XIV Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2022

introduction

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [1]. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) take into account all three dimensions of sustainability - social, Environment, Economy - alike. They are indivisible and are mutually dependent. Ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests [2].

Sharing the opinion that it is important to create awareness of the SDGs through various means [3], willing both to stress the significance of water reserves and underwater world preservation and to show loyalty to our future profession we will highlight some specific field of the veterinary in the frames of the given assay.

Nowadays, the profession of veterinarian is associated with the treatment of domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, or agricultural animals (cattle and small cattle, pigs, birds). But in fact, this profession is extremely multifaceted and open to all natural organisms, including marine ones. Thus, aquatic veterinarians provide medical care to animals living in the water, from whales and sharks to alligators, shellfish and penguins [4].

While aquaculture is a centuries-old method of farming that is practiced throughout the world, veterinary involvement in aquaculture and aquatic animal medicine is a relatively recent development.

As aquaculture products make up an increasing and significant part of our seafood, ornamental, and pet industries, the need for sound veterinary input will continue to grow. In addition to an increase in the volume and monetary value of aquaculture products, the variety and number of aquatic species that are now commercially raised has also been increasing [5].

Veterinarians can play a vital role in this sector and contribute to growing potentials for aquaculture. Aquaculture farmers need veterinarians in a similar way that dairy, poultry or pig farmers do. Fish and crustacean farms have similar needs for biosecurity, farming and nutrition, overall health planning and prevention and treatment of diseases in order to be able to produce safe and high-quality products for the consumers. Additionally, national veterinary services always need veterinarians to ensure the safety and quality of fish products. Small animal/household veterinarians are increasingly involved in treatment and prevention of ornamental fish diseases, with 10 per cent of practice effort estimated to be related to services to aquatic animal owners and public aquaria [6].

who is the marine veterenarian?

More than 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered with water, but it is home to only about 20 percent of the world's animal population. However, this 20 percent is incredibly diverse, allowing using multiple veterinary specializations in aquatic medicine. Some vets are experts in marine mammals such as dolphins, dugongs, manatees, otters, polar bears, porpoises, sea lions, seals, walruses, and whales [4].

The duties of an aquatic veterinarian vary depending on the specialty, but in general they are responsible for the health and well-being of the animals in their care. They must be well versed in a wide variety of conditions and diseases, as well as corresponding medications and treatments, in addition to common injuries. Marine and aquatic veterinarians typically perform some or all of the following tasks:

Administering anesthesia and performing surgery;

Carrying out medical examinations;

Performing autopsies of dead animals;

Administering tests and vaccinations;

Observating and analysing behavior;

Treating of wounds;

Implementingnutrition plans;

Responding on emergency situations;

Administering end-of-life care and euthanasia;

Conducting laboratory diagnostics;

Participating in scientific research;

Farming of fish, crustaceans and other food animals for consumption [7].

what animals do aquatic vets cure?

Aquatic veterinarians treat such animals as:

Reptiles and amphibians - frogs, salamanders, tritons, turtles, tortoises, crocodiles.

Marine mammals - seals, whales, dolphins, walruses, manatees, otters, penguins, seabirds.

Invertebrates - corals, oysters, jellyfish, starfish, shellfish, giant water plants, crabs, lobsters.

Cephalopods - squid, octopus, cuttlefish, nautilus.

Fish - freshwater and sea fish, domestic and ornamental, wild and commercial.

Sharks and rays [7].

where do marine vets work?

Marine and aquatic veterinarians work in a variety of circumstances. For example, those who protect seabirds may spend most of their day outdoors or on the water, while a marine veterinarian who works in the field of the aquaculture spends a lot of time in the lab. Aquatic veterinarians typically work in aquariums, harbors, nature reserves, zoos, research centers, laboratories, fish farms, universities, and private ponds. Regardless of where the vet ends up practicing aquatic medicine, he should be prepared to spend a lot of time near the water [7].

