Rapid Review of Exotic Animal Medicine and Husbandry: Pet Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish PDF

Preface

Exotic animal medicine has evolved over the last two decades. Although gradual, the changes are profound. These changes are actually accelerated by the expectations of our clients, not necessarily by wide-ranging discoveries at our centers of learning. In fact, centers for research may lag behind the day-to-day cases we see in practice. As veterinarians, it is important for us to understand and recognize both the common and uncommon cases that enter our examination rooms. It is hoped that what follows in this book will help in this process.

Two decades ago veterinarians probably knew more about their avian patients than they did about their reptile or amphibian ones. And if veterinarians wanted to become familiar with the diseases of one particular group of exotic patients, they usually concentrated on the group where the most information could be found, which tended to be birds. Also, some veterinarians were content to be known as the ‘doctor down the road' who could handle, take blood from, and treat your macaw or iguana. It was difficult to find concise, helpful information on just one group of exotic patients, but to find such information on more than one group was almost impossible. In fact, it was impossible. Veterinarians who treated birds were usually content knowing all they could about birds. Reptile patients were referred around the corner (if they were lucky), but it could be many miles around the corner if the nearest reptile colleague was not close by.

Over the last two decades the collective clinical experience in exotic animal medicine and surgery from colleagues throughout the world has led to a better understanding of health and disease in such patients. Numerous texts in a variety of formats have been published to bring this information to a greater audience, so veterinarians who have not had the opportunity to work with exotic animals can catch up with those who have. The self-assessment series of titles from which this book has evolved presented cases in a manner that imitated practice. There was a history, some examinations findings, and a patient with a lesion that could be illustrated. In many of these cases the reader was given the same options he or she would have in practice. What are the differentials? How can they be ruled out? How should the patient be treated? And the answers were just over the page, allowing for almost instantaneous learning.

This format was very well received. So well received in fact that demand dictated a book for each group of exotic animals seen in practice. Two decades ago, this was fine. However, this is no longer fine. The trend among organized veterinary exotic animal associations and journals is to consolidate rather than split. Many association meetings include more than one group of exotic animal presentations. Many colleagues do not see just avian or reptile patients, but wish to see all exotic patients. Clients would prefer to visit a veterinarian who can deal with all their exotic patients rather than visit someone who specializes in birds and someone else who specializes in reptiles. Sadly, our university system, in general, still lacks the resources to teach many of their veterinary students about exotic animal patients. For most newly graduated veterinarians, the ability to help these patients is a ‘live and learn' process. This is not ideal for the patients and can be discouraging to fledgling veterinarians. This book was born in an effort to revive the successful format followed in the selfassessment series and to satisfy the appetite of all veterinarians who wish to learn more about exotic patients. We hope these pages will prove useful in the treatment of these wonderful patients.