exam

Form-Questionnaire 

Turtle Physical Exam and Treatment Form

This physical examination form was generously shared by faculty advisor, Dr. G. Lewbart, and the North Carolina State Turtle Rescue Team (TRT), a volunteer organization run by veterinary medical students at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. The TRT provides medical care to sick and injured turtles free of charge in the hope of releasing rehabilitated turtles back into the wild. Over 500 wild turtles, and other reptiles and amphibians are seen each year.

Article  Quiz  Video  Webinar 

The Critical Reptile Patient

View this webinar recording by Stacey Leonatti Wilkinson, DVM, DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian Practice), RACE-approved for 1 credit hour. A common misconception is that true emergencies in reptile medicine do not exist. While it is true that most emergencies are an acute manifestation of a chronic disease, by the time the owner notices a problem an emergency may exist. Some common, true, acute-onset emergencies include trauma, vomiting, prolapse, seizures, tremors, obstructive dystocia, and severe dyspnea. Proper triage is critical when treating exotic animal patients and a complete history is vital to help determine a list of differential diagnoses. A physical examination should be performed, but initially it may be only visual or extremely limited if the patient is unstable. Stabilization should be the priority; then additional tests or procedures can be performed once the patient is more stable.

Article  Teaching Module 

Herptile Handling Teaching Module

LafeberVet’s Herptile Handling Teaching Module is RACE-approved for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Upon completion of this learning aid, the participant will have a basic clinical understanding of handling and restraint for amphibians, lizards, snakes, and chelonians. This content can serve as a clinical refresher or a teaching aid. Complete the four components of this syllabus, then take the brief quiz to earn one half hour of continuing education credit.

Article 

Amphibian Handling and Restraint

Part of the Herptile Handling Teaching Module, this review article addresses handling and restraint of amphibians, a diverse group that consists of over 8,000 extant species belonging to three orders: Anura (frogs and toads), Caudata or Urodela (salamanders, newts, and sirens), and Gymnophiona or Apoda (caecilians). Transport, defense mechanisms that may prove hazardous to handlers, potential dangers for the patient, and specific capture, handling, and restraint techniques are reviewed. Equipment needed, including personal protective equipment, is also discussed as well as measures to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

Article  Teaching Module 

Avian Quick Links

LafeberVet’s list of avian medicine links will assist your navigation of some of the avian medicine resources on LafeberVet. Educate yourself before laying  hands on the avian patient by reviewing the basics of avian anatomy and physiology as well as important principles of handling and restraint. Then explore content on the examination and history, behavior, housing and nutrition, as well as supportive care techniques, diagnostics, basic therapeutics, and common presenting problems. Start with content listed in the rows titled, “Begin with…”, then expand your knowledge with other sections, such as “Learn more…”.

Client Education Handout 

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.

Article 

2022 AEMV Veterinary Technology Contest

Lafeber Company was proud to sponsor the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) Veterinary Technology Client Education Materials Contest. Credentialed veterinary technicians, veterinary technologists, veterinary nurses, as well as students in this field were encouraged to submit a two-page, English-language educational handout (1500 words or less) about a companion exotic mammal health and wellness topic.

Form-Questionnaire 

Shelter Avian Intake Physical Exam Form

The California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET) Shelter Entrance Avian Examination Form, shared by Dr. Michelle Hawkins, includes entrance exam considerations helpful in a triage situation. This form is divided into four sections:  animal and owner information, physical findings, problem list/medication and plan, as well as notes.

Article  Form-Questionnaire  Video  Webinar 

Rabbit and Large Herbivorous Rodent Dental Disease

Krista Keller, DVM, DACZM presented a live, interactive webinar hosted by LafeberVet. View the RACE-approved, 2-hour presentation, then take the quiz to earn continuing education credit. This webinar first explores clinically relevant anatomy and pathogenesis of congenital and acquired disease. Diagnosis is then discussed, including history, the focused, five-part oral examination, as well as skull radiographs and computed tomography. Therapeutic options, such as coronal height reduction, extractions, and options for odontogenic abscessation, are then presented.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Clinical Approach to Amphibian Emergencies

View the RACE-approved webinar recording, presented by Douglas Whiteside, DVM, DVSc, DACZM, DECZM (Zoo Health Management). Topics covered include clinically relevant anatomy and physiology, obtaining a detailed history, triage and emergency therapies, clinical examination, diagnostic testing, analgesia, nutritional support, hospitalization, and euthanasia.

