Wildlife Veterinarians

Tuesday we discussed wildlife veterinarians. We discovered wildlife veterinarians specialize in exotic animal medicine, which presents a unique set of challenges within the veterinarian job description. These vets must become medical specialists in hundreds of different species, each with unique anatomy and responses to medicine, as well as understand normal verses  abnormal behavior for each species.  .      Wildlife Veterinarian Job Duties Wild animal veterinarian job duties can include: ·   Monitor behavior and eating habits of animals ·   Develop meal plans for animals to meet the nutritional needs of each species ·   Examine all animals in the facility yearly and as needed throughout the year, which can include physical exams, blood work, x-rays etc. ·   Monitor and participate in breeding programs of endangered species ·   Perform surgery as needed on animals, often in the animal’s housing ·   Develop innovative treatment for exotic animals ·   Work closely with animal care staff in all aspects of the animals’ care  Working Conditions An exotic animal veterinarian must work in the same conditions as a zookeeper. The job requires working in a veterinary hospital setting and in the animal’s exhibit or habitat. Animals need care no matter the weather or the day of the week. So working on the weekends, nights, and in snow, winds, and sleet can be expected. Exotic animal veterinarians are also at risk for injury from their patients and are exposed to zoonotic diseases on a daily basis. After we finished our lessons, we made wild animal masks! We cut eggcrates and painted them. We glued googly eyes in, cut out ear shapes to glue on top, and used pom-poms for the noses.

 Caught a few kids playing veterinarians!

 Then saw these kiddos in deep thought with building.