Malena Silva Rodriguez

• Assisted veterinary surgeon during orthopaedic procedures, including fracture repairs and TPLOs.
• Cat castrates for regular and TNR patients
• Assisted veterinarians during VVS (Virtual Veterinary Specialist) cardiac scans, urinary catheter placements, and nasogastric tube procedures.

• Supported examinations and client communication during small-animal and ophthalmic consultations.
• Gained exposure to minimally invasive surgical techniques while shadowing laparoscopic procedures.
• Observed advanced imaging procedures, including CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

• Gained experience with POCUS for rapid abdominal and thoracic assessment.
• Assisted veterinarian during emergency exploratory laparotomies and diaphragmatic hernia repair from RTA
• Performed urinary catheter placements
• Performed wildlife humane euthanasia following welfare protocols.

• Assisted emergency hemorrhagecase due to Splenic tumour.
• Assisted in multiple spays and neuters, gaining hands-on experience with sterile technique and intradermal suturing.

• Provided Spanish translation during consultations when needed, improving communication and client understanding of diagnoses and treatment plans.
• Assisted during a mammary mass removal

• Assisted in equine procedures, including shadowing a horse castration and colic stabilization.
• Conducted farm visits, performing pregnancy diagnosis (PD) via ultrasound on dairy cattle.
• Assisted with a canine post-mortem examination, contributing to gross pathology assessment.
• Performed cat castrations and completed a dog spay under supervision.

• Performed in-house diagnostics, including blood tests, urinalysis, cytology sampling, and preliminary interpretation.
• Assisted with soft-tissue surgeries like splenectomies, toe amputation and cesarians.
• Gained experience in advanced imaging, including CT and radiography (positioning, restraint, and imaging safety.

• Animal Welfare Audit exercise
• Porcupine general anesthesia and contraceptive implant replacement
• Armadillo wound management
• Penguin physical exam and blood sampling
• Penguin and beaver postmortem
• Ethogram of giraffe and gorillas

Experience working with rabies vector species, reptiles, different types of birds and mammals.

Experience working with sea side wildlife from mammals to birds.

• Managed, fed and safe guarded quality assurance of small exotic animals.
• Big feline and primate sedation for procedures
• Create enrichment programs for animals
• Elephant ophthalmic exam and dental examination
• Lion cub nursing
• Post mortem examinations

• Elephant Nature Park (elephant medicine and ethical handling of elephants)
• Small Animal Shelter