Challenges and Solutions for Harmonizing Dental and Anaesthesia Teamwork in the Zoo Setting: Our Experiences During a Series of Dental Procedures Performed on Large Felids

Dental disease in large captive felids presents significant clinical and logistical challenges, particularly within the zoo setting where dedicated dental facilities are rarely available. Over a three-year period (2022–2025), we collaborated as a dental and anaesthesia team to manage seven dental procedures in species including the White Tiger (Panthera tigris), Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), North Chinese Leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis), and Jaguar (Panthera onca). Due to the absence of a purpose-built dental theatre, procedures were performed in three different zoo locations, requiring the transportation of equipment and establishment of temporary dental workspaces.
Preoperative planning relied on clinical reports, photographs, and radiographs provided by zoo staff, though definitive treatment plans often required substantial revision following intraoperative examination. Time pressure, restricted working space, and the inherent risks of anaesthesia in wild animals necessitated strict adherence to protocols ensuring safety and radiation protection. Success depended on meticulous preparation, efficient equipment setup, and—most critically—continuous, transparent communication between dental and anaesthesia teams. Coordination extended from preliminary planning through intraoperative management to post-procedure debriefing, with precise scheduling essential to balance anaesthetic duration and procedural requirements.
Our experiences underscore that interdisciplinary collaboration is central to achieving optimal outcomes in zoological dentistry. By sharing expertise and fostering a framework of mutual learning, veterinary professionals can address the unique challenges of providing advanced dental care to large felids in the zoo setting. This presentation summarizes the challenges encountered and the experiences gained in organizing and performing complex dental procedures on large felids under zoo conditions.