WildLife Group
of the SAVA
A Decade of Changes and
Challenges in
Wildlife Diagnostic Pathology
Dr Rick Last – BVSc; M.Med.Vet (Pathology)
Specialist Veterinary Pathologist
Introduction
Disease Diagnosis
Compare this to the number of delegates at the
biennial SAVA Congress (±300) and RuVasa Congress
(±190) and one can see that it is becoming a
significant component of our profession in Southern
Africa.
Post mortem examination has become an extremely
important skill set required by the wildlife veterinarian
to remain relevant in this ever changing industry. It
is absolutely imperative that all wildlife veterinarians
ensure that they have correct equipment required at
their disposal at all times to perform a thorough post
mortem.
Over the past decade there has been a quantum shift
in the African wildlife industry with an exponential
growth in the demand for the inputs and expertise
of veterinarians in the fields of animal health,
preventative medicine, production performance,
reproduction and economic performance. The
relevance and significance of African wildlife to our
profession is highlighted by the number of delegates
attending the SAVA Wildlife Group Annual Congress,
which has grown from around 50 delegates in 2011 to
just short of 140 delegates in 2015.
At the recent Workshop on Veterinary Specialisation
in South Africa attended by key role players including
Faculty of Veterinary Science, South African Veterinary
Council, South African Veterinary Association,
Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Department
of Agriculture and Industry among others, African
Wildlife specialisation was identified at the one area
where Africa and in particular South Africa, needs to
take the lead in becoming the world reference centre.
Against this background there has been a growing
realisation as to the invaluable contribution of
investigative diagnostic pathologist in the spheres of
disease diagnostics, disease investigation and disease
monitoring.
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With the shift from conservation to wildlife production
driven by the economic value of certain species,
disease free status of animals and the ever growing
array of colour variants, we have seen a change in the
type of submissions we see at the laboratory over the
past decade. Individual animal disease investigation
and treatment has become routine with a growing
number of surgical biopsy specimens, which are used
to assist in the selection of treatment protocols, being
received at the laboratory.
With the value of some these wildlife species the risk
of litigation has grown significantly and insurance
companies are becoming more and more stringent
about the details of pathology reports before pay
outs are made. We as a profession have a duty
to the animals we work on and the industries we
serve to provide the best possible chance, under the
circumstances, for a diagnosis.
However, we at the laboratory still receive a significant
number of submissions where it is quite obvious
that the post mortem examination has been rather
cursory and only a limited number of tissue specimens
submitted. Be very careful as you can bet your