Diagnostic toxicology for the small animal practitioner.

The successful diagnostic investigation involves an accurate history and appropriate antemortem and postmortem sampling. This chapter discusses factors such as sample size, shipping, test requests, and interpretation that must be considered when pursuing a small animal diagnostic investigation.     

Diagnostic toxicology for the food animal practitioner.

In most competent veterinary diagnostic laboratories, analytic findings are interpreted by a veterinary toxicologist to determine the significance of the finding in light of historical, clinical, and pathologic findings. A veterinary toxicologist also provides consultation about possible toxic rule-outs for a case, treatment of affected animals, and prevention of additional cases. Once all of the information is available, a complete summary of the findings can be provided to the client. When the procedures outlined herein are followed, including a systematic approach to collecting all the evidence (historical, clinical, pathologic, and analytic), using proper sampling techniques, and maintaining good communication among the clinician, client, and laboratory, the usefulness of the toxicology investigation is maximized.     

Orthopedic radiography in exotic animal practice.

Radiographic examination of exotic animal species provides significant diagnostic information to the practitioner so long as attention is paid to positioning and radiographic detail and if variations in normal radiographic anatomy are contemplated. Fracture of pneumatic bones (humerus or femur) in avian patients often results in subcutaneous emphysema, much like an open fracture. If fracture alignment is anatomical, there is generally little callous formation visible in avian and reptile patients; however, if malunion occurs, then certainly callous can be visualized. Aggressive or excessive periosteal proliferation in exotic species often predicts osteomyelitis. Practitioners can increase their diagnostic capabilities and thereby decrease any preconceived anxiety by applying the same general interpretive concepts used in the radiography of more routine small animal patients and by evaluating the resultant radiographs in a systematic manner. With the exception of certain anatomical differences and alterations in response to injury, exotic animal species suffer the same types of orthopedic disease do dogs and cats.     

Current therapies in exotic animal oncology.

The majority of information on oncology therapies has been reported in humans, canine, and feline patients, and laboratory animals with experimentally induced tumors. A variety of treatments,including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and others have been used with exotic animals. There are many species of exotic pets, and anatomic differences, as well as husbandry and nutritional requirements, must be taken into account to provide optimal care. By providing a broad overview of therapies and considerations for treatment, this article is intended to provide the practitioner with an overview of approach and options when addressing oncology cases in exotic animals.     

Barriers to exotic animal medicine.

The obstacles discussed in this article can be overcome as training and continuing education in this field become more readily available, making work with these fascinating species a part of the repertoire of the small animal clinician. The scientific literature concerning these species is growing rapidly, and medical standards are improving steadily.     

Educating the exotic animal technician.

The thorough education of a skilled exotic animal technician is an ongoing process. Providing the educational tools is only the beginning. Building on the initial educational groundwork is required to excel. Veterinary technicians interested in exotic animal medicine must lobby to promote awareness of the demand for exotic pet care; be able to accept, adapt, and apply new data frequently; and receive constant support and encouragement from the exotic animal veterinarian.     

The mobile exotic animal pet practice.

Mobile practice is an exciting, interesting, and profitable means to deliver high-quality veterinary care to exotic animal-owning clients. The advantages and disadvantages should be considered carefully when considering this type of practice.     

Diagnostic sampling of amphibians.

This article discusses basic restraint, sample collection, and guidelines for interpretation. Common pathogens are mentioned throughout the article. Staff safety and involvement are emphasized. Clinicians are encouraged to record all results and contribute to this growing area of veterinary medicine.     

Postoperative management of the exotic animal patient.

Careful postoperative management is crucial for the success of any orthopedic surgical repair. The special needs of the exotic animal must be met during the immediate postoperative period and during hospitalization. Many exotic animals require a quiet, stress-free environment and careful attention to housing parameters, such as perching, temperature, and visual security. To provide adequate pain relief in these patients, analgesia should be given before, during, and after surgery. The drugs most often used for pain relief are NSAIDs and opioid analgesics. After surgery, monitor the healing process carefully with regular examinations and radiographs while remaining vigilant for potential problems such as osteomyelitis or nonunion. Physical therapy prevents the development of fracture disease, which includes joint or ligament contracture and bone or muscle mass loss. Because physical therapy affords the patient full use of the affected limb, it is considered a helpful practice in all patients. Physical therapy, however, is critical for free-ranging exotic animals that will be released back into the wild, such as birds of prey.     

