Continual professional development
Current events and services
Zoo professionals - Lameness webinar - 2020
I also very recently hosted a webinar on Lameness, predisposing factors and its management, which was attended by over 300 professionals from all over the world (vets, vet nurses, technicians, keepers and physiotherapists). We were able to raise £250 for the Komodo Survival Program
(a research and conservation
organisation in Indonesia),
who have been a great help
in my research.
Title: Lameness and rehabilitation: Are we setting off on the
right foot?
Abstract:
Musculoskeletal issues of varying aetiology are a common form of
pathology in zoo species, and standard protocols are used to treat
this in zoos. Some interventions are purely pharmaceutical and
surgical. Is this enough, and if rehabilitation techniques are used,
can those from humans and domestic species be applied safely
and effectively to exotic species? Further, are our standard
approaches to zoo animal management and keeping causing
some musculoskeletal pathology?
This talk will cover the management of musculoskeletal and
neurological health in daily husbandry routines, as well as
rehabilitative approaches for lameness and associated pathology.
Additionally, and using evidence from zoos and from the literature,
it outlines how rehabilitation/physiotherapy modalities could be altered to better fit the management of an exotic species, and how traditional approaches may be to the animal’s detriment.
Topics:
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What management changes can be made to maintain health and recovery, in addition to (?) current practices, and how might they predispose animals to MSK pathology (examples of current enclosures for evaluation)?
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How current rehabilitation might be altered for use with exotic species (examples from the literature)?
Annual BVZS conference - 2020
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Annual Reptile and Amphibians working group (BIAZA) conference - date TBC
I have been kindly invited to speak at the next RAWG symposium to present my research into Komodo dragon gait, and lameness. RAWG is an event for leading zoo professionals throughout Britain.
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I have been kindly asked to speak at the next ABWAK symposium, this is an annual event attended by zoo professionals from Britain and Ireland, and showcases new techniques and information for exotic animal keepers.