Dr. Brigid Troan

DVM, DACVP, North Carolina Zoo

Biography

Dr. Brigid Troan graduated from the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999, completed her pathology residence there in 2001 and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists specializing in zoo and wildlife species. She has been the diagnostic pathologist at the North Carolina Zoological Park since 2005, and a Clinical Instructor and Avian Pathologist at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine since 2014. Previously, Dr. Troan has worked as a study pathologist for fish, amphibian and avian toxicologic studies. Professional activities include reviewing articles for JAVMA, Toxicologic Pathology and Veterinary Pathology; serving on the exam committee for the American College of Veterinary Pathologists; and moderating the AAZV pathology interest subgroup. In her spare time, Dr. Troan gardens by squeezing floribunda roses into every available niche in her yard, photographs small invertebrates during scuba dives and coaches middle school Science Olympiad.

Symposium Presentation

How to Create and Expand Expertise in the Field of Zoo and Wildlife Pathology

Pathologists specializing in zoo and wildlife species have been called “generalized specialists” who during a single day may start working on a 2 gram fledgling chick, pivot to a large snake around lunch, and finish by autopsying a rhinoceros. In the United States, there are few formal training programs in this discipline, and most expertise is gained from personal experience, published literature and conferences, and personal communication with other practitioners. Each of these sources has their own limitations. Journal articles on non-domestic species tend to be case studies of individual animals or groups of similar species within an institution. These studies lack depth or specific diagnostic criteria; some species, basic findings, and laboratory techniques are covered poorly, if at all. Conferences are great forums to present ideas and network to other colleagues, however, these meetings are time consuming and limited. Finally, personal communication requires identification of experienced specialists, and unfortunately, once these specialists retire anything not published is lost. Some of these limitations are being addressed: a formal textbook on zoo and wildlife pathology was published last year and Dr. Tara Harrison at NCSU has created a database of cancer in exotic species. To provide a place to share techniques and species-specific information, I am currently building a stand-alone, refereed website modeled on existing sites for human pathology. The wide availability of digital cameras and low time commitment will allow rapid upload of a greater number of cases covering a wider breadth of species, while a specialist list provides targeted support. The goal is to provide a central site that builds upon existing expertise in zoo and wildlife pathology and broadens the knowledge base for everyone.