About the Editors

Bonnie Ballard, DVM has worked in veterinary medicine since 1974, first as a veterinary assistant and then later as a veterinary technician. Dr. Ballard holds a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1997, she developed a veterinary technology program at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where she acts as the program director. Dr. Ballard also practices small animal medicine as a relief veterinarian.

Ryan Cheek, RVTg, VTS (ECC) is a veterinary technologist and a full-time instructor at Gwinnett Technical College. Before this position, he was head technician of the exotic animal department and an emergency and critical technician in private practice.

Contributors ix

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

Disclaimer xvii

About the Companion Website xix

Section I: Introduction

1 Exotic Animals in Clinical Practice 3
Bonnie Ballard

Section II: Analgesia and Anesthesia

2 Exotic Anesthesia and Analgesia 11
Jody Nugent-Deal

3 Anesthetic Equipment and Monitoring for Exotic Patients 31
Katrina Lafferty

Section III: Avian

4 Psittacine and Passerine Birds 43
Cheryl B. Greenacre and Lillian Gerhardt

5 Psittacine Behavior Husbandry and Enrichment 73
April Romagnano and Tarah L. Hadley

6 Aviary Design and Management 83
April Romagnano

7 Sex Differentiation and Reproduction 89
April Romagnano and Tarah L. Hadley

Section IV: Reptiles

8 Lizards 95
Brad Wilson

9 Snakes 137
Ryan Cheek and Maria Crane

10 Chelonians 183
Samuel Rivera

11 Herpetoculture and Reproduction 197
David Martinez-Jimenez

Section V: Amphibians and Aquatic Animals

12 Amphibians 215
Brad Wilson

13 Fish 251
Sandy Skeba and Susan Coy

Section VI: Mammals

14 Ferrets 273
Colleen Roman and Tarah L. Hadley

15 Rabbits 287
Vanessa K. Lee, Douglas K. Taylor, Michael J. Huerkamp, and Deborah Mook

16 Mice, Rats, Gerbils, and Hamsters 319
April Romagnano

17 Chinchillas 333
Ashley Schuller and Bonnie Ballard

18 Guinea Pigs 341
Jill Murray and Maria Crane

19 Degus 351
Jill Murray

20 Hedgehogs 359
Ashley Schuller and Michael Duffy Jones

21 Skunks 367
Samuel Rivera

22 Sugar Gliders 371
Samuel Rivera

23 Prairie Dogs 375
Samuel Rivera

Section VII: Hematology

24 Avian and Reptile Hematology 381
Denise I. Bounous

Section VIII: Zoo, Aquarium Medicine, and Wildlife

25 The Role of a Veterinary Technician in a Zoo 389
Sandy Skeba

26 The Technician’s Role at a Public Aquarium 397
Susan Coy

27 The Role of the Veterinary Technician in Wildlife Rehabilitation 401
Melanie Haire

Section IX: Appendices

1 State/Federal Wildlife Permit Offices 431

2 Wildlife Admissions/Exam/Care Forms 433

3 Handling and Restraint of Wildlife Species 437

4 Tail Wrapping 443

5 Guide to Identification of Hatchling and Nestling Songbirds 445

6 Average Body Weights of Selected North American Songbirds 449

7 Species Care Sheets 451

8 Biological Data of Selected North American Wild Mammals 457

9 Glossary of Medical Conditions and Treatments 459

10 Wildlife Product Sources 463

11 Additional Resources 467

12 Supplies Necessary for an Exotic Practice 471

13 Animal Training Documentation 473

14 Animal Data Transfer Form 475

15 Operating Protocols: Animal Training Request Form 481

16 Operating Protocols: Enrichment and Evaluation Form 483

Index 485

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