2017 CVM News: WildLIFE: A Quest in Understanding Aquatics in a Very Efficient Timeframe

Abstract

This news item is about: Second-year veterinary student Jason Sifkarovski spent four weeks with AQUAVET, a Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine summer course in aquatic animal medicine. When I arrived at RWU, I anticipated a course focused mostly on captive animal medicine and husbandry with some emphasis on conservation. Four weeks later, however, we had also covered aquaculture, public health, toxicology, and private fish practice and trade. The course discussed invertebrates, birds, fish, reptiles, and marine mammals, covering natural history, anatomy, and physiology before diving into species-specific disease, diagnostics, and treatment. Students participated in lectures, labs, field trips, and surgeries.