Exotic Practice

Question 1

How do we carry out exotic consultations?

Answer 1

Ideally need 30min consults (at least 20min)
Thorough history vital but time-consuming
Often need to do diagnostics e.g. faecal samples
May need to consult literature

Question 2

How do we handle exotics at reception?

Answer 2

Find out species of animal to be seen
Advise on transport of animal
Request faecal samples
Advise owner to bring in food/supplements/photos of environment
Pre-consult questionnaires
Switch on vivarium to prepare for hospitalisation

Question 3

How would we advise owners to transport their exotics?

Answer 3

Rabbits/rodents = secure box/carrier
Reptiles = provide heat e.g. hot water bottle (snakes = pillowcase)
Parrots = cage best, avoid small cardboard box
Birds of prey = travel box or on hand
Fish = double plastic bag within waterproof box, bring 2nd bag of water

Question 4

What housing considerations should we have for exotics?

Answer 4

Birds = heated tank (30 degrees C)
Reptiles = vivarium/tortoise table
Rabbits = avoid predators, temp. below 22 degrees C
Secure facilities!

Question 5

What equipment might we need for exotics?

Answer 5

Good microscope
Crop tubes/stomach tubes
Fine surgical instruments
Ventilator, endoscopy, magnification all useful

Question 6

What should we consider for an exotic consulting room?

Answer 6

Secure area - no open doors/windows/air vents
Containers for examining small animals
Sensitive scales

Question 7

How can we disinfect appropriately for exotics?

Answer 7

Consider airborne diseases
Fogging rooms (birds)
Effective disinfectant - quaternary ammonium (F10)

Question 8

How much of an emergency are sick exotics?

Answer 8

Exotics tend to hide signs of illness until disease far progressed
Birds deteriorate quickly - any sick bird should be treated as an emergency
Reptiles deteriorate slowly - but will take long time to recover

Question 9

What first aid can we provide for exotics?

Answer 9

ABC - airway, breathing, circulation
Stop any haemorrhage
Warmth for birds (30 degrees C) and reptiles (preferred optimum body temperature zone)
Oxygen supplementation if needed (not reptiles)
Rehydration
Pain relief
Antibiotics?

Question 10

What zoonoses can reptiles carry?

Answer 10

Salmonella
Campylobacter
Cryptosporidia?
Pentastomids

Question 11

What zoonoses can birds carry?

Answer 11

Chlamydophila
Salmonella
Mycobacteria
Avian influenza

Question 12

What zoonoses can small mammals carry?

Answer 12

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)
E. Cuniculi
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Salmonella

Question 13

Describe dermatophytosis (ringworm).

Answer 13

Fungal infection
Spread by direct contact
Causes scaly itchy patches (often circular in appearance)
Wear gloves if suspected
Wash hands well after handling
Especially hedgehogs

Question 14

What zoonoses can fish carry?

Answer 14

Mycobacterium marinum

Question 15

Describe mycobacterium marinum.

Answer 15

Fish tuberculosis
Symptoms = non-healing localised lesions, reduced appetite, weight loss, body deformities
Prevention = cover open wounds with waterproof bandage/gloves, wash hands well, do not wash nets/equipment in sinks intended for human use

Question 16

How do we euthanise small mammals?

Answer 16

Gaseous anaesthesia
IV or into liver/kidney
Rabbits = ear vein
Rodents/ferrets = cranial vena cava

Question 17

How do we euthanise reptiles?

Answer 17

IV then pith (destroy brain to ensure death)
Check heart has stopped with Doppler
Snake = intracardiac or into liver
Lizard = tail vein (cranial vena cava in small species)
Chelonia = jugular or subcarapacial sinus

Question 18

How do we euthanise birds?

Answer 18

Gaseous anaesthesia
IV jugular or tibiotarsal vein in larger birds
Can inject into liver

Question 19

How do we euthanise fish?

Answer 19

Anaesthesia followed by pentobarbitone injection/severing spinal cord behind gill cover
Can use oil of cloves to anaesthetise (e.g. at home)

Question 20

Describe salmonella.

Answer 20

Salmonella bacteria
All captive reptiles assumed to carry bacteria in gut
Human symptoms = mild fever/diarrhoea/abdominal cramps, or severe illness
Transmission = faecally-contaminated surfaces into mouth of human
Prevention = wash hands after handling, use sinks not intended for human use, avoid contact with children, do not kiss reptiles

Question 21

Describe Chalmydophila.

Answer 21

Chlamydophila psittaci bacteria
Animal symptoms = respiratory/GI, weight loss, diarrhoea, discharge from eyes/nares
Human symptoms = fever, muscle ache, resp tract symptoms, severe e.g. pneumonia
Transmission = breathing in contaminants e.g. feathers/faeces, or orally
Prevention = quarantine new birds for 6 weeks, good ventilation in housing, good hygiene practices, immediate veterinary screening after purchase