Quiz 

Test Your Knowledge: Therapeutic Techniques in Reptiles

The Therapeutic Techniques in Reptile Patients webinar was reviewed and approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program for 1 hour of continuing education credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians in jurisdictions that recognize AAVSB RACE approval. You have three chances to take this post-test and pass. With a passing grade, you will see your results and a link to your continuing education certificate.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Therapeutic Techniques in Reptile Patients

Douglas Mader, MS, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline Practice), DABVP (Reptile/Amphibian Practice), DECZM (Herpetology) presented this live, interactive webinar. View the RACE-approved webinar recording, then take and pass the brief post-test to earn 1 continuing education credit. Effective therapeutic management of reptile patients requires strict attention to the Preferred Optimal Temperature Zone (POTZ). Warming patients to their POTZ ensures predictable pharmacologic responses, as reptiles at ideal temperatures demonstrate significantly improved drug absorption and metabolism compared with hypothermic individuals. Hydration status and appropriate route selection also influence therapeutic success in reptile medicine. Various routes of drug and fluid administration are explored, from subcutaneous and intracoelomic to intramuscular, intravenous, and intraosseous routes of injection.

Quiz 

Post-Test: Brumation in Turtles and Tortoises

The Brumation in Turtles and Tortoises webinar was reviewed and approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program for 1 hour of continuing education credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians in jurisdictions that recognize AAVSB RACE approval. You have three chances to take this post-test and pass. With a passing grade, you will see your results and a link to your continuing education certificate.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Brumation in Turtles and Tortoises

Brumation is a natural state of dormancy that occurs in response to colder temperatures. View the RACE-approved recording of the webinar presented by Dr. Joanna Hedley. This presentation examines the factors that influence brumation and outlines key considerations when preparing to brumate a chelonian in a controlled environment, including a comprehensive health check and preparatory steps, such as withdrawal of food as well as reduction of environmental temperature and photoperiod. Various techniques are discussed, including outdoor housing, traditional box methods, and refrigerator or chiller methods. Effective monitoring as well as rewarming protocols are also covered.

Client Education Handout 

Setting Up Your Lizard’s Home

Use this client education handout to explore common requirements of lizards in captivity. The vivarium that you create should meet the minimum species-specific needs of your lizard, including temperature and humidity, lighting, as well as cage size and materials that meet the animal’s need to climb, burrow, and/or swim.

Client Education Handout 

Tegu Basic Care

Tegus are characterized by their large size, muscular limbs, spotted pattern, and long, forked tongue. Tegus can thrive in captivity when provided with a proper diet and an enclosure that is designed to recreate the conditions that they would encounter in the wild. This client education handout reviews species commonly kept in captivity, housing, diet, and behavior. In the wild, tegus are mostly ground-dwelling, burrowing lizards. Originating from the tropical rainforests of South America, their humidity requirements are high. Most tegus are omnivores. Most species are generalists that consume a wide variety of food items in the wild. Tegus are also curious, extremely intelligent lizards. Some individuals can be tamed and trained with regular handling, especially from an early age.

Article  Client Education Handout 

Old World Chameleon Care

There are over 150 species of Old World or true chameleons, however the veiled chameleon, panther chameleon, and Jackson’s or three-horned chameleon are three of the most common species seen in captivity. This client education handout reviews natural history, physical description and caging parameters, including temperature, humidity, visual security, substrate, as well as diet, behavior, […]

Article  Quiz  Video  Webinar 

Spotlight on Anesthesia & Analgesia in Reptiles

View the RACE-approved webinar recording presented by Javier Nevarez, DVM, PhD, DACZM, DECZM (Herpetology). The live event was an updated version of his 2016 presentation. Topics covered include recognizing signs of pain and discomfort, analgesics commonly used in reptiles, as well as balanced anesthetic protocols. Since a key component of successful anesthesia and analgesia is the ability to properly monitor the patient, essential monitoring parameters and equipment are also discussed. This presentation concludes with a review of respiratory stimulus in the reptile and anesthetic recovery.

Quiz 

Test Your Knowledge: Avian Anesthesia – Practical Applications

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Pour les vétérinaires. Par les vétérinaires.

