Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus
The objective of this resource is to educate pet rabbit owners about rabbit hemorrhagic disease. The reader will review the distinction between rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 1 and type 2, as well as the basics of disease transmission, signs of disease, diagnosis, prevention and control. Download the PDF version of this client education handout, or modify the DOCX version for your veterinary hospital.
Care of Senior or Geriatric Domestic Rabbits
The objective of this educational resource is to empower owners on how best to care for their senior or geriatric rabbits. The reader will learn how to ensure common geriatric conditions do not become a welfare concern for their pet. The goal is not to “cure” but rather manage geriatric diseases, such as cataracts, arthritis, and even cognitive decline.
Dental Health in Rabbits
This guide to keeping your rabbit’s teeth healthy was awarded first place in the 2022 inaugural Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians Veterinary Technicians Client Education Materials Contest, sponsored by Lafeber Company. This client education handout explores the basics of rabbit dental anatomy, before focusing on what owners can do to look after their rabbit’s teeth. Some common dental conditions are also discussed as well as the signs of dental disease in the rabbit.
Chinchilla Nutrition
This client education handout explores the recommendations for a healthy chinchilla diet, including hay, hay-based pellets, produce and greens, and water. The type and amount of treats to offer is also discussed. This client educational material was awarded first place in the 2022 Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) Veterinary Technology Student Client Education Materials Contest, sponsored by Lafeber Company…
The Raccoon Roundworm
The raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis is widespread in raccoons in North America, however this parasite has also been introduced to Europe and Asia. Use this client education handout to increase awareness of this zoonotic pathogen in caretakers of young children, home owners living in areas where raccoons might be present, as well as workers exposed to raccoons or their feces during the course of their day. This handout provides simple tips that can be used to curb infection caused by the raccoon roundworm, emphasizing avoidance and prevention of exposure to infective eggs.
Exotic Companion Mammal Enrichment
Have you heard about environmental enrichment but are wondering what it really means and how to implement it to benefit your pets? This client education handout explores the definition of enrichment, the benefits of enrichment, as well as practical suggestions on implementation. Enrichment can be enjoyable as you get to create an array of fun, interactive enclosures and toys for your pet. This client education handout was awarded first place in the 2021 Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians Veterinary Technology Contest, sponsored by Lafeber Company.
Nutrition: The Key to Your Chinchilla’s Health
Your chinchilla’s diet plays a key role in maintaining optimal condition. A healthy diet prevents two common health problems: dental disease and gastrointestinal problems. Specifically, your chinchilla requires a high-fiber, low-fat diet consisting primarily of grass hay and a small portion of pellets formulated specifically for chinchillas. This client education handout reviews the foods eaten by chinchillas in the wild, recommendations for a healthy pet chinchilla diet, as well as why a high-fiber diet is essential to your chinchilla’s health.
Pigs and Dogs: A Recipe for Disaster
Dogs remain one of the most common household companions, and as miniature pigs grow in popularity as pets, the question invariably comes up: how might dogs and pigs get along in the same household? This client education handout reviews normal predator (pack) versus prey (herd) behavior, as well as the significant risk when pet pigs are left unsupervised with dogs. This client education handout was awarded first place in the 2021 AEMV Veterinary Technology Student Contest, sponsored by Lafeber Company.
Nutritional Requirements for Guinea Pigs
This client education handout reviews the nutritional requirements of guinea pigs. Providing guinea pigs the correct diet is an essential part of keeping these fun, loving creatures happy and healthy. Two extremely important nutrients that play a vital role in maintaining the health of guinea pigs are calcium and vitamin C.
Mask Off! How to Recognize the Masking Phenomenon in Your Exotic Pet
This client education handout reviews the masking phenomenon observed in exotic pets. Why do exotic animals attempt to hide signs of illness or injury and what can the attentive owner do to offset this behavior? This client education handout was awarded second place in the 2021 AEMV Veterinary Technology Contest, sponsored by Lafeber Company.
