When Bill the 10-foot-long crocodile started showing health changes, radiologists and animal experts joined forces in a unique diagnostic endeavor.
At 61 years old, Bill had started showing changes to his health—decreased appetite, weight loss, and abdominal bloating. But his bloodwork was normal, leaving the cause of his symptoms unknown. The next step was clear: Bill should get a CT scan to check for any problems with his internal organs.
There was just one hurdle: Bill is a nearly 400-pound Siamese crocodile.
In a highly coordinated effort, Bill’s care team at Utah’s Hogle Zoo worked with CT experts at University of Utah Health to transport and then scan Bill—a process involving specialized support for Bill’s body and advanced imaging techniques.
Bill is 10 feet long and has a bite force of over 3,000 PSI. To transport him from Hogle Zoo to the scanner at U of U Health, a team of more than 20 animal care professionals used specialized tools and techniques to safely restrain him, ensuring control of his head and body. From there, he was given a mild sedative under veterinary supervision to help him stay calm throughout the process.
Scanning Bill required another kind of expertise. The CT machine used for Bill automatically adjusts the radiation dose for the size and shape of a human patient, but it isn’t equipped to handle patients with a layer of dense armor plates. Radiology experts at U of U Health tailored the CT parameters manually to safely get a clear image of Bill’s internal organs. They also flipped Bill around halfway through and did the scan in two segments—head end and tail end—since the CT scanner table couldn’t move far enough to scan Bill’s entire 10-foot-long body.
The scan revealed several stones in Bill’s stomach. This is normal for crocodiles and their relatives, which often swallow stones to help with digestion. Still, the stones may be contributing to Bill’s symptoms. Bill is now showing less bloating, improved appetite, and increased energy. Animal care and veterinary teams at Hogle Zoo continue to monitor him and are considering whether a stone-removal procedure is appropriate, guided by Bill’s well-being and quality of life.
