Resources for preclinical EMS

In a webinar designed to help students with their preclinical EMS, Marie Kubiak describes the techniques for handling and restraining a wide variety of species, focusing on small mammals, birds and reptiles.

Reptiles are becoming more mainstream as pets and are now hugely popular with all sorts of different types of people. This chapter provides information on identifying commonly encountered reptile species, the reptile trade, zoonotic infections, setting up your practice for treating reptile patients, welfare and sources of further information.

Many birds are social animals with a diverse range of communication tools. Unfortunately, the subtleties of avian behaviour are often lost on many owners despite deep affection for their avian pets. This chapter will provide veterinarians with the tools to give much needed guidance in this area. Case examples: Finches flying frantically when disturbed; Galah ‘aggression’ towards family members; Bird–owner misunderstanding; Galah reluctant to ‘step up’.

The keeping of birds is as old as civilized man, and in recent generations understanding of the welfare, husbandry and nutritional needs of birds has advanced significantly. This has led to considerable legislation concerning which species may be kept in captivity; dimensions and construction of enclosures or cages; as well as transport, breeding and slaughter. However, there remains considerable controversy regarding the ethics of confining many types of bird.

This chapter is aimed at providing some basic information on a variety of avian species commonly presented in clinical practice. This information will encourage the general practice veterinary surgeon to approach and deal with these species with confidence.

Dogs are often considered to be omnivores, meaning that they will eat both plants and animals; however, they do have some nutritional limitations. This chapter considers nutritional assessment, life-stage feeding, choosing a food and obesity.

In recent years much has been done to make veterinary practices more ‘cat-friendly’, and now ‘rabbit-friendly’ measures are being introduced. There seems to be a feeling that all small animal practices are already ‘dog-friendly’ and that no further thought or research is therefore needed. Sadly, this can be far from true and a lot of dog owners do feel that more could, and should, be done for their pets too. This chapter looks at practice design considerations, practice equipment, handling and restraint and nurse clinics.

A thorough understanding of healthy animal behaviour and the impact of environmental factors is essential to help prevent, diagnose and resolve behaviour problems. Observation of the rabbit, handling, and behaviour problems are all addressed in this chapter. A questionnaire is included at the end of the chapter.

Problem’ behaviour in cats brought to the attention of veterinary surgeons is based on the individual owner’s subjective assessment and perception of what constitutes a problem. Many of the behaviours highlighted by owners will be normal for the species but are misinterpreted by the owner as being ‘bad’. This chapter looks at taking history, house soiling, urine spraying, aggression toward other cats, aggression toward people, anxiety/fear, excessive scratching of furniture, behavioural problems associated with old age, feline facial pheromones, psychotropic medication and when to refer.

In order to work cooperatively with cats, in which the fight or flight response is triggered so easily, we need to engender empathy, based on an understanding of their nature and innate behaviours, i.e. to see things from a cat’s perspective. This chapter looks at understanding feline behaviour, environmental adaptations in the home, reducing the threat of the clinic experience from the cat’s perspective, equipment, general approach and handling, taking the history and examination. Quick reference guides: Calculation of energy requirements for ill cats; Techniques for simple procedures; Examining the eye; Examining the mouth; Thoracic examination; Neurological examination; Blood sampling.

The ferret is a small carnivore of the Family Mustelidae, which also contains stoats, weasels, otters and badgers. Ferrets are long thin carnivores with short legs, adapted for hunting in tunnels and cavities. Many of their features are similar to those of the dog or cat. The chapter considers where the ferret differs greatly from other species in the following areas, Skeleton; Gastrointestinal tract; Respiratory system; Urogenital system; Adrenal glands; Blood, Skin and fur; Nervous system; and Senses. In addition, the chapter discusses Reproductive biology; Behaviour; Husbandry; and Health care.

There is an increasing trend for keeping rodents as pets and correspondingly high client expectation that their pet will receive quality veterinary care. As such it is important for the veterinary surgeon in practice to have up-to-date knowledge when dealing with this mammal group. The aim of this chapter is to outline some of the basic biological, anatomical and physiological features of rodents and give information on their basic housing, nutrition, reproduction and preventative healthcare.