National Elephant Appreciation Day is today
A bit of foot pampering is something we all enjoy…Turns out elephants are no different. And when you weigh several thousand kilos, foot issues can be a real problem if they go undetected. X-raying the feet of elephants is no easy task. There is always the fear of breaking the X-ray receptor plate. Being able to image their feet is really important in order to maximize their welfare. While you may not be x-raying elephants every day, but if you do or are in need of a CR/DR Image Receptor with a very high weight capacity – we’ve got you covered. Z&Z Medical carries a Weight Bearing CR and DR Tunnel Panel Protector that will protect up to 2000 lbs! The VetView Tunnel can be used in typical veterinary practices for large-sized animals as well as in zoos and aquatic settings. They are available in different sizes and configurations and will support up to 1000 lbs weight.
Don’t forget to celebrate the Elephant on September 22nd! Show your appreciation today by visiting the elephants at your local zoo. Get involved. Learn more about these magnificent animals and learn about conservation and eliminating poaching.
#ElephantAppreciationDay
It's National Farm Animal Day 2024
National Farm Animals Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, is a day to recognize and appreciate the important role that farm animals play in our lives. At Z&Z Medical, we want to take this opportunity to highlight some of the X-ray accessories that we offer that can be used for imaging farm animals.
Our selection includes a variety of large animal positioning aids and immobilization devices that are designed to keep farm animals still during the X-ray procedure. These include:
- Large animal X-ray immobilization straps that are designed to keep the farm animal still during the X-ray procedure
- Large animal X-ray positioning aids that help to position the farm animal correctly for the X-ray
- Large animal X-ray grids that help to improve the quality of the X-ray image by reducing scatter radiation
We also offer a range of other accessories such as lead apron holders, radiation protection devices, and customized X-ray markers. These accessories are designed to improve the accuracy and safety of the X-ray procedure for both the farm animal and the medical staff.
Our team of experts is available to help you choose the best X-ray accessories for your practice. We can help you select the appropriate size and type of positioning aid or immobilization device for your farm animal patients, as well as providing the recommendations for the other accessories that may enhance the overall quality of your X-ray imaging.
At Z&Z Medical, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest-quality products and services. Browse our selection of X-ray accessories today and see how we can help you improve the accuracy and safety of your X-ray procedures for farm animals.
Feb 1 is National Serpent Day
National Serpent Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the fascinating and diverse group of animals known as snakes. These creatures, which belong to the class of reptiles known as Serpentes, are found all over the world and come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some species are venomous, while others are non-venomous, but all are adapted to living in a variety of different environments and have unique characteristics that make them an important part of the ecosystem.
One way that people can celebrate National Serpent Day is by learning more about these amazing animals. This can be done through reading books, watching documentaries, or visiting a local reptile exhibit.
As a veterinarian, you know that proper diagnostic tools are crucial in ensuring the best possible care for your patients. X-ray imaging, or radiography, is an essential tool in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions in reptiles, including snakes. At Z&Z Medical, we understand the unique needs of veterinarians working with reptiles. One of the main benefits of x-ray imaging in the care of snakes is the ability to visualize the internal structures of the body without the need for invasive procedures. This allows for a quick and accurate diagnosis of conditions such as fractures, tumors, and foreign bodies, as well as monitoring the progression of treatment.
If you are a veterinarian working with reptiles and are in need of x-ray imaging equipment, accessories or supplies we encourage you to contact us to learn more about how we can support you in providing the best possible care for your patients.
Celebrating Penguin Awareness Day: Honoring Nature's Waddling Wonders
In the world of adorable creatures, few capture our hearts quite like penguins. With their dapper tuxedo-like appearance and endearing waddle, these flightless birds have charmed their way into popular culture and our affections. Every year on January 20th, Penguin Awareness Day is celebrated worldwide to honor these fascinating and resilient creatures, while also raising awareness about their conservation and about them!
