There are many veterinarians that see dogs, cats, and ?exotic pets?.? Nationwide there are thousands of practices that see dogs, cats, and exotic pets.? There are some veterinary practices that restrict their practice only to ?exotic pets?, probably somewhere?between 20?and 50 nationwide.?Out of these exotics-only practices, not many have have?a veterinarian on staff who is ?board-certified? as a specialist in any field of exotic pet medicine.
Board-certified veterinarians are?referred to as ?diplomates?. If you see extra letters behind a veterinarian?s name, such as DABVP or Dip. ABVP or Diplomate ABVP, it means that veterinarian is a board-certified specialist in some field of veterinary medicine.? The American Veterinary Medical Association has two ?colleges? that award board cetification in exotic animal medicine.
Dr. Kevin Wright is a member of the? College of?the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and is board-certified in reptile and amphibian medicine.? This is why you see DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian) after his name.? This college, ABVP, also awards certification in avian medicine and small mammal medicine. (ABVP also awards certification in canine medicine, feline medicine, swine medicine, and many other fields.) An ABVP diplimate usually works in private practice. You can search for an ABVP diplomate in many different fields at this link.
ACZM, for the American College of Zoological Medicine, awards certification in companion exotic animal medicine which includes birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. An ACZM diplomate usually works in a zoo, aquarium, or university.
So what does board certification mean? ? It means that the diplomate?has proven knowledge and expertise above and beyond what is required to practice veterinary medicine. A diplomate has completed extensive training and passed certification requirements including written tests and earned the privilege to specialize in the treatment of one or more categories of animals. Any veterinarian can claim to be an ?exotic vet? if they see pets other than dogs and cats but they can only claim to be an exotic pet?specialist if they have passed the requirements set by either the ABVP or ACZM.
Dr. Wright is one of eight exotic veterinarians nationwide who are ABVP-certified in amphibian and reptile medicine, and he is Arizona?s only exotic veterinarian who has this credential.? By Arizona regulations, only a veterinarian who is board-certified may use the term ?specialist?. Thus, he is Arizona?s only reptile and amphibian specialist.
So if an Arizona veterinarian refers to herself or himself as an ?exotics specialist?, they should have the credentials of either an ABVP certification in avian, small mammal, or reptile and amphibian medicine, or an ACZM certification in companion exotic animal medicine, and you should be able to verify their credentials at ABVP or ACZM websites.
Of course this doesn?t mean a specialist is untrained in other exotic pets but it does mean that the extra level of expertise has not been demonstrated to either the ABVP or ACZM. You need to judge for yourself how comfortable you are with a veterinarian?s ability to care for your pet. Read reviews by other people who have used the veterinarian, talk to exotic pet rescues and shelters, and don?t be afraid to call a veterinarian and ask some questions before you make an appointment.? Be aware that each veterinarian?in a multi-doctor practice may have a different approach so be sure to make an appointment with the exotic vet that received the?good reviews. ?Finally, if you aren?t 100% certain that the exotic vet who saw your pet is the right exotic vet for you, seek a second or even a third or fourth opinion until you find the doctor that you trust.
Source: http://www.wbeph.com/uncategorized/whats-an-exotic-specialist/
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