***Please read all information below BEFORE registering for ZEW Wet Lab***
2026 ZEW Wet Lab General Information
Our 2026 Wet Lab will take place on Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st, from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. The Wet Lab will feature labs and lectures from 6 different “tracks” (Avian, Small Mammal, Reptile, Marine, Wildlife, and Zoo), as well as a student-clinician roundtable & breakout sessions. Students will be able to customize their experience by choosing one track throughout the wet lab or by choosing to participate in labs and lectures from different tracks.
The Lab Description, Schedule, and Registration buttons are all located at the top of this page. In addition, please take the time to check out and thank our 2026 Wet Lab sponsors! If you have any questions please e-mail the president, Alyssa Trickey at alyssatrickey@tamu.edu. There is a “checklist item” blurb at the bottom of this page to help you consolidate the required steps to attend the lab.
Risk Waiver Form
Completion of the risk waiver (below) before the deadline IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ATTEND WET LAB. Failure to complete the Risk Waiver will result in forfeiture of your assigned labs. Download the risk waiver form, complete it, and email it to tamucvmzew@gmail.com with the subject “Your Name – 2026 ZEW Wet Lab Risk Waiver Form”. Thank you!
Lab Information
Schedule
Lab Descriptions
Avian
Avian Handling and Sampling:
Raptor Medicine:
Discuss legalities and ethics for raptors, general anatomy, safety and handling, tubing birds, IM/SQ injection sites, cathher placing for IV and IO sites, IM pinning, bandaging, splinting, housing in a hospital setting.
Raptor Medicine:
Dr. Fronefield and Dr. Roset (both from Animal and Bird Clinic in Sugar Land, TX) will be teaching us the basics of avian orthopedic surgery. Fractures and joint injuries are common issues that a veterinarian working with birds will have to face. Students will be shown common procedures and then will have the opportunity to practice on their own cadaver. Thanks to a donation from IMEX, students will have the opportunity to practice with pins, drills, Acrylx, handchucks, and more!
Aquatics
Shark Necropsy:
Students will learn about the normal anatomy and physiology of dogfish sharks by performing necropsies. Additionally, students will be educated on the husbandry and water quality essential for this species.
Fish Water Quality and Anesthesia:
Students will learn about aquatic animal anesthesia by correctly anesthetizing live fish using common anesthetic immersion agents, MS-222 and clove oil (eugenol). Students will practice safe handling of live fish, diagnostic sample collection (i.e. phlebotomy using various blood collection sites, skin scrapes, gill clip), and perform routine diagnostics (blood smears, direct fecal smear, skin scrape cytology, and ultrasound) imperative to aquatic animal physical exams. Additionally, students will learn the importance of water quality assessment by using water quality test kits to measure water parameters (i.e. pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) vital to the health of aquatic species.
Aquatic Animal Disease, Pathology, and Necropsy:
Students will learn about the common agents causing disease in aquatic species found in US and Texas waters, including parasitic spp., ich (protozoa), anchor worms (crustacean), glochidia (parasitic larval mussels), and flukes, as well as other important bacterial spp., mycobacterium spp., viral spp., and fungal spp. Students will then apply this knowledge on fresh necropsies of recent humanely euthanized fish to observe any abnormalities/pathologic findings under microscopes.
Zoo
Zoo Animal Necropsy:
Practice necropsy and learn about the anatomy of a number of zoo animals guided by pathologists. Learn how to collect samples and make pathological diagnoses.
Parasitology:
Perform parasitlogy diagnostic tests with real zoo animals samples. Have exotic pets of your own? There will be a BYOP (bring your own poop) opportunity for you to check on their health! Parasite case studies and examples from zoo aniamls will be shared by board certified veterinary parasitologists. Learn more about diagnosing, treatment, and prevention of parasitic diseases in zoo animals.
Zoo Animal Immobilization:
Students will have the opportunity to immobilize a zebra at the Winnie Carter Wildlife center. Students will help with preparation and administration of immobilization drugs, and learn about the management of an animal before, during, and after immobilization. This will include keeping proper medical records, assisting with performance of a physical exam and more.
Small Mammal
Guinea Pig OVE:
Spaying guinea pigs can have a variety of health benefits such as preventing ovarian cysts and subsequent neoplasia to preventing pregnancies in a multi-individual housing setting. Performing spay procedures in small mammals can be difficult and due to the extensive GI tract, poor tolerance of anesthesia, and post-operative complications due to the height of guinea pigs is often avoided by many practitioners. In this lab, we will discuss the benefits of alternative methods from traditional ventrally approached ovariohysterectomies, and discuss the risks and benefits of performing routine spays in this species. Students will be taught how to perform an ovariectomy using a dorsal flank approach and each student will be given one guinea pig cadaver to work with. This lab is capped at 30 students and restricted to 2VMs and above
Ferret Ultrasound:
Ultrasonography is an important skill to have especially in small mammals, especially Ferrets, who can get lymphoma, adrenal disease, and insulinomas very commonly. This lab will teach Ferret handling and restraint along with ultrasonography techniques to help the clinician image these animals. This lab is capped at 15 participants.
Small Mammal Dentistry:
Due to the hypsodont dentition of our small mammal companions, dental disease is a common ailment of Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, and Rabbits, leading to oral discomfort and GI issues. Working with these little critters requires a radically different approach than the dentals of dogs and cats. In this lab, students will perform a dental exam on a small mammal cadaver and learn the common dental procedures performed in these tiny mouths. This lab is capped at 30 students, giving priority to ZEW and Dental Clubs students.
