Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician

520 Pages·2010·50.86 MB·English

by  Bonnie Ballard

Exotic Animal Medicine
for the
Veterinary Technician
Second Edition

Exotic Animal Medicine
for the
Veterinary Technician
Second Edition
Edited by
Bonnie Ballard,
DVM
Ryan Cheek,
and RVTg VTS (ECC)
A John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Publication
First edition fi rst published 2003 1. Exotic animals–Diseases. 2. Wildlife diseases. 3. Pet
Second edition fi rst published 2010 medicine. 4. Veterinary nursing. I. Ballard, Bonnie
© 2010 Blackwell Publishing M. II. Cheek, Ryan.
[DNLM: 1. Animal Diseases. 2. Animals,
Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in Wild. 3. Animal Technicians. 4. Veterinary Medicine–
February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing program has been merged methods. SF 997.5.E95 E96 2010]
with Wiley’s global Scientifi c, Technical, and Medical business SF997.5.E95C44 2010
to form Wiley-Blackwell. 636.089′073–dc22
2009035848
Editorial Offi ce
2121 State Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014-8300, USA A catalog record for this book is available from the U.S. Library
of Congress.
For details of our global editorial offi ces, for customer services,
and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse
the copyright material in this book, please see our website at
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell.
Disclaimer
Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, The contents of this work are intended to further general scien-
or the internal or personal use of specifi c clients, is granted by tifi c research, understanding, and discussion only and are not
Blackwell Publishing, provided that the base fee is paid directly intended and should not be relied upon as recommending or
to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, promoting a specifi c method, diagnosis, or treatment by practi-
Danvers, MA 01923. For those organizations that have been tioners for any particular patient. The publisher and the author
granted a photocopy license by CCC, a separate system of pay- make no representations or warranties with respect to the
ments has been arranged. The fee codes for users of the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and spe-
Transactional Reporting Service are ISBN-13: cifi cally disclaim all warranties, including without limitation any
978-0-8138-2206-8/2010. implied warranties of fi tness for a particular purpose. In view
of ongoing research, equipment modifi cations, changes in gov-
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products ernmental regulations, and the constant fl ow of information
are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product relating to the use of medicines, equipment, and devices, the
names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trade- reader is urged to review and evaluate the information provided
marks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The in the package insert or instructions for each medicine, equip-
publisher is not associated with any product or vendor men- ment, or device for, among other things, any changes in the
tioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide instructions or indication of usage and for added warnings and
accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject precautions. Readers should consult with a specialist where
matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher appropriate. The fact that an organization or Website is referred
is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional to in this work as a citation and/or a potential source of further
advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a information does not mean that the author or the publisher
competent professional should be sought. endorses the information the organization or Website may
provide or recommendations it may make. Further, readers
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data should be aware that Internet Websites listed in this work may
have changed or disappeared between when this work was
Exotic animal medicine for the veterinary technician / edited written and when it is read. No warranty may be created or
by Bonnie Ballard and Ryan Cheek. – 2nd ed. extended by any promotional statements for this work. Neither
p. ; cm. the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any damages
Includes bibliographical references and index. arising herefrom.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8138-2206-8 (alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-8138-2206-8 (alk. paper) 1 2010
Table of Contents
Preface xiii
