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.     

Overnutrition: an epidemic problem in pet animal practice?

This review demonstrates that manufactured pet foods contain more than adequate levels of all the essential nutrients needed by normal dogs and cats. Under normal circumstances, therefore, it is completely unnecessary to supplement the rations of these animals with protein, energy, fatty acids, vitamins, or minerals. We have tried to show that, in addition to being unnecessary, supplementation of the rations of normal animals may be quite dangerous, leading to serious--indeed, sometimes fatal--clinical consequences. Pet food manufacturers have responded to newer information regarding increased requirements for specific nutrients such as taurine and potassium. Thus, supplements of these nutrients, as well, are unnecessary in the absence of specific clinical indications. As practitioners, we should be wary of beneficial effects claimed for nutritional supplements. Anecdotal comments, in particular, should be discounted completely. Objective data, including statistical evaluation demonstrating efficacy, should be demanded before accepting claims for such products. Finally, the use of nutritional supplements should be restricted to those cases in which specific clinical problems dictate their use.     

Increasing efficiency and profitability of the exotic pet practice.

Recent surveys indicate the percentage of households owning exotic pets has increased dramatically. Practitioners interested in the development of an exotic animal practice can take advantage of the increased popularity of these pets and apply proven meth-ods that have benefited traditional companion animal practices.This article examines exotic animal practice in light of these changes and tries to determine ways to increase efficiency and profitability as they relate to this unique practice situation.     

Small animal dentistry in Canada: 1994 survey.

Small animal dentistry is a rapidly growing area of interest and specialization internationally, offering tremendous benefits to patients, clients, and practitioners. To date, no studies have been done to determine the standard of small animal dental care in Canada. A national mail survey was designed to document the prevalence of dental disease in small animal patients, the types of veterinary dental procedures being provided by practitioners, as well as home care recommendations and compliance for 1994.     

Occupational health and safety in small animal veterinary practice: Part I--nonparasitic zoonotic diseases

Zoonotic diseases are an ever-present concern in small animal veterinary practice and are often overlooked. A variety of nonparasitic zoonotic diseases may be encountered in small animal practice, including cat scratch disease (bartonellosis), cat bite abscesses, rabies, leptospirosis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, salmonellosis, avian chlamydiosis, campylobacteriosis, dermatophytosis, and blastomycosis. These may cause human disease ranging from mild and self-limiting to fatal. The risk of development of a zoonotic disease can be lessened by early recognition of infected animals, proper animal handling, basic biosecurity precautions, and, most importantly, personal hygiene.     

Stratospheric ozone depletion and animal health.

There is an increasing concern over ozone depletion and its effects on the environment and human health. However, the increase in ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) that would result from significant losses of ozone is also potentially harmful to animals. Any increase in disease in domestic species would not only have serious animal welfare implications but may also be economically important. The diseases which are likely to increase if ozone depletion continues include the squamous cell carcinomas of the exposed, non-pigmented areas of cats, cattle, sheep and horses. Uberreiter's syndrome in dogs is also associated with exposure to UV-B and may be expected to increase, as may the severity of conditions such as infectious keratoconjunctivitis (New Forest eye) in cattle. Aquaculture systems in which fish often have little or no protection by shading may also be at risk. Cataracts and skin lesions have been associated with the exposure of farmed fish to ultraviolet radiation and have resulted in significant losses.