Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician

by Editor: Bonnie M. Ballard (Gwinnett Technical College); Editor: Ryan Cheek (Avalon Animal Hospital)

• ISBN13: 9780813819280
• ISBN10: 0813819288
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-12-01
• Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING

Summary

This handbook is a straightforward introduction to exotic animal medicine for the veterinary technician. Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician introduces technicians to the exotic animals they're most likely to see in practice, and provides clear-cut descriptions of common procedures on exotics. Together with 12 contributing authors, Ballard and Cheek describe in detail common technical procedures performed on exotics including: venipuncture, bandaging and wound care, administration of drugs, tube feeding, catheter placement, and urine collection. The book's coverage also extends to basic anatomy, physiology, reproduction, husbandry, zoonotic diseases, restraint, radiology, surgery and anesthesia, parasitology, hematology, emergency and critical care, and nutrition. Although intended primarily as a textbook for students in veterinary technician programs, the complete coverage of exotic animal clinical procedures makes this an invaluable reference for veterinary technicians and practicing veterinarians alike.

Author Biography

Dr. Bonnie Ballard has worked in veterinary medicine since 1974, starting as a veterinary assistant, becoming a technician in 1979, and earning a DVM in 1994. In 1997, she began to develop the veterinary technology program at Gwinnett Technical College. The program received a full AVMA program accreditation in 2000. Dr. Ballard currently is the program's director and one of two full time faculty members. She also practices small animal and exotic medicine at Winder Animal Hospital in Winder, Georgia.

Ryan Cheek, graduated from Gwinnett Technical College in 1999 with an AAT in veterinary technology. After completing an internship at the ZooAtlanta Veterinary Hospital, he went to work at Avalon Animal Hospital in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He also holds a part0time faculty position at Gwinnett Technical College, where he is a lab assistant and teaches exotic animal medicine. Mr. Cheek enjoys keeping reptiles and teaching children about them.

