Preparation of a special species ER

Abstract

This article will introduce the reader to the necessary steps needed to build the foundation for an efficient special species emergency practice. With the incorporation of new species into a practice, a clinician must consider hospital preparation, as well as housing and food accommodations. The investment of new equipment and the alteration of existing equipment will help to make the integration of special species patients into a small animal practice a success. Many of the same principles and techniques used in small animal medicine can be applied to special species medicine with careful consideration of species-specific characteristics. The incorporation and success of treating special species patients will depend on the training of the entire hospital staff from restraint and handling to telephone triage. Finally, an emergency practice that is incorporating special species will also need to invest in some essential reference material to have on hand.