Non-traditional companion animals

Principles of triage and immediate assessment of exotics: While it is impossible to cover all triage and emergency assessment of all exotics in one talk (exotics can encompass several hundred species even in general non-zoo practice), there are important first principles that apply to emergency care of any animal. Unsurprisingly these are much the same as for dogs and cats. This talk covers a basic A,B,C approach for emergency care of exotics showing examples of how dog/cat emergency care can be applied to exotics (birds, reptiles, and small mammals) allowing any practitioner to fulfil their RCVS requirements and stabilise a patient before progressing to further diagnostics and treatment or referral to a more specialised center.

Help, it’s an exotic emergency – what do I do? An accurate triage assessment of a sick or injured reptile is vital to enable a clinician to instigate correct first aid and emergency care. This short presentation provides the primary care veterinarian with the knowledge to perform a brief but thorough assessment of a reptile presented urgently, and provide correct stabilisation and first aid.

Wendy Irvine looks at the aims and considerations involved in collecting laboratory samples from exotic species, including collection methods for various sample types in the most commonly encountered species. This one-hour webinar was first broadcast as part of BSAVA’s Learn@Lunch series. Learn@Lunch broadcasts are available to BSAVA members only and are free to attend - visit the education page of the BSAVA website for details of future Learn@Lunch webinars. Recordings will be available for 3 years via the BSAVA Webinar Library.

Rand J. Wilson discusses how to get the most from sampling of exotic species, including what samples to take and how to submit them, and specifics for various species including a number of cases. This 2 hour webinar is a recording of the live session from this Regions Now event, brought to you by our North East Region. Regions Now events comprise an introductory lecture with supporting content available one week before a live lecture. This is followed by a one-week online discussion forum allowing participants to offer observations about the lessons learned and describe their own experience in handling cases. Regions Now sessions are free to BSAVA members and available for non-members to book - visit the Regions page of the BSAVA website for details of future Regions Now events. Recordings will be available for 3 years via the BSAVA Webinar Library.

A thorough clinical examination, including collecting a history, is very important to identify underlying causes of disease, and avoid only treating secondary problems. This chapter considers initial assessment on arrival to the clinic, transportation, handling, physical examination, and health and safety considerations.

Alleviating pain in exotic species is often overlooked, or the extent of pain is underestimated. This chapter discusses the complications associated with pain management in exotic species, and provides advice on adapting methods used in dogs and cats. Case examples: Mammary mass removal in rats; Shell trauma in tortoises.

Over the last decade, the number and variety of exotic pets seen in general practice has greatly increased, as has owner expectations. Practices need to be on top of the specialist nursing requirements needed.

This chapter is designed to provide information on species and breeds of exotic pet mammals and native wild mammals in the United Kingdom. It covers their natural history and normal behaviour, basic anatomy and biology, and dietary and housing requirements. Includes self-assessment questions.

As a basic rule when dealing with smaller exotics, everything should be treated at least as an urgent case, especially if the animal has already been ill for a while. Clinical signs requiring urgent attention are given in Figure 18.1. In all cases, the owner’s perceptions have to be taken into account. While some may need persuading that their ferret is an emergency case, the opposite situation will also occur. In these cases it is unwise to dismiss out of hand the owner’s opinion that it is an emergency; instead the earliest appointment at mutual convenience should be offered. The principles of examination are similar for all species; this chapters will dwell on features unique to ferrets and special considerations that pertain to them. This chapter explains Handling; History and physical examination; Clinical techniques; Emergency support; Hospitalization; and Euthanasia.