Zoo and conservation medicine

Question 1

What are the 4 key roles of zoos?

Answer 1

*Conservation - prevent extinction
*Research - to benefit captive + wild individuals
*Education - increase public awareness
*Recreation

Question 2

What are the 3 main legislations relevant to zoos?

Answer 2

1. Zoo Licencing Act
2. Animal Welfare Act
3. The Veterinary Medicines Regulations

Question 3

What are the 5 freedoms that animal welfare act protect animals for?

Answer 3

1. Freedom from hunger & thirst
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom form pain, injury & disease
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour
5. Freedom from fear & distress

Question 4

What are the challenges of being a zoo vet?

Answer 4

*Little published information
*Diverse anatomy + physiology

Question 5

What is the role of a zoo vet?

Answer 5

• Clinical medicine & Emergency care
• Preventative Medicine
• Population management
• Research & Veterinary advice
• Pathology & Welfare audits
• Import & export of animals
• Public health
• Conservation and Field projects

Question 6

Who are the main bodies in charge with animal imports / exports in the UK?

Answer 6

DEFRA
APHA
OV
CITES
IATA - International Air transport Association
LAR - Live Animal Regulations

Question 7

What is empirical therapy?

Answer 7

• Empirical therapy is therapy based on experience and, more specifically, therapy begun on the basis of a clinical educated guess in the absence of complete or perfect information.

Question 8

What is Evidence based medicine?

Answer 8

• Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is an approach to medical practice intended to optimize decision making by emphasizing the use of evidence from well designed and well conducted research

Question 9

What are methods of contraception for zoo animals?

Answer 9

*Separate the sexes
*Surgical neutering / vasectomy
*Barrier methods
*Oral contraception
*Injectable contraceptives
*Implanted contraceptives

Question 10

What can be done to assist reproduction?

Answer 10

• Hormone monitoring to predict oestrus
• Pregnancy detection
• Semen collection and preservation
• Artificial insemination
• Hormone manipulation

Question 11

How are zoo animals treated for worms / vaccines?

Answer 11

Dependent - Try comparing to most similar domestic animal
E.g Zebras + Horses - Age related resistance in horse so routine worming in zebras until 1y/o then test + treat strategy
E.g Feline vaccination given to tigers to protect against calicivirus, panleukopenia + herpesvirus