Exotic mammals

Middle East is a diverse and developing exotic animal market. Undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional development (CPD) education are noticeably absent except in few countries. Avian species are the most commonly kept due to traditional falconry or aviculture. Small mammal and reptile pet numbers are increasing. Endangered wildlife is still illegally kept and trafficked. Common diseases are similar to other continents related heavily with poor diet and husbandry due to uneducated, financially restrained, and prejudiced owners...

BACKGROUND: This manuscript is the first contribution of the project, "Matela - uma ilha de biodiversidade" ("Matela - an island of biodiversity"), that aims to restore the native vegetation within the Azorean Protected Area of the Terceira Island Nature Park known as the "Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Matela" (TER08), situated on Terceira Island, the Azores Archipelago, Portugal. This small fragment of native forest, positioned at a low-medium altitude (300-400 m a...

Environmental DNA holds significant promise as a non-invasive tool for tracking terrestrial biodiversity. However, in non-homogenous terrestrial environments, the continual exploration of new substrates is crucial. Here we test the hypothesis that spider webs can act as passive biofilters, capturing eDNA from vertebrates present in the local environment. Using a metabarcoding approach, we detected vertebrate eDNA from all analyzed spider webs (N = 49). Spider webs obtained from an Australian woodland locality yielded vertebrate eDNA from 32 different species, including native mammals and birds...

The present study was aimed at the identification of population stratifying markers from the commercial porcine SNP 60K array and elucidate the genome-wide selective sweeps in the crossbred Landlly pig population. Original genotyping data, generated on Landlly pigs, was merged in various combinations with global suid breeds that were grouped as exotic (global pig breeds excluding Indian and Chinese), Chinese (Chinese pig breeds only), and outgroup pig populations. Post quality control, the genome-wide SNPs were ranked for their stratifying power within each dataset in TRES (using three different criteria) and FIFS programs and top-ranked SNPs (0...

Companion animal ownership has evolved to new exotic animals, including small mammals, posing a new public health challenge, especially due to the ability of some of these new species to harbour zoonotic bacteria, such as Salmonella , and spread their antimicrobial resistances (AMR) to other bacteria through the environment they share. Therefore, the objective of the present pilot study was to evaluate the current epidemiological AMR situation in commensal Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., in non-traditional companion animal small mammals in the Valencia region...

BACKGROUND: The link between the reckless use of antimicrobials with the increasing development of multidrug-resistant strains of antibiotics is well established. To control the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), action plans, recommendations and guidelines on the prudent use of antibiotics have been developed for food-producing animals and companion animals but appear to be lacking in exotic pets due to the scarcity of data and information on the use of antibiotics in these species...

The veterinary medical field is constantly growing and evolving. Embracing the growth of readily available video conferencing, and potentially spurred by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic causing the public to seek alternatives to physical contact for medical advice at their local veterinary clinic, the use of long-distance advice or telehealth is a rapidly developing field in its own right. Here we present case studies using a teletriage service, VetTriage, to provide health care advice to clients with underserved species including presenting complications, actions taken during the session, medical advice given, and follow-up of the case when possible...

Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are small nocturnal marsupials with a unique metabolism and reproductive strategy compared to other common exotic companion mammals. Although there are few reports on the pediatric diseases of sugar gliders, clinicians should be aware of the normal reproductive anatomy, physiology, and rearing of sugar gliders. By recognizing the signs of normal reproduction and joey development, clinicians can identify abnormalities quickly and provide appropriate intervention, as needed.

Pediatric exotic companion animal nutrition is a broad topic, spanning small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Little research has been performed focusing on the juvenile life stages of these species because they are largely acquired by clients at the young adult stage. The information that does exist has been compiled by wildlife rehabilitators, commercial breeders, and/or exotic captive breeding programs, such as those that exist in zoologic facilities. In this article, we discuss natural history, feeding strategies, energy requirements, digestive physiology and diet digestibility, and key nutrients of concern as factors for determining an appropriate diet for pediatric exotic species...

Since late 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a significant global threat to public health. Responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, this new coronavirus has prompted extensive scientific research to comprehend its transmission dynamics, especially among humans. However, as our understanding deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that SARS-CoV-2's impact goes beyond human populations. Recent investigations have illuminated the transmission of the virus between humans and various animal species, raising important questions about zoonotic spillover events and their potential implications for both human and animal health...

