John Sykes,
DVM, DACZMSenior Veterinarian
Specialist in Zoological Medicine Department: Exotic Pet Medicine
Dr. Sykes joins the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center as a specialist in zoological medicine. He has over 20 years of experience in caring for all types of animal species, having worked as a staff veterinarian at the Los Angeles Zoo prior to moving back to his hometown of New York where he most recently led the veterinary team of the Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo as the Clinical Department Head.
Dr. Sykes is a leader in the veterinary community having served as President of the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City, the Chair of the Animal Health Committee of the Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and currently as Treasurer for the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and the Veterinary Advisor for the Fennec Fox Species Survival Program.
John enjoys sharing information as a presenter at professional conferences and as an instructor in professional workshops, both domestically and internationally. He is an author of over 20 peer-reviewed publications and his primary research interest is in finding practical solutions to clinical challenges in zoological medicine. He particularly enjoys inspiring the next generation of animal conservationists through development and teaching of his Little Zoo Vets curriculum to 8–12-year-old students.
He is excited to contribute to the zoological outreach programs of the AMC and help bring our depth and breadth of veterinary expertise to the larger zoological medicine community.
Board Certifications
- Diplomate, American College of Zoological Medicine
Education
- DVM | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- BS | Yale University
Postgraduate Education
- Residency in Zoological Medicine and Surgery | University of Tennessee
- Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery | MSPCA, Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital
Publications
R. Figueroa, R. Oliveira, J. Sykes. 2023. A 40-year (1980-2019) retrospective review of morbidity and mortality of fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) at the Bronx and Prospect Park Zoos. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 54(2): 252-61.
C. Innis, K. Conley, …, J. Sykes, …, et al. 2022. Veterinary observations and biological specimen use after a massive confiscation of Palawan forest turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis). Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 21(1).
S. Chaney, M. Loewinger, D. Doherty, C. McCann, K. Conley, D. McAloose, A. Rosenberg, and J. Sykes. 2022. The use of intradermal skin testing and hyposensitization injections to control seasonal dermatitis in greater one-horned rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis). J Zoo Wildl Med 53(2): 485-491.
A. McFarland, K Conley, T Seimon, and J. Sykes. 2021. A retrospective analysis of amoebiasis in reptiles in a zoological institution. J. Zoo Wildl Med. 52(1):232-240.
S. Bartlett, …, S. Zec, …, K Ingerman, …, D. McAloose, J Sykes, and P Calle. 2020. SARS-CoV-2 infection and longitudinal fecal screening in Malayan tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni), Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altacia), and African lions (Panthera leo krugeri) at the Bronx Zoo, New York, USA. J Zoo Wildl Med 51(4): 733-744.
D. McAloose, M Laverack, ….J Sykes…, et al. 2020. From people to Panthera: Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in tigers and lions at the Bronx Zoo. mBio 11:e02220-20. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.02220-20.
N Spottiswoode, S Bartlett, K Conley, T Seimon, D Griffin, J Sykes. 2020. Analysis of Plasmodium lineages identified in captive penguins, eiders, and inca terns in a North American zoological collection. J. Zoo Wildl Med. 51(1):140-149.
J. Sykes, C Wilson, D McAloose. 2019. Husbandry, morbidity, and mortality of slender-tailed cloud rats. Zoo Biology 38:360-70.
M. Clancy, M. David, M. Valitutto, K. Nelson, J. Sykes. 2016. Salmonella infection and carriage in reptiles in a zoological collection. JAVMA 248(9):1050-1059.
K. Rainwater, J. Sykes, J. Sapienza. 2015. Retrospective investigation of cataract management in avian species in a zoologic collection. J Zoo Wildl Med 46(4): 858-869.
M. Clancy, B KuKanich, J. Sykes. 2015. Pharmacokinetics of butorphanol delivered with an osmotic pump during a seven-day period in common peafowl (Pavo cristatus). A J Vet Res. 76:1070-1076.
J. Sykes, D. Neiffer, S. Terrell, D. Powell, and A. Newton. 2013. Review of 23 cases of post-intubation tracheal obstructions in birds. J Zoo Wildl. Med. 44(3): 700-713.
J. Sykes, E. Ramsay, S. Cox. 2009. Evaluation of osmotic pump delivery of fentanyl to domestic cats- A model for non-domestic felids. Am. J. Vet. Res. 70(8):950-5.
J. Sykes and E. Ramsay. 2007. Attempted treatment of tigers (Panthera tigris) infected with Microsporum canis. J. Zoo Wild. Med. 38(2): 252-257
J. Sykes and J. Trupkiewicz. 2006 Reptile neoplasia at the Philadelphia Zoological Garden, 1901-2002. J Zoo Wild. Med. 37(1): 11-19.
Selected Abstracts and Review Articles
A. Galej, J. Sykes, and Z. Mack. Pulmonary disease associated with Leptospira sp. infection in Guianan squirrel monkeys. 2025. Proceedings of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.
H. Drumm, C Weisse, …. and J. Sykes. Pseudoaneurysm diagnosis and treatment in an Aardvark. 2021. Proceedings of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. P. 78
J. Sykes, J Gjeltema, A Rivas, et al. Swimmer syndrome in snow leopard cubs: a series of four cases. 2019. Proceedings of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. P. 39
T. Coutant, D. Laniesse, J. Sykes. Advances in therapeutics and delayed drug release. 2019 Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice. Elsevier. 22(3):501-520.
J. Sykes. Opportunities to inspire the next generation of veterinarians. In: Fowler’s Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. Volume 9. Miller, RE, N Lamberski and P. Calle (Eds.). Saunders. Pp28-33. 2018
J. Sykes, E. Klaphake. Reptile Hematology. In: Vet Clin Exot Anim Pract 18 (2015):63-82.
J. Sykes. Piciformes. 2014. In: Fowler’s Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. Volume 8. Fowler, M. and E. Miller (Eds.). Saunders. Pp230-235.
J. Sykes, T. Georoff, C. Rodriquez. 2010. Combination of systemic and local treatment of an infected bite wound using an osmotic pump in a Gelada (Theropithecus gelada). Proc. 38th Ann. Workshiop Am. Primate Vet. 2010.
J. Sykes. 2010. Updates and practical approaches to reptilian reproductive disorders. Vet Clin Exot Anim 13(3): 349-374.
J. Sykes and E. Klaphake. 2008. Reptile Hematology. Vet Clin Exot Anim 11:481-500
J. Sykes and C. Greenacre. 2006. Reptile and amphibian drug administration techniques. J. Exotic Pet Med. 15(3): 210-217
J. Sykes, K. Kearns, and K. Rassnick. Use of piroxicam for treatment of basosquamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum in a common squirrel monkey. Proc. Am. Ass. Zoo Vet. 2002.