Kansas State University Zoological Medicine Service
Welcome to the KSU Zoological Medicine Service. Our goal is to provide excellent, professional care of exotic pets and zoo animals. We have a dedicated staff of Board Certified Zoological Medicine Veterinarians, Staff Veterinarians, Interns and Senior Veterinary students. We are available for the care of household exotic pets and we provide the veterinary care for the Sunset Zoo.
Training |
Clinical Care |
Research |
Continuing Education |
Links to Zoos
Training
The mission of the Zoological Medicine Service is multi-faceted,
including service, education, and research, but it starts with
training. In addition to having the opportunity to receive training
in exotic animal medicine the experience also gives them a
competitive edge later on when job hunting. Dr. Carpenter
illustrates this point relating, "A few years ago, a recent graduate
excitedly called, saying that in three job interviews she had three
job offers-all because she was the only one of the applicants that
had clinical experience in exotic animal medicine. Clinic owners
know that most clients having both domestic (dogs or cats) and
exotic pets prefer to have "one-stop" service for their animals."
This client service is driving a lot of the growth in zoological
medicine. Alternative pets are now a significant business for many
veterinary hospitals. The VMTH exotic medicine rotation also
provides graduates a broader range of opportunities in non-domestic
animal healthcare. Dr. Kevin Kelley, '03, of Richmond, Virginia is a
prime example. Following graduation this last May, he had planned to
work a year and then apply for an internship in zoological medicine,
but all this changed when a "dream job" became available in San
Francisco. "I'll start work in February at the Six Flags Marine
Park," said Dr. Kelley. "My job at the Richmond Clinic, where I had
a 40% exotic caseload, and my K-State education and mentoring helped
me to take advantage of this great opportunity!"
The reputation of the KSU faculty and the clinical and teaching opportunities which this program provides, also attracts motivated, highly qualified individuals for the Internships/Residencies that the Zoological Medicine service offers. Dr. Siegel-Willott wanted to come here because "it's one of the best known programs around." "The work mix is great, with client-owned exotic pets, zoo animals, and wildlife cases challenging us everyday. It makes for a very exciting time!"
Since 2000, the Exotic Medicine Service has also had a successful Master's degree program that partners with the prestigious Conservation and Research Center (CRC) within the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park in Front Royal, Virginia. Of the numerous yearly CVM applications, one is selected to spend their next two summers in Virginia. That means that each year two KSU CVM Master's students travel to Virginia to assist in conducting research studies on endangered species at the CRC.
In order for these students to spend their summers doing research, private funding and assistance is vital. Currently there is a scholarship fund, The Thuraline Keith Zoological Medicine Scholarship in place. This scholarship fund provides for a small percentage of the annual needs for each student. Currently, the expenses to cover one student are $6,000.00.
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Clinical Care
The service's primary emphasis to students is clinical care provided
for exotic pets (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.), wildlife,
and zoo animals. This focus is well grounded in on-site clinical
work in both hospital and zoo settings.
Students especially seem to enjoy the zoo work because it gives them a chance to work on unique cases that include mega-vertebrates and many animals classified as rare or endangered. "Even though many times it may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students, exotic animal medicine and surgery necessitates the same planning, diagnostics and implementation as needed in any animal's care," said Dr. Carpenter. "It's a great learning experience for all our students."
Scott Shoemaker, Director of Manhattan's Sunset Zoo, is emphatic about describing his zoo's relationship with Dr. Carpenter and the Zoological Medicine Service, "It is a huge asset to the community. Our animals grow old and stay healthy because they are always provided high quality veterinary care. We couldn't provide near the medical care, even if we hired a staff veterinarian--nor would we even consider it!"
Another important area of clinical care undertaken by the service is that given to sick, orphaned or injured Kansas wildlife. Some 450 times a year such an animal is found and brought to the VMTH by members of a network of "Good Samaritans" that include, state conservation officers, county sheriff officers, individuals and licensed rehabilitation volunteers. Expenses are underwritten by the Hospital with some contributions coming through the Wild Animal Medical Care Fund.
Besides the research responsibilities that include training for Master's students, the faculty does individual research with good
opportunities currently in the area of pharmacokinetic studies. They
are also involved in writing projects including clinical reports,
book chapters and proceedings articles.
Dr. Carpenter is the author of over 160 publications on the medical aspects, captive management, and breeding of exotic animals and wildlife. He is also the co-author of the Exotic Animal Formulary (2000), and co-editor of Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery (second edition). The first edition of "Ferrets and Rabbits" was one of the most popular veterinary medicine books printed.
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Continuing
Education
The faculty and students of the Zoological Medicine Service, in
conjunction with the College's Continuing Education coordinator,
organize and host the Mid-Western Exotic Animal Medicine Conference
at K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine. This conference has
been presented annually since 1991. It was one of the first regional exotic animal
medicine conferences in North America.
The conference's 150 plus
annual participants attend sessions lead by national and
international experts. Concurrent session choices at different
educational venues in the area give participants a chance to focus
on their specialty area. Dr. Linda Johnson, CE Director, compliments
Dr. Carpenter, "Dr. Carpenter possesses a talent of selecting timely
topics in exotic animal medicine that interest, intrigue, challenge
and teach practitioners, technicians, and students the value of
providing excellent exotic animal healthcare."
In addition, K-State faculty members also make presentations on
exotic animal medicine and welfare at state, regional, national, and
international education programs.
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Links to Zoos
Sunset Zoo (Manhattan, KS)
http://www.ci.manhattan.ks.us/SunsetZoo/
American College of Zoological Medicine