Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital, TX

Description of Elective Experience: 

Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital is an exotic exclusive practice that serves as a referral hospital, but also acts as a primary care and emergency facility. We are fully equipped with a surgery suite, CT, radiology, ultrasound and some in-house laboratory equipment. We see a variety of species including birds (parrots, poultry, raptors), small mammals (rabbits, ferrets, rodents, etc), reptiles (lizards, snakes, tortoises), new world primates and even some small to medium-sized exotic cats.

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.: 

We are fully equipped with a surgery suite, CT, radiology, ultrasound and some in-house laboratory equipment. We see a variety of species including birds (parrots, poultry, raptors), small mammals (rabbits, ferrets, rodents, etc), reptiles (lizards, snakes, tortoises), new world primates and even some small to medium-sized exotic cats. Our hospital's veterinarians include 3 board-certified avian specialists, a resident and an intern. The DVMs and technical staff have monthly educational rounds 2-4 times. Our hospital is also located in a specialty center where we are able to utilize the aid of dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiology, rehab, the emergency hospital and the surgery center. 

Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?: 

Students are expected to be at the hospital M-F 7:30am-5:30pm (close). Their first day consists of observing how the hospital operates; how a history is gathered, how the technicians interact with the clients then round the dvms. Also to observe dvm physical exams and client discussions followed by the execution of diagnostics/treatments. Lastly, observing how patients are discharged. Beginning the 2nd day students are expected to assign themselves to a case that will require in-depth diagnostics such as a referral or a very sick animal and follow the case start to finish (history-discharge). The student is also responsible for keeping the written record up to date as the appointment goes along and to complete a discharge for the patient. The student is allowed to participate in restraint, treatments, diagnostics and even surgeries depending on the case AND the student's involvement. The more they are prepared for a case and the more they show investment, the more they will get to do. By the end of week 1 they should be taking 2-3 case assignments. Students are also expected to assist in maintaining hospital cleanliness. We are not open on the weekends, students are not expected to be here then or to be on call. 

Student Housing (include costs, amenities, pet friendly, contact info if different from elective contact info): 

N/A

Supervisor: 
Shelby Basey, LVT; Lauren Thielen, DVM
Website: 
https://texasavian.com/
Contact email: 
Address: 
2700 W St. HWY 114 Building 2 St A
Grapevine, TX 76051
United States
Animal Type: 
Is student housing available?: 
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week: 
40+