TulsaPets Magazine March 2023

20 TulsaPets • March /April 2023 Weigh the Risks Working with animals, especially larger exotics and wildlife, is not without risk. “One thing I learned is animal behavior. And that will save you if you are a veterinari- an,” Danner said. “The eyes are the windows to the soul.” Danner said paying attention to an animal’s body language and knowing the appropriate way to approach various animals have prevented potential mishaps. “I still have all my fingers after all these years,” Danner said, raising his hands. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had a few close calls. In his early career, Danner spent time at Lion Country Safari in Grand Prairie, Texas. A cheetah had come in and was limping. In trying to get its attention in its enclosure, Danner said, “In the blink of an eye, I felt a pop. I looked down, and it had cut clear through the tendon of my thumb.” Years later, a snap from a laboring dog who eventually gave birth to 13 puppies led Danner to sew stitches in his own lip on a holiday weekend. But overall, he says he has been blessed to avoid any major catastrophes. Danner also said he can often take what he has learned from some animal groups to come up with unique approaches for other species. His first big root canal was on an elephant wintering at Lion Country Safari, a procedure he now performs locally on a variety of species. Know Your Pets The most common exotic pets Danner takes care of include “all the little critters and snugglies — hedgehogs, rabbits, ferrets, sugar gliders, hamsters, gerbils, and squir- rels, which are popular because of price and availability.” No matter what type of pet you are interested in, Danner encourages potential owners to do their homework. The motto of Danner Veterinary Hospital is “Excellence through education,” and Danner and his team place a strong emphasis on educating clients on the needs of their pets. “Know what you are getting into, what the life expectancy is, and what it is going to cost you,” Danner explained. As for his own career, Danner said, “There is a saying in polo … ‘Play hard or go home!’ I have always pushed the envelope and tried to live life to the fullest, personally and pro- fessionally. A great support staff will make all the difference. It is because of that support that I have been able to do and achieve as much as I have.” A coatimundi hangs onto Dr. Dan Danner’s shoulder in an exam room. Danner says he loves it that no two days are the same at his practice.