Preface
Since the publication of the first edition of Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals in 2019 there have been significant advances in our knowledge of Australian native mammal medicine.
This revised edition builds upon the information contained in, and follows the format of, the previous edition. Some chapters, such as those on koala retrovirus and Hendra virus, have undergone relatively extensive revision to incorporate rapid advances in their respective fields. For fundamental information on taxonomy, biology, anatomy, physiology, reproduction, husbandry, clinical techniques, diagnostic techniques, diseases and therapeutics readers are referred to the original Medicine of Australian Mammals (Vogel- nest and Woods 2008) text.In the wake of the recent global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic there has been a renewed focus on wildlife health. This revised volume provides the most up to date information on native mammal health and disease. There have been advances in understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of numerous therapeutic drugs in some species, but the effects of many drugs remain poorly understood in Australian native mammals. While this updated information is contained in this current volume, readers are cautioned to refer to relevant published information and to use sound clinical judgement when choosing and administering drugs to native mammals.
Throughout this revised edition outdated terminology such as ‘captive’ and ‘captivity’ has been replaced with more contemporary terms such as ‘zoo’, ‘zoo-housed’, ‘ex situ’, ‘managed’, ‘managed care’, ‘in zoos’; ‘habitat’ replaces ‘exhibit’ and ‘display’; ‘animal caretakers’, ‘animal managers’, ‘animal professionals’ replace ‘keeper’; and ‘population’ replaces ‘collection’. The term ‘managed’ generally refers to animals in zoos, fauna parks, sanctuaries, rehabilitation facilities or any other ex situ facility or program. This is in line with modern zoological terminology and the changing role of zoos and their increased focus on conservation and education.
This revised edition provides the most up to date information on the medicine of Australian native mammals. It is hoped that this edition provides a valuable resource to those working with Australian native mammals including veterinarians, ecologists, wildlife managers and other wildlife professionals. Most importantly, our hope is that the information contained herein improves health, welfare and conservation outcomes of Australian native mammals, both free-ranging and those in our care.
Larry Vogelnest and Timothy Portas