Small Ruminant Wetlab at Texas A&M

Brittany Thompson - Texas A&M

Experiences

   The Student Chapter of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practioners at Texas A&M University helped co-host the 5^th Annual Food Animal Wetlab on February 21^st, 2015 with the SCAABP and Swine Veterinarians. Students attending the wetlab were able to pick 4 out of 15 possible stations to rotate through during the morning, and clinical professors volunteered their time to teach everything from claw amputation and ankylosis to bovine field handling. SCAASRP provided three stations: cosmetic dehorning, goat pregnancy ultrasound and goat laparoscopic artificial insemination.

Pictured: Alyzabeth Looney, Third year studentThe laparoscopic AI station was brought back for the first time in a couple of years, and students seemed to have extremely positive responses to it. Our chapter wanted to include this station at the wetlab due to the growing demand for assisted reproductive techniques on small ruminants and deer. This procedure is not included in standard curriculum, and we felt that including this station would provide students with an opportunity to be exposed to a growing niche in veterinary medicine. Both a grant provided by SAVMA and the Educational and Professional Development Committee and a semen donation from Circle Star Boers were essential in making this station happen. As a chapter we are grateful for all the contributions SAVMA makes to veterinary students here at Texas A&M University.