Diagnosis of a stranded marine mammal that is admitted to our
hospital is a fact-finding process. A primary goal throughout
the process is to minimize placing the animal under unnecessary
stress. Limiting handling by consolidating procedures such as
blood draws and physical examinations is just one of the ways
that we strive to minimize our impact on the overall well-being
of our patients.
Our clinicians employ a variety of diagnostic approaches
to gather information. Physical examinations, patient observation,
blood tests, microbiological cultures, and parasitological
examinations performed in our in-house laboratory help provide
the necessary information to diagnose the patient.
In our lab, our laboratory technologist conducts a variety
of analyses on blood and fecal samples as well as culturing
tissues and wound swabs for a wide range of microorganisms.
Analyzing these results depends upon having baseline data
that indicate normal ranges and ranges indicative of specific
disease processes against which to evaluate the findings.
The Center has contributed to establishing these baseline
normal values through its work with marine mammals. Specific
analyses include CBCs (complete blood counts) that count and
characterize blood cells; serum analysis for biochemical data;
and fecal analysis for parasites.
Diagnostic imaging permits further investigation and minimizes
the need for more invasive exploratory surgery. Techniques
include radiology, ultrasound, laparoscopy and endoscopy conducted
in our state of the art Geoffrey C. Hughes Marine Mammal Surgery
Center.
Radiography (taking x-rays) is often used to diagnose injuries
due to gunshot, as well as looking at fractures or other bone
lesions. Radiographs are important in evaluating pulmonary
problems and can be used to examine the gastrointestinal tract,
especially if special contrast techniques are employed.
Ultrasound is most commonly used for soft tissue evaluation,
especially for the abdominal contents. Eye examinations and
tracking abscesses are also accomplished with the aid of ultrasound.
Endoscopy includes the use of flexible and rigid techniques.
Flexible endoscopy involves the use of a long flexible instrument
that has multiple fiber-optics and instrument channels that
can be used to look at the inside of the gastro-intestinal
tract as well as the airways. Rigid endoscopy refers to techniques
such as laparoscopy, which employs minimally-invasive surgery
to insert cameras and instruments through a 1cm incision in
the abdominal wall. Laparoscopy allows excellent visualization
of the abdominal contents to facilitate organ biopsies as
well as diagnose such conditions as cancer.
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Diagnostic
Techniques/Surgery