the doctors may need to help an animal. It’s also used to take samples from the animals in order to be processed in the lab for further testing.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120149" align="aligncenter" width="4752"] Animals who are in recovery typically are on a strict diet depending on their ailment. This room is the kitchen that is used to prepare food for all of the different kinds of species. On the wall is a chart of the animals, corresponding to what they need to be fed.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_120148" align="aligncenter" width="3619"] Dr. Sutherland-Smith showed us some of the hospitals most advanced technology for keeping an eye on all the critters staying at the hospital. Each room in the hospital has a high quality camera with the ability to move in a 360-degree motion and zoom in with incredible detail. By punching in the correct code on the keypad, you can take a peek in almost any room in the hospital, making it a lot easier for the doctors to make sure the animals are doing well.[/caption] Teah, Photo Team Week Five, Fall Session 2016