The Exotic Animal History

Key Points

• Improper diet and substandard housing are often major contributors to illness in exotic animal patients.
• Some exotic animal species are sexually monomorphic, therefore always determine how gender was identified.
• How long has the animal been in the client’s possession? New arrivals are more likely to suffer from stress and acute problems like infectious disease. Animals kept in a well-established cage setup are more likely to suffer from husbandry-related problems or chronic disease.
• Obtain a detailed dietary history. If the animal is offered a wide variety of food items determine what is offered versus what is actually consumed.
• Husbandry information for the reptile must be particularly detailed, and should include temperature, humidity, and how these parameters are monitored. What is the availability of full-spectrum ultraviolet light or exposure to direct sunlight for omnivorous and herbivorous reptiles?
• If the pet is allowed outside of the cage, identify your patient’s potential exposure to environmental hazards. Is the pet supervised? Does the owner “pet proof” the environment?
• For reptiles:  When did the animal last shed? Was that shed normal? And in large reptiles, when did the animal last eat and when did the animal last defecate?
• Collect a thorough history whenever a new patient presents. During follow-up visits, tailor questions to the presenting complaint and any recommendations or changes since the previous visit.