Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Neonatal Care of Anseriformes
Neonatal Anseriformes require specialized care for successful development including access to clean swimming water and food presentation that stimulates natural feeding behavior. Knowledge of natural history is essential for successful rearing. Lightweight and waterproof materials can be used for corrective splinting of many developmental disorders that allow birds to ambulate normally and swim. Captivity-associated lesions can be minimized through proper husbandry and hygiene. Anseriformes are susceptible to a variety of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases, some of which are reportable to state health agencie...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - December 15, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Michele Goodman, Christine T. Higbie Source Type: research

Behavioral Development of Pediatric Exotic Pets and Practical Applications
The discovery of epigenetics and the interaction between genes and the environment have moved our understanding of how animal behavior develops from gestation to adulthood, and even throughout generations, to a new level. Studying the natural biology of exotic pets is key to providing them with a rich social and physical environment that will encourage species-specific behaviors. Combining parent-raising with appropriately timed human handling is likely to result in individuals with more resilience to stress. Using operant conditioning techniques early in life to train the animals ’ basic behaviors gives them control ove...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - December 15, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Marion R. Desmarchelier Source Type: research

Rodent Pediatrics
This article reviews the development, hand-rearing, feeding, housing, and social behavior of common pet rodent species (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus). In addition, common gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular, dermatologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, and ophthalmic disorders in pediatric pet rodents are reviewed. Preventative care and indications for spaying and neutering are discussed. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice)
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - December 14, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Julianne E. McCready, Trinita Barboza Source Type: research

African Pygmy Hedgehog Pediatrics
African pygmy hedgehogs have become a popular pet and are commonly available through breeders and pet stores. Responsible breeding, proper husbandry, and close monitoring of the dam and pups are important for neonatal health. The risk of abandonment or cannibalism is high in this species especially in stressed dams unfamiliar to frequent handling. Hand-rearing hedgehog pups is difficult and cross-fostering is a preferable alternative for abandoned pups when possible. If intervention becomes necessary, heat support, frequent feedings, and physical stimulation to eliminate must be provided. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of Nor...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - December 14, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Daria Hinkle, David Eshar Source Type: research

Sugar Glider Pediatrics
Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are small nocturnal marsupials with a unique metabolism and reproductive strategy compared to other common exotic companion mammals. Although there are few reports on the pediatric diseases of sugar gliders, clinicians should be aware of the normal reproductive anatomy, physiology, and rearing of sugar gliders. By recognizing the signs of normal reproduction and joey development, clinicians can identify abnormalities quickly and provide appropriate intervention, as needed. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice)
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - December 13, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Colin T. McDermott Source Type: research

Macropod Pediatrics
Macropods belong to the marsupial family Macropodidae, which includes animals such as kangaroos and wallabies. Macropod offspring are highly altricial at birth and require specialized care and environmental conditions for healthy development. The care and management of pediatric macropods poses a challenge due to the unique physiology and reproductive strategy of macropods. In order to successfully work with pediatric macropods, clinical veterinarians should have knowledge of species-specific husbandry, normal postnatal development, and common medical conditions/treatments. With limited information available on macropod pe...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - December 13, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Jon Romano Source Type: research

Updates for Reptile Pediatric Medicine
The health of hatchling, juvenile, and young adult reptiles continues to be plagued by historic nutritional deficiencies, old and emerging infectious diseases, and more recent phenotype-selective congenital abnormalities that impact welfare. Knowledge of mating seasonality, average egg counts, gestation times, and age and/or size for sexual maturity is necessary to help guide best practices for care of pediatric reptiles. Calcium, vitamin D3, and ultraviolet B (UVB) lighting recommendations vary in effectiveness amongst different species and can change with age. Phenotype-selective color patterns for spider ball pythons an...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - December 13, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: La ’Toya V. Latney Source Type: research