How many bones do penguins have?
I’m always fascinated with x-raying animals and when a veterinarian has to take X-rays of an injured bird that might have a broken bone, is sick or having difficulty moving, things can get pretty interesting. While penguins might look like simple, torpedo-shaped ice-waddlers, their bodies are actually quite complex. Even though they look nothing like people or animals you may encounter every day – like dogs and cats – they have similar skeletons and joints. They even have knees and elbows, but have about half as many bones. A human skeleton is made up of 206 bones. A penguin has just 112 in its whole body.
Bird bones in general are unique. They are lightweight and hollow, which allows the animal to take flight. Because birds need a lot of oxygen for an intense activity like flying, their bones are filled with spaces for air and they also have nine air sacs that surround their lungs. But wait, you might be thinking, “Penguins don’t fly at all.” That’s right, they evolved for a life on land and in the water, and they have a unique skeleton compared to many other birds.
The first penguins, which appeared shortly after the dinosaurs went extinct about 66 million years ago, were flightless. Ten million years later, they had become great swimmers. Present-day species spend up to 75% of their time in the ocean. That meant they had to grow heavier so they could dive underwater to hunt for food.
Penguins developed dense and heft bones that don’t have the air pockets that flying birds have. That helped make up for the air sacs around their lungs. Their bulky bones keep them from floating up to the water’s surface, like a scuba diver who straps on a weight belt to submerge. Penguins’ wings are also different because these birds need to swim, not soar into the sky. Penguins’ wings morphed into what look like short, flat, stiff fins that don’t bend like flying birds’ do. They also have fewer bones than other birds. Their wings act like paddles, helping them race through the water at high speeds. Gentoo penguins can swim up to 22 mph.That’s much faster than Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps, who broke a world record for humans at 5.5 mph.
The combination of hefty bones and powerful finlike wings allows penguins to descend quickly and dive incredibly deep to hunt for fish, krill and other food. An emperor penguin can go down to at least 1,500 feet, which is about the length of five football fields. Thanks to their fewer number of dense bones and other cool adaptations, penguins are champions of open water.
Penguins also need x-rays from time to time. So Z&Z Medical is prepared to offer a wide variety of imaging accessories for the top notch veterinarians that take care of our Penguin friends. Visit Z&Z Medical website today to order your veterinary accessories and supplies.
November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Both traditional and special contrast X-ray techniques are used to look for tumors in a pet's lungs, gastrointestinal tract, bladder and other internal organs. X-rays are usually used as the first imaging test to evaluate a pet's condition and determine whether the cancer has spread throughout the body.
CT is a specialized imaging technique available at referral centers or specialty hospitals. CT relies on the differences in density between tissues to form an image and the images of cross-sections of the body are generated by a computer. It is a superior technique compared to X-rays in evaluating cancer in the lung, the chest cavity and ribs, and is important for planning radiation therapy. CT scans can also be used to guide biopsies when a suspected mass needs further analysis.
Ultrasound refers to a technique used to examine internal organs in the abdomen and to also help guide biopsys. The veterinarian places a transducer emitting sound waves in contact with the area of interest (e.g. stomach), moves it around and views the structure of internal organs on a monitor in real time. It is routinely used to evaluate masses discovered during physical examination or to check for metastasis to liver, spleen or other organs. It is generally not used to evaluate structures that contain air such as the lungs since air prevents the transfer of sound waves.
MRI uses strong magnetic fields to create three-dimensional images created by a computer. MRI is extensively used to evaluate masses in the central nervous system such as the spine or brain and has been useful in providing images of soft tissues, joints, tendons, muscles and bone marrow.
Z&Z Medical understands the importance of Imaging animals and works closely with the Veterinary Field to provide a wide array of imaging accessories and supplies for both X-Ray, CT, Ultrasound and MRI for animal imaging. Visit the Veterinary Section of our website to learn more or email info@zzmedical.com