Exotic Pet Behavior: Birds, Reptiles, and Small Mammals

365 Pages·2006·22.27 MB·English

by  Teresa Bradley Bays DVM

A A
BOUT THE UTHORS
T eresa Bradley Bays, DVM, graduated
from Kansas State University School of
Veterinary Medicine in 1990. She com-
pleted preceptorships at Sea World of Florida
and St. Louis Zoological Park before graduation,
followed by a 1-year internship at Riverbanks
Zoological Park in Columbia, South Carolina.
She joined Belton Animal Clinic and Exotic Care
Center in 1993, became part owner in 1997, and
full owner in 2002. It is a fi ve-doctor practice that
has a 30% exotics caseload and that recently
moved to a new 7300-square-foot facility that
also supports Animal Urgent Care of Cass County.
She is the author of numerous articles concerning exotic animal medicine
and surgery, several chapters for Veterinary Clinics of North America/Exotic
Animal Practice, and is a national speaker. She is a past president and 7-year
board member of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
and is currently president of the Missouri Academy of Veterinary Practitioners.
As a wife, mother, business owner, and active member of her community,
life is always busy!
D r. Lightfoot received her DVM
from the University of Missouri.
She completed an externship at the
St. Louis Zoological Park, and has been practic-
ing in Florida since 1980. Dr. Lightfoot is a Charter
Member of the ABVP–Avian specialty and is cur-
rently Regent for this specialty. She has served as
the staff veterinarian for the Suncoast Seabird
Sanctuary since 1987. Dr. Lightfoot served on the
Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine from 1995
to 1999 and served as chair from 1997 to 1999.
She has authored numerous articles on avian and
exotic species and is an editor of the avian veterinary text Clinical Avian
Medicine (in press). She has been an editor for Seminars in Avian and Exotic
Pet Medicine since its inception. Teresa frequently lectures on avian and exotic
medicine and surgery, both nationally and internationally. Dr. Lightfoot is
the recipient of numerous awards, including the Association of Avian
FM-X0009.indd iii 4/10/2006 9:50:44 AM
iv About the Authors
Veterinarians Gold Star Award in 1998, the Florida Veterinarian of the Year
award for 2000, the 2001 Exotic Veterinarian of the Year awarded by the
International Conference on Exotics, and the Dr. Ted Lafeber 2002 Avian
Practitioner Award.
Dr. Lightfoot has special interests in diagnosis and treatment of avian
systemic mycoses and avian neoplasia. Her current research includes study-
ing methods of captive raising and their effects on psittacine developmental
behavior.
A fter Dr. Jörg Mayer graduated from
the Veterinary University in
Budapest, Hungary, in 1997, he
completed an internship in zoological medicine
at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence,
Rhode Island. At the end of the internship Dr.
Mayer joined a research team to go into the cloud
forest of Papua New Guinea to study wild and
captive tree kangaroos for 2 months. Dr. Mayer
received a M.Sc. degree in Wild Animal Health
from the Royal Veterinary College and the
Zoological Society of London, England, in 2000
before he started in his current position as the
Director of the Exotic Service at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
at Tufts University. He also holds a secondary appointment as Clinical
Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Population
Health at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.
FM-X0009.indd iv 4/10/2006 9:50:44 AM
11830 Westline Industrial Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63146
EXOTIC PET BEHAVIOR: BIRDS, REPTILES, ISBN-13: 978-1-4160-0009-9
AND SMALL MAMMALS ISBN-10: 1-4160-0009-7
Copyright © 2006 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any
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Notice
Knowledge and best practice in this fi eld are constantly changing. As new research and
experience broaden our knowledge, changes in practice, treatment and drug therapy may
become necessary or appropriate. Readers are advised to check the most current
information provided (i) on procedures featured or (ii) by the manufacturer of each
product to be administered, to verify the recommended dose or formula, the method and
duration of administration, and contraindications. It is the responsibility of the
practitioner, relying on their own experience and knowledge of the patient, to make
diagnoses, to determine dosages and the best treatment for each individual patient, and
to take all appropriate safety precautions. To the fullest extent of the law, neither the
Publisher nor the Authors assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons
or property arising out or related to any use of the material contained in this book.
