Down the Rabbit Hole with AEMV: Exotic Companion Mammal Briefs

Join me and Dr. Colin McDermott - DVM, ABVP (Reptile and Amphibian Practice), CertAqV as we chat all about hamsters, including:

• what should they eat?
• how do I make them not eat me?
• how hard are they to spay, anyways?
• help!  the hamster is going bald 
• what are diagnostics we can do on these little guys?

Do you think you have what it takes to become a board-certified Exotics Technician?  Do it!

In this episode, we talk to Ian Kanda, VTS Exotics about the journey to become the best exotics veterinary technologist/technician (AKA veterinary nurse) possible.  We cover such topics as:

• Help!  How do I get started?
• Is there a test involved?
• What skills and knowledge do I need in clinical practice?

Join us with Dr. Angela Lennox DVM, DABVP (Avian), ECM; DECZM (Small Mammal) with a conversation about the tough stuff - euthanasia.  We answer such questions as:

• Can owners be present? (spoiler alert - YES)
• What medications are typically used?
• Does every patient require an IV catheter?
• What do the AVMA Euthanasia Guidelines (2020) tell us?

And more!

Dr. Jo Sheen (BVM&S PGCert(Clin Pain Mgmt) Diplomate ABVP(ECM) CertZooMed) talks to us from Sydney about what is (and isn't) known about facial fractures in rabbits.  We cover a range of topics, including:

• Why do rabbits present to the vet hospital with facial fractures?
• What kind of primary fixation can be attempted?
• Are antibiotics indicated?

And other tidbits about mentorship, illegal pets, and more.  

Dr. Vladimir Jekl DVM, PhD, DipECZM (S. Mammal) chats with us about dental abscesses in rabbits and his 2023 retrospective review JAVMA paper that included 200 cases.  In it, we discuss:

• where do these abscesses come from, anyways?
• can you culture things from a rabbit abscess?
• what are the most common complications he sees?

And more.

Dr. Abby Needleman, DVM tells us all about starting out in practice with one of the least furry of the exotic mammals - the Pot-Bellied Pig.  We cover such topics as:

• what is a Pot-Bellied Pig, anyways?
• how difficult are these pigs to see in practice?
• what are their basic veterinary needs, and how do we get this done in the clinic?

Dr. Jennifer Graham,  DABVP (Avian / Exotic Companion Mammal), DACZM, co-author of  textbook, "Exotic Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine"  answers many questions about starting to see rabbits in the ER, including:

• do you need specialized equipment?
• why do we care how much rabbits poop?
• what are some important blood work and x-ray findings too look out for?
• do rabbits always die in the ER?

Dr. Grayson Doss, DVM, DACZM  takes us through his hedgehog research and answers such burning questions as:

• How challenging is it to do research on hedgehogs?
• How often should you be giving buprenorphine?
• Does injectable sedation work in them?
• Should you be intubating every anesthetized hedgehog?

And, most importantly?

• Is there a Hedgehog Running Club?

In this first episode, we introduce Dr. Victoria Bender, current president of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV).  We talk about her career path, the goals and future of the AEMV, and of course, a kangaroo patient.