Gretel Tovar-Lopez
Assistant Professor, Zoo, Exotic, Wildlife and Avian Medicine & Surgery
MVZ, DACZM, DABVP (Avian Practice)
Board Certified Specialist in Zoological Medicine TM
Phone: 785-532-5690
Email: gtovar@vet.k-state.edu
Education
- MVZ (DVM): National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
- Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Rotating Internship: Washington State University
- Avian, Exotic, and Zoological Medicine Internship: Colorado State University
- Avian, Exotic, and Zoological Medicine Residency: Colorado State University
- Specialty Certification: American Board of Veterinary Practitioners - Avian Medicine
- Specialty Certification: American College of Zoological Medicine
Teaching
- Exotic Animal, Wildlife, and Zoological Medicine (4th year)
- Exotic Animal Medicine (3rd year)
- Topics in Advanced Exotic Animal Medicine (3rd year)
- Topics in Advanced Zoological/Wildlife Medicine (3rd year)
Research
Research Focus
- Integrative health & comparative medicine of zoological companion animals
- My work improves diagnostics, treatments and overall well-being for zoological companion animals by integrating comparative medicine, pathology and long-term disease management.
Integrative health and preventative medicine
- Establishing baseline health parameters and disease prevalence
- Understanding body composition and its impact on disease
- Advancing clinical pathology for exotic species
- Surveillance and early detection of disease
Disease management & long-term monitoring
- Developing strategies for effective weight management
- Tracking disease trends through cohort studies
- Understanding post-surgical recovery and health outcomes
- Enhancing welfare through evidence-based care
Clinical
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I am dedicated to training the next generation of veterinarians and veterinary specialists in the field of zoological companions, as well as zoo and wildlife species.
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Additionally, I am deeply passionate about guiding veterinarians and empowering them to deliver the highest standard of care to their patients and clients.
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In the clinical setting, I enjoy challenging medical cases and surgery of zoological companion species