The Publisher
ISBN-13: 978-1-4160-0009-9
ISBN-10: 1-4160-0009-7
Publishing Director: Linda Duncan
Publisher: Penny Rudolph
Developmental Editor: Shelly Stringer
Publishing Services Manager: Patricia Tannian
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FM-X0009.indd vi 4/10/2006 9:50:46 AM
www
To my husband Martin, and to my daughter Nicole and stepsons
Zachary and Isaiah, for their patience and support (and for
making me laugh) during this more than 2-year project.
I am thankful for the many blessings that have been bestowed on
me and for the lessons that I continue to learn in this journey
called life.
Teresa Bradley Bays, DVM
www
To my husband, Chris Lane, my mother, Bea Lightfoot, my
brother, Tom Lightfoot, and my sons, Cory, Derek, Richard, and
Matt. Without our convoluted family dynamics, I would not have
developed such an interest in normal and abnormal behavior.
I love you all dearly.
Teresa Lightfoot
www
To my parents, Christel and Walter. Their love, belief, and
support made it possible for me to be a veterinarian caring for
the smallest and most fragile patients today.
Ich möchte dieses Buch meinen Eltern, Christel und Walter,
widmen. Ihre Liebe, Ihr Glaube und Ihre Unterstützung hat es
für mich möglich gemacht, ein Tierarzt zu sein, der sich um die
Kleinsten und die Zerbrechlichsten Patienten kümmert.
Jörg Mayer
www
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C
ONTRIBUTORS
Teresa Bradley Bays, DVM
Belton Animal Clinic and Exotic Care Center, Inc.
Belton, Missouri
Elizabeth I. Evans, DVM
Assistant Professor
Biology Department
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, Missouri
Peter G. Fisher, DVM
President
PetCare Veterinary Hospital
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Dan H. Johnson, DVM
Practice Owner
Avian and Exotic Animal Care, P.A.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department of Clinical Sciences
North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Raleigh, North Carolina
Teresa Lightfoot, DVM, Dipl. ABVP
Florida Veterinary Specialists
Tampa, Florida
Jörg Mayer, Dr. med.vet., M.Sc.
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
Department of Exotic Animals
North Grafton, Massachusetts
Carina L. Nacewicz, DVM
Seattle, Washington
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F
OREWORD
There is a growing trend toward ownership of exotic or unusual pets, and
the experience of guardianship can be fascinating and educating for the
owner, providing a glimpse into the world of a novel species. Caring for such
creatures requires knowledge of the behavior of the species in order to
provide proper husbandry in a captive environment.
Behavior and affi liations of exotic animals, as well as of more common
domestic pet animals, are shaped by nature and nurture. Nature directs from
its hard-wired bastions, while nurture (learning) fi ne tunes and shapes the
fi nal behavioral output and reactions. In species such as dogs and cats, their
nature and the infl uence of learning is well known. Maternal and peer infl u-
ence is important to normal behavioral development, and behavior can be
shaped to advantage during certain well-defi ned critical (more accurately
termed “sensitive”) periods of learning. The behavior of the exotic species
detailed in this book should be viewed in light of the normal behavior
(nature), the infl uence of early interactions (maternal, peer, or otherwise),
and the situation the animal is likely to encounter within the confi nes of
captivity for each species.
Some owners research a species prior to purchase and are reasonably well-
equipped to look after it, but others do not. Both types of owners may at
some point seek out a veterinarian for advice. It is essential that they receive
correct information concerning the proper health and welfare of their small
charge. They must know which species are social and are best kept housed
with conspecifi cs, and which should be housed individually. Some species
have special requirements with respect to light, heat, and humidity, and
others have specifi c nutritional needs. Also, the behavior of an animal can
be an indication of its well-being or lack of same, and these behaviors are,
for the most part, unique to each species.
Understanding an animal’s behavior increases owner enjoyment and
appreciation of their exotic pet and helps the owner recognize potential
problems. Recognizing normal and abnormal behaviors can be interpreted
as a crude form of communication, albeit mostly one-way. If owners do not
understand normal behavior, they will not recognize abnormal behavior that
may indicate a medical problem.
