Columbus Zoo takes “CAT” scan to a whole new level

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is taking the term “CAT” scanner to a whole new, literal level. The zoo is one of only six others in the U.S. with CAT scan technology on-sight and just this week, used it to scan a humongous African lion.

“The ability to add CAT technology to our diagnostic services keeps us on the cutting edge of zoo medicine, gives us critical diagnostic capabilities for our Zoo patients, and enables us to provide state-of-the-art training for our residents,” said Dr. Randy Junge, Vice President of Animal Health at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. “This machine will play an absolutely critical role in identifying potential or unseen health concerns within the animals in our care.”

Tomo, the 14-year-old African lion, was the subject of the scan to identify the extent of an infection in his jaw. As you can imagine, this procedure would be extremely hard if not possible without the CAT imaging.

Zoo vets were able to locate the infection and apply an oral anti-fungal medication. Tomo is expected to make a full recovery.

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