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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Ballard, Bonnie M., editor. | Cheek, Ryan, editor.

Title: Exotic animal medicine for the veterinary technician / edited by

Bonnie Ballard, Ryan Cheek.

Description: Third edition. | Ames, Iowa : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2017. |

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016014207 (print) | LCCN 2016014707 (ebook) |

ISBN 9781118914281 (pbk.) | ISBN 9781118924204 (pdf) | ISBN 9781118924211 (epub)

Subjects: | MESH: Animals, Exotic | Animal Diseases | Veterinary

Medicine–methods | Animal Technicians

Classification: LCC SF997.5.E95 (print) | LCC SF997.5.E95 (ebook) | NLM SF

997.5.E95 | DDC 636.089/073–dc23

LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2016014207

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books.

Cover image: sugar glider – Getty Images/Mark Bridger; parrot – Getty Images/Svetlana Kuperberg/EyeEm

I would like to thank all the contributors who like Ryan and I have a passion for exotic animal medicine and want to share what we know with veterinary technicians. I would also like to thank Ryan for the idea of doing this book and my husband Brian who unselfishly allows me the time to work on it.

Bonnie Ballard

I would like to thank my family and friends for the support they have given me throughout my career as a veterinary technician and throughout this entire process. A special consideration goes to my wife, Savannah, for her endless patience with me and the many projects that I always have my hands in. I would also like to acknowledge the technicians working in the field of exotic animal medicine. This is an ever changing and evolving field that requires dedication and patience. Your commitment to this field is truly inspiring.

Ryan Cheek

CONTENTS

Contributors

Preface

Acknowledgments

Disclaimer

About the Companion Website

Section I: Introduction

Chapter 1: Exotic Animals in Clinical Practice
1. References

Section II: Analgesia and Anesthesia

Chapter 2: Exotic Anesthesia and Analgesia
1. Pre-anesthetic assessment
2. Physical examination
3. Venipuncture
4. Preparing for anesthesia
5. Fluids
6. Anesthetic induction
7. Exotic companion mammals
8. Multimodal anesthetic techniques
9. Recovery and postoperative management
10. References
Chapter 3: Anesthetic Equipment and Monitoring for Exotic Patients
1. Breathing systems
2. Intubation
3. Monitoring
4. Recovery
5. References

Section III: Avian

Chapter 4: Psittacine and Passerine Birds
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Comparative clinical pathology
4. Nutrition
5. History, restraint, and physical examination
6. Common diseases
7. Radiology
8. Anesthesia and analgesia
9. Surgery
10. Parasitology
11. Gender determination
12. Grooming (beak, nail, and wing trims)
13. Emergency and critical care
14. Clinical Techniques
15. Administration of medications
16. Diagnostic sampling
17. Wound care and bandaging
18. Euthanasia
19. References
Chapter 5: Psittacine Behavior, Husbandry, and Enrichment
1. Introduction
2. Behavior of common pet psittacine species
3. Husbandry
4. Normal behavior of psittacine bird species
5. Abnormal behavior
6. Additional reading
Chapter 6: Aviary Design and Management
1. Introduction
2. Aviculture
3. Quarantine
4. Examinations and diagnostic testing
5. Disinfection and disease prevention
6. Pediatrics for the aviculturist
7. Pediatric diagnostics
8. Pediatric problems
9. Diseases in the nursery
10. Conclusion
11. Additional reading
Chapter 7: Sex Differentiation and Reproduction
1. Introduction
2. Sex differentiation
3. Reproduction
4. Reproductive medicine and surgery
5. Additional reading

Section IV: Reptiles

Chapter 8: Lizards
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Husbandry
4. Quarantine
5. Nutrition
6. Common disorders
7. Behavior
8. Toxicity and miscellaneous nutritional disorders
9. Zoonoses
10. History, restraint, and physical examination
11. Radiology
12. Anesthesia and surgery
13. Parasitology
14. Emergencies
15. Clinical techniques
16. Euthanasia
17. References
Chapter 9: Snakes
1. Introduction
2. Behavior
3. Anatomy and physiology
4. Reproductive biology and husbandry
5. Egg anatomy
6. Egg incubation and management
7. Housing
8. Quarantine
9. Nutrition
10. Diseases and clinical conditions
11. Taking a history
12. Preparing for the physical examination
13. Transportation
14. Restraint
15. The physical exam
16. Radiology
17. Anesthesia
18. Surgery
19. Parasitology
20. Common parasites of snakes
21. Emergency and critical care
22. Emergency conditions
23. Critical care monitoring
24. Sex determination
25. Clinical techniques
26. Venomous snakes
27. Euthanasia
28. Being a responsible snake owner
29. References
Chapter 10: Chelonians
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Husbandry and nutrition
4. Common diseases
5. Zoonoses
6. Obtaining a history and performing a physical examination
7. Radiology
8. Anesthesia
9. Parasitology
10. Emergency and critical care
11. Clinical techniques
12. Administration of medications
13. Euthanasia
14. References
Chapter 11: Herpetoculture and Reproduction
1. Introduction
2. Captive-bred versus wild-caught
3. Quarantine
4. Managing large collections
5. Managing large collections of dangerous species
6. Methods of sex determination
7. Reproductive behavior
8. Follicle and egg development
9. Clutch dynamics
10. Oviparous, ovoviviparous, or viviparous
11. Egg Incubation versus maternal incubation
12. Egg incubation methods
13. Diagnosing egg problems
14. Caring for the newborn
15. References

