Exotics and Lab Animal Intro

Exotic pet

any companion animal other than dogs and cats in common usage

examples

birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, sugar gliders, rabbits, guinea pigs

legal definition of exotic pet

any species not native to area where it’s found or housed

Lab animal

any animal used in research or teaching

most common lab animal models

mice and rats, others include hamsters, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits, geerbils, fish

production animals on a farm or ranch may

be part of research

Laws regarding exotic pet ownership vary by

federal, state, and local jurisdiction

clinics should know local laws and

counsel owners, consider policy on treating illegal to own species

ethical concerns of exotic pet ownership

zoonoses, public safety, care required, ecosystem impacts

CITES

convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora: protecting species from extinction

CITES appendix 1

threatened with extinction, comercial trade highly restricted

CITES appendix 2

not currently threatened, regulated trade with permits

CITES appendix 3

protected in at least one country, certification required for export

permits/licenses are required to

possess or rehab native wildlife

clinics can stabilize wildlife and then

transfer to licensed rehabbers asap

Exotic care in clinics

evaluate staff training, equipment/supply needs, legal/ethical considerations

staff education of vets

assume responisbility for species-specific knowledge and skills

staff education of vet nurses

training in handling, restraint, and procedures

advanced education beyond basic credentials is

recommended especially if clinic sees venomous species

sources of advanced education

large vet conferences, professional associations, manufacturer resources

facility concerns

provide areas where they can examined/hospitalized away from dogs/cats, clean/disinfect surfaces and equipment used with domestic species and remove odors and pathogens, block escape routes, hospitalize with own enclosure within larger cage or special caging, seperate hospitalizationaway from dog/cat, avoid stressors

equipment overview

standard supplies overlap with small animal, but specialized tools are needed, accurate weights, dosing in tiny volumes, appropriate syringes, dilutents, compounding

extralabel drug use

many meds are not labeled for species, done appropriately under FDA

many meds are in tiny volumes and require

dilution or compounding

Office visit

expect longer appointments, advise on transport, recognize common presentations and prioritize appropriately, avoid prey-preadtor stress

Anamnesis

patient history

Patient history is crucial because many exotics

mask ilness

Patient history includes

diet, environment, species, sex, age, source, species specific history forms

non-dimorphic species

males and females presentation look similar

Physical exam includes

observation in enclosure, monitor stress, species specific PE protocols, diagnostics by history and PE findings

Client education

many owners underestimate care needs, provide reminders and handouts, counter misinformation, stock retail area with appropriate needs, encourage clients to call with questions

DS prevention goal

minimize stressors to reduce ds risk and confounding variables in research

predisposing stress factors categories

intrinsic, extrinsic, dietary, experimental

intrinsic

species, age, sex, genetics

extrinsic

temp, humidity, ventilation, noise, lighting

dietary

quality of food and water, availability and sanitation

experimental

restraint, surgery, drug effects

AWA and AWR

animal welfare act and regulations

AWA

principal federal statute for sale, handling, transport, and use of animals

AWA covers

warm-blooded animals used in research/teaching/exhibition except horses and farm animals used for agricultural research, food or fiber, birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus

AWA is enforced by

USDA via APHIS, inspections at least annually

IACUC

Institutional Animal Care and Use Comittee

IACUC USDA minimum members

chair, laboratory animal vet, nonaffiliated member

IACUC PHS/OLAW minimum members

5, including nonscientist and practicing scientist

IACUC is independent within the

institution

IACUC functions

semiannual inspeendpoointjctions and program reviews, protocol review, investigate concerns, ensure humane endpoints, etc.

Animal use protocols

detail species/justification, numbers, qualified personnel, literature search, euthanasia methods, humane endpoints, monitoring plans

3 Rs

replacement, reduction, refinement

replacement

non animal or lower sentience alternatives

reduction

reduce number of animals used

refinement

lessen stress, pain, anxiety, and distrubance of normal life to animal or enhance animal well being

humane endpoints reason and criteria

minimize pain and distress

percentage of weight loss, size of tumor, labored breathing, inability to ambulate

benefits of animal research

vaccines, antibiotics, organ transplants, therapies in oncology, improvements in vet care, etc.

replacement example

in vitro

in silico

organoids

reduction example

appropriate statistics

shared controls

improved design to use fewer animals

refinement example

improved handling/training

enrichment

multimodal analgesia