Gretel Tovar-Lopez

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

  • 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.

  • Additionally, I am deeply passionate about guiding veterinarians and empowering them to deliver the highest standard of care to their patients and clients.

  • In the clinical setting, I enjoy challenging medical cases and surgery of zoological companion species

Publications