Animal Medicine
Animal Medicine at the NBRI provides high-quality centralized clinical care, research support, training, and veterinary oversight to ensure compliance with optimized standards of research conduct and animal care. The Animal Medicine team is responsible for the clinical care of animals at the Institute and encompasses all health needs across the lifespan, from neonatal to geriatric stages, and from preventive medicine to intensive care. Animal Medicine Services also provides research project support to investigators.
Animal Medicine veterinarians here at the Institute also integrate with other NBRI services, Core Scientists, the UC Davis Animal Care Program, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital to ensure optimal management practices, develop guidelines, algorithms, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), as well as provide input on future plans.
Provide High Quality Care
Our primate services program at the NBRI provides the highest quality of medical care for the animals under our care. Well-trained, experienced veterinarians in medical primatology and Animal Health Technicians (AHTs) trained to the level of physician assistants, provide preventive health care, medical care, and input into the NBRI management programs. Preventive health includes a Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved quarantine program, biannual tuberculin (TB) testing, routine physical examinations, serum banking, and a vaccination program. Medical care addresses the spectrum of diagnostics to treatment in general medicine, dentistry, emergency medicine, intensive care, project-related clinical findings, and specialized surgical procedures.
Provide Expertise and Research Support to Investigators
Our animal services team provides expertise and research support to investigators regionally and nationally. A NBRI veterinarian’s role is also to provide the necessary support and expertise to ensure successful project outcomes. The veterinarians work in a close partnership with Core and Affiliate Scientists and the entire animal care team that is built on mutual respect and a common vision focused on improving human health-related problems, while concurrently ensuring well-being. As a part of the centralized services, the veterinary staff members keep pace with technology to support research and aid in refining research protocols.
Provide Educational Growth
Here at the NBRI, we are dedicated to providing an avenue of educational growth (both didactic and clinical) for students, residents, researchers, veterinarians, and the UC Davis community at large. Animal Medicine is committed to mentoring and training the next generation of veterinarians in collaboration with Core Scientists. Animal Medicine provides a spectrum of learning opportunities for veterinarians (including the Mountain Gorilla Project), residents, veterinary students from institutions worldwide, animal technicians, and new investigators to support and encourage their career goals.
Ensure the Highest Standards of Responsible Conduct
To ensure the highest standards of responsible conduct of research and animal care, all NBRI veterinarians have been trained in American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) approved residency programs and are ACLAM board-certified, which adds significantly to the quality of animal care and research standards. The role of a LAM veterinarian is to cultivate good working relationships, be involved in management committees, and remain engaged in all aspects of the research process, from IACUC protocol development to procedural support. Primate Medicine works with the entire NBRI staff and faculty who have specialized expertise in infectious diseases, genetics, behavior, reproduction, respiratory illnesses, and pathology in order to provide optimal colony management and psychological well-being.