About Joao
João Brandão, L.M.V., M.S., Dipl. ECZM (Avian), Dipl. ACZM, is a professor of avian, exotic, and zoological medicine at Colorado State University. He earned his veterinary degree from the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal, and completed internships in exotic animal and zoological medicine at Great Western Referrals (Swindon, UK), Tufts University (North Grafton, MA), and the University of Georgia (Athens, GA).
Dr. Brandão completed a three-year zoological medicine residency and a Master of Science in veterinary clinical sciences at Louisiana State University. He is a diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Avian), the American College of Zoological Medicine, and an EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Avian Medicine and Surgery.
Prior to joining Colorado State University, Dr. Brandão served for 11 years at Oklahoma State University, where he held the Debbie and Wayne Bell Professorship in Veterinary Clinical Sciences.
Education
Licensed in Veterinary Medicine (DVM equivalent), University of Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal, 2008Master of Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 2014
Certifications
Diplomate, European College of Zoological Medicine (Avian)
Diplomate, American College of Zoological Medicine
Publications
Glassman, A. R., DiGeronimo, P. M., Willis, E. L., Ward, E., Thepapichaikul, W., & Brandão, J. (2025). Comparison of a point-of-care and standard laboratory analyzers to determine prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 56(3), 577–585.Crocker, K., Kline, S., d’Ovidio, D., Di Girolamo, N., McCready, J. E., & Brandão, J. (2025). Diagnosis and treatment of inguinal midline abdominal wall herniation of the urinary bladder in three domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 69, 101019.Doden, G., DiGeronimo, P. M., Rudra, P., Buchweitz, J. P., Zyskowski, J., & Brandão, J. (2025). Comparison of circulating and hepatic vitamin and mineral concentrations in elasmobranchs under managed care. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 56(2), 293–302.Gatto, J. R., Crocker, K., McCready, J. E., & Brandão, J. (2025). Use of neuraxial anesthesia for tail amputation in a sedated central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, 35(3), 129–133.Di Girolamo, N., Maranville, R. E., Pathak, D., Womble, W., Hanzlicek, A., Sypniewski, L., & Brandão, J. (2025). The four prokinetic drugs metoclopramide, cisapride, pyridostigmine, and capromorelin do not increase fecal output or food intake in healthy New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1(aop), 1–7.
Research Specialty
Avian Exotic animalsZoological companion animalsZoological medicine