Introduction to the Second Edition
How to use this book
During their training, veterinarians are trained to apply the same core set of clinical skills and thought processes to the health problems and management of several different domestic species.
Often due to time constraints and outmoded perceptions, exotic pets fall off the radar. The practicing veterinarian often therefore feels at a disadvantage when presented with the more unusual species, yet those same core skills, backed by relevant information, can be applied as easily to a bearded dragon as they can to a bearded collie.The Quick Reference Guide to Exotic Pet Medicine was conceived to aid the veterinary clinician to professionally and quickly deal with a wide array of exotic pets and their problems. It allows the veterinarian to create a diagnostic and treatment plan in a short space of time for a wide range of exotic pets, some of which he or she may not be familiar with. This second edition has been updated to include advances in our knowledge of exotic animal diseases and also includes three new chapters covering hedgehogs, common marmosets, and sugar gliders.
The approach is hoped to be a practical one, combining both clinical signs and/or an organ system perspective. Thus a parrot may present with a loss of flight (clinical sign) or have a liver disorder diagnosed on blood sampling (organ system). Where relevant, there is crossreferencing between the different sections.
Lists of differential diagnoses
These provide the clinician with a rapid overview of the likely conditions to be encountered in a given animal group. Where no examples are listed but the heading is still included, these should still be considered even though no examples have been reported in the literature. As an example, neoplasia should occur on most lists of differential diagnoses.
Findings on clinical examination
These list the most common signs seen within the given group of disorders.
Not every clinical sign will be seen in every case, and because of this some may appear contradictory. They are given as an aid to diagnosis. Some diseases may present as a syndrome of typical signs; where this occurs, an indication of that disease is given in brackets at the end of the description. I have tried to make these complete and accurate wherever possible, but the huge range of individual and species-related responses to a multitude of diseases and challenges means that variations outside those listed are possible.Investigations
A list of the basic types of investigative procedures is offered to stimulate ideas on how to approach a given case. In some cases useful general tips are given; in others normal values (or expected abnormalities) that may be difficult to find in the literature are given where it may aid a diagnosis. In some cases, specific tests for certain diseases (e.g., polymerase chain reaction) are listed to aid the clinician with what tests are potentially available (although this
Introduction to the Second Edition
may vary from country to country). The basic list of investigations is as follows and is included in every section to act as a reminder:
• Radiography
• Routine hematology and biochemistry
• Culture and sensitivity
• Endoscopy
• Biopsy/necropsy
• Ultrasonography
It is hoped that by the consideration and undertaking of appropriate tests, diagnoses can be achieved even if these fall outside of the potential differential lists. Other more advanced, potential investigative techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans, are not to be ruled out or discounted. Where practical their use can make a significant contribution to the diagnostic procedure, but it is assumed that most practicing clinicians will not have ready access to these facilities.
Management
In most cases the clinician is referred to the section on general nursing care at the beginning of each chapter. In some conditions more specific recommendations are given.
TreatmentZspecific therapy
For each condition, suggested treatment options are given. Not every drug variation is listed, as there are some excellent resources, such as Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary (Saunders) and The Veterinary Formulary (Pharmaceutical Press), that amply cover this information and to which the clinician may already have access. However, an extensive index is provided to aid the rapid recovery of drug dosage regimens cited in the species covered. The majority of the drugs mentioned are not licensed for use in the species described, and where applicable, consent should be gained from the owner before their use. Due consideration should be given to mandatory drug selection procedures where such systems exist—for example, the cascade system in the UK.