Preface
Exotic animal practice has progressed substantially, mainly because of increased interest by veterinarians, but also because of the rise in popularity of these species. In order to support such growth, captive breeding is essential. Although much of the literature focuses on adult animals, pediatric medicine is relevant to exotic animal practice and is, in many aspects, different from the management of older animals. We are honored to organize this issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice dedicated to pediatric medicine. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice)
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - December 9, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Peter M. DiGeronimo, Jo ão Brandão Source Type: research

Ferret Pediatrics
Ferrets are bred to be pets, utilized for hunting, and as laboratory models. Despite the fact that ferrets in some areas of the world are neutered by the breeder before entering the pet trade, the importance of pediatric management should not be overlooked. Pregnant, whelping, and lactating jills should be closely monitored and kept in a quiet, stress-free environment. Hand-rearing baby kits is very challenging due to their requirement for ferret milk. Minimizing maternal stress and disease can prevent the need to hand rear kits. Infectious diseases in juvenile ferrets include canine distemper virus, rotavirus, coccidiosis...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - November 30, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Nicole R. Wyre Source Type: research

Columbiform Pediatrics
Pigeons have been bred by humans for thousands of years as a source of food and feathers, as messengers, but also for their beauty, and more recently for sport. Pediatric medicine of pigeons has risen in importance given the interest at stake during international competitions. Young pigeons have a unique development and an increased sensitivity to both infectious and nutritional disorders compared with adults. Preventive medicine is of paramount importance and relies on measures targeting parents before breeding and chicks after hatching. Vaccination has been especially studied in pigeons. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of No...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - November 30, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Nicolas Schoonheere, Graham Zoller Source Type: research

Wildlife Pediatrics
Injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife neonates arrive by the thousands to wildlife rehabilitation centers, veterinary hospitals, and wildlife hospitals in North America. With the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the wild, veterinarians need to know the ecology, biology, and specific problems encountered by the various species of wildlife. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice)
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - November 30, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Ernesto Dominguez-Villegas Source Type: research

Nutritional Considerations for Juvenile Exotic Companion Animals
Pediatric exotic companion animal nutrition is a broad topic, spanning small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Little research has been performed focusing on the juvenile life stages of these species because they are largely acquired by clients at the young adult stage. The information that does exist has been compiled by wildlife rehabilitators, commercial breeders, and/or exotic captive breeding programs, such as those that exist in zoologic facilities. In this article, we discuss natural history, feeding strategies, energy requirements, digestive physiology and diet digestibility, and key nutrients of concern as factors for...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - November 29, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Amanda Ardente, Barbara Toddes, Rhiannon L. Schultz Source Type: research

Rabbit Pediatrics
Rabbits encompass roles spanning from companion animals, wildlife species to laboratory animal models. Pediatric care of these species therefore may extend to various disciplines of veterinary medicine. Rabbits are born altricial but have a unique perinatal relationship between kit and doe with infrequent nursing. Nursing is immunologically protective to the kit and close contact with the doe allows for colonization of their gastrointestinal tract with bacterial flora. The most common diseases that pediatric rabbits are faced with are gastrointestinal in nature with orphaned and hand-reared rabbits at higher risk due to th...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - November 21, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Sarah Ozawa, Molly Gleeson Source Type: research

Pediatric Medicine of Galliformes
This article also covers basic information on common diseases affecting gallinaceous chicks in a small hobby operation. The focus lies on description of disease transmission, clinical signs, age of onset, and general prognosis and focuses less on specific treatment of individual diseases. (Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice)
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - November 21, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Rebecca Pacheco, Miranda J. Sadar Source Type: research

Key Nutritional Factors and Obesity Prevention in Companion Psittacine Birds
Proper nutrition and feeding management are the foundation of good health. Nutrition is one area the veterinary health care team can affect. Optimal feeding practices of companion birds are constantly being evaluated. It is critical that health care team members understand the key nutritional factors in avian nutrition, as this allows for the proper recommendation and education of nutrition to bird owners. Depending on the species, today ’s pet birds may live decades, so it is imperative that proper nutrition habits be adopted by the owner for their avian pet. Educating the owner on proper nutrition and prevention of obe...
Source: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice - November 9, 2023 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Kara M. Burns Source Type: research