Exotic Animal Club Hosts Successful Two-Day Symposium

A speaker leads a session on "Taxonomy: Aptenodytes, Eudyptes, and Pygoscelis" in a classroom in Lynn Hall
The Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians and Reptiles Symposium offered 20 lectures that attracted both in-person and virtual attendees.

“Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians, and Reptiles” (MOAAR) is the name of a successful two-day symposium that was hosted last month in Lynn Hall by the Exotic Animal Club. The program, held November 11-12, featured 20 lectures and six wet labs that were offered in two separate tracks: Amphibians/Reptiles and Aquatics. The club brought in speakers from private practice as well as other universities, including Michigan State University and the University of Illinois, who joined presenters from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

The symposium was conducted as an in-person event with a virtual attendance option. The nearly 70 in-person attendees included veterinary students from Michigan State University, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Among the 40 virtual participants were attendees from outside the U.S. on three different continents, in countries that included Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.

The Exotics Animal Club seeks to offer its members knowledge, understanding, and experience to utilize in providing excellent care for exotic animal patients. Throughout the year, in addition to planning and supporting the symposium, the club arranges lectures, wet labs, and other activities featuring specialists in zoo, wildlife, exotic, and aquatic medicine. The faculty advisor for the club is Dr. Steve Thompson, clinical associate professor of small animal primary care. Breanna Davis, of the DVM Class of 2025, served as the symposium student chair.

The symposium is offered every other year, alternating with another biennial continuing education program called, “Medicine of Mammals and Avian Species” (MMAS), which also is a two-day symposium organized by the Exotic Animal Club.

This event was supported by the college’s Office of Lifelong Learning.

Writer(s): Tom Mauch and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

New Purdue Veterinary Medicine Associate Dean for Academic Success Named

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr. Wendy Townsend, professor of ophthalmology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, has been appointed as the next associate dean for academic success.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we are congratulating Jennifer Danaher, who is a department secretary for Veterinary Clinical Sciences, for being recognized as a helpful colleague in our college.

Boo the Miracle Dog: A Story of Bravery, Breakthroughs, and a Bond That Inspires

Our series of articles about animals and their owners who've found help and healing at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital continues with the story of "miracle dog" Boo Davis. At 13 years old, Boo Davis is living proof of the power of persistence, expert veterinary care, and the unshakable love between a pet and her person. Affectionately known as Lisa’s “miracle dog,” Boo’s journey is one that not only has extended her life, but also has helped shape the future of cancer treatment for other pets, too.

Placating Pets to Help them COPE this Fourth of July

Despite the excellent tips experts provide each year for pet safety and welfare on the 4th of July, many pet families still run into trouble and lose their pets. What are we missing and how can we even better protect our animal companions? That question is answered in an article by Dr. Candace Croney, director of the Center for Animal Welfare Science.