Acknowledgements xv
Contributors xvii
Disclaimer xxi
Section 1 Introduction 3
Chapter 1 The Role of the Veterinary Technician in Exotic Animal Medicine 5
Bonnie Ballard
Section 2 Avian 9
Chapter 2 Psittacines and Passerines 11
Cheryl B. Greenacre and Lillian Gerhardt
Introduction 11
Anatomy and Physiology 12
Comparative Clinical Pathology 16
Nutrition 17
History, Restraint, and Physical Examination 18
Common Diseases 24
Radiology 30
Anesthesia and Analgesia 30
Surgery 32
Parasitology 33
Gender Determination 33
Grooming 34
Emergency and Critical Care 35
Techniques 37
Administration of Medications 38
Diagnostic Sampling 42
Wound Care and Bandaging 42
Euthanasia 43
References 43
Chapter 3 Psittacine Behavior, Husbandry, and Enrichment 45
Tarah Hadley
Introduction 45
Behavior of Common Pet Psittacine Species 45
Husbandry 49
Normal Behavior of Psittacine Bird Species 51
Abnormal Behavior 52
Additional Reading 54
See the supporting companion Web site for this book: www.wiley.com/go/ballard. v
vi Contents
Chapter 4 Aviary Design and Management 55
April Romagnano
Introduction 55
Aviculture 55
Quarantine 55
Examinations and Diagnostic Testing: Neonates, Juveniles, Breeders, and
New Acquisitions 56
Disinfection and Disease Prevention 57
Pediatrics for the Aviculturist 58
Conclusion 59
Additional Reading 60
Chapter 5 Sex Differentiation and Reproduction 61
April Romagnano and Tarah Hadley
Introduction 61
Sex Differentiation 61
Reproduction 62
Reproductive Medicine and Surgery 63
Additional Reading 65
Section 3 Reptiles 67
Chapter 6 Lizards 69
Brad Wilson
Introduction 69
Anatomy and Physiology 69
Husbandry 78
Quarantine 83
Nutrition 83
Common Disorders 87
Behavior 93
Toxicity and Miscellaneous Nutritional Disorders 94
Zoonoses 94
History, Restraint, and Physical Exam 96
Radiology 100
Anesthesia and Surgery 101
Parasitology 103
Emergencies 106
Techniques 110
Euthanasia 116
References 116
Chapter 7 Snakes 119
Ryan Cheek, Shannon Richards, and Maria Crane
Introduction 119
Captive-Bred Versus Wild-Caught 119
Behavior 119
Anatomy and Physiology 120
Reproductive Biology and Husbandry 126
Egg Anatomy 128
Egg Incubation and Management 128
Housing 130
See the supporting companion Web site for this book: www.wiley.com/go/ballard.
Contents vii
Quarantine 137
Nutrition 138
Transportation 140
Diseases and Clinical Conditions 140
Taking a History 145
Preparing For the Physical Exam 146
Restraint 146
The Physical Exam 148
Radiology 150
Anesthesia 150
Surgery 153
Parasitology 154
Common Parasites of Snakes 154
Emergency and Critical Care 155
Emergency Conditions 156
Critical Care Monitoring 157
Sex Determinination 158
Clinical Techniques 159
Venomous Snakes 163
Euthanasia 164
Being a Responsible Snake Owner 164
References 165
Chapter 8 Chelonians 167
Samuel Rivera
Introduction 167
Anatomy and Physiology 168
Husbandry and Nutrition 169
Common Diseases 171
Zoonoses 174
Obtaining a History and Performing a Physical Examination 174
Restraint 175
Radiology 175
Anesthesia 175
Parasitology 176
Emergency and Critical Care 176
Clinical Techniques 177
Administration of Medications 179
Euthanasia 180
References 181
Chapter 9 Herpetoculture and Reproduction 183
David Martinez-Jimenez
Introduction 183
Captive-Bred Versus Wild-Caught 183
Quarantine 183
Managing Large Collections 184
Managing Large Collections Of Dangerous Species 188
Methods Of Sex Determination 188
Reproductive Behavior 191
Follicle and Egg Development 193
Clutch Dynamics 193
Oviparous, Ovoviviparous, Or Viviparous 194
See the supporting companion Web site for this book: www.wiley.com/go/ballard.
viii Contents
Egg Incubation Versus Maternal Incubation 194
Egg Incubation Methods 194
Diagnosing Egg Problems 198
Caring For The Newborn 199
References 200
Section 4 Amphibians 203
Chapter 10 Amphibians 205
Brad Wilson
Introduction, Taxonomy, and Natural History 205
Anatomy and Physiology 209
Husbandry 214
Enclosure Design 218
Amphibian-Environment Interaction 219
Amphibian-Amphibian Interaction 219
Quarantine 220
Nutrition 221
Food Items 222
Common Disorders 224
Larval Amphibians 228
History and Physical Exam 229
Radiology 232
Anesthesia and Surgery 232
Techniques 233
Euthanasia 236
References 237
Section 5 Mammals 239
Chapter 11 Ferrets 241
James R. McClearen, Julie Mays, and Tarah Hadley
Introduction 241
Anatomy 241
Behavior 243
Husbandry 244
Nutrition 244
Common and Zoonotic Diseases 245
History and Physical Examination 246
Preventive Medicine 247
Restraint 247
Radiology and Ultrasound 247
Anesthesia and Surgery 248
Parasitology 248
Urinalysis 248
Emergency and Critical Care 249
Sex Determination 250
Techniques 250
References 253
See the supporting companion Web site for this book: www.wiley.com/go/ballard.