2021 AEMV Veterinary Technology Contest
Lafeber Company was proud to sponsor the 2021 Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians Veterinary Technician/Technologist and Technician Student Client Education Materials Contest. Credentialed veterinary technicians, veterinary technologists, and veterinary nurses as well as students in this field were encouraged to submit a two (2) page, English-language educational handout (1500 words or less) about a companion exotic mammal health and wellness topic. Submissions closed on April 30. Seventeen client education handouts were received. The AEMV Technician Committee evaluated this educational material and they were blinded to the identify of each veterinary technologists or student.
Miniature Pig Care
This client education handout reviews basic care of the miniature pig. Topics covered include diet, housing, training and proper handling, as well as common health problems and preventive care measures, like vaccination and surgical sterilization.
Are You the Right Pet For Me? Miniature Pigs
Pot-belled or miniature pigs are interesting, complex animals that are sometimes kept as pets in urban areas. Unfortunately, there are many misleading claims associated with miniature pet pigs that can eventually lead to these animals being surrendered to shelters or rescues by owners that “leapt before they looked”. Although it is always important to educate […]
Care of the Virginia Opossum
The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America. Although veterinarians are allowed to provide humane care to any injured or orphaned wild animal, it is important to know your state laws as it is illegal to keep a pet opossum in many states. This client education handout reviews the basics of a pet opossum diet, caging, behavior, as well as health concerns.
Ferrets and the Flu
Ferrets are susceptible to several strains of human influenza virus, which is spread through the air from coughing, sneezing, and other respiratory secretions. The virus is not only spread from human to ferret, but ferret to ferret and from ferret to human as well. Share this handout with owners to educate them on measures to keep their furry family member healthy as well as the appearance of influenza virus in the ferret.
Gravid Guinea Pig Care
Proper management of the pregnant sow requires an understanding of the risk factors associated with pregnancy-related disease and an ability to recognize early signs of problems. This client education handout explains proper care of the breeding and pregnant sow and provides tips for careful monitoring. Download the PDF version to distribute to veterinary clients or modify the Word document for your hospital’s needs.
Emergency Preparedness Plan for Exotic Pets
Get ready now to care for exotic pets during an accident or natural catastrophe that causes great damage or even loss of life, such as blizzard, earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane, mud slide, or tornado. This disaster relief client education handout was revised and posted with permission from “Ready-Pets-Go!” by the Humane Society of Greater Rochester.
Basic Rabbit Care Handout and Infographic
With the help of a handy infographic, this client education handout reviews the basics of a good rabbit diet as well as housing, including “bunny proofing”, and handling.
Bloat and Gastrointestinal Blockage in Rabbits Client Handout
Gastrointestinal obstruction and a stomach distended with gas and fluid or “bloat” is a serious health problem of pet rabbits. Use this client educational handout to answer owner questions: What causes bloat and obstruction? Why is bloat a serious condition? What does bloat look like in the rabbit? This handout also explains the basics of a diagnostic workup, treatment, follow-up care, and prevention for this critical condition.
Spaying and Neutering Pet Rabbits
Should I have my pet rabbit “fixed”? In most cases, the answer is an unqualified YES. In this client education handout, the benefits to spay or neuter of the house rabbit are explored. Recommendations for pre-surgical preparation for companion animal castration as well as aftercare are also discussed.
Care of the Senior Rabbit
With proper care, pet rabbits can live long, happy lives. In this client education handout, we explore the aging changes that can be expected in the senior house rabbit including common health problems. Veterinary screening as well as home care of the geriatric rabbit are also explored.
Rabbit Introductions
Does my rabbit really need a companion? Many experts on house rabbit care agree that most individuals are not meant to live in solitude, away from members of their own kind. This client education handout discusses house rabbit companionship and the challenging process of rabbit introductions.
Aggression in Rabbits
To the uninitiated, rabbits have a reputation for being docile, passive creatures. Any aggressive actions from a house rabbit can be surprising–even alarming–to new owners. In this client education handout, fights between rabbits as well as rabbit aggression towards people are discussed.
Why Does My Rabbit? House Rabbit Behavior
Why Does My Rabbit? Common house rabbit behavior questions answered.
