I often receive requests for advice on how veterinarians could go about developing their skills and knowledge as an aquatic veterinarian. Many explain that CPD courses are few and infrequent and that there are a lack of suitably qualified mentors. They often ask me to point them in the direction to acquire further educations, CPDs or readings in which could enrich their knowledge on aquatic medicine.
I always encourage them to join the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA) as this global group of aquatic veterinarians are exactly the types of professionals that would be helpful to one another. There is a particularly active email list-serve where members can ask questions, contribute answers and everyone can learn at the same time.
The majority of requests for advice I receive are from small animal veterinarians. And so I recommend texts like the BSAVA’s Manual of Ornamental Fish, Helen Roberts’ Fundamentals of Ornamental fish, Noga’s Fish Disease – Diagnosis and Treatment and (of course!) my Fish Vetting Essentials. If they’re after drug dose rates, my Fish Vetting Medicines would serve them well. For those heading down the laboratory analysis side of things and are interested in fish pathology, you can’t go past Ferguson’s Pathology of Fishes and Roberts’ Fish Pathology. There is also a comprehensive list of recommended reading in WAVMA’s latest The Aquatic Veterinarian journal (TAV7[3]2013) as outlined in the Certified Aquatic Veterinarian (CertAqV) program.
If they’re after actual physical crash courses, they should check out Aquavet, Marvet and Seavet. These are also detailed in WAVMA’s latest TAV(3)2013. I’ve been invited to form part of the team to present some of a comprehensive series of talks with workshops at the AVMA Conference during July in Denver 2014 and at the joint FAVA/SVA conference in Nov 2014.
If they’re after practical material, I’m at the final stages of putting together a Fish Vetting Practical Tips type DVD.
We’re going to ramp up the webinars for WAVMA in 2014, and I’m also planning to do some of my own private ones for fish owners. So, stay tuned.
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Yours sincerely,
Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology) Murdoch, MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV.
Aquatic Veterinarian | Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University | President-elect WAVMA |
Secretary Aquatic Animal Health Chapter – ANZCVS.
The Fish Vet, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA.
Mobile Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services for fish and other aquatic creatures.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
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