Strong Exotics Programs?

[DickVetPlease]

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Hey peeps,

I'm in the midst of putting a little list together of schools i'll be looking to apply to this summer (the perfect activity to avoid studying for final exams 🙄). I'm particularly interested in finding programs with strong exotics programs. Any suggestions?

 

[CatVet2Be]

Florida

 

[tpad40]

I'm sure someone more knowledgable will chime in, but I have always heard Tennessee has a strong exotics program!

 

[DickVetPlease]

haha, i totally knew florida was going to be the first response. Unfortunately it would be extremely difficult to fit a couple of their pre-requisites in. I'll have to look into tennessee, its one of the few that I havn't looked at yet.

cheers!

 

[dyachei]

I'm sure someone more knowledgable will chime in, but I have always heard Tennessee has a strong exotics program!

Yup, Tennessee is known for its exotics program. We have a relationship with the Knoxville zoo and the Tiger Haven. We also have a brand new exotics ward in the hospital (well its a year old now).

 

[DickVetPlease]

Hmm, Tennessee looks a bit tough on out of staters, but it definitely seems like it might be worth a shot..

 

[DickVetPlease]

While i'm at it, what's a relatively normal number of schools to apply to ? (I know it probably varies alot depending on your life situation, but lets say i'm young/traditional and not limited by family or anything like that) I assume each uni. has its own supplemental application. At what point do you all think it becomes too stressful, or is the cost of applying a bigger factor?

 

[elefante7]

I'm interested in exotics and I'll be going to UW-Madison. I know they have some boarded people in zoo medicine on faculty (one or two), they have a residency program there, and they host an exotics conference every year. Here's to hoping that those things mean that they have a good program.

Also, Tufts is very good for wildlife- they have a separate wildlife hospital and they have signature programs in wildlife and conservation medicine.

 

[rugbychick16]

Kansas is strong on exotics (three nearby zoos plus wildlife and pet exotics), and good for out-of-staters too. Dr. Carpenter heads it, he is pretty amazing.
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/carpenterbio.html

 

[Moonpaw]

Hmm, Tennessee looks a bit tough on out of staters, but it definitely seems like it might be worth a shot..

I would have to disagree with you there--part of the reason I even applied there to begin with is because they had a high % of OOS students. That's not to say that it's easy for OOS, but your chances there are better than at a lot of other places. Plus, they do their interviews and admissions relatively late in the cycle, so all the super-qualified people who get into other schools will hopefully withdraw their apps from TN.

 

[StayingHopeful]

Tennessee was the only school that when I visited, the people there agreed that their program was strong in Exotics and it really seemed like it was. I was very impressed (but my family is all in CA - oh well)

 

[StillDreaming]

I know you said it might be hard for you to fit Florida's pre-reqs in, but it might be totally worth it. They have a HUGE caseload of exotics, and you will get to see A LOT. You'll get patients from all the theme parks in tampa and orlando (both in hospital and going to the parks themselves), you get patients from the Santa Fe zoo, you'll get a heck of a lot of marine exposure with the local marine life and such, and then there are also those cases of personal pets coming in to get treated. You'll see tons of different species, and the faculty on board as well as residents, but these will change by the time you get into clinics) are absolutely amazing and GREAT resources for the program.

I know Tufts has a wildlife program as well, but i don't believe their caseload is as high as Florida, in exotics, my push goes for florida just for the shear number of cases you will get exposed to. Tufts, from what i have heard, is a lot of local wildlife, which, if you want to stay in the NE is great, but if you have plans to work in a zoo or something, Florida will get you the exposure that will prepare you better.

As for the other schools mentioned, I don't know much about them, so can't compare and contrast their exotic programs, i'm not really an exotic person lol, but Florida is definitely a STRONG program.

Good Luck!

 

[DickVetPlease]

Well, i'm pretty sold on Tennessee, and its been added to my super non-finalized list Everyone is also really tempting me with Florida! The pre-reqs that really worry are the two courses in Animal science/animal nutrition. My school doesn't offer 'animal science,' and we only have a human nutrition course. I suppose it might be worth it to call them and see if any of our biology courses will substitute...?

