Externships at Dubai Falcon Hospital

The two-month externship at Dubai Falcon Hospital emphasizes clinical training in falcon medicine and surgery. The clinical work is approximately distributed as follows: 75% raptors, 10% other avian (owls, bustards, stone curlew, pigeons, waterfowl, pheasants) and 15% mammals (oryx, gazelle, cheetah, sand foxes, hares, miscellaneous exotic wildlife, dogs, cats). One externship of one month and three externships of two months duration are available from September to April every year according to the following schedule:


* 1st September - October 1st 2010
* October 1st- December 1st 2010
* December 1st ? February 1st2011
* February 1st ? April 1st 2011


The intern will work under the supervision of vets at the hospital and will be responsible for (1) participating in the daily activities of the medical service of the hospital to in-patients and out-patients; (2) inputting and analysis of clinical data into the hospital computer system; (3) assisting senior technicians in providing emergency weekend and night-time care for any hospitalised animals; (4) presenting one 30 minute seminar on either the medicine or surgery of an exotic patient.

In general a typical day starts between 7.30-8.00 AM. Out-patient visit time is from 8 AM -2 PM and if there are no emergency cases the intern will be free after 2.30 PM. The intern will learn how to deal with falcon clinical cases, how to collect diagnostic samples. The hospital has an in-house laboratory and it will be possible to learn the basics of avian haematology, biochemistry and microbiology. During their time at the hospital interns will have the opportunity to conduct avian endoscopy and biopsy techniques.

There will also be opportunities to participate in clinical research and publication in peer-review scientific journals or other veterinary periodicals would be encouraged. Past projects have included the following topics: urine analysis in falcons, assessment of aspergillus antigen ELISA test in falcons and an assessment of the stress test in falcons, foot and mouth vaccine trials in oryx, H5 influenza vaccination trials in zoo species, viral investigations in pigeons and gamebirds, mycoplasma surveys, blood gas values in oryx and falcons, nutritional assessment of flamingos, voriconazole pharmacology in falcons, electrophoresis of falcons and serology surveys of raptors and wildlife for brucellosis, Q-fever, avian influenza and encephalomyocarditis virus. The majority of projects have been accepted for publication in peer-reviewed literature. A list of projects that have been written up are listed at the end of this document (interns name in bold):

The intern will be provided with on-site accommodation and food. A stay in our student quarters is free of charge. Smoking in the student accommodation is prohibited. Travel arrangements and health insurance are the responsibility of the interns. Dubai is an exciting, friendly and cosmopolitan city to be based in for two months and all of our interns have enjoyed their time professionally and socially at the hospital.

The requirements for an externship in our hospital are the following:

? Fluent English.
? Background knowledge of the United Arab Emirates and its social structure.
? Independence
? Adjustment to various cultures (esp. with regard to clothing)

Applicants should be able to demonstrate a prior interest and commitment to wildlife and exotic animals.

A passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and NO Israeli stamp is required for entry.

You can find a more detailed overview by visiting our homepage at http://www.dfh.all.ae/

For further information contact:

Mr Humaid Obaid al Muhairi

Dubai Falcon Hospital

PO Box 23919

Dubai

United Arab Emirates

http://www.dfh.all.ae/



Send e-mails to:

e-mail antonio.disomma@dfh.ae

e-mail tom.bailey@dfh.ae