Veterinary Toxicology Residency Program
The University of Illinois Veterinary Toxicology Residency Program provides interested veterinarians with a solid, broad base in toxicology through course work, research, and rotations in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The goal of the program overall is to produce well-trained, board certified toxicologists who function effectively in a range of capacities that ensure human, animal, and environmental safety. The following paragraphs briefly describe the Program:
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory:
The
University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic
Laboratory (VDL) is one of 38 veterinary diagnostic laboratories accredited
by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians and
has a caseload of over 15,000 toxicology examinations per year. Residents
rotating through the VDL become involved in toxicological analytical testing
and interpretation. Residents participate in diagnostic rounds with fourth
year veterinary students and are involved in field investigations when
they arise. Residents become adept at identifying appropriate analyses
to run, at sampling techniques and submissions, in analytical methodology,
and at interpretation of test results in a differential diagnosis context.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center:
The
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is a unique emergency hotline
providing 24-hour a day, 7-day a week telephone assistance to veterinarians
and animal owners. Currently there are 25 full-time licensed veterinarians
on staff. Seven are diplomats of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology
and/or the American Board of Toxicology. With an extensive collection
of scientific journals and books as well as a sophisticated database,
Center personnel have access to cross-referenced information on innumerable
natural toxins and manmade chemicals. Veterinarians training at the highly
specialized APCC toxicology resource rapidly learn how to employ scientific
and medical information to identify relationships between exposures and
illness. Life-saving treatment is prescribed for animals. APCC veterinarians
consult on over 100,000 cases per year. Residents acquire extensive training
in clinical toxicology by managing cases over the phone and participating
in APCC case rounds. Clinical veterinary toxicology experience gained
at the APCC cannot be obtained elsewhere.
Toxicology Board Certification:
The
American Board of Veterinary Toxicology (ABVT) and the American Board
of Toxicology (ABT) are internationally recognized certification organizations
for toxicology. Members of both boards have demonstrated competence in
toxicology and are employed by industry, academia, and governmental agencies.
The Veterinary Toxicology Residency Program is an intensive training program
that helps prepare residents to successfully sit for the ABVT and ABT
exams. Of the 100 ABVT diplomates, over 30 did some part of their training
at the University of Illinois. The University of Illinois Veterinary Toxicology
Residency Program produces well-trained, board certified toxicologists
that are able to function effectively in a variety of career settings.
Poisonous Plant Garden:
The
College of Veterinary Medicine maintains an outdoor garden specifically
for toxic plants. This gives residents, veterinary students, and practitioners
opportunities to identify plants poisonous to livestock, companion animals,
and human beings at all stages of growth and maturation over the growing
season. Some of the plants cultivated in the garden include Castor beans
(Ricinus communis), red maple (Acer rubrum), St. John’s
wort (Hypericum perforatum), elderberry (Sambucus),
Japanese yew (Taxus spp), lily of the valley (Convalaria
majalis), and azaleas (Rhododendron spp). As with other
aspects of the residency program, the poisonous plant garden is used to
assist residents in the development of skills essential to identification
of the actual causes of illness whether they are due to natural compounds,
manmade compounds, infectious agents or other problems.
Courses Offered:
During
the residency program, students will be enrolled in a number of toxicology
courses. The following is a list of some required and elective courses
available to residents:
Contact Information:
For more information on the University of Illinois, Veterinary Toxicology Residency Program, I can be reached at the following addresses, or visit our website at www.cvm.uiuc.edu/vb/toxres .
Val Beasley, DVM, PhD, DABVT
Director, Veterinary Toxicology Residency Program
Department of Comparative Biosciences
3814 Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building
2001 South Lincoln Ave.
Urbana, IL 61802
Office: 217-333-9360
FAX: 217-244-1652