Section V: Amphibians and Aquatic Animals

Chapter 12: Amphibians
1. Introduction, taxonomy, and natural history
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Husbandry
4. Enclosure design
5. Amphibian–environment interaction
6. Amphibian–amphibian interaction
7. Quarantine
8. Nutrition
9. Food items
10. Common disorders
11. Larval amphibians
12. History, restraint, and physical examination
13. Diagnostic imaging
14. Anesthesia and surgery
15. Clinical Techniques
16. Euthanasia
17. References
Chapter 13: Fish
1. Natural history
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Integumentary system
4. Osmoregulation
5. Senses
6. Respiratory system
7. Cardiovascular system
8. Gastrointestinal system
9. Urogenital system
10. Husbandry
11. Feeding
12. Quarantine
13. Common diseases of aquarium fish
14. Parasitology
15. Physical examinaiton
16. Restraint
17. Chemical restraint/anesthesia
18. Surgery/wound healing
19. Radiology
20. Basic diagnostics
21. Venipuncture
22. Injections
23. Transportation
24. Euthanasia
25. Necropsy
26. References

Section VI: Mammals

Chapter 14: Ferrets
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy
3. Behavior
4. Husbandry
5. Nutrition
6. Common and zoonotic diseases
7. History and physical examination
8. Preventive medicine
9. Restraint
10. Radiology and ultrasound
11. Anesthesia and surgery
12. Parasitology
13. Urinalysis
14. Emergency and critical care
15. Sex determination
16. Clinical techniques
17. Clinical techniques
18. References
Chapter 15: Rabbits
1. Introduction
2. Behavior and reproduction
3. Anatomy and physiology
4. Laboratory and biologic data
5. Husbandry
6. Nutrition
7. Common and zoonotic diseases
8. Taking a history
9. Physical examination and preventive medicine
10. Handling and restraint
11. Radiology
12. Anesthesia
13. Common surgical procedures
14. Clinical techniques
15. Sex determination
16. Emergency and critical care
17. Euthanasia
18. References
Chapter 16: Mice, Rats, Gerbils, and Hamsters
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Biologic and reproductive data
4. Husbandry
5. Nutrition
6. Common parasites, diseases, and zoonoses
7. Behavior
8. History and physical examination
9. Restraint and handling
10. Radiology
11. Surgery and anesthesia
12. Bandaging and wound care
13. Emergency and critical care
14. Sex determination
15. Clinical techniques
16. Euthanasia
17. Additional reading
Chapter 17: Chinchillas
1. Taxonomy/common species seen in practice
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Reproduction
4. Husbandry
5. Nutrition
6. Common and zoonotic diseases
7. Behavior
8. Taking the history and performing the physical examination
9. Handling and restraint
10. Radiology
11. Anesthesia and surgery
12. Parasitology
13. Urinalysis
14. Emergency and critical care
15. Sex determination
16. Clinical techniques
17. Euthanasia
18. References
Chapter 18: Guinea Pigs
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Sex determination
4. Behavior
5. Biologic and reproductive data
6. Husbandry
7. Nutrition
8. History and physical examination
9. Restraint
10. Radiology
11. Hematology
12. Anesthesia, surgery, and analgesia
13. Parasitology
14. Urinalysis
15. Emergency and critical care
16. Common and Zoonotic Diseases
17. Clinical techniques
18. References
Chapter 19: Degus
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Behavior
4. Biologic and reproductive data
5. Husbandry
6. Nutrition
7. Restraint and handling
8. Common diseases
9. History and physical examination
10. Hematology
11. Radiology
12. Anesthesia and surgery
13. Parasitology
14. Emergency and critical care
15. Clinical techniques
16. References
Chapter 20: Hedgehogs
1. Taxomony, anatomy, and physiology
2. Biologic and reproductive data
3. Behavior
4. Husbandry
5. Nutrition
6. Common diseases
7. Obtaining a history and physical examination
8. Radiology
9. Anesthesia and surgery
10. Urinalysis
11. Parasitology
12. Emergency and critical care
13. Sex determination
14. Techniques
15. Euthanasia
16. References
Chapter 21: Skunks
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Husbandry and nutrition
4. Common health problems
5. Zoonotic diseases
6. Physical examination
7. Vaccinations
8. Restraint
9. Radiology
10. Anesthesia
11. Parasitology
12. Clinical techniques
13. Administration of medications
14. Euthanasia
15. References
Chapter 22: Sugar Gliders
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy
3. Husbandry and nutrition
4. Common diseases
5. Physical examination
6. Restraint
7. Radiology
8. Anesthesia
9. Surgery
10. Parasitology
11. Clinical techniques
12. Euthanasia
13. References
Chapter 23: Prairie Dogs
1. Introduction
2. Anatomy and physiology
3. Husbandry and nutrition
4. Common and zoonotic diseases
5. Restraint
6. Radiology
7. Anesthesia
8. Clinical techniques
9. Euthansia
10. References and further reading