Urbanization processes are taking place at a very high rate, especially in Africa. At the same time, a number of small mammal species, be they native or invasive, take advantage of human-induced habitat modifications. They represent commensal communities of organisms that cause a number of inconveniences to humans, including potential reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. We studied via live trapping and habitat characterization such commensal small mammal communities in small villages to large cities of Senegal, to try to understand how the species share this particular space...

Rotavirus group A (RVA) is the most important cause of acute diarrhoea and severe dehydration in young mammals. Infection in livestock is associated with significant mortality and economic losses and, together with wildlife reservoirs, acts as a potential source of zoonotic transmission. Therefore, molecular surveillance of circulating RVA strains in animal species is necessary to assess the risks posed to humans and their livestock. An RVA molecular epidemiological surveillance study on clinically diseased livestock species revealed high prevalence in cattle and pigs (31 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively) with significant phylogenetic diversity including a novel and divergent ovine artiodactyl DS-1-like constellation G10-P[15]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A11-N2-T6-E2-H3...

Invasive wild mammals are present in all continents, with Europe, North America, and the Asian-Pacific region having the largest number of established species. In particular, Europe has been the continent with the highest number of zoonotic parasites associated with invasive wild mammals. These invasive species may represent a major threat for the conservation of native ecosystems and may enter in the transmission cycle of native parasites, or act as spreaders of exotic parasites. Here, we review the role of invasive wild mammals as spreaders of zoonotic parasites, presenting important examples from Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region...

Body temperature measurement is one of the most important parameters to assess the health of a patient. In small exotic mammals, rectal temperature is obtained via a similar process as in dogs or cats, with a few specific differences. In reptiles and birds, measurement of body temperature can provide important information, albeit its accuracy may be limited. In most animals, temperature should be taken at the beginning of the examination to not artificially elevate the temperature during the physical exam. Heat support is typically indicated any time a patient's temperature is below the accepted core temperature range and cooling may be indicated whenever a patient's temperature exceeds a critical point...

Exotic pets are presented to veterinary clinics with increasing frequency for routine, urgent, and emergency needs. With these increased visits, owners' expectations for high-quality veterinary care are also increasing. Many presenting complaints of reptiles, birds, and small mammals can benefit from the use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) to establish a minimum database, aid in triage, and help guide further diagnostics, treatment, and prognostic discussions with the owner. Hospitalized exotic patients can also have their progress tracked and better assessed with the aid of POCUS...

Sedation and anesthesia of exotic animals in inherently challenging, but often facilitates the best care for patients. Critical illness or injury adds on another layer of complexity to their management for obtaining diagnostics and providing treatments. This article serves to review some of the more recent literature of sedation and anesthesia within exotics practice, bringing to light some nuances and considerations for when those patients are critically ill or injured.

Despite poor recognition in the literature, exotic companion animals are affected by many diseases that can result in disordered coagulation and fibrinolysis. This article outlines current knowledge of hemostasis, common diagnostic tests and reviews reported diseases associated with coagulopathy in small mammals, bird and reptiles. A range of conditions affect platelets and thrombocytes, endothelium and blood vessels, and plasma clotting factors. Improved recognition and monitoring of hemostatic disorders will enable targeted therapy and improved case outcomes...

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden, severe decrease in kidney function which can occur in any species. There are various causes of AKI, some of which are seen in domestic species and some that are unique to exotics. Exotic animals present unique challenges with AKI management such as differences in anatomy and physiology, intravenous and urinary catheterization, repeated blood sampling, and their tendency to present in advanced states of illness. This article will discuss AKI, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for exotic companion mammals...

Primordial germ cells (PGCs), are the source of gametes in vertebrates. There are similarities in the development of PGCs of reptiles with avian and mammalian species PGCs development. PGCs culture has been performed for avian and mammalian species but there is no report for reptilian PGCs culture. In vitro culture of PGCs is needed to produce transgenic animals, preservation of endangered animals and for studies on cell behaviour and research on fertility. Reptiles are traded as exotic pets and a source of food and they are valuable for their skin and they are useful as model for medical research...

Monkeypox, a zoonotic orthopoxvirus, unintentionally infects humans and causes a condition resembling smallpox with noticeably reduced fatality. Despite the name monkeypox, the virus did not originate in monkeys. The virus has been linked to several rodents and small mammals, but the real source of monkeypox is still unknown. It was first noticed in macaque monkeys; hence it is named monkeypox. Although monkeypox transmission from person to person is extremely uncommon, it is frequently linked to respiratory droplets or close contact with mucocutaneous lesions of an infected person...