Snake care and husbandry.

The snake has long been a contradictory species; you either love them or hate them. In the United States, these reptiles are popular pets.There is also a significant amount of energy placed into developing captive breeding programs to produce different color morphs for many species. In some cases, such as the ball pythons (Pythonregius), these color morphs can sell for 20,000 dollars to 30,000 dollars each. In comparison to domestic mammals, snakes are long-lived. It is not uncommon for corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata) to live for 15 to 25 years and for ball pythons to live 35 to 45 years. Because of the longevity and value of these animals, more snakes are being presented to the veterinarian to manage medical and surgical problems,as well as for routine medical care. Veterinary personnel working with snakes should familiarize themselves with the specific husbandry and medical requirements of these animals so that they can make informed decisions regarding their management.     

Rodent husbandry and care.

This article reviews the husbandry, care and normal behavioral preferences of pet rats and mice. It covers recognition of signs of pain, illness and abnormal responses, and describes necessary skills such as handling, blood collection and drug administration. Animal-human responses in owning and caring for rats and mice are considered. Included is advice on suitability of pet rats with children, neutering and dental examinations. The conclusion lists recommended textbooks, pet owner manuals, instructional CDs, and websites.     

Ferret care and husbandry.

Convivial and playful, the ferret has cohabited with humans for hundreds of years. Maintenance of this mustelid's health and quality of life is paramount for the endurance of the human-animal bond. This review article for veterinary care givers, veterinarians, and staff, encompasses discussions on: husbandry, clinical techniques, prevalent diseases, history taking, physical examination, vaccination, and pain recognition. This article also enables the veterinary community to contribute to the care and welfare of ferret patients by offering facts to distinguish these animals from dogs and cats.     

Marsupial care and husbandry.

Although startlingly different in anatomy and physiology from the placental mammals common to private veterinary practice, clinical care for marsupial mammals can be approached from similar perspectives. Marsupials remain undomesticated animals with challenging needs in diet and care that must consider their native environment to be successful. As wild animals, veterinary care and clinical problems of marsupials as pets can present from sources of stress, restraint, and husbandry. Veterinary professional scan prevent many of these concerns by advising caretakers on appropriate care and feeding of these species.     

Hedgehog care and husbandry.

An understanding of the unique behavior of hedgehogs is discussed,and is instrumental in approaching their nutrition, husbandry, and medical care. Physical examination, sample collection, anesthesia,hospitalization, and common signs of illness are presented.     

Turtle care and husbandry.

Chelonians (turtles, tortoises, and terrapins) are not as well represented in private reptile collections as are snakes and lizards. Thismay be due in part to the fact that they often require more space and time for proper care. Nonetheless, they are still popular pets.Unfortunately, many people are not aware of what constitutes proper care for these animals. This article will discuss basic captive husbandry and nutrition issues of common chelonians, as well as recognizing illness, capture and restraint, sample collection, medication administration, and preventive care.     

Prairie dog care and husbandry.

The species of prairie dog most commonly found in the pet trade is the black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomus ludovicianus. These prairie dogs are active, playful, and strong rodents that can make wonderful, affectionate pets when they are properly socialized and given attention. However, with a life span of 8 to 12 years, prairie dogs require a lot of care and a long-term commitment. Prairie dogs live in colonies; thus, they are highly social animals. Potential owners should understand a prairie dog's need for attention before adopting one.     

Pet fish care and husbandry.

This article guides the technician through the basic principles of fish health. Nutrition, including the proper storage of fish foods, is discussed,as are the varying dietary needs of fish. The ability to recognize water-quality problems is emphasized, especially the conditions that commonly result in high mortality. Collection of specimens for microscopic examination or other diagnostic tests is explained.     

Guinea pig and chinchilla care and husbandry.

This article reviews breeds and coat colors of guinea pigs and chinchillas, their husbandry, care and anatomy. The unusual reproductive physiology and reproductive diseases of these animals are described. We cover nutrition, the potential for disease on poor diets, and the vocalization of hystricomorph rodents. Skills such as handling, sexing, blood collection and drug administration, including antibiotic toxicity are described. The conclusion lists recommended textbooks, pet owner manuals, and websites.     

Potbellied pig husbandry and nutrition.

Vietnamese potbellied pigs, when appropriately cared for, make excellent pets for some people. However, their proper housing, care, and training is more challenging to the average person than that required for most traditional pets, such as dogs and cats. Failure to feed and house the pet pig appropriately results in the most common health and behavior problems. The obese, intractable pet pig gives little pleasure to a pet owner and appears to lead a very poor-quality life, frequently leading to the pet pig being given away or worse. Preventing health and behavior problems is easy if pet owners are armed with correct information early, either before or immediately after their acquisition of a pet pig. A veterinarian prepared to share this information can save the lives of many pigs as well as keep clients happy and coming back.     

Avian toxicology.

Owing to the unique physiology of birds, most toxicities are life-threatening and require prompt, well-informed action. It is often hard to ascertain which specific toxin or the amount of toxin to which the bird has been exposed. Therefore, the most important action is to treat the bird, not the poison. This article discusses the steps in diagnosing and treating toxicoses, from both natural and man-made toxins, that have been reported in avian species.     

Avian cytology.

An overview of avian cytology is presented, discussing more common abnormalities that are encountered in routine clinical practice. The general cytologic features of inflammatory, infectious, and neo-plastic lesions are described. The remainder of the article covers major cytologic abnormalities by anatomic site of origin of the specimens.     

Avian analgesia.

Understanding behavioral indicators of pain and other assessment techniques can help one to recognize pain in birds and prompt us to treat birds with analgesics. An analgesic plan needs to include several modalities to help reduce pain in the avian patient. Analgesic therapy should be directed at treating the disease/injury in the periphery, and the changes that occur in the central nervous system (CNS). Both opioid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapeutics can be selected to provide analgesia for the avian patient.     

Avian anesthesia.

Providing a safe anesthetic environment is the key to successful avian anesthesia. Knowledge and understanding the anatomic and physiologic differences between birds and mammals help to prevent most emergency situations and guide responses in critical situations. Thorough preanesthetic history and examination, correction of underlying conditions, and use of simple anesthetic protocols all optimize the outcome of the procedure. Finally, critical monitoring helps to anticipate most crises and reduces incidences of mortality and morbidity in avian anesthesia.