In-Hospital Training Opportunities
Rigid Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Surgery In Avian and Exotic Species

Goal: to assist veterinarians in becoming more proficient in minimally invasive diagnostic procedures and surgeries currently performed in general surgery. Rigid endoscopy has great applications in zoo and exotic practice, including birds, reptiles, small mammals, fish and amphibians. This in-hospital training can build on experiences learned from wet-lab courses, or may be preferred for those who favor a more personal, one-to-one training approach. Participants should be able to increase their skill level and increase confidence in MIS for the practice, and elevate their standard of exotic animal medicine.

Method: Instruction will be in the hospital of the practice desiring additional training. Instruction can be provided to individuals or to a group in the practice. Training can include computer based presentations, printed notes, and practical demonstrations using non-survival animals or clinical patients.

The initial level of training will center on general exploration and biopsies (and is obviously dependent upon time, desired procedure(s), and available animals/species);

Birds: Coelom exploration, examination of all major organs, and biopsies of liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas; cloacoscopy; oral, esophageal (incl crop) and proventriculus; trachea and syrinx.

Reptiles: Coelom exploration, examination of all major organs, and biopsies of liver and kidney; cloacoscopy; oral, esophageal and stomach; trachea.

Small mammals: Oral (dental) examination, otoscopy, rhinoscopy, laparoscopy and organ biopsy; thoracoscopy; cystoscopy; coloscopy

Fish: Coelom exploration, examination of all major organs, and biopsies of liver and kidney; gill examination; oral, esophageal and gastric examination.

Amphibians: Coelom exploration, examination of all major organs, and biopsies of liver and kidney; oral, esophageal and gastric examination.

The practice may have an endoscope and system already in place, but if not portable equipment could be loaned by prior arrangement.

Contact: For training, scheduling, and financial details, contact Dr. Stephen Hernandez-Divers. (day telephone: 706-542-6378, evening telephone: 706-296-3910, e-mail: shdivers@uga.edu