Herd/Flock Health and Medicine for the Exotic Animal Practitioner

Contents

Preface: Birds of a Feather Flock Together ix

Shangzhe Xie

Application of Epidemiology and Principles of Herd/Flock Health for the Exotic

Animal Veterinarian 495
Zhi Jian Kelvin Lim and Shangzhe Xie
Against a backdrop of climate change and epidemics, the exotic animal
veterinarian is well positioned to detect emerging and exotic disease
threats, prevent and control zoonotic diseases, and identify antimicrobial
resistance. Within the traditional context of animal and public health,
epidemiology has had a focus on veterinary preventive health and in dis-
ease investigation and control particularly in food animal and safety appli-
cation. The understanding of preventive health management and
veterinary epidemiology expands the repertoire of the clinical veterinarian
to advise and implement and evaluate group animal health programs and
biosecurity measures as well as conduct disease investigations.

Therapeutics in Herd/Flock Medicine 509

David J. McLelland and Jennifer M. McLelland
When treatment is required for a herd/flock health concern, a range of fac-
tors must be considered to determine the preferred treatment strategy. If a
group treatment strategy is pursued, considerations to optimize the likeli-
hood of safe and effective group treatment include taxon-specific pharma-
cokinetics/pharmacodynamics, the formulation of prescribed medication,
the type and amount of food, the number and type of water sources, enclo-
sure design, size and demography of the group, weather conditions, and
health status of individuals in the group. In addition, antimicrobial steward-
ship principles and relevant legislation/regulation must be at the forefront
of decision making.

Managing the Health of Captive Flocks of Birds 521

Ellen K. Rasidi and Juan Cornejo
There are many intersecting aspects to the avicultural management of a
captive flock. Extensive knowledge of the natural history of the species
kept is key to fulfilling the environmental, social, nutritional, and behavioral
requirements of the birds, whether in a mixed- or sole-species aviary. Spe-
cies compatibility with the environment, climate, and other co-occupants
plays a role as well, as does hygiene, good avicultural management, and
veterinary involvement and consultation. In understanding and meeting
these requirements, optimal health can be maintained through the reduc-
tion or elimination of stressors and the maintenance of normal physiologic
function.
vi Contents

Managing Disease Outbreaks in Captive Flocks of Birds 531

Ellen K. Rasidi and Shangzhe Xie
The modern avian practitioner may be called upon to manage disease
outbreak in aviary or zoologic bird flocks. Traditionally, managing these
types of disease events has been based on avicultural production princi-
ples, which may require modification to adapt to the modern leisure,
educational, or exhibition aviary. We discuss how principles of avicultural
medicine and disease investigation may be adapted to the aviary flock and
illustrate these modified principles with real-world examples.

Managing the Health of Captive Herds of Exotic Companion Mammals 547

Kim Le and Joanne Sheen
Common medical problems diagnosed and treated in individual compan-
ion exotic mammals are relevant in a herd-health setting. Many of these
problems are often associated with poor husbandry and/or inappropriate
nutrition. Rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, and rodents have been domesti-
cated alongside humans and an understanding of their ethology gives vet-
erinarians a base knowledge in making recommendations for animals in
their care. This article briefly reviews the ethology and husbandry in
such species, but detailed needs are beyond the scope of this article.

Managing Disease Outbreaks in Captive Herds of Exotic Companion Mammals 567

Amber Lee
Management of epizootics of exotic companion mammal herds relies on
careful observance of animals, proper management and husbandry,
adequate nutrition, and stress reduction. Many diseases occur because
of the stress of weaning so anticipating this and maximizing sanitation
and ventilation, minimizing overcrowding and concurrent disease, and
providing enough fiber for herbivores is prudent. Antimicrobial therapy
must be carefully considered in the route of administration and the likely
risk of enterotoxemia development. Separation of affected animals, rapid
diagnostic testing, and implementation of treatment and supportive care
minimizes losses during epizootics. Knowledge of potential zoonotic path-
ogens is important for veterinarians and staff.

Managing the Health of Captive Groups of Reptiles and Amphibians 609

Trent Charles van Zanten and Shane Craig Simpson
Managing the health of reptile and amphibian collections is centered on
providing appropriate environmental parameters, husbandry conditions,
and nutrition as well as maintaining good welfare and careful collection
planning. Disease transmission is reduced through quarantine, appro-
priate diagnostic testing, and annual veterinary health assessment."
 Contents vii

Prevention is Better than Cure: An Overview of Disease Outbreak Management in

Herptiles 647
Shirley Yeo LLizo
This article will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases
affecting reptiles and amphibians. There will be discussions on the charac-
teristics of each pathogen and treatment strategies based on the differ-
ences in pathogens. As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than
cure”. The key to successfully manage a disease outbreak is to prevent
one, by that, it means to have already in place preventative measures.
This will reduce the risk of a disease outbreak. Preventative measures
may include source of specimen, quarantine, types of testing while in quar-
antine, and treatment protocols based on test results.

Reproduction Management of Herds/Flocks of Exotic Animals: Investigating

Breeding Failures in Birds, Reptiles, and Small Mammals 661
Lorenzo Crosta, Daniele Petrini, and Shivananden Sawmy
The management of a breeding facility of exotic species is challenging and
managing these on a large scale can be a daunting task for general prac-
titioners or novice exotic animal veterinarians. They are usually not trained
to work with flocks or herds, and even most exotic animal veterinarians are
used to working with single patients. This article gives some suggestions
and tips on how to proceed when facing an exotic animal collection and
especially when breeding is not as successful as expected.

Recommended Health Care and Disease-Prevention Programs for Herds/Flocks of

Exotic Animals 697
Michelle Sutherland, Hamish Baron, and Joshua Llinas
Preventative health care is an essential part of the ownership and veteri-
nary management of exotic animals. This article provides an overview of
the current recommendations for health care and disease-prevention pro-
grams for herds or flocks of exotic animals, specifically companion and
aviary birds, backyard poultry; snakes, lizards, chelonians, and amphib-
ians; rabbits, ferrets, and common exotic small mammals. Husbandry
practices, disease screening suggestions and techniques, and vaccination
strategies, where appropriate, are reviewed.