VIDEO: Bloomingdale Veterinarian Appears on 'Swamp Brothers'

Bloomingdale Patch Staff

The premier episode of Discovery Channel’s "Swamp Brothers" included award-winning local veterinarian Dr. Richard Kane of Care Animal Hospital on Bloomingdale Avenue.

In the video segment Kane and the staff of Care Animal Hospital work with the stars, Robbie and Stephen Keszey, to sedate, diagnose and treat the sick male lion Simba, according to a press release from Care Animal Hospital.

 The producers of the show asked Care Animal Hospital to assist with segments as needed due to its reputation for excellent care, diversity of animal expertise, and  mobile facilities that service West Central Florida, according to the release.

When the staff at Care got the call about a sick lion who had stopped eating and had an infected tail, they moved quickly to respond.

In the video segment, Robbie Keszey sedates the sick lion. Kane and the staff of Care Animal Hospital give the lion fluids, diagnose the problem and administer antibiotics.

“Taping was very straight forward," said Kane. "There was no script or retakes. What you see in the video is what actually happened. Our top priority was the care and safety of the animals and the people. We did what we could to make sure the lioness was able to stay calm and collected while we treated Simba. 

 “It is not every day that we treat lions but we have done it before and we’re glad to help," he added.

The video of Kane adminstering to the lion can be seen at http://www.careanimalhospital.org/about/in-the-news/articletype/articleview/articleid/36/dr-kane-on-discovery-channels-swamp-brothers-treating-a-lion.aspx.

If you want to see more of Kane and his staff, keep watching new episodes of the "Swamp Brothers" scheduled Fridays at 10 p.m. on Discovery Channel.

“We can’t be sure what will air in the future but we have assisted the 'Swamp Brothers' with some other animals already," said Kane.

Care Animal Hospital is a full-service, mixed animal, veterinary facility. Treatment ranges from small animals to large and includes exotics and equine patients. As part of its community outreach program, Care Animal Hospital donates hours to Wildlife Rescue Ministries, an on-site rehab center for injured animals and wildlife.

For information, visit http://www.careanimalhospital.org. Care Animal Hospital is located at 511 E. Bloomingdale Avenue, Brandon. The phone number is 813-684-7387.