Table of Contents

Contributors	xi
Preface	xiii
Dedication	xiv
Acknowledgments	xv
Disclaimer	xvi
The Role of Veterinary Technicians in Exotic Animal Medicine	3	(2)
Bonnie M. Ballard
The Avian Patient	5	(26)
Cheryl B. Greenacre
Taxonomy and Common Species Seen in Practice	5	(1)
Behavior of Selected Species	5	(3)
Anatomy and Physiology	8	(2)
Husbandry and Nutrition	10	(1)
Common and Zoonotic Diseases (Infectious and Noninfectious)	11	(3)
Noninfectious Diseases	14	(1)
Nutritional Deficiencies	15	(1)
Other Diseases	15	(1)
Taking the History and Performing a Physical Exam	16	(1)
Preventative Medicine	17	(1)
Restraint	17	(1)
Radiology	18	(1)
Anesthesia and Surgery	19	(1)
Parasitology	20	(1)
Hematology	21	(1)
Emergency and Critical Care	21	(1)
Neonatology and Pediatrics	22	(1)
Sex Determination	23	(1)
Techniques	23	(5)
Euthanasia	28	(3)
The Lizard	31	(50)
Brad Wilson
Introduction	31	(1)
Anatomy and Physiology	31	(9)
Husbandry	40	(4)
Quarantine	44	(1)
Nutrition	45	(3)
Common Disorders	48	(7)
Zoonoses	55	(2)
History and Physical Exam	57	(4)
Radiology	61	(1)
Surgery and Anesthesia	62	(2)
Parasitology	64	(4)
Emergencies	68	(4)
Techniques	72	(5)
Euthanasia	77	(4)
The Snake	81	(48)
Ryan Cheek
Shannon Richards
Introduction	81	(1)
Captive-Bred Versus Wild-Caught	81	(1)
Behavior	81	(1)
Anatomy and Physiology	82	(7)
Reproductive Biology and Husbandry	89	(1)
Egg Incubation and Management	90	(2)
Housing	92	(7)
Quarantine	99	(1)
Nutrition	100	(2)
Diseases and Clinical Conditions	102	(4)
Taking a History	106	(2)
Preparing for the Physical Exam	108	(1)
Restraint	108	(2)
The Physical Exam	110	(1)
Radiology	111	(1)
Anesthesia	112	(2)
Surgery	114	(1)
Parasitology	115	(1)
Common Parasites of Snakes	116	(1)
Emergency and Critical Care	117	(1)
Emergency Conditions	118	(1)
Critical Care Monitoring	119	(1)
Sex Determination	119	(1)
Clinical Techniques	120	(5)
Transportation	125	(1)
Venomous Snakes	125	(1)
Euthanasia	125	(1)
Being a Responsible Snake Owner	126	(3)
The Chelonians	129	(16)
Samuel Rivera
Introduction	129	(1)
Anatomy and Physiology	129	(2)
Husbandry and Nutrition	131	(2)
Common Diseases	133	(2)
Zoonoses	135	(1)
Obtaining a History and Performing a Physical Examination	136	(1)
Radiology	137	(1)
Anesthesia	137	(1)
Parasitology	138	(1)
Emergency and Critical Care	138	(1)
Clinical Techniques	139	(3)
Euthanasia	142	(3)
The Amphibians	145	(34)
Brad Wilson
Introduction, Taxonomy, and Natural History	145	(4)
Anatomy and Physiology	149	(5)
Husbandry	154	(6)
Quarantine	160	(1)
Nutrition	161	(3)
Common Disorders	164	(4)
Obtaining a History, Restraint, and Physical Exam	168	(3)
Radiology	171	(1)
Anesthesia and Surgery	172	(1)
Techniques	173	(3)
Euthanasia	176	(3)
The Ferret	179	(12)
James R. McClearen
Julie Mays
Anatomy	179	(1)
Biological and Reproductive Data	180	(1)
Behavior	180	(1)
Husbandry	181	(1)
Nutrition	182	(1)
Common and Zoonotic Diseases	183	(1)
History and Physical Examination	184	(1)
Preventative Medicine	184	(1)
Restraint	184	(1)
Radiology and Ultrasound	185	(1)
Surgery and Anesthesia	185	(1)
Parasitology	185	(1)
Urinalysis	186	(1)
Emergency and Critical Care	186	(1)
Sex Determination	187	(1)
Techniques	187	(2)
Euthanasia	189	(2)
The Rabbit	191	(36)
Michael J. Huerkamp
Introduction	191	(1)
Common Types Seen in Practice	191	(1)
Behavior	191	(1)
Anatomy and Physiology	192	(3)
Biologic and Reproductive Data	195	(1)
Husbandry	196	(1)
Nutrition	196	(2)
Common and Zoonotic Diseases	198	(7)
Taking the History and Performing a Physical Examination	205	(1)
Restraint	206	(1)
Radiology	207	(1)
Anesthesia	208	(5)
Common Surgical Procedures	213	(1)
Parasitology	214	(1)
