Students will gain clinical veterinary experience maintaining captive wildlife in a zoological setting. Emphasis will be placed on preventative health programs, quarantine, clinical pathology, pathology, nutrition, behavioral enrichment, husbandry, and management of a variety of species, including mega vertebrates, hoofstock, large carnivores, non-human primates, small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.
The zoo is staffed by 2 staff veterinarians, a veterinary resident, and 3 veterinary technicians. Equipment avaliable at the zoo includes but is not limited to radiographs, ultrasound, endoscopy, blood pressure monitoring, anethetic monitoring (vet corder and surgivet), surgical suite, powerfloat, remote delivery system equipment, vetscan and i-stat. Journal/resident rounds are conducted weekly in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and the zoo has a fully stocked library on site.
Students will participate in all facets of zoological medicine, including medical and surgical treatment, preventative medicine, quarantine procedures, animal restraint, clinical pathology, and case rounds. Students are expected to review medical records, develop anesthetic protocols, monitor anesthesia, complete physical examinations, collect and interpret diagnostics, and develop treatment plans for each case in which they participate. Students will assist the veterinarians and veterinary technicians with all medical procedures during their rotation. They should expect to work Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm but may be asked to stay late if emergencies arise. They would not typically be expected to work weekends unless procedures are scheduled for weekend days. They will be shadowing the veterinarians and will be supervised at all times by staff veterinarians, veterinary residents, or veterinary technicians.