 

[Backwoods Boy]

Exactly. Give UF a call and see what you can do to substitute. There is bound to be something that you can take.

 

[rachroo]

The pre-reqs that really worry are the two courses in Animal science/animal nutrition.

I would also put my vote in to call UF and see what/if anything from your school would work for a pre-req.

Worse-case scenerio: you could always take those classes online. There are mulitple online/outreach options for taking an Animal Nutrition class (search these forums to find multiple threads on the subject)...pretty sure you could do the same with the Animal Science requirement.

Good luck!

 

[dyachei]

Just some more info about TN, because my brain is finally working again. We have several boarded exotics vets in various areas. We also work with the American Eagle Foundation (they rehab bald eagles). Every other year, we hold an exotics symposium (on the years we don't hold it, Missouri does). We have exotic pets, zoo animals, tiger haven cats, and various other patients that we see. The Appalachian bear rescue also brings its animals to UT (or we send out vets, depending on the illness). There are several opportunities to take electives based on exotic animals during the 3 years of classes. And during clinics, you have a rotation on the exotics ward that includes "zoo days" where you tag along with the current zoo vet on call and do a variety of check-ups and treatments on animals at the zoo.

I'm not sure about being out of state being challenging, but I do know we have a lot of out of state people in my class. Good luck with whatever you decide and if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Gordo]

Well, i'm pretty sold on Tennessee, and its been added to my super non-finalized list Everyone is also really tempting me with Florida! The pre-reqs that really worry are the two courses in Animal science/animal nutrition. My school doesn't offer 'animal science,' and we only have a human nutrition course. I suppose it might be worth it to call them and see if any of our biology courses will substitute...?

Take the courses the summer before you start vet school. I have a freind up there and graduated from a school that didnt offer those classes, applied to UF, got in, and took the classes the summer before he started vet school. For Florida I would definatly think it is worth it, I wouldn't look it over just cause fo those 2 classes.

 

[DickVetPlease]

Take the courses the summer before you start vet school. I have a freind up there and graduated from a school that didnt offer those classes, applied to UF, got in, and took the classes the summer before he started vet school. For Florida I would definatly think it is worth it, I wouldn't look it over just cause fo those 2 classes.

Oh wow! I didn't know they would let you wait that long to take the courses. That's really great to know, and definitely makes applying to Florida alot more feasible.
Thanks alot for the info.

 

[StayingHopeful]

You can get accepted at some schools with more than one pre-req. I had two for Tennessee and one for Davis, and I just had to have them done by August (double check the deadline, but I know summer classes worked).

Hope that helps!

 

[StillDreaming]

Well, i'm pretty sold on Tennessee, and its been added to my super non-finalized list Everyone is also really tempting me with Florida! The pre-reqs that really worry are the two courses in Animal science/animal nutrition. My school doesn't offer 'animal science,' and we only have a human nutrition course. I suppose it might be worth it to call them and see if any of our biology courses will substitute...?

These pre-reqs are pretty easy to meet. A lot of vet students take them the summer before they start classes, and UF animal science deparment makes sure they get registered and fir into the classes. They are really easy to complete, and you'll have the entire summer to get to know the area as well as meet other people in your classes.

 

[Gordo]

Oh wow! I didn't know they would let you wait that long to take the courses. That's really great to know, and definitely makes applying to Florida alot more feasible.
Thanks alot for the info.

No problem, I know alot of people dont realize that you can do that. I didnt know until my friend was telling me about it.

 

[DickVetPlease]

Yeah after looking around on UF's website, it appears that its pretty common for students to complete those two pre-reqs the summer before matriculation. Apparently you request permission on the supplemental.

 

[TurtleLover]

You can also take those two classes through correspondence either with OKSU or Purdue. I heard Oklahoma is cheaper and easier to take though. Good luck!