British Small Animal Veterinary Association

THIS MANUAL HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SALE. IT REMAINS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED ACCESS. INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS MAY STILL BE PURCHASED

The first part of this manual presents an overview of the aquatic environment, commercial farming and trade in ornamental fish, together with the important aspects of filtration and husbandry in garden ponds and aquaria. The second part looks at the individual fish patient, detailing the approach to clinical examination and disease investigation, including anaesthesia and diagnostic imaging.

This manual offers an easily accessible guide to common procedures and nursing skills used within general practice. An essential reference in daily use within practice and a useful teaching aid in the training of veterinary nurses.

Rabbits make up a considerable and growing proportion of the caseload in small animal practice, and both interest and knowledge in rabbit medicine has grown rapidly. This manual includes updated and expanded information on medicine from the previous BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine and Surgery, and also features chapters on the rabbit-friendly practice, neoplasia and endocrine disease.

The manual starts with the all-important area of husbandry for the three groups, including those kept as working birds as well as ornamental species and pet species. More general topics, such as handling, examination, diagnostic procedures and surgery are dealt with across the groups, with notes as required on specific differences. The manual also covers endoscopy and endosurgery which is a major technique for avian patients.

The manual covers the most commonly encountered rodent species - mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus - in detail, as well as containing a separate chapter dedicated to the less commonly owned rodent species. In recognition of the vey fundamental differences between the rodent group of species and ferrets, the book is presented in two distinct sections. Both rodent and ferret sections begin with the all important biology, husbandry and clinical techniques (including anaesthesia and surgery), followed by chapters on common diseases organized by clinical system. A useful appendix summarizes the differential diagnoses based on clinical signs in rodents, and in ferrets.

The provision of care for wildlife casualties is an important responsibility of veterinary surgeons, This manual cover wildlife species indigenous to the UK, and provides critical information for all stages of intervention from the initial decision to the monitoring of released casualties.

Treatment of exotic pets can be challenging because of the wide variety of species and conditions that may be encountered. Although knowledge is progressing all the time, there remains a lack of data on commonly used drugs in these species. The exotic pet Formulary has been fully updated for 2020 with new drugs and expanded information on other drugs, reflecting the latest knowledge, with primary references where available. Dosages cover small mammals (including primates, sugar gliders and hedgehogs as well as rodents, rabbits and ferrets), birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians. Formulary Quick Links on the right side of the page provide useful supporting information including the prescribing cascade and protocols for chemotherapy and sedation and immobilization; a new addition is a table listing proprietary fish medicines.

Antibacterial use (both appropriate and inappropriate) imposes a powerful selection pressure on bacteria and is the primary driver of antibacterial resistance. Eliminating unnecessary use in people and animals is, therefore, essential to safeguard this invaluable resource. A key component in the fight against AMR is the adoption of antibacterial stewardship initiatives in both human and animal healthcare. PROTECT was first launched in 2012 as a joint initiative by SAMSoc (the Small Animal Medicine Society) and the BSAVA. BSAVA and SAMSoc have worked together to develop an updated ‘PROTECT ME’ poster and this supporting information is freely available to the veterinary profession. The appendices are designed to be used in conjunction with the poster.

PDFs of the PROTECT ME poster and the rabbit PROTECT poster are available with the PROTECT ME chapter and BSAVA members can request printed copies for their practice. A form to support client communication where no antibiotic is required has also been developed. Printed ‘non prescription‘ pads are available from the BSAVA shop.

Updated August 2021

BSAVA’s scientific committee has developed resources on a number of topics in small animal disease and practice.