Essential but often overlooked
Ex: better recovery, less complications, better management of chronic diseases
–Housing
–Secure needs
–Lighting
–Temperature
–Feeding and drink intake
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–Rehydrate, heat the patient and use painkillers
–Replenishment should come only after rehydration and heating! Will only be effective if the body works!
Indications
–The owners don’t know what is physiologic and pathologic. They don’t recognize disease!
–Many reasons for exotic call and consultations are an emergency even if the owner are not aware about it
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–Decrease stress
–Fasting if needed
–Analgesia
–Transit recovery
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–It should be considered as hospitalisation
–Don’t neglect the patient!
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Contra-indications
–Must bring a benefit to the exotic patient
–Separation from the owner or cages companion can be difficult
–Handling is stressful
–Vet settings and environment are extremely stressful
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–Runaway (esp. Ferrets, small rodents, snakes and birds)
–Gastro-intestinal obstruction (ingestion of tissue, bandage, substrate because of stress or abdominal pain)
–Transit slowdown
–Vertebral fracture (rabbit)
–Heavy metal poisoning (birds in unadapted cage)
–Heat stroke (esp. Small mammals in incubator)
–Stress & vagal reaction
Distinguish predators and preys
Needs secure, hidden and quiet area
Very shy, Should be isolated
Needs secure area, importance of light
Reduce hospitalization's stress
–Wash your hands and forearms
–Begin by preys. Finish with predators
–Change your gown after handling a ferret
–Clean carefully the table, environment, material
–Use towel dedicated to exotic handling
–Ex: hidden place, perch, UVB light, bath, sandbath…
Reduce disease's transmission
Distemper, ADV & coronavirus in ferret
Myxomatosis, VHD, Rotavirus in rabbit
PBFD, polyomavirus, Newcastle, Marek in birds
Trichomoniasis in pigeon and dove
IBD in boïds
Herpesvirus in tortoises
Mites, Lice
Mycoplasma (rat+++)
Salmonellosis, Chlamydiosis, mycobacteriosis,
Mite
Lymphoplasmacytic choriomeningitis
Monitor hospitalisation
Weigh every patient
every day
at the same time
before feeding
What materials?
–Yes, if no predators in the same room
–Yes, if rigorously cleaned (no odor)
–Yes, if appropriate space bars
–For short stay
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–Cumbersome
–Difficult to disinfect
–Hospital rooms can be contaminated by contagious diseases (esp. Birds cage and PBFD)
–Numerous hiding places: not easy to grab the pet
–Patient’s territory: more agressive to defend it
–But the patient knows its environment, it will limit the stress!
Only basic equipement is needed to start exotic pet hospitalisation
Do not hesitate to hospitalize if you are well-equipped
–Never urgent to feed a Reptiles (esp snakes)!
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