Laboratory Animal Medicine

2.0 credits · VM

Laboratory animal veterinarians oversee the welfare of animals used in research, teaching, and testing. They help biomedical researchers meet study goals while promoting the replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use. A laboratory animal veterinarian must have extensive knowledge of the biology and medicine of various species, research methods, animal disease models, and relevant regulations. Laboratory animal veterinarians must also have a solid foundation in occupational health and safety and facility design and maintenance. Species diversity and an ever-evolving research environment make laboratory animal medicine a dynamic and rewarding veterinary discipline. Students in this rotation experience various aspects of the role, including: Clinical and facility rounds, Lectures on animal biology, medicine, pathology, and husbandry, Observation of technical and surgical procedures and Review of animal research projects.