Special Species Health Service
UW Veterinary Care's Special Species Health Service can help you with all of your nondomestic animal referral and emergency cases. Our faculty, residents, and technical staff look forward to assisting you with your avian, small mammal, reptile, amphibian, and any other nondomestic species cases. Generally, we are able to accept your referral within 24 hours of your request. Feel free to contact us by phone 608-263-7600 or email at: specialspecies@vetmed.wisc.edu.
We provide a wide range of cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic modalities including:
- Endoscopic-guided dental examinations in rabbits/rodents
- Skull CT scans for evaluation of dental disease, periodontal abscesses, upper respiratory tract disease and middle/inner ear disorders in rabbits/rodents
- Periodontal/facial abscess management in rabbits/rodents
- Minimally-invasive endoscopic-guided surgical procedures in birds and reptiles
- Fluoroscopy for evaluation of gastrointestinal disorders in birds
- In-house blood lead analysis, for prompt diagnosis and treatment of lead intoxication
- Non-surgical and surgical management of adrenal gland disease in ferrets and reproductive disorders in birds
- Hospitalization and intensive care for all exotic pet species
Wildlife Policy
We will triage wildlife on an emergency basis and will work with the Dane County Humane Society's Four Lakes Wildlife Center and area rehabbers to return animals back to the wild.
Keeping some species of wildlife is illegal in the State of Wisconsin unless you have obtained a permit from the State DNR. Permitting policies are explained in Chapter 169 and Chapter 29 of the Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter NR 16 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. We will ask for a copy of this permit at your first examination with us for all animals being kept as pets that are subject to these regulations. It is also highly recommended that you check your local municipality's ordinances, as many species of animals are not allowed in certain cities and townships.
All wildlife must be presented in a crate or container to protect our other patients and clientele.
Monkeys & Other Non-Human PrimatesAbout Our Doctors
Faculty Members
Kurt Sladky, MS, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACZM
Clinical Assistant Professor of Zoological Medicine
Joined VMTH faculty 2001
Residency in Zoological Medicine, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, 2000
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, Madison, WI, 1993
M.S., Psychology (Animal Behavior), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 1988
B.S., Meat and Animal Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 1981
Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include: 1) the medical and surgical management of zoo, wildlife, and pet nondomestic species; and 2) comparative nondomestic animal analgesia and anesthesia.
Research Interests:
- Comparative nondomestic animal analgesia/anesthesia, with an emphasis on analgesic efficacy in reptiles, amphibians, fish and avian species, and the efficacy of anesthetic drug combinations in nondomestic species.
- Ecosystem health focusing on the interface between wildlife, domestic animal, and human health and disease. The role of environmental health on disease manifestation in free-ranging wildlife, and the related consequences for human and domestic animal health.
Barry Hartup, DVM, MS, PhD
Clinical Instructor, Exotic Animal Medicine & Surgery
Director of Veterinary Services at the International Crane Foundation, lecturer in Special Species Health, resident and veterinary preceptor training, continuing education for zoo and wildlife professionals.
Ph.D. Wildlife Diseases and Epidemiology, Cornell University 2000
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1993
MS, Land Resources (Conservation Biology) University of Wisconsin-Madison 1989
BS Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1985
Research Interests: Dr. Hartup conducts research in support of his service to the International Crane Foundation, including projects with endangered whooping cranes as well as other captive and free-ranging cranes. Dr. Hartup has investigated the use of fecal corticosterone as a non-invasive measure of stress in reintroduced whooping cranes, the seroepidemiology of infectious bursal disease virus, risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in captive-reared cranes, and the veterinary care of captive cranes in Chinese zoos.
Dominique Keller, DVM, PhD
Clinical Instructor in Special Species Health
Started at VMTH 2008
Residency, Zoological Medicine University of Wisconsin- Madison, 2011
DVM Texas A&M University, 2007
PhD in Reproductive Physiology, Texas A&M University, 2001
Clinical Interests: Assisted reproduction in endangered species, rodent and marsupial medicine.
Residents
Sarah Churgin, DVM
Started at VMTH 2011
BS in Veterinary Science: University of Arizona
DVM: Texas A&M University
Small Animal Rotating Internship: Coral Springs Animal Hospital
Zoological Medicine Internship: Phoenix Zoo
Clinical Interests: Zoological and aquatic animal medicine; conservation medicine; exotic pet medicine; infectious disease and epidemiology.
Christoph Mans, DVM
Started at VMTH 2009
Studies of Veterinary Medicine University of Leipzig, Germany 2006
Internship in Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine, University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Canada 2007
Assistant Veterinarian, Tai Wai Small Animal & Exotic Pet Hospital, N.T. Hong Kong
Clinical Interests: Zoological medicine with particular emphasis on diagnostic and therapeutic applications of endoscopy in zoological and non-traditional pet species.
Research Interests: 1) Evaluation of intranasal midzaloam for procedural sedation in avian species. 2) Development and validation of spinal anesthesia techniques in turtles and tortoises.
Support Services
Anesthesia & Pain Management: Did you know that pain actually increases inflammation as well as healing time? Our anesthesia and pain management specialists coupled with state-of-the-art anesthetic equipment, most of which is equivalent to what is used in human hospitals, is what sets us apart from other veterinary hospitals.
Diagnostic Imaging: In consultation with the oncology, surgery, and medicine services, radiologists participate heavily in the diagnostic process. Our diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology service uses CT, DR (digital radiography), fluoroscopy, MRI, nuclear imaging and ultrasound to diagnose cancer, lameness, and many other medical conditions.
Laboratory: Clinical and anatomic pathology testing is available in the following areas: hematology, coagulation, cytology, clinical chemistry, endocrinology, urinalysis, microbiology, immunology, parasitology, necropsy (autopsy), and biopsy.
