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College of Veterinary Medicine

Focus Area – Small and Exotic Animal

(Formerly known as the Avian and Exotic Animal Emphasis area)

This focus area is appropriate for students seeking to emphasize training in both small animal and exotic animal practice. In the veterinary context, “exotic animal” medicine is a subset of zoological medicine and refers to the common non dog/cat/farm species kept by private citizens and small collections. The most common exotic animal species are birds (especially parrots and backyard poultry), small mammals (e.g. rabbits, ferrets, hamsters etc.) and reptiles. A variety of other species, including wildlife, fish, and other vertebrate and invertebrate species are also seen by exotic animal clinicians. Most exotic animal species are seen as part of a small animal (dog/cat) practice or specialized exotic animal practice. Many exotic animal veterinarians also work with small collections and wildlife rehabilitation centers.  Post-DVM training is available through continuing education, internship and residency programs. Board certification is available through the American College of Zoological Medicine (Zoological Companion Animal Emphasis) and the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Avian Practice, Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, and Reptile and Amphibian Practice).

Students pursuing this focus area will have the following requirements in addition to those in Small Animal Practice (SAP): (1) an advisor from  in Exotic Animal Medicine (see below), (2) enrollment in three selectives to be chosen from the lists below, (3) enrollment in VMC 988 Exotic Animal Medicine in the fourth year, and (4) one fourth-year externship (VMC 963) at an approved exotic animal practice (which may require travel outside the Triangle area). One less specialty rotation is required than SAP, so the total number of required blocks in the 4th year is the same (15).

Focus Area Leader & Advisor

Olivia Petritz

Assoc Professor

Additional Advisors

Craig Harms

Professor

252-222-6339
Tara Harrison

Professor

Gregory Lewbart

Professor

919-513-6439
Sarah Ozawa

Asst Professor

Steps to pursue a focus in Small and Exotic Animal Medicine

  •  Determine if this is the focus area for you. Any of the listed advisors can help you decide and recommend mentors.
  • Complete 3 credits of approved Exotic Animal selectives during years 1-3 of the DVM program.
  • Start planning externships for summers (optional) and 4th year.
  • Identify an advisor in Exotic Animal medicine and join the focus area by the focus area deadline date (the Friday following spring break of 2nd year) — you can join earlier if you wish. EAM faculty are listed above.
  • Plan 4th year CVM rotations with your focus area mentors.

Year 1-3 Requirements

  • Minimum of two required electives from the list below
    • CBS 817 – Adv Topics in Zoo Med I (2.00) (repeatable)
    • CBS 818 – Adv Topics in Zoo Med II (2.00) (repeatable)
    • VMC 921 – Sp Topics in Zoo Med (1-3)
    • VMC 923 – Research in Zoo Health (1-4)
    • VMC 924 – Equatorial Zoology and Medicine in Galapagos (1.00)
    • VMC 928 – Wild Reptile Med (1)
    • VMC 929 – Topics in Wild and Managed Carnivore Medicine and Management (1.0)
    • VMP 986 – One Health (2)
    • FW 730 – Ethics in Fisheries (2.00)

Year 4 Requirements – Class of 2027

The clinical year is made up of 24 clinical rotation blocks. These blocks are a mix of Focus Area Requirements and Open Choice Blocks.

To see course descriptions, visit the Class of 2027:Clinical Year Course Catalog page.

FOCUS AREA REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED Rotations

  • VMB 976: Radiology
  • VMB 977: Anesthesia
  • VMP 977: Necropsy

ONE: Primary Care Rotation

  • VMC 939: Small Animal Primary Care

ONE: Medicine Rotation

  • VMC 971: Medicine/Small Animal [2-block course]

TWO: Surgery Rotations

  • VMC 973: Small Animal Surgery
  • VMC 970: Small Animal Orthopedics

CHOOSE ONE Emergency Rotation

  • VMC 960: Small Animal Emergency
  • VMC 976: Veterinary Critical Care

CHOOSE ONE: Field Service Rotation

  • VMC 966: Equine Emergency
  • VMC 969: Intro to Equine Primary Care
  • VMC 949: Equine Primary Care [2-block course]
  • VMP 982: Poultry Health Management I
  • VMP 970: Ruminant Primary Care
  • VMP 984: Swine Medicine I
  • VMP 969: TAU Field Service

ONE: Exotics Rotation

  • VMC 988: Exotic Animal Medicine

OPEN CHOICE BLOCKS

These are the remaining blocks to fill up your 24-block clinical-year schedule and can be used as Personal, Externship, or Elective rotations.

  • Personal Blocks: students are allowed up to FOUR (4) Personal Blocks during their clinical year.
  • Externships: students are allowed to take up to FOUR (4) Externship Blocks during their clinical year.
  • Elective Rotations: courses that don’t count toward focus area requirements but still provide course credit. Students should consult the Clinical Year Course Catalog (linked above) to see the full list of course options.

PRIORITY for Small & Exotic Animal Students on Clinical Rotations

Some clinical year courses have Priority in scheduling based on their associated focus areas. Here is the list of courses that Small & Exotic Animal Students have asked about in the past regarding scheduling priority:

  • VMC 987: Aquatic Medicine
  • VMC 998: Basic Wildlife Rehab
  • VMC 988: Exotic Animal Medicine
  • VMC 996: Adv. Exotic Animal Medicine
  • VMC 950: Sea Turtle
  • VMC 976: Veterinary Critical Care

Other Experiences

Employment Opportunities/Externships/Funding

  • CVM Summer Research Internship Program
  • Research opportunities with individual faculty
  • Student research grant opportunities (Hitchings, Dodge, Morris, etc.)
  • Externship opportunities

Conferences

Students may benefit from attending a conference. Annual meetings to consider include those sponsored by the following organizations. Check websites of these organizations listed below for the latest information on upcoming meetings.

Annual Meetings:

Rounds/Seminars/Journal Clubs

  • CBS 817/818 Advanced Topics in Zoological Medicine 1&2. Usually held on Thursdays from 4:15 – 6:00 PM. Lecture, journal review, case presentations and discussion on zoological species.
  • Clinical Conference: Fridays, 8:00 a.m. Senior students present topics; some on exotic animal medicine.

Extracurricular Activities

  • WAAZM (Wildlife, Avian, Aquatic and Zoo Medicine)
  • Turtle Rescue Team
  • Wild Carnivore Team
  • Invertebrate Medicine Club
  • Zoo Veterinary Day Camps

Other Useful Information

Recommended Journals

  • Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery
  • Journal of Reptile Medicine and Surgery
  • Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine
  • Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice
  • Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
  • Journal of Veterinary Research
  • Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
  • Journal of Wildlife Disease

Recommended Memberships

There are many organizations you can join depending on your species and career interests. Many offer good information and networking opportunities.

Computer and Internet Resource Sites

Recent/Current Number of Small and Exotic Animal Focused Students

(note: this was formerly known as the Small Animal /Avian and Exotic Animal emphasis area).

  • Class 2026: 19
  • Class 2025: 14
  • Class 2024: 15
  • Class 2023: 16
  • Class 2022: 15
  • Class 2021: 13
  • Class 2020: 9
  • Class 2019: 9
  • Class 2018: 12
  • Class 2017: 9
  • Class 2016: 8
  • Class 2015: 6
  • Class 2014: 15
  • Class 2013: 6