Emergency care and managing toxicoses in the exotic animal patient.

The poisoned exotic veterinary patient remains a significant challenge to the clinician. A patient presenting with the history of exposure to a toxin or poison should be considered to have a potentially life-threatening problem. This article details the ABCs of emergency medicine including fluid therapy and discusses the principles of neurologic management. The last part of the article provides the clinician with guidelines for decontamination and critical care management of some of the more common toxicoses in exotic animals.     

Principles of neurological imaging of exotic animal species.

Because the central nervous system (CNS) is encased almost entirely in bone, the means by which the clinician can evaluate it are limited. Additionally, the small size of many exotic companion animals further complicates diagnostic evaluation of the brain and spinal cord. Knowledge of the advantages and limitations of different imaging modalities, along with the neuroanatomical localization and assessment of likely causes of disease, will permit the clinician to choose the most appropriate imaging method for the patient. This article discusses the basic imaging principles of radiology, myelography, CT, and MRI of the nervous system of companion exotic animals to aid exotic animal clinicians in selecting imaging modalities and interpreting the results.     

建立动态饲料数据库的意义及方法

在配合饲料前获得准确的饲料原料的营养价值对高效的动物生产至关重要。由于当前缺乏快速而廉价的饲料检测技术,营养学家和畜禽生产者都依据饲料数据库对原料的营养价值进行估测。但是现有的饲料数据库中存在信息不完全,过时或者参考的价值有限等问题。畜牧业需要一个包含大量的饲料原料营养价值的动态数据库。这种数据库可以通过低成本饲料配方提高饲料的利用效率。通过建立这类数据库,研究人员也可以挖掘饲料原料的营养价值及其影响因素。这种动态数据库同时可以作为一种参考数据库用于比较各种饲料原料的营养价值。     

Environmental sampling for Salmonella spp. in Colorado animal shelters

Salmonella enterica is an important zoonotic agent and nosocomial infections and epidemics have occurred in animal facilities. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella in the environment in animal shelters. From 12 to 25 samples were taken from each shelter to represent environmental contamination. Samples were collected from surfaces in areas used by animals and in public access areas including animal receiving rooms, kennels, paediatric wards, treatment, visitation rooms, isolation, euthanasia, outdoor runs and play areas, reception rooms, animal transport vehicles, offices, break rooms and restrooms. Samples were tested for Salmonella and compared within shelters to identify high- and low-risk areas; and between shelters to identify differences in environmental contamination by geographical location, infection control policies, and shelter size characteristics. Twenty-eight per cent of sampled Colorado shelters had environmental Salmonella contamination. Two regions in the eastern 1/3 of the state had prevalences of 30% and 100%. Within-shelter sample prevalence ranged from 0 to 100%. Results of this study indicate that animal shelters can be frequently contaminated with Salmonella spp., a variety of Salmonella species may be present, contamination can be widespread within a facility and recovered isolates may harbour antibiotic resistance The findings from this study may influence and help focus educational policy on issues of infection control and zoonotic disease awareness in animal shelters.     

Diagnostic methods in animal trypanosomiasis

The methods of diagnosis of pathogenic African trypanosomiasis of livestock are reviewed in this paper. Clinical diagnosis, although it may be important in some situations, is not considered specific enough for accurate assessment of the parasites to which a herd may be exposed and is therefore not discussed.Techniques for the diagnosis of the animal trypanosomiases can be divided into parasitological and immunological methods. Those in the process of development in the laboratory and in routine use in the field are assessed in relation to their specificity, the rapidity of the diagnostic method, their reliability and applicability under field conditions. The ideal of a rapid specific parasitological technique may be difficult to attain and local conditions (size of herd; information required by authorities) will determine whatever alternative technique is to be used and which of the criteria (e.g. rapidity, or specificity of diagnosis) should be sacrificed to obtain the required information if time, resources and personnel are limited.