Before you know it, the only meaningful, nonveterinary skills you possess get relegated to those you might accumulate via YouTube osmosis and Discovery Channel pseudoscience. None of us wants that.
So, in the hopes of improving the collective veterinary psyche, I offer you this list of vet-adjacent hobbies as my veterinary public service for the month.
Knowing what a specific species should eat versus what the pet is being fed and consuming at home can help identify an underlying reason for an exotic pet’s illness.
Recognizing there is a close, interdependent relationship among the health of humans, wildlife, and the environment through a One Health approach is critical to informing care.
Clinical analgesia in rabbits and rodents are in an area of ongoing research. Veterinarians treating these species should remain up to date on the literature to ensure the doses of analgesics utilized in these species remains safe and effective.
In this session: Do you have a fear of the emergency rabbit, bearded dragon, or parrot? Sarah Ozawa, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, goes over basic principles of triage and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in exotics/zoological companion animal (ZCA) species. You will gain information and tools to help you feel more comfortable handling initial triage in these species. Additionally, Dr. Ozawa discusses similarities (which are many!) and differences to CPR in ZCA species highlighting anatomic and physiologic differences between small mammals, reptiles, and birds.
The story of Cookie, a 10-year-old male red-footed tortoise, showcases the necessity for specialized solutions for a broader range of species, illustrating a vital shift in animal welfare.
The comeback of Mexican wolves, also knows as lobos, highlights the role of veterinary professionals in helping protect wildlife and educate clients how zoonotic diseases can impact animals and humans.
While no fatalities have occurred, the CDC has received 15 reports of Salmonella illnesses linked to the reptilian pet, with four people being hospitalized
A review of restraint, positioning, and principles of interpretation for lizards, snakes, chelonians, birds, rabbits, and rodents. Plus, a look at recent publications outlining normal values in these species will be discussed.
Olivia A. Petritz, DVM, DACZM, presents an expanded version of The Wild Side column from the April 2024 issue of Veterinary Practice News on avian and reptile dermatology, featuring exclusive VPN Plus+ content on skin issues with rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and poultry.
