Non-traditional companion animals

A recording of the clinical abstract presentations from BSAVA Congress 2024.

How can we determine quality of life for exotic species

• Understand how species show pain and distress and how to explain these signs to owners
• Understand how to QOL assessment document for long term use by veterinary team and owners
• Understand how to set welfare boundaries and stick to them with owners, methods to help with compliance

Preventative healthcare in reptiles

• Understand the value of performing diagnostic imaging early in disease presentation
• Appreciate techniques to obtain diagnostic radiographs in exotic species
• Identify common radiographic abnormalities in exotic species

Common conditions in Chelonians

• Understand the value of performing diagnostic imaging early in disease presentation
• Appreciate techniques to obtain diagnostic ultrasound images in exotic species
• Identify common ultrasonographic abnormalities in exotic species

Principles of triage and immediate assessment of exotics: While it is impossible to cover all triage and emergency assessment of all exotics in one talk (exotics can encompass several hundred species even in general non-zoo practice), there are important first principles that apply to emergency care of any animal. Unsurprisingly these are much the same as for dogs and cats. This talk covers a basic A,B,C approach for emergency care of exotics showing examples of how dog/cat emergency care can be applied to exotics (birds, reptiles, and small mammals) allowing any practitioner to fulfil their RCVS requirements and stabilise a patient before progressing to further diagnostics and treatment or referral to a more specialised center.

Help, it’s an exotic emergency – what do I do? An accurate triage assessment of a sick or injured reptile is vital to enable a clinician to instigate correct first aid and emergency care. This short presentation provides the primary care veterinarian with the knowledge to perform a brief but thorough assessment of a reptile presented urgently, and provide correct stabilisation and first aid.

Wendy Irvine looks at the aims and considerations involved in collecting laboratory samples from exotic species, including collection methods for various sample types in the most commonly encountered species. This one-hour webinar was first broadcast as part of BSAVA’s Learn@Lunch series. Learn@Lunch broadcasts are available to BSAVA members only and are free to attend - visit the education page of the BSAVA website for details of future Learn@Lunch webinars. Recordings will be available for 3 years via the BSAVA Webinar Library.

Rand J. Wilson discusses how to get the most from sampling of exotic species, including what samples to take and how to submit them, and specifics for various species including a number of cases. This 2 hour webinar is a recording of the live session from this 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.

Wendy Irvine reviews advances in anaesthetic techniques in small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. After looking at the scientific evidence for best practtice, she covers pre-op to recovery, considerations and current opinions, including the limitations of techniques. This one-hour webinar was first broadcast as part of BSAVA’s Learn@Lunch series. Learn@Lunch broadcasts are available to BSAVA members only and are free to attend - visit the education page of the BSAVA website for details of future Learn@Lunch webinars. Recordings will be available for 3 years via the BSAVA Webinar Library.

This chapter explains how to ensure euthanasia is performed as humanely as possible, covering special considerations in reptile species, techniques and signs of death. Post-mortem examination is also described, including: submission of material, pre-necropsy considerations, requirements for a necropsy, performing a necropsy, sample taking, laboratory investigations and record keeping.

This chapter covers common species of birds seen in veterinary practice, their anatomy and physiology, dietary and housing requirements, and common behavioural issues. Includes self-assessment questions.

As a basic rule when dealing with smaller exotics, everything should be treated at least as an urgent case, especially if the animal has already been ill for a while. Clinical signs requiring urgent attention are given in Figure 18.1. In all cases, the owner’s perceptions have to be taken into account. While some may need persuading that their ferret is an emergency case, the opposite situation will also occur. In these cases it is unwise to dismiss out of hand the owner’s opinion that it is an emergency; instead the earliest appointment at mutual convenience should be offered. The principles of examination are similar for all species; this chapters will dwell on features unique to ferrets and special considerations that pertain to them. This chapter explains Handling; History and physical examination; Clinical techniques; Emergency support; Hospitalization; and Euthanasia.