Selecting Seneca Park Zoo:
Being a Rochester native, Seneca Park Zoo, house to just about 100 completely different species, has all the time been my house zoo. A few years in the past, Dr. Chris McKinney, who had labored on the small animal GP my household pets see, transitioned from aid veterinarian to full-time zoo veterinarian. So, as a veterinary pupil very a lot thinking about a profession in zoo drugs, I reached out. And for the previous couple of years, as my schedule allowed, I went in for a couple of days right here and there to shadow. This previous winter, my schedule lastly opened up lengthy sufficient to facilitate a ~3-week externship, and I took full benefit!
Typical Day:
Canada lynx receiving anesthetized bodily examination and survey radiographs.
Every day on the zoo began off equally sufficient – assessment the earlier days’ keeper reviews for all the animals housed on the zoo, verify in on hospitalized animals within the clinic (if there have been any), after which verify on any of the animals that had an issue (massive or small) flagged of their reviews.
Past that, there was no “typical day” – which for me, makes zoo drugs so interesting and such a singular problem. Just a few days have been spent working by deliberate procedures – an anesthetized full bodily/radiographs on a Canada Lynx, annual exams for the Burmese pythons, and so forth. Others we’d discover ourselves bouncing between reveals as numerous questions/considerations from the keepers would come up all through the day. Others but, we might have a comparatively quiet afternoon – permitting me to take full benefit of the veterinary library or assessment literature to replace protocols upfront of the zoo’s AZA accreditation renewal this spring.
And whereas there was no typical day, the expertise as an entire was reflective of what might be anticipated with a profession in zoo drugs – a steadiness of paperwork/conferences, talking with keepers, observing the animals, and the precise hands-on medical work with the animals.
Olive baboon receiving laser remedy remedy
Favourite Recollections:
Having realized a lot and labored with so many unimaginable individuals and animals, it’s inconceivable to pare it down to at least one favourite reminiscence or expertise. From laser remedy on a baboon, to blood attracts on a bearded dragon, to evaluating lameness on a grey wolf, I obtained to do and see a lot. However, a few of my private highlights included the visits to the giraffe barn, working with the ocean lions, and Loki (a home rat).
About 2 weeks earlier than my externship, the zoo introduced the beginning of a giraffe calf. After which once more, simply 2 days earlier than my externship, the zoo introduced the beginning of a second giraffe calf. And naturally, whereas the calves have been extremely cute and a pleasure to watch, following Kipenzi’s case (one of many moms) was significantly memorable. This previous summer season, Kipenzi was discovered to have a mass on her jaw that was biopsied and confirmed to be squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Kipenzi’s care contains scheduled radiographs to evaluate development and the applying of an immunostimulant as a chemotherapeutic.
Working with the ocean lions was one other spotlight for me. Throughout my externship, there was a flare-up in corneal pathologies. With the ocean lions receiving such intensive coaching and already being conditioned to obtain eye-drops day by day, I obtained to have a extra hands-on function on this case which was very rewarding. It additionally led to discussions between myself and the veterinary staff on corneal administration for sea lions – one thing we hope to probably discover as a analysis research sooner or later.
Feeding/coaching session with California Sea lions by which we’re additionally in a position to study their eyes.
And lastly there’s Loki the home rat – one of many few sufferers who didn’t shortly scurry away upon the veterinary staff’s arrival. Loki had initially introduced for a small mass on his cheek which was drained and debrided. We made a number of follow-up visits to evaluate his wound because it healed, and Loki, who appreciated to climb up our arms and perch on our shoulders throughout his re-checks, shortly turned a favourite affected person of mine.
Suggestions:
As cliche as it might sound, my greatest piece of recommendation is to reap the benefits of any alternative that comes your manner – be it small animal, giant animal, exotics, or zoo! The entire zoo/wildlife veterinarians I’ve had the privilege of working with up up to now, have all emphasised the significance of getting foundational information within the home species. And even in my 3 quick weeks at Seneca Park Zoo, I discovered this to be true – I used to be continuously relating administration of species like wolves, giraffes, elephants, and so forth. again to that basis of canine, cat, cow, and horse.
Last Ideas:
I’m so extremely grateful to the superb staff at Seneca Park Zoo – Dr. Chis McKinney, technicians Robin and Tammy, and all the keepers and curators I met. Everybody there was not solely keen to show and share their information/experiences, but in addition extremely supportive and inspiring. I’ve left this expertise with a lot new information and lots of unimaginable reminiscences that I’ll take with me as I proceed to navigate my journey in zoo drugs.
Erin Guntrum, Class of 2025, is from Rochester, NY and obtained her B.S. in each Animal Conduct, Ecology, & Conservation (ABEC) and Organic Science from Canisius School (now Canisius College) in 2021. Whereas at Cornell, Erin has been a pupil technician on the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital. She has additionally been a member of ZAWS, SAVMA, and the habits and therio golf equipment. Erin hopes to pursue a profession in zoological drugs and take part in analysis associated to conservation, behavioral endocrinology, and theriogenology.
