Page 26 - Gateways 2024_Spring flip_Neat

3

r
Wh
o
s N
t I
What Is Normal?
a
l
?
m
a
Diagnostic imaging technologies are powerful tools that have
greatly advanced veterinary medicine. “Radiographs and CT are a
routine part of our preventative health program,” said Chinnadurai.
“They allow us to see signs of internal changes we wouldn’t be able
to see with just a physical exam.”
The use of diagnostic imaging can decrease the time a
veterinarian needs to make a diagnosis and improve the accuracy
of the diagnosis, leading to more effective treatments for animals.
Diagnostic imaging can eliminate or reduce the need for surgery,
anesthesia, and other invasive and potentially risky medical
procedures. Furthermore, the modalities, particularly ultrasound
and radiographs (X-ray), are widely available today.
For decades, Brookfield Zoo has been at the forefront of
the field of veterinary diagnostic imaging, which has ensured
that our animals receive the most advanced medical care. Our
Animal Hospital houses the most comprehensive and advanced
imaging suite dedicated to zoo animals, including a large-bore
CT scanner with an animal table that accommodates the largest
patients, including lions, gorillas, dolphins, and okapi. In 2022,
1,086 diagnostic imaging studies (CT, ultrasound, X-rays) were
performed at the Zoo.
As in Layla’s case, however, zoo veterinarians have difficulty
discerning what radiographic and CT studies show without being
able to compare them to reference images of normal radiographic
anatomy. “We can always radiograph or CT an animal to be able to
understand its internal anatomy,” said Chinnadurai. “It’s just that
next step of understanding what’s normal and what’s abnormal that
we’re still developing.”
Radiographs of zoo animals often show structures that would be
abnormal in a dog or cat, but might be a normal anatomic feature
for that animal, he said. “Without reference to what is normal or
abnormal, it’s hard for us to identify significant lesions somewhere
within their body and know if we should intervene with a surgery
or with another diagnostic test.”

5

4

26 GATEWAYS | RADIOLOGY DATABASE