Exploring the Wild Side of Veterinary Medicine with Mark Romanowski; in this episode of Unhinged and on Call, hosts Dr. Chelsea and Trish, along with their guest Mark Romanowski, a licensed veterinary technician, delve into the fascinating world of zoo and exotic animal medicine. Mark shares his journey through various states, his passion for anesthesia and surgery, and his extraordinary experiences in zoo medicine, including exciting and challenging cases with bison, elephants, and giraffes. The discussion highlights the importance of advocacy for patient care and the evolving use of CBD in veterinary medicine. The episode also touches upon the structure and accreditation of zoos, and the emotional connections formed with the animals. Listeners are encouraged to support their local zoos and learn more about the behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure animal welfare.

00:00 Introduction to Unhinged and on Call

00:27 Meet Our Guest: Mark Romanowski

02:45 Mark's Journey into Veterinary Medicine

06:11 Adventures in Zoo Medicine

12:57 Innovative Treatments and Memorable Cases

19:54 Elephant Tusk Extraction: A Massive Undertaking

31:25 Transitioning from Dog and Cat Anesthesia to Zoo Medicine

32:04 Fascination with Sloths

33:14 Understanding Sloth Anatomy and Behavior

34:49 Bonding with Zoo Animals

37:35 Challenges and Dangers in Zoo Medicine

41:04 Switching from Zoo to Exotic Companion Animal Practice

42:12 Specialty in Surgery and Anesthesia

50:02 Zoo Accreditation and Standards of Care

56:54 Support Your Local Zoo 58:56 Podcast Outro and Call to Action