Presentation of the dog with acute abdominal pain is common in veterinary practice. The general causes of abdominal pain include: distension of a hollow viscus or organ capsule; ischaemia; traction; and inflammation secondary to a variety of conditions. This chapter considers an approach to the acute abdomen, an approach to the swollen abdomen and surgical management. Quick Reference Guides: FAST scan; Abdominocentesis; Diagnostic peritoneal lavage.

Alopecia is the complete absence of hair in an area where it is normally present. It is the most common reason for a dermatology consultation in the cat after pruritus. This chapter looks at history, clinical examination, diagnostic tests, differential diagnoses, treatment recommendations, when to refer and what to do if finances are limited. Quick reference guides: Wood’s lamp examination; Hair plucks; Skin biopsy.

Rabbits may require sedation or anaesthesia for a variety of reasons. Neutering of male and female rabbits is now commonplace in general practice, as is dental treatment. This chapter details specific considerations for rabbit anaesthesia, and also includes an overview of sedative, anaesthetic and analgesic drugs which may be used in this species. Quick Reference Guides/Techniques: Placing a marginal ear vein cannula; Placing an ET tube with the assistance of a rigid endoscope; Placing an ET tube under direct visualization; Intubating a rabbit’s trachea using the ‘blind’ technique; Performing nasotracheal intubation; Placing a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in a rabbit; Performing Doppler blood pressure measurement in a rabbit.

Anorexia (loss of appetite for food) is a common presenting sign in feline practice. Cats are sensitive to environmental changes, and illness often manifest as a loss of appetite. This chapter discusses diagnostic approach and general considerations for management. Quick reference guides: Enteral assisted nutrition; Placement of a naso-oesophageal feeding tube; Placement of an oesophagostomy feeding tube.

This chapter provides comprehensive guidance on the basic techniques veterinary practitioners will routinely employ in avian practice. The chapter covers techniques for various injection methods, oral medication, nasal flush, nail trimming, beak trimming, various feather techniques, ring removal, microchip placement and euthanasia. Quick reference guide: Euthanasia of birds. The chapter also includes 15 video clips.

In the context of shelters, biosecurity refers to all the efforts made to control the incursion and spread of infectious disease. This chapter covers external and internal influences on biosecurity, principles of outbreak management, staff and volunteer training in biosecurity, the relationship between stress and disease, and management of specific populations. Quick reference guide: A brief overview of disinfectants.

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.

Coughing is a protective reflex arising due to stimulation of mechanoreceptors or chemoreceptors within the airways. This chapters covers the following: initial approach, diagnostic approach, empirical treatment and when to consider referral. Quick reference guide: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).

In most small animal practices true emergencies will be relatively uncommon, but with the increase in emergency centres within the UK there will be practices where emergency cases are in the majority, Although emergency medicine can be stressful it can also be extremely satisfying. This chapter focuses on telephone triage, preparation, hospital triage, cardiovascular abnormalities - assessment and management, respiratory abnormalities - assessment and management, neurological assessment and management, monitoring during stabilization, secondary assessment and ongoing management. Quick Reference Guide: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Oral/dental disease is the most common disorder encountered in small herbivorous mammals, including rabbits. The ability to recognize anatomical and physiological variations is necessary in order to understand disease pathophysiology and assess minor changes. This chapter explores clinical history and examination; essential equipment for dental examination; examination of the head, teeth and oral cavity in the conscious rabbit; examination under general anaesthesia; oral and dental records; and significant lesions and oral cavity diseases. Quick Reference Guide/Technique: Oral cavity examination under general anaesthesia.