Veterinarians must recognize unusual behavior of various species and be
prepared to convey pertinent information, appropriate recommendations, or
treatments. The authors of this highly informative compilation have gone to
great lengths to detail the behaviors of selected exotic pets. With this knowl-
edge veterinarians will be able to guide their clients in the proper care for
these animals.
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xii Foreword
Whether an owner is asking about an anorectic reptile, a rabbit that
may be in pain, or the courtship behavior of a psittacine, veterinarians
should be able to supply the answer. The authors of this important text
cover these questions and numerous other behavioral issues related to
many exotic species. Veterinarians will fi nd this text benefi cial as a behav-
ioral reference as well as enormously interesting reading.
Nicholas H. Dodman, BVMS, DACVB, DACVA
Professor
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
North Grafton, Massachusetts
The study of animal behavior, or ethology, to ensure good health and improve
welfare is a long tradition in veterinary medicine, starting originally with
food-producing animals. Discerning readers will realize that the impact of a
behavior on the human observer is not necessarily a function of its impact
on the animal. Failing to do this, we get an anthropomorphic idea of animal
consciousness in which the so-called “objective” measure becomes the test
giving the wanted answer; if it fails, we seek other “objective” markers until
we achieve a set of measurements that supports our subjective impression.
Applied as such, the study of animal behavior is no longer based on objective
data, but on manipulated opinions.
Unlike what is considered to be anthropomorphic, the scientifi c idea of
animal consciousness has allowed us to appreciate the ability of each animal
to express species-specifi c behavior in the environment in which it is placed.
Any discomfort produced by husbandry or disease may be detected through
anomalies in the expression of this behavior, or by examining preferences
expressed by the animal when offered a free choice. Applied animal behavior
is an objective approach to achieving good health and well-being in animals,
avoiding either a mechanistic or an emotional evaluation of an animal’s
quality of life. Without knowing what is normal we cannot recognize what
is abnormal or appreciate how animals express pain and suffering.
Information on behavior of exotic animals is widely scattered in many
journals, so the publication of a single volume summarizing what is known
is signifi cant. This book represents a major advance in the fi eld of exotic
animal medicine as it will help veterinarians meet the needs of clients
demanding the highest standards of care for their animals.
Thomas M Donnelly, DVM
The Warren Institute
Ossining, New York
Formerly Adjunct Professor and Associate Professor
New York State College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
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P
REFACE
In 1994 a dwarf rabbit patient changed my life forever (TBB). It was a 4-year-
old intact female that had been seen by two other veterinarians because she
was not eating or defecating and her abdomen was distended. After three
enemas at the other practices, her “constipation” still hadn’t improved. When
she presented at our hospital she had not had the benefi t of radiographs or
other diagnostics, just the “red bag” technique. She died from the severe
hydrometra (see Figure 1-4 in text) that caused her abdominal distention,
severe dyspnea, weight loss, anorexia, and gastrointestinal stasis. It was then
I realized that she died because, at that time, veterinarians often did not
know what normal behavior was for rabbits and therefore did not recognize
the abnormal behaviors that help to guide diagnostics and treatment. It was
then that I decided to become more active in researching and disseminating
information on behavior in exotics.
This book is a result of that effort and includes information on chelon -
ians, snakes, lizards, psittacines, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils,
hamsters, chinchillas, fennec foxes, hedgehogs, ferrets, sugar gliders, and
short-tailed opossums. Each chapter includes social and antisocial behav-
iors, sensory behaviors, communication behaviors, elimination behaviors,
eating behaviors, locomotor behaviors and activity, grooming behaviors, and
reproductive behaviors. Medical implications of abnormal behaviors and
pain-associated behaviors are also discussed. Several chapters highlight how
behavior is affected by captivity and hospitalization. Tables and sections
provide practical and invaluable information for rabbits (litter training,
behavioral enrichment, curbing negative behaviors, common postures and
vocalizations, and tips for bonding), guinea pigs (common postures and
vocalizations), ferrets (litter box tips, controlling biting behaviors, and envi-
ronmental enrichment) and psittacines (species-specifi c behaviors). Client
education handouts are included for the miscellaneous small mammals.
