Veterinarians specializing in Reptiles and Wildlife are a profession of growing demand due to the increase of animals in captivity that require specific care”

In developed countries, the expansion in the general knowledge of reptile care, as well as in medicine and surgery, has resulted in the formation of an excellent level of veterinary professionals, comparable to those specialized in dogs and cats. In the rehabilitation centers for native and exotic fauna it is very important to acquire this knowledge, since it allows to assess the prognosis of each animal upon its arrival at the center.

There are some 6,500 species of reptiles, but only a few are kept in captivity. Even so, the clinical veterinarian must be qualified to receive and treat any species. The pets most commonly received in the daily clinic are iguanas, some species of lizards, turtles and snakes, which, although they are not domestic animals, should be considered non-conventional pets.

Most routine clinical procedures, such as physical examination, laboratory sampling, radiographic studies or ultrasound, among others, can be performed without the use of sedatives or anesthetics. However, gloves should be worn to reduce the possible spread of zoonotic diseases. In some cases, the use of special gloves, surgical masks, goggles or protective screen should be implemented, depending on the ease of handling the patient and his pathology. In addition, it should be noted that it is impossible to recreate the natural environment of reptiles in captivity. Captivity is very stressful for them, which makes them very susceptible to diseases of all kinds.

On the other hand, this postgraduate diploma also places special emphasis on the work of the zoo and wildlife center veterinarian with respect to medical procedures in captive exotic animals. The veterinarian specialized in this type of animals must be qualified to develop all the rescue tasks, clinical care and reception of the animal, diagnostic techniques and interpretation of results, as well as the application of updated medical and surgical treatments that will be developed throughout this module.

In addition, as it is an online diploma, the student is not constrained by fixed schedules or the need to move to another physical location, but can access the contents at any time of the day, balancing their work or personal life with their academic life as they wish.

We offer you a high level training to increase your competences and skills in the treatment of reptiles and wild animals"

The postgraduate diploma in Reptiles and Wildlife contains the scientific most complete and up-to-date educational program on the market. The most important features of the program include:

• The development of case studies presented by experts in Reptiles and Wildlife
• The graphic, schematic, and eminently practical contents with which they are created provide scientific and practical information on the disciplines that are essential for professional practice
• The latest news on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in Reptiles and Wildlife
• Practical exercises where the self-assessment process can be carried out to improve learning
• A special emphasis on innovative methodologies in the field of the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in Reptiles and Wildlife
• Theoretical lessons, questions to the expert, debate forums on controversial topics, and individual reflection assignments
• Content that is accessible from any fixed or portable device with an Internet connection

This postgraduate diploma is the best investment you can make in selecting a refresher program to update your knowledge of Reptiles and Wildlife"

It includes in its teaching staff, professionals belonging to the veterinary field, who pour into this training the experience of their work, in addition to recognized specialists from reference societies and prestigious universities.

The multimedia content, developed with the latest educational technology, will provide the professional with situated and contextual learning, i.e., a simulated environment that will provide immersive training programmed to train in real situations.

This program is designed around Problem Based Learning, whereby the specialist must try to solve the different professional practice situations that arise during the academic year. For this purpose, the professional will be assisted by an innovative interactive video system created by renowned and experienced experts in Reptiles and Wildlife. 

This training comes with the best didactic material, providing you with a contextual approach that will facilitate your learning"

This 100% online postgraduate diploma will allow you to combine your studies with your professional work while increasing your knowledge in this field"

The postgraduate diploma in Reptiles and Wildlife is oriented to facilitate the performance of the veterinary professional with the latest advances and most innovative treatments in the sector.  

Our main objective is to offer you quality training that allows you to keep up to date with the main advances in the field"

General Objectives

• Examine the most common reptiles in captivity, and their anatomical differences between species
• Determine the taxonomic classification
• Develop reptile handling techniques
• Establish the routes of drug administration and assess the degree of stress produced in each situation; punctual stress, maintained stress and environmental stress
• Determine the main pathologies of reptiles
• Examine the changes in behavior or other aspects of the animal following a pathology
• Establish treatments and cures for the most frequent pathologies
• Develop specialized knowledge on the most advanced surgical techniques, with updated anesthetic protocols
• Develop risk prevention for the public, zoonosis and animal escape
• Carry out management, nutrition, deworming, vaccination, reproductive management and hygiene plans
• Determine the main diseases, required diagnostics and therapeutics in the main animal species 
• Analyze the principles of anesthesia, main techniques

Specific Objectives

Module 1

• Evaluate the types of facilities that exist and adapt them to each species and its needs. Access to water, the material used for the terrarium, and the crucial importance of temperature, humidity and light are the most important factors in providing reptiles with the basic means they need
• Identify the natural process of hibernation, taking into account relevant aspects such as the types of hibernation, the species that hibernate and the problems that hibernation can cause during captivity
• Gain specialized knowledge on radiology in reptiles, a basic diagnostic technique to treat their diseases
  Explore other imaging techniques, such as ultrasound and endoscopy and cite the situations in which we should use these supportive techniques
• Identify all the information provided by a coprological analysis, a routine procedure in practices that should always be performed
• Study the biochemical parameters of reptiles
• Establish routine necropsy techniques to find pathologies

Module 2

• Determine the most frequent zoonoses, prevention and indications for owners 
• Analyze the most important diseases in reptiles
• Treat the species with specific drugs and doses
• Understand the use of the concepts MEC (Metabolic Energy Constant) and SMEC (Specific Metabolic Energy Constant), understanding that there are differences in the dose depending on the physiological state
• Inspect updated anesthetic studies
• Analyze the anatomical and physiological particularities of each species in order to make the appropriate anesthetic considerations
• Establish the basic and routine surgical techniques in clinical practice
• Discuss other important surgical issues
• Describe the pathologies presented by reptiles with more complex causes

Module 3

• Establish which are the handling tasks of the veterinarian, together with his work team
• Develop specialized criteria to decide on the release of a wild species treated for a pathology
• Develop preventive medicine programs, such as vaccinations, coprologicals, and vermifugations
• Develop specialized knowledge to perform the mandatory clinical examination of any patient who is hospitalized or has just been admitted to a recovery center
• Interpret the laboratory tests performed on the animals in order to treat their disease
• Establish guidelines for nutrition and nutritional diseases, infectious diseases, reproductive aspects and rescue work of primates, ursids and wild felines
• Analyze the most commonly used anesthesia techniques in zoo animals

Join one of the largest online universities in the world”