Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine最新文献

Waterfowl are kept as pets and in zoological collections, are important within the poultry industry, and are hunted. Anesthesia can be used to facilitate handling during diagnostic procedures and during surgery. Studies of wild waterfowl rely commonly on radiotelemetry to provide accurate information on movements, habitat use, behavior, and survival. Waterfowl research involving the use of transmitters can necessitate the use of anesthetics, especially when the transmitters are intraabdominal. In captive or domestic waterfowl, hangover effects of anesthesia are not important, but in wild waterfowl, this becomes a concern. Reversal of sedation is desirable because suitable conditions for safe recovery may be impossible to provide for wild waterfowl. In this case, rapid recovery from anesthesia also is important to minimize stress, prevent pair bond disruption, and reduce detrimental effects of egg cooling while females are not incubating.

Ducks, geese, and swans are an easily recognized group of birds. There are approximately 50 native species in North America, all of which are considered migratory. Despite being a legally hunted family of birds, native waterfowl are federally protected, and there are federal laws associated with their rehabilitation, disposition of nonreleasable animals, and disposal of carcasses. In the United States, there are several nonnative species found with increasing frequency that many don’t realize are feral exotics. There also are state laws dealing with owning exotic waterfowl and prohibition of their release. Native waterfowl occupy a variety of wet habitats, have unique feeding requirements, have specific enclosure and substrate needs, and should be treated by someone with expertise to ensure recovery sufficient for return to the wild. If a practitioner is going to accept wild waterfowl as patients, it is important they know the laws, identify species, understand species natural history, and learn about associated common problems. This article discusses legalities, basic husbandry issues, common presentations, and basic veterinary/rehabilitation matters of waterfowl commonly found by the public. It also covers some common problems seen with feral exotic waterfowl as well.

Of the four common species of Bombina frogs (B. orientalis, B. bombina, B. variegata, and B. maxima), the Oriental fire-bellied toad (B. orientalis) is the most commonly kept and bred species. Bombina frogs have specialized glands in their skin that secrete a toxin which can cause irritation to other animals either ingesting or otherwise coming into contact with the frogs. Care should be taken when handling these frogs, and handling of the frogs should be kept to a minimum. Enclosures indoors can be simple or complex in nature. It is possible to keep these species outdoors in temperate parts of the United States, although a winter hibernation (brumation) period is necessary. Bombina species are easy to care for, demonstrate few health problems, and can live up to twenty years in captivity.

Any pet store in North America has a plethora of reptiles for sale. Most of these are terrestrial. However, there are a few available that must be maintained in aquatic or semiaquatic environments. Some species such as crocodilians and the larger aquatic chelonians, as well as the pelagic or marine reptiles, should be maintained at zoological parks and aquaria. Pet reptiles are those that can be maintained in glass aquaria in home table top environments. Aquatic reptiles, by the nature of their environment—water—are more difficult to keep in a homoeostatic environment. Maintaining pristine water quality is difficult because of rapid changes in the pH, increases in nitrogen levels, and algae production in the home aquarium. Most of the species do not consume all that they are offered to eat, and that excess food along with the feces produced can rapidly change the water quality.

The species of aquatic reptiles most commonly kept in captivity are the following chelonians; red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), Eastern spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), diamond-backed terrapin (Malaclemmys terrapin), Blandling’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), cooter (Pseudemys floridana), wood turtle (Clemmys insculpata), and Western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata). Rarely seen anymore in a home environment are crocodilians such as caimans and alligators. These species can be aggressive, rapidly outgrow a small aquarium, and, due to the growth rate, be difficult to feed regularly. Due to these factors, crocodilians should only be kept by expert biologists at reputable zoological parks and aquaria.

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.

This article reviews basic clinical techniques necessary for emergency treatment of reptile patients. Approaches to common emergency presentations of reptile patients, including trauma, burns, dystocia, renal failure, sepsis, dyspnea, gastrointestinal foreign bodies, cloacal prolapse, and toxicosis are covered.