wildlife veterinarian degree

Finding the most up to date information on the internet doesn’t always come easy. This is not always the case though as the article below brings you the latest information on wildlife veterinarian degree,wildlife veterinarian near me&how long does it take to become a wildlife veterinarian.

You will also discover related posts on wildlife veterinarian salary,wildlife veterinarian jobs,wildlife veterinarian salary 2019&how to become a wildlife vet in africa on collegelearners.

Wildlife veterinarians are licensed animal health professionals who specialize in treating many different types of wildlife, including birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. They may work either in a veterinary office setting or in the field.

Duties of a Wildlife Veterinarian

The typical duties of a wildlife vet may include sedating animals for procedures, performing exams, giving vaccinations, taking blood samples, administering fluids, performing surgeries when needed, prescribing medications, evaluating and treating wounds, taking x-rays and ultrasounds, cleaning teeth, assisting with captive breeding programs, and providing intensive care for very young animals abandoned by their parents.

Wildlife veterinarians often work in conjunction with wildlife rehabilitators at a rehabilitation facility. They also must be able to interact and communicate effectively with veterinary technicians, wildlife officials, and members of the public.

It’s common for vets to work some nights, weekends, and holidays. Some wildlife veterinarians have schedules that involve “on call” time for treating emergency cases, and it’s common for vets to put in 50 hours of work (or more) per week.

Some wildlife veterinarians conduct research or treat patients in the field, so travel may be involved for some practitioners.

Career Options for Wildlife Veterinarians

Vets may work primarily as small animal, equine, or large animal vets and combine that career path with wildlife work. Some wildlife vets choose to work exclusively with exotic animals or native wildlife species.

Wildlife vets may find work in veterinary pharmaceutical sales, the military, government organizations, research facilities or labs, wildlife rehabilitation centers, zoological parks, museums, aquariums, or academic institutions as professors or biology teachers educating wildlife interns.

Veterinarians who are board certified in a particular specialty area (e.g., ophthalmology, oncology, surgery, etc.) can expect to pull in higher salaries due to their extensive experience and education.

Education and Training

All wildlife veterinarians graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which they earn by completing a demanding course of study that covers both small and large animal species.

The Tufts University veterinary program is well known for its Wildlife Medicine Program. The Tufts Wildlife Clinic affords veterinary students the opportunity to work with more than 3,000 wild animals each year. These animals are brought in for treatment by fish and game wardens, local rehabilitators, and members of the public.

The University of California at Davis also offers access to its Wildlife Health Center as part of its veterinary medicine program. Veterinary educational options involving wildlife are plentiful at UC Davis. Options include a DVM degree with an emphasis in wildlife health, a two-year post-DVM Master’s degree focused on wildlife health and epidemiology, and a post-DVM residency in zoo medicine and pathology.

After graduation, aspiring wildlife vets must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) to become eligible to be professionally licensed to practice.

Professional Associations

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is one of the most prominent veterinary organizations, representing around 100,000 practitioners. The vast majority of practicing U.S. veterinarians maintain a membership with the AVMA.

The European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV) is a well-known international wildlife association that publishes professional papers and hosts scientific meetings each year to promote advances in the field of wildlife health.