About this season
Think a root canal is tough? Try performing one on a tiger. Caring for animals is the ultimate medical challenge. These are patients who can't speak, are often dangerous, and represent countless unique anatomical systems. Yet zoo vets somehow manage to give specialized care to each creature they treat. We go behind the scenes at our country's largest zoos and aquariums to witness these doctors handle every imaginable emergency, from an otter with kidney stones to a Silverback Gorilla in need of an ultrasound. It's all in a day's work.
Episodes (3)
1. Tails, Teeth and Snouts
Aired 5 October 2009 • 46 min
Meet the ultimate medical multitaskers, constantly on call to treat over 5,000 animals and up to 2,000 species.
2. Claws, Paws and Fins
Aired 10 January 2010 • 68 min
Meet the men and women who act as surgeons, dentists, eye doctors, and caretakers to close to 2,000 species.
3. Fangs, Flippers and Tusks
Aired 5 December 2010 • 46 min
They're pushing science, and themselves, to the limit in order to save lives and preserve species.