Wisconsin National Primate Research Center

Description of Elective Experience

Externs will work with both Old World (rhesus macaques [Macaca mulatta] and cynomolgus macaques [Macaca fascicularis]) and New World (common marmosets [Callithrix jacchus]) primates. Externs will perform daily medical rounds and provide routine medical treatment to sick and injured animals. They will participate in tuberculosis testing of monkeys and will perform tuberculin skin tests, venipuncture, and physical exams.  Externs may have the opportunity to assist during surgical procedures, perform dental prophylaxis and dental extractions, perform ultrasound exams, gain experience in the clinical pathology laboratory, and participate in necropsies.

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.

Institutional Resources: 6 veterinarians (2 have ACLAM certification)

Educational Resources Available: Morbidity and mortality rounds occur two times per month. Continuing education topics are presented two times per month. Comparative medicine and JAALAS journals and many nonhuman primate reference books are available on site.

Equipment: ultrasound, digital radiology, digital dental radiology, standard anesthesia monitoring equipment

Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?

Externs must provide proof of negative tuberculosis status and previous measles vaccination. Externs are also required to read some materials before they can have contact with animals (materials can be read before arriving for the externship if desired). Externs will do a short presentation on a nonhuman primate topic or case of interest during their visit. 

Externs will work Monday- Friday.  Hours per day will depend on procedures that are occurring but average is 7:30 am- 4 pm.

Extern will always be directly supervised by either a veterinarian or a veterinary technician.  A veterinarian will always be on site when the extern is there, although the extern will do some procedures (for example, dental prophylaxis) with a veterinary technician.

Supervisor
Michelle Harke
Contact email
Address

1220 Capitol Ct
Madison, WI 53715
United States

Animal Type
Practice or Institution Type
Is student housing available?
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week
40
Global engagement opportunity
No
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