Contact Information

Email: kottwitz@msu.edu

Education

• DVM, University of Missouri-Columbia
• Exotic animal medicine internship, The Ohio State University
• Avian and zoological companion animal medicine residency, Animal Medical Center, New York City
• Veterinary clinical pharmacology residency, Auburn University
• PhD in veterinary biomedical sciences, Auburn University
• Certified Aquatic Veterinarian , World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association

Dr. Jack Kottwitz earned a BS in secondary education/biology and a DVM from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He went on to work in a mixed animal practice before he completed an internship in exotic animal medicine at The Ohio State University, followed by two years in private practice as director of exotic animal services at Underwood Animal Hospitals. Dr. Kottwitz then was a resident in avian and zoological companion animal medicine at the Animal Medical Center in New York City before he moved to Alabama to serve as the veterinarian for the Montgomery Zoo.

During his six years as a veterinarian at the Montgomery Zoo, he established educational opportunities for students from both Auburn University and Tuskegee University. These veterinary student rotations earned him an appointment as an adjunct associate professor of zoo and wildlife medicine at Auburn University. In 2019, he completed a residency in veterinary clinical pharmacology focused on zoological species with a concurrent PhD in veterinary biomedical sciences, emphasizing zoological clinical pharmacology at Auburn University. From 2014 to 2020, Dr. Kottwitz was also a zoo and wildlife veterinarian for Noah’s Ark Sanctuary in Locust Grove, GA.

Dr. Kottwitz's research interests are diverse and include analgesia studies in mega-vertebrates, adverse effects of anesthesia and analgesia drugs used in assisted reproduction, drug efficacy in non-domestic species, and evaluation of sleep as it affects captive wildlife behavior.