Zoo InternQuest is a career exploration program for high school students. For more information see the Zoo InternQuest Journals. For more photos see the Zoo InternQuest Photo Journal.

Laura Keener, Senior Clinical Laboratory Manager, literally gave interns an overview of Clinical Pathology, I have the handout to prove it. Although the diagnosis of disease through laboratory work, which involves analysis of urine and fecal samples, doesn’t sound like an appealing job to most, Ms. Keener’s enthusiasm is infectious, no pun intended. Her excitement as she described the trials and tribulations of practicing wildlife medicine made me see Veterinary Clinical Pathology as a new frontier. In human medicine, pathologists only have to study one species, Homo sapiens; however, clinical pathologists practicing veterinary medicine always have to ask themselves “is this normal for this species?” So who can blame Ms. Keener for freaking out when she saw that a pig that was brought to the Zoo had blood cells that appeared anemic. Tests on the rest of the pigs in the new party revealed that this blood cell formation was normal for this species. Who knew?

Once inside the Pathology Lab, we took a first-hand look at the equipment that makes diagnosis possible. One such machine is the point of care analyzer (POC), which allows for the analysis of the blood of 180 species. Of course, manufacturing companies don’t mass-produce equipment like this for veterinary medicine, so Ms. Keener spent over a year searching for this particular machine.

Using a teaching telescope, we were able to see a sample of nematode eggs found in an excretory sample. But I think the highlight of our tour of the Pathology Lab was being able to see a sample of a tapeworm segment from a rhino, which Ms. Keener is holding in her blue-gloved hand. Even though it is my goal to become a veterinarian, I can’t quite stomach the thought of tapeworms. But I found this sample fascinating; it was just a single segment but it was huge! This single segment was as long as my thumb, so you can imagine how long the whole creature must be! Thankfully, after some testing, the worm was found to be non-pathogenic.

Even though they spend the majority of their time surveying for diseases and analyzing samples from deceased animals, the clinical pathologists at the Zoo have a sense of humor. This is obvious upon entering the Pathology Lab where you are greeted by two residents: “Pee” and “Poo” (plush toys that a former analyst gifted to the department). Another sample of this humor that we found particularly amusing was a “Dead End” road sign strategically placed in the room where pathologists perform necropsies.

Regina, Photography Team

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