Non-traditional companion animals

Rabbit friendly considerations

• Understand the concept of behavioural first aid
• Appreciate the most commonly presented behavioural issues and what questions to ask

Exotics friendly practice tips

• Appreciate the difference between training and behaviour: who and how to refer
• Understand the basic rational for use of behavioural mediciations
• Understand the relationship between medication and behaviour modification
• Understanding the importance of client comms - including the barriers to medication use

Birds and reptiles

• Understand how to gather a quick and comprehensive history from an owner (Blame Free!)
• Understand how to give analgesia and fluids optimally
• Understand how to physically triage the patient

Small mammals

• Understand how to gather a quick and comprehensive history from an owner (Blame Free!)
• Understand how to give analgesia and fluids optimally
• Understand how to physically triage the patient

Birds and reptiles

• Understand the agents that can be used safely
• Understand the best circuits and equipment to use
• Understand how ventilation works and if pre oxygenation is sensible or needed

Small mammals

• Understand the agents that can be used safely
• Understand the best circuits and equipment to use
• Understand how ventilation works and if pre oxygenation is sensible or needed

How to diagnose in practice – which diagnostic tests to do? Investigating feather plucking in companion parrots can be both challenging and complex. A good understanding of the medical, psychological and environmental causes of this syndrome is required to give the best patient outcomes. Alongside a short review of common causes, this short presentation will cover the most useful diagnostic tests that can be performed in a primary care setting.

Factors involved in skin disease in reptiles – detecting infectious causes: Infectious skin disease is common in reptiles, especially in young animals that have been captive bred and mixed in shops or with dealers. Underlying husbandry deficiencies will affect immunity and aid establishment of pathogens and even result in skin pathogens causing systemic infections. Social factors and stressors (e.g. mixing different species/age groups/sizes) will also increase the likelihood of seeing infectious dermatopathies. Once established, these infections can be extremely hard to treat and may require months of therapy. In some cases the infected reptile will be a source of infection for others in a collection. Early recognition of disease or likelihood of these diseases is essential so the correct diagnostics can be performed and therapy started as early as possible. This talk looks at the most common infections, their diagnosis and treatment.

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.

Ian Sayers helps to take the fear out of blood sampling in exotic species, with practical tips on obtaining samples and handling samples once obtained. This 1 hour webinar is from a Regions Now event brought to you by our North East Region. Regions Now events comprise an introductory lecture with supporting content available one week before a live lecture. This is followed by a one-week online discussion forum allowing participants to offer observations about the lessons learned and describe their own experience in handling cases. Regions Now sessions are free to BSAVA members and available for non-members to book - visit the Regions page of the BSAVA website for details of future Regions Now events. Recordings will be available for 3 years via the BSAVA Webinar Library.

Tariq Abou-Zahr covers common emergency presentations via some cases including a rabbit, budgerigar and bearded dragon. This 100 minute webinar is a recording of the live session from this Regions Now event, brought to you by our Cymru Wales Region. Regions Now events comprise an introductory lecture with supporting content available one week before a live lecture. This is followed by a one-week online discussion forum allowing participants to offer observations about the lessons learned and describe their own experience in handling cases. Regions Now sessions are free to BSAVA members and available for non-members to book - visit the Regions page of the BSAVA website for details of future Regions Now events. Recordings will be available for 3 years via the BSAVA Webinar Library.

A thorough clinical examination, including collecting a history, is very important to identify underlying causes of disease, and avoid only treating secondary problems. This chapter considers initial assessment on arrival to the clinic, transportation, handling, physical examination, and health and safety considerations.

Alleviating pain in exotic species is often overlooked, or the extent of pain is underestimated. This chapter discusses the complications associated with pain management in exotic species, and provides advice on adapting methods used in dogs and cats. Case examples: Mammary mass removal in rats; Shell trauma in tortoises.

Over the last decade, the number and variety of exotic pets seen in general practice has greatly increased, as has owner expectations. Practices need to be on top of the specialist nursing requirements needed.