Zoological medicine is not limited to animals in zoos: it also includes wildlife and non-traditional companion animals. In an AAHA interview, Krista A. Keller, DVM, DACZM, explains what drew her to the specialty, how general practitioners can help, and what the work is really like.
Keller is an associate professor of clinical zoological companion animal medicine and surgery at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She is board-certified by the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM), a specialty focused on clinical care, preventive medicine, and ecology to support the health and wellbeing of wildlife and non-traditional companion species.
Her answers below are from an AAHA Trends interview published July 1, 2025. The five questions are part of AAHA’s monthly specialist-interview series; the questions are generally repeated, while each specialist brings different answers.
1. What made Keller choose zoological medicine?
Keller began veterinary school knowing she wanted to specialize, but not yet knowing in what. She explored through clubs and extracurricular activities, then found a fit in the diagnostic challenges of zoological medicine. Her short version: “Is it cheesy to say that Zoo Med chose me?”
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2. What should general practitioners know about the specialty?
Keller wants general practitioners to feel empowered to see non-traditional companion animals and provide high-quality care. The basic diagnostic approach remains familiar across species: take a thorough history, perform a comprehensive examination, and consider a minimum database and imaging. Work already done in general practice can help inform a referral rather than being wasted.
When advanced diagnostics are appropriate, Keller’s hospital has access to tools including PET, CT, MRI, and endoscopy. That does not mean every patient needs advanced imaging; the initial assessment and clinical context help determine what is useful.
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3. What can clients do to make the work more satisfying?
Keller’s answer centers on mutual positive intent. She encourages clinicians to remember that clients are people trying their best, and her advice implies that respectful, constructive communication can make difficult care conversations better for everyone.
4. What is most rewarding about the specialty?
“VARIETY!” Keller said. Her work can move among very different species and medical problems: renal failure in a ferret, cardiac dysfunction in a bearded dragon, or spinal neuropathy in a sun conure. As she puts it, “I’m really just specialized at being a generalist, given the diversity of species and conditions.”
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5. What advice would Keller give someone considering the specialty?
Be prepared to live with uncertainty. Keller says much of the work involves becoming comfortable with “I don’t know.” Zoological medicine can be fascinating, but it is not always easy or glamorous; she cautions that it can be as hard day to day as other areas of veterinary medicine.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Preventable disease examples Keller sees
In a bonus response, Keller described several infectious and nutritional problems from her clinical experience. These examples are not a complete disease list, prevalence data, or a care protocol.
Reptiles
- Infections: Keller noted that prevention can be difficult when an infectious agent is already present when an animal is sourced. She named Nannizziopsis, Serpentovirus, and Mycoplasma.
- Nutritional problems: She cited hypovitaminosis A in insectivorous reptiles such as chameleons and leopard geckos, and fiber deficiency in hindgut-fermenting tortoises fed low-fiber greens and fruit instead of grass hays.
Ferrets and rabbits
Keller identified canine distemper virus (CDV) in ferrets and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) in rabbits as fatal but preventable diseases, and said safe and effective vaccines are available. That is her interview statement, not an individualized recommendation: owners should ask their veterinarian about current vaccine guidance for their animal and circumstances.
Quick Recap
Read the AAHA Trends interview with Krista Keller.
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