Section VII: Hematology

Chapter 24: Avian and Reptile Hematology
1. Introduction
2. Blood collection
3. Blood smear and assessment
4. Leukocytes
5. Erythrocytes
6. Thrombocytes
7. References

Section VIII: Zoo, Aquarium Medicine, and Wildlife

Chapter 25: The Role of a Veterinary Technician in a Zoo
1. Typical day
2. How does a zoo differ from private practice?
3. Do you have what it takes to be a zoo veterinary technician?
4. Job description for a zoo veterinary technician
5. How do you become a zoo veterinary technician?
6. Further reading
Chapter 26: The Technician's Role at a Public Aquarium
1. Typical day
2. How does an aquarium differ from private practice?
3. Do you have what it takes to be an aquarium veterinary technician?
Chapter 27: The Role of the Veterinary Technician in Wildlife Rehabilitation
1. Introduction
2. Getting started
3. Rehabilitating wildlife in a small animal veterinary hospital
4. Clinic protocols
5. Intake procedures
6. Ethical considerations and reducing stress in captive wildlife
7. Initial exam
8. Choosing treatment routes
9. Release criteria versus euthanasia
10. Imprinting and taming
11. Transporting wildlife
12. Raptor care
13. Altricial orphan songbirds
14. Caring for adult passerine (song) birds
15. Precocial bird basic care
16. Adult precocial birds (including waterfowl and wading birds)
17. General orphan mammal care
18. Species care sheets
19. Acknowledgments
20. References
21. Additional reading

Section IX: Appendices

Appendix 1: State/Federal Wildlife Permit Offices
1. State and U.S. territory wildlife permit offices
2. United States migratory bird permit offices
3. Note
Appendix 2: Wildlife Admissions/Exam/Care Forms
1. Note
Appendix 3: Handling and Restraint of Wildlife Species
1. Introduction
2. Considerations
3. Preparation
4. Tools of restraint
5. Specific techniques by species
6. Note
7. Reference
Appendix 4: Tail Wrapping
1. Note
Appendix 5: Guide to Identification of Hatchling and Nestling Songbirds
Appendix 6: Average Body Weights of Selected North American Songbirds
Appendix 7: Species Care Sheets
1. Raccoons
2. Flying Squirrels
3. Opossums
4. Gray squirrels
5. Cottontail rabbits
Appendix 8: Biological Data of Selected North American Wild Mammals
Appendix 9: Glossary of Medical Conditions and Treatments
Appendix 10: Wildlife Product Sources
Appendix 11: Additional Resources
1. Natural history: general
2. Birds
3. Rodents
4. Lagomorphs
5. Opossum
6. Canids
7. Mustelids
8. Procyons
9. Wildlife rehabilitation organizations
10. Rehabilitation books, manuals, and CDs
11. Websites useful to rehabilitators
12. Internet list serve for professional wildlife rehabilitators
Appendix 12: Supplies Necessary for an Exotic Practice
1. Note
Appendix 13: Animal Training Documentation
Appendix 14: Animal Data Transfer Form
Appendix 15: Operating Protocols: Animal Training Request Form
Appendix 16: Operating Protocols: Enrichment and Evaluation Form

Index

EULA

List of Tables

Chapter 1

Table 1.1
Table 1.2

Chapter 2

Table 2.1
Table 2.2
Table 2.3
Table 2.4

Chapter 3

Table 3.1
Table 3.2
Table 3.3
Table 3.4

Chapter 4

Table 4.1
Table 4.2
Table 4.3
Table 4.4

Chapter 8

Table 8.1
Table 8.2

Chapter 9

Table 9.1
Table 9.2
Table 9.3
Table 9.4

Chapter 11

Table 11.1
Table 11.2
Table 11.3
Table 11.4
Table 11.5
Table 11.6
Table 11.7

Chapter 12

Table 12.1

Chapter 14

Table 14.1
Table 14.2

Chapter 15

Table 15.1
Table 15.2
Table 15.3
Table 15.4
Table 15.5

Chapter 16

Table 16.1

Chapter 18

Table 18.1

Chapter 20

Table 20.1

Chapter 27

Table 27.1

Appendix 5

Table A1.1
Table A1.2

Appendix 7

Table A7.1
Table A7.2
Table A7.3
Table A7.4
Table A7.5

Appendix 8

Table A8.1

Appendix 9

Table A9.1
Table A9.2