Le site Lafervet.com est conçu pour une utilisation par les vétérinaires. Il est ouvert aux vétérinaires diplômés, aux techniciens vétérinaires diplômés, aux […]

Article  Video  Webinar 

Avian Anesthesia: Practical Applications

Jody Nugent-Deal, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia), VTS (Exotic Companion Animal) presented this RACE-approved webinar recording. This distance-learning event first reviews avian anatomy and physiology, emphasizing clinically relevant ways that birds differ from mammals. This course also goes over anesthesia monitoring equipment and what actually works on birds, as well as machine and basic equipment set-up. She concludes with a discussion of common anesthetic protocols used in avian patients. View the recording, then complete (and pass) the brief post-test to earn 1 hour of continuing education credit.

Client Education Handout 

Care of the Backyard Chicken

This client education handout reviews basic care of backyard poultry, specifically the pet chicken. Topics covered in more detail include housing, such as space, substrate, temperature, ventilation, predator proofing, perching, nestboxes, and sanitation, as well as diet and basic principles of biosecurity and quarantine.

Article  Slideshow 

Rabbit Husbandry Basics Slideshow

Key points of rabbit husbandry are summarized in this brief Rabbit Husbandry Basics slideshow, designed to serve as a quick clinical refresher for the veterinary health professional. Review the slideshow or read the more detailed Basic Rabbit Care client education handout to review diet, housing, including “bunny proofing”, as well as handling tips for the house rabbit owner.

Article  Teaching Module 

Anesthetic Monitoring Teaching Module

Upon completion of this RACE-approved learning aid, the participant will have a basic clinical understanding of anesthetic monitoring of exotic animal patients: birds, exotic companion mammals, and reptiles.

Article 

Monitoring Vital Signs in Exotic Animal Species

Even the most steadfast and seasoned veterinary anesthetist can find themselves intimidated by exotic animal patients. Standard veterinary anesthesia monitors are not designed to read the extremely high (or extremely low) heart rates and respiratory rates of some exotic animal patients. Despite these challenges, valuable information can be gathered from monitoring tools as well as hands-on techniques. Essential vital signs, such as heart rate and rhythm, respiratory rate and depth, body temperature, and mucous membrane color should all be evaluated.

Form-Questionnaire 

Anesthetic Record 1

Created by veterinary technician specialist, Katrina Lafferty, this anesthesia monitoring record is available for download as as both a Word document and PDF.

Form-Questionnaire 

Anesthetic Record 2

Download this anesthetic record, available as a PDF, and recommended by veterinary technician specialist, Katrina Lafferty.

Form-Questionnaire 

Anesthetic Record 3

Download this anesthesia & recovery record, suggested by veterinary technician specialist, Katrina Lafferty. This anesthetic record was created by the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and is from a collection of online resources recommended by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Practice Standards Scheme.

Form-Questionnaire 

Anesthetic Record 4

Download this anesthesia monitoring sheet, available as a PDF, and recommended by veterinary technician specialist, Katrina Lafferty.

Client Education Handout 

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.

Article 

Basic Husbandry: Hospitalizing Non-Traditional Pets

No single hospital environment can meet the needs of every exotic animal and caging systems must be tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient. Read about those caging requirements that remain constant among exotic animals as well as the species-specific needs of each taxa from birds and small mammals to fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Article 

Exotic ICU: Nursing Care for Reptiles

Due to their unique anatomy, physiology, and behavior, critically ill reptiles pose special challenges. Fortunately there are a host of tips and tricks that can increase clinical success in an intensive care setting… This Exotic ICU article is part of a series exploring nursing care of special species.

Article 

Basic Husbandry: Hospitalizing the Sea Turtle

Debilitated sea turtles are often too weak to be housed in water upon presentation to a veterinary medicine or wildlife rehabilitation setting. Instead these patients are maintained on a padded surface or waterbed. Once the turtle is stronger, it should ideally be transferred to a rehabilitation tank. LOGIN to view references.

Article 

Supplemental Heat for the Avian Patient

Small birds face an enormous task in maintaining their body temperature, especially in a cold environment, but fortunately plumage provides an effective barrier to heat loss. Down feathers trap air and allow little convective movement of heat to occur. Fluffing feathers increases insulation and…