Article 

Behavior Essentials: Clinical Approach to the Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs are small, docile rodents, that must be approached with great care. Accurate evaluation of patient health status requires a thorough history, careful visual examination, and a detailed physical examination. Like most prey species, the guinea pig frequently hides signs of pain and illness. To improve clinical success, take measures to minimize stress by maintaining the animal in a quiet exam room and approaching the patient in a slow, quiet manner. The hospitalized guinea pig can also benefit greatly from the presence of a bonded cage mate. Monitor appetite and eliminations carefully in the guinea pig, and offer the same diet as fed in the patient’s home whenever possible as guinea pigs establish strong food preferences early in life.

Article  Teaching Module 

Emergency and Critical Care Teaching Module

This learning aid is designed to assist the participant in meeting the needs of VECCS-certified facility. The basics of emergency medicine and critical care universal, however veterinarians face a unique set of challenges when caring for birds, exotic companion mammals, and reptiles. Level 1 of this teaching module reviews the basics of exotic animal critical care. To learn more in Level 2, review the key points on critical care or supportive care for each taxonomic group: birds, exotic companion mammals, and reptiles. Each summary page includes a brief quiz that tests your knowledge and reinforces fundamental principles. Delve deeper into critical care of exotic animal patients in Level 3 by browsing pertinent exotic animal content on LafeberVet.

The Avian Neurological Exam

As a part of the Lafeber Company Student Program, Dr. Susan Orosz presented an exclusive presentation to the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine Non-Traditional Species Club as a distance learning event. This web-based seminar was recorded…

Form-Questionnaire 

Amphibian Physical Examination Form

The amphibian examination beings with careful visual observation. Use of a small, transparent container can enhance the amphibian visual examination and minimize handling time. Download the LafeberVet Amphibian Physical Examination Form, available in PDF, DOCX and DOC formats.

Article 

Assessing the Sick Rabbit

Rabbits are prey species. Their survival depends on the ability to be alert and respond quickly, and they possess acute senses of smell and hearing. Approach rabbits in a calm, quiet manner. Stressed or critically ill rabbits may not tolerate prolonged handling. Evaluation and treatment may need to proceed slowly in stages.

Article 

Cursory Examination of the Bird

Is your patient strong enough to handle manual restraint and a complete physical examination? In the debilitated or dyspneic patient, initially it may be prudent to place the patient in an incubator or oxygen cage in a dark, quiet room before evaluation. Even after the bird has had time to gather its strength and calm down after the stress of transport, it may only be strong enough to handle diagnostic testing, including physical examination, and treatment in stages.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Restraint & Handling of Small Exotic Companion Mammals Webinar

Manual restraint of exotic companion mammals is a challenging but necessary part of veterinary practice. In this webinar recording, Ms. McClellan reviews the approach to predator and prey species as well as the principles of capture and handling of several species of small exotic companion animals in a hospital setting including from rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas to small rodents, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders.

Article  Quiz 

Assessing the Sick Frog or Toad

So a frog hops into your exam room…
Know just enough amphibian medicine to feel dangerous? Read Assessing the Sick Frog or Toad for practical information that will help you–and your patient–in the exam room.

Always happy to see frog and toad patients? ‘Hop to’ our brief quiz!

Form-Questionnaire 

Rabbit Physical Examination Form

Form donated by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Download Rabbit Physical Exam Form.

Form-Questionnaire 

Pocket Pet Physical Examination Form

Form donated by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Download Pocket Pet Physical Exam Form.

Form-Questionnaire 

Reptile Physical Examination Form

Donated by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, use this reptile physical examination form to document evaluation of the reptile patient.

Form-Questionnaire 

Ferret Physical Examination Form

History and physical examination forms donated by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Download Ferret Physical Exam Form PDF.

Form-Questionnaire 

Avian Eye Exam Form 2

Created by LafeberVet and adapted from a standard ophthalmic exam form at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Download Avian Ophthalmic Exam Form 2 PDF .
Provided by Dr. Patrick Redig and Dr. Julia Ponder of The Raptor Center.

Form-Questionnaire 

Avian Eye Exam Form 1

Created by LafeberVet and adapted from a standard ophthalmic exam form at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Download Avian Ophthalmic Exam Form 1 PDF .

Form-Questionnaire 

Avian Physical Examination Form 3

Avian Physical Examination Forms Created by LafeberVet

Download Avian PE Form 3 PDF

Provided by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University