Reptile
Reptile Handling and Medicine:
Our clinician for the snakes and lizards wet-lab is Dr. Rob Coke, recently retired froom his position as the director of veterinary care at the San Antonio Zoo and medical director of the Species Survival Plan for Komodo dragons. Dr. Coke will provide a brief lecture over general reptile medicine and husbandry, as well as anatomy and physiology. The blue-tongued skink, green iguana, Argentine tegu, bearded dragon, and a variety of snake species will be used to learn proper restraint, physical exams, venipuncture, and other common medical procedures. Students will also learn how to practice safe medicine with venomous snakes by practicing with our non-venomous species. This lab is capped at 40 students.
Amphibian Handling and Medicine:
The Amphibian Medicine and Husbandry wet-lab is taught by Audrey Koepp, Director of Amphibians at the Houston Zoo! Also the owner of Urban Amphiba, specializing in the captive breeding of amphibians, she consults with zoos and collectors all over the country. We will use nine different species of live animals, including Colorado river toads, tiger salamanders, red eyed tree frogs, the Yellow-banded poison dart frog and more. Expect to learn about proper handling and restraint of amphibians, how to conduct a thorough physical examination, utilize safe anesthesia techniques, and perform common procedures like venipuncture and obtaining vitals. Amphibian husbandry and care will also be covered in this wet-lab. This lab is capped at 40 students.
Reptile Medical Procedures and Necropsy:
Dr. Rob Coke and Audrey Koepp will lead the reptile necropsy together. We will have a variety of cadavers available for necropsy including venomous snakes. Prior to necropsy, students will have an opportunity to intubate, place esophageal feeding tubes, intraosseous catheters, and other minor procedures. General anatomy and any observed pathology in the specimens will be covered during the dissection. This lab will be capped at 40 students.
Wildlife
Capture and Release:
Providing health care to free-ranging bird and small mammal species poses unique challenges to the wildlife veterinarian- namely catching your patient! The research team of Dr. Sarah Hamer leads students through the ins-and-outs of humane live animal traps and mistnetting. Sunday morning handle, sample, and release your wildlife! Please wear clothing suitable for outdoor activity, especially long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Darting Practice:
Learn about different dart guns, firearm safety, and proper drug loading. Then practice your aim on the range with Dr. Cook and Dr. Derr.
Wildlife Field Necropsy:
Learn about necropsy techniques for multiple different wildlife species! Dr. Bryan and Dr. Stranahan will be walking us through a necropsy. Then participants are able to perform necrospies themselves on any of the species that are available. Due to the nature of wildlife, we may have unique findings that we wouldn’t usually have with our domestic species! Please wear appropriate clothes for a necropsy and bring your own dissection kits. We are hoping to have at least two cadavers per participate!
Registration & Payment Information
Registration
*These dates are tentative and subject to change.
- Opens – The registration link via Google Forms will be sent at 12 p.m. each day as follows:
- Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 – 4VM & 3VM ZEW Members
- Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 – 2VM ZEW Members
- Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 – 1VM ZEW Members
- Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 – Non-ZEW and Non-TAMU Students
- Google Forms Link: https://forms.gle/QRzrsLU121Tb2MZx6
- Closes – The registration link will close on Dec. 17, 2025, at 12 p.m.; you will receive a confirmation and invoice to pay for labs from Alyssa Trickey and Claire Webb after registration closes.
- Expect invoices to be sent beginning Jan. 5, 2026.
Payment
- Payment and Waiver Deadlines: Jan. 14, 2026, at 12 p.m.
- For dues-paying members, the first three labs are covered in your dues. You are still required to place a $30 check in the grasshopper room to secure your spot. Remember, you will receive your check back at the wet lab. Please make the check out to Texas A&M Zoo, Exotics and Wildlife Club. If you are attending a 4th and 5th lab, complete the payment on Flywire linked below.
- For non-members (including non-TAMU students), please pay for your labs with the Flywire linked below.
Information for Wet Lab Attendees that are ZEW dues-paying Members:
- TAMU ZEW dues-paying members will be able to register for 3 labs for free as part of their membership. Additional labs will be $15 each. Members may register for up to 5 labs total.
- In order to secure your spot, you must pay ZEW $30 (CHECK only). This payment will be refunded to you at the wet lab.
- Deliver your CHECK to the ZEW folder in the Grasshopper room with your name clearly labeled on it by Jan. 14, 2026, at 12 p.m.
Information for Wet Lab Attendees that are not members of ZEW:
- All labs will cost $25 each for non-members. Non-members can register for up to 5 labs total.
- TAMU students who are non-members may pay by cash, check, or money order, as well as our storefront via Flywire.
- Deliver your check, cash, or money order to the ZEW folder in the Grasshopper room with your name clearly labeled on it by the deadline (see above for deadlines)
- Link to flywire store-front: tbd
- Breakfast and lunch are included for students who attend at least 3 labs.
Checklist items for the lab: Complete registration by the respective deadline. The risk waiver form and payment after you receive an invoice from Alyssa and Claire are due by Jan. 14, 2026, at 12 p.m. These 3 items must be completed in order to attend!
Wet Lab T-shirts: If interested in buying a t-shirt (design tbd), they can be purchased through the flywire link below for $10.
Flywire Storefront : https://sofctamu.estore.flywire.com/products?storeCatalog=23419
Thank you for taking the time to read this information. If you have questions regarding payment, please contact Treasurer Abigail Mason at acmason23@tamu.edu. If you have issues with registration or general questions, please contact President, Alyssa Trickey at alyssatrickey@tamu.edu. We can’t wait to see you at Wet Lab!
