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Living in captivity
parrot
Parrots normally vocalise loudly to communicate being alone.
Recognising and preventing health and behavioural issues in exotic pets
 
Speaking in the first lecture of the RVC Clinical Stream at the London Vet Show, RVC lecturer Jo Hedley explored how to recognise and prevent behavioural problems in exotic pets.

Behavioural issues are common in exotic pets and are often the first reason why the pet is presented to the veterinary practice. Beginning her lecture, Jo spoke about how to recognise normal behaviour in small mammals including rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets.

Jo explained that as small mammals tend to feed and exercise between dusk and dawn, this is ideally the best time to carry out the consult. Digging and chewing - particularly for rabbits - is normal behaviour, as is nipping and biting in ferrets. Jo also stressed that it is natural for these animals hide signs of fear, pain and disease for as long as possible, so problems can be difficult to diagnose.

Delegates were then asked to think about what is abnormal behaviour. Indeed, chewing, digging, aggression and screaming may all be normal in certain situations - such as the nibbling of household wires by rabbits.  

One of the common challenges, Jo noted, is parrot screaming. Parrots normally vocalise loudly to communicate being alone (this equates to being vulnerable in the wild). However, screaming commonly occurs when the owner leaves the room, which begins a cycle of abnormal behaviour.

Another common challenge is self-mutilation - particularly common in parrots and rodents. What may start as underlying pain or excessive grooming, may later become a habit.

How can we approach behavioural problems?
"There is no easy fix," explained Jo. "We need to ensure that owners have the appropriate expectations." This includes making owners aware that some treatment will need ongoing management, that there may be multiple long-consults, and that they may need to modify their own behaviour.

    •    The first step is to obtain a thorough husbandry history. For example, the pet's current set-up, diet and daily routine, as well as opportunities to express normal behaviours.  
    •    Secondly, quiz the owner about their relationship with the animal - such as how often they handle them and the time of day that this takes place.
    •    Thirdly, question the owner about the problem behaviour. Find out when it started and how it has progressed.  
    •    Lastly, a full medical and clinical exam must be carried out as it is important to always rule out medical problems before diagnosing the problem as a behavioural issue.

Jo concluded her lecture by explaining that for most behavioural problems, the owner's behaviour needs to change. The animals need to be given the correct social structure and the owner must ensure that they are given a balanced diet.  How food is presented should be varied so as to promote natural behaviour.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.