The four week wildlife module was strategically scheduled mid-year to break up the monotony of dog and cat cases in the teaching hospital. The first two weeks was a jumble of lectures, practicals and field trips. We discussed current conservation challenges such as trophy hunting, heard from vets working on the frontline of black cockatoo and sea turtle research, learnt the basics of marine mammal necropsies and aquatic pathology, listened to an inspiring talk from an exotics and zoo vet (Peter Ricci - the new Bondi Vet), and learnt about the work of vets at a bear rescue organisation called Free the Bears. The talks were really insightful and gave me an appreciation of the huge range of fields vets can be involved in.
As well as all the theory, there were a number of hands-on practicals during the first fortnight. One of the highlights was doing routine health checks on one of Australia's most elusive critters - the bilby! As a result of habitat destruction and introduced species, the bilby population has significantly declined and they are now classified as a threatened species. These particular bilbies were part of a captive breeding program, which aims to reintroduce them to the wild. A thorough examination was required to ensure they were in good health and could remain in the breeding program. I intubated, monitored anaesthesia, collected a blood sample and performed a full clinical exam. While under anaesthesia, we could fully appreciate their anatomical quirks, including the marsupial pouch, double nail for grooming, and spike on the tip of the tail (thought to play a role in communication). If you've ever wondered what the inside of a marsupial pouch looks like (I know I have), check out the image below.
We also got a tour of a black cockatoo rehabilitation centre and practiced handling some of the hospitalised patients. Black cockatoos are huge, strong birds and can be pretty feisty, so restraining them is quite an involved process. Thankfully I still had all 10 of my fingers at the end of the day! There were a couple of practical sessions on fish health and aquaculture, which were interesting but not really my cup of tea. During these, I learnt how to tube feed, medicate, aspirate the swim bladder and surgically remove an eye from a fish. One evening was spent at a native wildlife sanctuary where we did a guided night walk and learnt about some of our more elusive native species, including woylies, numbats and bandicoots. We had a close encounter with a very bold brushtail possum who strolled right up to us for a better look. Last but not least, we were given a tour of the native species breeding program at Perth Zoo, which focusses on numbats and western swamp tortoises. Fun fact: western swamp tortoises are the most endangered reptiles in Australia.
Awwww #beardylove 🤗💕 . . Reposted from @nic_the.animal.doctor - When they offer you salad during Christmas lunch🙊😂 •••• Did you know that bearded dragons should have a diet based on dark vegetables high in calcium rather than on insects? In the past, we used to suggest insect-heavy diets, but we more recently found out that beardies that eat mainly vegetables are much less likely to suffer of metabolic disorders such as gout or renal failure... as you may see from the video may be difficult to transition to a vegetable diet, but is definitely worth -go green!🌿🌱 •••••• #everylifematters #exoticsvet #exotics #veterinarian #animalsofig #animals #vet #pet #vetlife #veterinarymedicine #beardeddragon #veg #cuteanimals #animalsco #picoftheday #animaladdicts #獣医 #動物 #兽医 #宠物医生 #WeeklyFluff #oklahomacity #oklahoma #okstate #okstatevetmed #reptilelover #funny - #regrann https://www.instagram.com/p/Br6l2AUA6YU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wvlf3nd3ua21