Behavior is an intricate subject with many facets. It is associated with all
aspects of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, making it an onerous task to
stay on topic. Behavior is also not a static subject and the ability to capture
normal and abnormal behaviors in still photographs is diffi cult. Add to that
the tremendous number of exotic species that are presented to today’s veteri-
narian and this subject becomes formidable. The editors and authors have
taken this seemingly impossible task and created this text that is designed
to provide an overview of behaviors seen in reptiles, psittacines, and small
mammals. It is presented in order to aid the veterinary practitioner in address-
ing the needs of the entire patient and to provide a knowledge base that will
FM-X0009.indd xiii 4/10/2006 9:50:47 AM
xiv Preface
allow the practitioner to answer clients’ questions with confi dence. The
authors join together to wish you the best in your quest to further your
knowledge regarding exotic patients and their treatment.
Teresa Bradley Bays, DVM
Teresa Lightfoot, DVM
Jörg Mayer, Dr. med.vet., M.Sc.
Acknowledgments
The understanding, support, and never-ending encouragement of my entire
staff has been incredible (even when they thought I was more crazed than
usual!). I am particularly thankful for those who have supported and encour-
aged me through good times and bad in my most recent growing-up years,
including Ellen Esterkin, Ruth Liebau, RVT, Marcia Kristman, RVT, Michelle
Ambler, Pam Olsen, Kelli Johnsen, CVT, VTS (ECC), Elizabeth Evans, DVM,
Kaylee Beal, Jack Olsen and Dani Anderson. Thank you to Robin Rysavy and
Kathy Smith for helping me to see beyond the disease to the entire patient
and who taught me a lot about rabbits and the life they lead.
Many thanks to Drs. Teresa Lightfoot and Jörg Mayer for all of their help,
knowledge, and patience throughout this process and to all of the authors
for the precious time spent away from their families to make this book a
reality. Thank you to Ray Kersey for asking me to work on this project and
to Shelly Stringer, Sarah Wunderly, and Stacy Beane of Elsevier for their help
and encouragement to make this a book we are all proud of.
Teresa Bradley Bays
My thanks to and admiration for Teresa Bradley for the incredible amount
of effort, time, and knowledge she has poured into this text. Kudos to Jörg
Mayer for his valuable insights, experience and prompt responses when time
was critical.
Teresa Lightfoot
I would like to thank my partner Janet for understanding how important this
project was for me and for accepting my sitting at the computer for hours and
hours during the preparation, writing, and editing of this book. I would also
like to thank my co-editors for such great and easy cooperation and com-
munication throughout the 2-year process of “giving birth” to this book.
Jörg Mayer
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1
C H A P T E R
T ERES A B R A D L E Y BAYS
R B
ABBIT EHAVIOR
Introduction
Knowing the specifi cs of rabbit anatomy and physiology and how these
differ from those of other mammals is imperative for veterinarians who
treat exotics. Rabbits, like other exotic species, cannot be treated success-
fully by extrapolating from cat or small dog medical principles. Equally
important is the need to become familiar with normal and abnormal
behavior in order to provide the best health care possible for rabbit
patients.
Understanding abnormal behavior in rabbits will enable practitioners
to better interpret common presenting signs and owner complaints. With
this information, veterinarians can better communicate and educate rabbit
owners so that they may be able to detect problems in their pet rabbits
earlier. This is especially important in light of the major shift that has
occurred in the status of the rabbit from backyard child’s pet to member
of the family, often living freely in the house.
Natural History, Behavior, and Domestication
Domestic rabbits are the descendants of the European rabbit, Oryctolagus
cuniculus, from Western Europe and Northwestern Africa, and have been
kept as domesticated pets since the early sixteenth century.12,16 Many
of the behaviors that we see in wild rabbits are mimicked in our pet
rabbits.
Rabbits live in large groups in warrens or burrows that are dug in sandy,
hilly terrain, and they rarely venture far from the safety of the warren.
They are primarily nocturnal, moving away from their burrows at dusk to
forage. They have a highly developed social hierarchy and as a prey species
have evolved for fl ight rather than fi ght.
The males are very territorial, and females will aggressively protect their
nests. Pregnant females will dig burrows away from the warren, as the
1
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