In many instances, rabbits kept in hutches, pet stores, or laboratories do not receive enough stimulation or physical space to demonstrate their full behavioral repertoire. Owners of house rabbits know these are intelligent creatures with distinct personalities and a range of behaviors. In this educational handout, clients can review normal husbandry, age, and sex-related behavior as well as normal sounds and actions like chewing and digging. The challenges of multi-rabbit households are also discussed.
Syringe Feeding Small Herbivores: Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Chinchillas
Why syringe fed? A cornerstone of treatment is delivery of food containing high dietary fiber. Proper syringe-feeding technique is essential..
Sugar Glider, Care of the
Sugar gliders are small, nocturnal marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea.
Rat, Care of the Pet
Rats are clean, friendly, playful, and quiet, and of all the “pocket pets” they are considered uniquely responsive to their owners.
Prairie Dogs
The free-ranging black-tailed prairie dog is a social rodent that lives in “towns”.
Orphaned Wildlife: Mammals
Cottontail rabbits hide their nests in plain view in the middle of a lawn, in brush piles, or long grass…
Mouse, Care of the Pet
Mice are good-natured, inquisitive creatures that make great, inexpensive, low-maintenance pets.
Litter Training the House Rabbit
Rabbits naturally choose one or a few places (usually corners) to deposit their urine and most of their fecal balls.
Insulinoma in the Ferret
Insulinoma, or pancreatic beta cell tumor, is an abnormal growth of the pancreas that secretes excess amounts of insulin. Unfortunately, insulinoma can be an extremely common disease of middle-aged to older ferrets in some nations. Client education is crucial for owners of affected ferrets. Teach owners to recognize signs of hypoglycemia and to prevent hypoglycemic episodes from occurring. Owners must also recognize situations that can precipitate a hypoglycemic crisis and take measures to minimize stressors whenever possible. Other important preventive measures are also explored.
Hedgehogs
The African pygmy hedgehog, also known as the 4-toed or white-bellied hedgehog, originates from central Africa.
Care of the Pet Guinea Pig
Native to South America, the guinea pig is a lively, lovable rodent that requires relatively easy care. This client education handout reviews housing and diet recommendations as well as the basics of safe handling, enrichment, and grooming. Download the PDF version to distribute to veterinary clients or modify the Word document for your hospital’s needs.
Care of the Pet Ferret
Ferrets are playful, friendly animals that can make excellent pets for the right person. This client education handout reviews basic care of the pet ferret. Topics covered include natural history, diet, housing, behavior and handling, grooming, as well as proper preventive care.
Corticosteroids
Dispense this client educational handout to owners of ferrets suffering from insulinoma or lymphoma and other patients on steroids.
Chinchillas
The long-tailed chinchilla is native to the mountains and foothills of the Andes Mountains in South America. These rodents are known for their large ears and soft, luxurious fur. Chinchillas make charming pets, but they are naturally skittish and are not considered a good choice for small children because of their delicate bones and their hyperactive natures. Most pet chinchillas live 6-10 years.
This client education handout reviews basic husbandry recommendations, including diet, housing, dust bathing, exercise, as well as handling and behavior.
Cats Indoors
Every year, cats kill hundreds of millions of birds in the United States alone. Download the American Bird Conservancy PDF brochure that advises clients on the best way to protect birds and cats.
Bats and Rabies
A public health guide on bats and rabies by Bat Conservation International.
Are You the Right Pet For Me? House Rabbits
What you need to know before adopting a house rabbit.
Are Rabbits Right For Me?
This handy guide details the key facts you need to consider before committing yourself to a pet rabbit. Visit the Make Mine Chocolate website and download their “Are Rabbits Right For Me?” PDF handout. Link posted with permission.
Adrenal Disease in the Ferret
Adrenocortical disease is a common endocrine disorder in middle-aged to older ferrets. This client education handout answers several questions for the ferret owner: What is the adrenal gland? What causes adrenocortical disease? What are the clinical signs of adrenal disease? How can adrenal disease be diagnosed and treated? And finally, why should I treat adrenal disease?
Cold Weather Tips for Exotic Animal Pets
While most exotic pets are housed indoors, there are still some key concepts to keep in mind when winter comes around. Donated by Dr. Eric Klaphake, this client education handout describes exotic pet housing, transport, and household hazards during cold weather months.