Aquatic veterinarians are experts in aquatic animal anatomy, anesthesia, clinical pharmacology, diagnostic visualization, emergency medicine, laboratory diagnostics, medical examinations, autopsies, nutrition and surgery. They administer tests and vaccinations, assess behavior and treat diseases. Marine veterinarians are also involved in scientific research and wildlife conservation and are well aware of the harmful effects of chemicals, plastics, metals and many micro-organisms on aquatic animals [4].

Aquatic medicine professionals are responsible for the health care of aquatic animals. They must be prepared for a wide variety of conditions, diseases and injuries, as well as the use of medications and various methods of treatment. The range of diseases of aquatic animals is as diverse as the animals themselves.

For example, fish may suffer from such problems as: amoebiasis; cataracts; epitheliocystis; metal toxicity; parasite infestations; tumors etc.

Amphibians, invertebrates, marine mammals, reptiles, and seabirds also suffer from problems unique to their class, thus creating a super spectrum of possibilities when it comes to diagnosing and treating conditions in aquatic animals. To treat the many conditions, aquatic vets may use a wide range of medications and therapies and such procedures as endoscopy, radiography, surgery, and the taking of ultrasounds and X-rays. Necropsies, or animal autopsies, are also an important—if tardy—tool in diagnosing problems in aquatic animals [4].

what skills do aquatic vets need?

This profession requires manual dexterity and physical strength. Many veterinarians perform surgeries and other delicate procedures that require a steady hand, in addition to field work that requires considerable stamina. In particular, aquatic and marine veterinarians are strongly encouraged to develop water-related skills such as swimming, scuba diving, and operating jet skis and other equipment.

Developing strong interpersonal and communication skills will play an important role for a success as a veterinarian. Whether anxious pet owners or trainers, co-workers or employees, the veterinarian needs to reach out to everyone to get the job done right. The role can also be emotionally challenging. Aquatic veterinarians deal with sick, dying and abused animals and must make difficult decisions on their behalf [7].

Conclusion:

With the growing awareness of humanity of the importance of the planet's water resources and the increasing attention of scientists to the underwater world, the need for veterinarians specializing on aquatic and sea animals is also increasing. This specialization of a veterinarian is not important for the current moment, but also perspective. The number of educational institutions that train students in this field is far from enough. And it is the existing veterinary universities or faculties that could provide such majoring.

References:

1. United Nations. The 17 goals of sustainable development [Электронныйресурс] - : https://sdgs.un.org/goals / (датаобращения – 18.01.2022). – Текст: электронный.

2. The 17 UN sustainable development goals and their level of awareness [Электронный ресурс] - : https://www.hausvoneden.com/sustainability/un-sustainable-development-goals/ / (датаобращения – 18.01.2022). – Текст: электронный.

3. The role of environmental technologies in the implementation of the SDGs [Электронныйресурс] - : https://www.ifat.de/en/trade-fair/industry-insights/sdg/ / (датаобращения – 18.01.2022). – Текст: электронный.

4. What is aquatic veterinary medicine? | Ross Vet [Электронный ресурс] - : https://veterinary.rossu.edu/about/blog/aquatic-medicine / (дата обращения – 18.01.2022). – Текст: электронный.

5. The Future of Training for Aquatic Animal Health Veterinarians [Электронныйресурс] - : https://aquatic.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/2013/11/fulltext.pdf / (датаобращения – 18.01.2022). – Текст: электронный.

6. Mapping the teaching of aquatic animal veterinary medicine in the European Union and European Free Trade Area [Электронный ресурс] - : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6307618/ / (датаобращения – 18.01.2022). – Текст: электронный.

7. What does an aquatic veterinarian do? | SGU [Электронный ресурс] - : https://www.sgu.edu/blog/veterinary/what-does-aquatic-veterinarian-do/ / (дата обращения – 18.01.2022). – Текст: электронный.

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