Reptile (& bird) Exams at the Zoo (Pics!)
Re: Reptile (& bird) Exams at the Zoo (Pics!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
WarriorPrincess90
That is so cool! Thanks for sharing those pics! Are you in a two year or four year program?
I am in the two year program. The four year program isn't necessary for those that just want to go into general practice. As far as I'm concerned, you only need it for animal research or zoo medicine. A bachelor's degree will lead you to become a veterinary technologist instead of technician. I'm currently in shelter medicine but I hope in the future I can work in a zoo. I already have a B.S degree in bioengineering so the two year program is all I need to work in a zoo.
I wanted to share these pics so that fellow members can see what an exam should look like from a reputable exotics vet. Most vets just know dogs and cats and don't really know anything else on herps.
Re: Reptile (& bird) Exams at the Zoo (Pics!)
Re: Reptile (& bird) Exams at the Zoo (Pics!)
Thanks for sharing the son and I loved looking at the pics :)
Re: Reptile (& bird) Exams at the Zoo (Pics!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dizzydynamo
I am in the two year program. The four year program isn't necessary for those that just want to go into general practice. As far as I'm concerned, you only need it for animal research or zoo medicine. A bachelor's degree will lead you to become a veterinary technologist instead of technician. I'm currently in shelter medicine but I hope in the future I can work in a zoo. I already have a B.S degree in bioengineering so the two year program is all I need to work in a zoo.
I wanted to share these pics so that fellow members can see what an exam should look like from a reputable exotics vet. Most vets just know dogs and cats and don't really know anything else on herps.
That's awesome! I'm currently finishing up my B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Integrative Animal Biology. As much as I would love to go to school to be a vet (still the plan...but looking into some backups), I am also heavily considering going into a Vet Tech program when I graduate. But I would much prefer to go into Zoo medicine. So with a B.S., I would only need the two year program to do so? Cause that'd be awesome. Just sayin. :gj:
And again, thank you for sharing. I wish my vet was half that awesome. But it's neigh impossible to find a good herp vet.
Re: Reptile (& bird) Exams at the Zoo (Pics!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Shadera
Love that RT! Harlan's?
Are you referring to the red tail hawk? Sorry, I don't know what a Harlan is. If you're talking about the hawk, I just remember it came to the zoo with an injured wing that wouldn't heal correctly so it couldn't be released back into the wild.
Re: Reptile (& bird) Exams at the Zoo (Pics!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
WarriorPrincess90
That's awesome! I'm currently finishing up my B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Integrative Animal Biology. As much as I would love to go to school to be a vet (still the plan...but looking into some backups), I am also heavily considering going into a Vet Tech program when I graduate. But I would much prefer to go into Zoo medicine. So with a B.S., I would only need the two year program to do so? Cause that'd be awesome. Just sayin. :gj:
And again, thank you for sharing. I wish my vet was half that awesome. But it's neigh impossible to find a good herp vet.
You would need to go through a two year vet tech program and then take the exams to be licensed. From what research I've done, you need a B.S. to become a zookeeper and only an A.S. from an accredited vet tech program to be a vet tech at the zoo but having a bachelor's on top of it will give you a better chance. It is extremely difficult to get a job at a zoo vet clinic due to low turnover and limited positions available. You would have to get by on doing a bunch of unpaid (or small stipend) internships and volunteering at zoos as keepers before even consider applying. I recommend getting skilled at dogs, cats, horses, etc. first and then work your way up to zoo animals since most vets just base their diagnosis on domestic/common pets and then learn as they go.
Here are some zoo medicine websites for you to check out. Zoo medicine is also considered a specialty that takes 5 years to complete and then you take another exam.
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
http://www.aazv.org/
Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians
http://www.avzmt.org/
Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians
http://www.azvt.org/
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
http://www.aza.org/
Hope this helps! :)
