New Animal Radiology Database Hatched at Brookfield to be ‘Game-Changer’ for Zoo Veterinarians
Brookfield Zoo Chicago Leads Effort to Create First-of-Its-Kind Resource
Veterinarians conduct a CT scan on Layla, a critically endangered eastern black rhinoceros that lives at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
Database Provides Access to Diagnostic Images of Non-Domestic Animals
The physical difficulty of performing the first-ever CT scan on a rhinoceros weighing more than a ton wasn’t the only challenge for Brookfield Zoo Chicago veterinarians in 2017.
After successfully wrestling Layla, a sedated 2,300-pound eastern black rhinoceros, through the machine’s circular opening and snapping images of her head, the vets faced another problem.
They were trying to better understand a growth in Layla’s sinus that obstructed her breathing, but they had no reliable comparison images to determine what a healthy rhinoceros’ sinus looks like.
First-of-Its-Kind Resource Aims to Improve Animal Care
That first-of-its-kind resource, called the Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database, was launched last week for veterinary professionals and wildlife biologists working with non-domestic animals in zoos, schools and the private sector.
Professionals are now able to search for images through the online database by species, age, sex and body part. It consists of 1,000 images from 50 species, but officials aim to expand the database to 10,000 images within the next two years.
Zoo Veterinarians Now Have Access to Comparative Images
“Whereas your local dog vet can open a textbook and have plenty of normal images to look at, that wasn’t previously available to a lot of the zoo species,” said Dr. Eric Hostnik, the lead veterinary radiologist of the program and an associate professor at Ohio State University.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago headed the effort to create the radiology database after their 2017 experience with Layla.
Collaboration Key to Success
Six other institutions assisted Brookfield Zoo Chicago in creating the database: the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Saint Louis Zoo, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.
Previously, zoo professionals would consult colleagues at other zoos when presented with a new disease, illness or any novel situation, which happens often when handling exotic animals.
Time-Saving and Educational Tool
Immediate access to the database also cuts down on the precious time it takes to email or call other zoos for their opinions on time-sensitive cases, Adkesson said.
Zoo leaders are lauding the new database as a groundbreaking development in veterinary radiology.
Conclusion
The Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database is a game-changer for zoo veterinarians, providing them with a valuable tool to improve animal care and conservation efforts.
FAQs
Q: What is the Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database?
A: The Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database is an online resource that provides access to diagnostic images of non-domestic animals, allowing veterinarians to compare images and improve animal care and conservation efforts.
Q: How many images are currently available in the database?
A: The database currently consists of 1,000 images from 50 species, but officials aim to expand the database to 10,000 images within the next two years.
Q: How will the database benefit zoo veterinarians?
A: The database will provide zoo veterinarians with a valuable tool to improve animal care and conservation efforts, allowing them to compare images and make more informed decisions about animal treatment and care.
Q: How can I access the database?
A: The database is available online and can be accessed by veterinary professionals and wildlife biologists working with non-domestic animals in zoos, schools and the private sector.
Q: Will the database be updated regularly?
A: Yes, the database will be updated regularly to include new images and information, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for zoo veterinarians and wildlife biologists.
