The dvm360® exotic animal medicine page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on the latest in veterinary exotic animal medicine. This page consists of videos, interviews, articles, podcasts, and research on the advancements and developments of therapies for exotic animal medicine, and more.
February 12th 2025
Originally found mostly in wild birds and poultry, H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D1.1, was discovered in dairy cattle last month
Evidence-based medicine in exotic-animal practice (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011Treatments based on evidence that they will actually have a significant chance to improve the patients' condition without causing excessive detrimental effects are the gold standard in human medicine. In veterinary medicine we tend to look towards these standards to improve our practice and ultimately to provide the best possible care for our patients.
Interpreting the serum chemistry profile in ferrets (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011While the ferret is not considered to be a particularly exotic pet and in general its clinical medicine is very similar to feline clinical medicine, the interpretation of the ferret chemistry profile deserves special attention as there can be several pitfalls if ferret profiles are interpreted by comparing with cat or dog normal values.
Advanced imaging in exotics (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011While standard radiographic and ultrasound imaging techniques are common diagnostic tools in exotic animal medicine, the use of more advanced imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) currently appear to be underutilized for exotic patients.
Workup for adrenal gland disease in ferrets (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011The pathophysiology of adrenal gland disease in ferrets is significantly different from that in domesticated animals known as Cushings disease and therefore it should not be called Cushings disease in the ferret. Adrenal gland disease is considered the second most common disease in the ferret after insulioma.
Current approach to insulinoma in ferrets (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011Pancreatic islet beta cell tumors secrete high levels of insulin and cause hypoglycemia. Clinical signs include lethargy, weight loss, weakness, ptyalism, bruxism, seizures, and death. Treatment modalities include medical therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and dietary changes.
Common reptile surgical procedures: case reports (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011Reptile surgery can be very complicated. Luckily in this day & age of Reptile Medicine, we are afforded several options for anesthetic as well as surgical techniques. This lecture will present a few in order to give an overview of some of the current options available to the practitioner.
Rabbit GI surgery (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011As with any surgical procedure in any species; prior to cutting it is important to familiarize oneself with the relevant anatomical and physiological details of the species. A very detailed discussion of these two topics is beyond the scope of this presentation but the reader is strongly advised to familiarize oneself with these topics by the references listed below.
Behavior and morphological adaptations of reptiles (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011There are greater than 6500 species of extant reptiles with a wide variety of behaviors and structural morphologies designed to allow them to escape notice or fight off enemies, reproduce, obtain food and adapt to their environment. This lecture describes some commonly seen and some less commonly seen behaviors and morphological adaptations in reptiles.
Essential reptile surgeries (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011Reptile surgery is performed under general anesthesia, observing sterile technique, with appropriate monitoring and supportive care. The true strength layer for reptiles is the skin. To prevent dysecdysis after a skin incision heals, an everting suture pattern is used.
Anesthesia of reptiles (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011Reptiles are very resilient and capable of surviving physiological changes e.g. severe hypoxemia, that would rapidly kill a mammal. Hypothermia should not be used as a method of restraint. It will induce immobility but will not provide analgesia. Hypothermia will also impair drug metabolism, digestion and immune function.
Current thoughts on reptile nutrition (Proceedings)
May 1st 2011In general, information about an animal's origin and natural history is often the basis for recommendations concerning dietary management of these animals in captivity. In captivity, whether in an aquarium, screened cage, or (inappropriately) loose in the house – reptiles and amphibians have specific ranges for temperature, humidity, and ventilation which are essential for optimal health. Maintenance of an animal outside of its optimal range is a physiological stress that often results in poor intake, digestion/absorption, and utilization of food.
Exotic small mammal elective surgery (Proceedings)
November 1st 2010Rabbits should be spayed anytime after 5 months of age. When very young, the uterine horns and ovaries are very tiny making identification challenging. However, in older mature and perhaps overweight rabbits, the mesometrium is extremely fatty and friable. OVH is indicated in all female rabbits to prevent pregnancy, control territorial aggression, prevent uterine neoplasia (80% incidence), or other uterine disorders such as pyometra.
Amphibian husbandry for the veterinary clinician (Proceedings)
November 1st 2010Amphibians are solidly represented as captives in both private and institutional collections. Many amphibian species are in precarious situations in their natural habitats due to environmental changes and disease. As a result, many captive populations are extremely valuable from a conservation standpoint.
Unusual exotic pets (Proceedings)
November 1st 2010Felids are a large group consisting of 37 species in the genera Felis (small cats), Panthera (large cats), Neofelis (clouded leopards) and Acinonyx (cheetah). Some species of exotic felids such as tigers, lions, bobcats (Felis rufus), caracal (Felis caracal), servals (Felis serval), and serval hybrids have become have become popular pets.
Veterinary management of the small avian patient (Proceedings)
November 1st 2010Providing veterinary care to small avian patients can be a tremendous challenge. Basic procedures we take for granted in larger patients can be all but impossible to accomplish in these diminutive, and sometimes quite fragile, animals.
Basic invertebrate medicine and sample collection (Proceedings)
November 1st 2010This lecture will focus primarily on terrestrial arthropods such as arachnids, myriapods and insects. There is a significant amount of literature available to bring the veterinary clinician up to speed regarding captive management of various invertebrate species. One of the best books the author has run across is "Breeding food animals: live food for vivarium animals".
Common medical problems of reptiles (non-infectious) (Proceedings)
November 1st 2010Secondary Nutritional Hyperparathyroidism: Clinical Signs: Anorexia, depression, ileus and constipation, cloacal prolapse, swollen compressible mandible, lethargy and inability to support body weight, muscle fasciculations due to hypocalcemia, and rarely seizures.