Urinalysis	215	(1)
Emergency and Critical Care	215	(1)
Sex Determination	216	(1)
Clinical Techniques	216	(6)
Euthanasia	222	(5)
The Mouse, Rat, Gerbil, and Hamster	227	(12)
Anne Hudson
Anatomy and Physiology	227	(1)
Biologic and Reproductive Data	228	(1)
Husbandry	229	(1)
Nutrition	229	(1)
Common Parasites, Diseases, and Zoonoses	229	(2)
Behavior	231	(1)
History and Physical Examination	232	(1)
Restraint and Handling	232	(1)
Radiology	233	(1)
Surgery and Anesthesia	233	(1)
Bandaging and Wound Care	234	(1)
Emergency and Critical Care	234	(1)
Sex Determination	234	(1)
Techniques	234	(3)
Euthanasia	237	(2)
The Chinchilla	239	(8)
Trevor Lyon
Taxonomy/Common Species Seen in Practice	239	(1)
Anatomy and Physiology	239	(2)
Reproduction	241	(1)
Husbandry	241	(1)
Nutrition	241	(1)
Common and Zoonotic Diseases	241	(2)
Behavior	243	(1)
Taking the History and Performing the Physical Exam	243	(1)
Handling and Restraint	243	(1)
Radiology	243	(1)
Anesthesia and Surgery	244	(1)
Parasitology	244	(1)
Urinalysis	244	(1)
Emergency and Critical Care	244	(1)
Sex Determination	244	(1)
Techniques	244	(2)
Euthanasia	246	(1)
The Guinea Pig	247	(8)
Anne Hudson
Common Types	247	(1)
Behavior	247	(1)
Anatomy and Physiology	247	(1)
Biologic and Reproductive Data	247	(1)
Husbandry	248	(1)
Nutrition	248	(1)
Common and Zoonotic Diseases	249	(1)
History and Physical Exam	249	(1)
Restraint	249	(1)
Radiology	250	(1)
Surgery and Anesthesia	250	(1)
Parasitology	250	(1)
Urinalysis	251	(1)
Emergency and Critical Care	251	(1)
Sex Determination	251	(1)
Techniques	251	(2)
Euthanasia	253	(2)
The Hedgehog	255	(8)
Michael Duffy Jones
Taxonomy, Anatomy, and Physiology	255	(1)
Biologic and Reproductive Data	256	(1)
Behavior	256	(1)
Husbandry	257	(1)
Nutrition	257	(1)
Common Diseases	258	(1)
Obtaining a History and Physical Examination	258	(1)
Radiology	258	(1)
Anesthesia and Surgery	259	(1)
Urinalysis	259	(1)
Parasitology	259	(1)
Emergency and Critical Care	259	(1)
Sex Determination	259	(1)
Techniques	259	(4)
Other Species Seen in Practice	263	(10)
Samuel Rivera
Skunks	263	(4)
Prairie Dogs	267	(2)
Sugar Gliders	269	(4)
The Role of the Veterinary Technician in Wildlife Rehabilitation	273	(34)
Melanie Haire
Introduction	273	(1)
Getting Started	273	(1)
Rehabilitating Wildlife in a Small Animal Veterinary Hospital	274	(1)
Clinic Protocols	274	(3)
Intake Procedures	277	(1)
Ethical Considerations and Reducing Stress in Captive Wildlife	278	(1)
Initial Exam	278	(1)
Choosing Treatment Routes	279	(1)
Release Criteria Versus Euthanasia	280	(1)
Imprinting and Taming	281	(1)
Transporting Wildlife	282	(1)
Raptor Care	283	(7)
Altricial Orphan Songbird Basic Care	290	(5)
Caring for Adult Passerine (Song) Birds	295	(3)
Precocial Bird Basic Care	298	(1)
Adult Precocial Birds (Including Waterfowl and Wading Birds)	299	(1)
General Orphan Mammal Care	300	(4)
Species Care Sheets	304	(3)
Avian and Reptile Hematology	307	(56)
Denise I. Bounous
Introduction	307	(1)
Blood Collection	307	(1)
Blood Smear and Assessment	307	(6)
Appendices
1. State/Federal Wildlife Permit Offices	313	(4)
2. Wildlife Admissions/Exam/Care Forms	317	(4)
3. Handling and Restraint of Wildlife Species	321	(6)
4. Tail Wrapping	327	(2)
5. Guide to Identification of Hatchling and Nestling Songbirds	329	(6)
6. Average Body Weights of Selected North American Songbirds	335	(2)
7. Species Care Sheets	337	(10)
8. Biological Data of Selected North American Wild Mammals	347	(2)
9. Glossary of Medical Conditions and Treatments	349	(4)
10. Wildlife Product Sources	353	(4)
11. Additional Reading	357	(4)
12. Supplies Necessary for an Exotic Practice	361	(2)
Index	363