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Exotic animal veterinarian |
An exotic animal veterinarian is a veterinarian who has a special interest in the medical treatment of exotic animals. These veterinarians may obtain additional training and certification in areas related to exotic animal medicine.
Exotic animals are often defined as any species of animal that is not considered to be a common pet (companion animal) or domesticated livestock species.
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All veterinarians are required to attend an accredited veterinary school, and in the United States, most obtain the professional degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or the equivalent degree of Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD). During their training, veterinarians learn about the medical treatment of all species except for humans. Due to this wide range of topics, most veterinary curricula do not have the capability of including extensive coverage of exotic animal medicine. Veterinary students have the ability to enroll in elective courses and participate in externships that are specific to their areas of interest. Following graduation, it is possible to obtain further education and training by pursuing board certification in one of the 20 veterinary specialties recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 1. Veterinarians who wish to become board certified as exotic animal medicine specialists may due so through a rigorous residency and certification process through the American College of Zoologic Medicine (ACZM) or the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) which offers an avian specialty certification and is currently credentialing both an exotic mammal medicine specialty as well as a reptile and amphibian medicine specialty cerification.
Common exotic pets treated by veterinarians include:
Specialties that pertain to exotic animal medicine include:
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