ACT - Exotic Animals1. 2 Exotic Pets Exotic animals are often defined as any species of animal that is not considered to be a common pet (companion animal)

ACT - Exotic Animals 1


Exotic PetsExotic animals are often defined as any species of animal that is not considered to be a common pet (companion animal) or domesticated livestock species.

This presentation identifies those species listed in the Texas Veterinary Medicine Association’s Level One course guide; “Identification of Common Exotic Species”.

Additional resources are listed at the end of the presentation.


Exotic PetsMAMMALS

Rabbits

Ferrets

Pot-bellied Pigs

Hedgehogs

RODENTS Chinchillas

Rats/Mice

Gerbils

Hamsters

Guinea pigs

Prairie Dogs

Sugar Gliders

“Identification of Common Exotic Species” Texas Veterinary Medicine Association

Level One Course Guide


Exotic PetsAVIANCanaries

Finches

Parakeets

Parrots

Cockatoos

Cockatiels

Macaws

REPTILESIguana

Other Lizards

Snakes

Turtles/Tortoises

AMPHIBIANSFrogs

FISH

“Identification of Common Exotic Species” Texas Veterinary Medicine Association

Level One Course Guide


MAMMALSMammals are vertebrate animals that are endothermic, have hair on their bodies, and produce milk to feed their babies. Many mammals give birth to live young that are small and helpless.


RabbitsRabbits are intelligent, social animals who need affection. They can become wonderful companion animals if given a chance to interact with their human families. There are a number of breeds; some large and others small. The lifespan is from 5 to 10 years.

Mini Lop French Angora


FerretsBelonging to the weasel family, ferrets have long, slender bodies and oval-shaped heads with 40 teeth. Un-spayed females are prone to aplastic anemia and un-neutered males can be aggressive. They are very curious animals and give off a musky smell from their skin. Their lifespan is 8 to 10 years.


POT BELLYThis dwarf swine breed were developed in the 1960's from the Í breed of Vietnam. They were originally brought into Sweden and Canada and have since moved into a number of countries. They come in a variety of colors and are not known for meat production.

North American Pot Bellied Pig Association


HedgehogsThese small, nocturnal, insectivores can be quite nervous and are not generally cuddly. They have soft fur on their face and belly and their body is covered with sharp quills that feel much like a bristly brush. They are relative low maintenance pets with a lifespan of 8 to 10 years.


RODENTSRodents have teeth (upper and lower incisors) that grow throughout their life.

It they are not worn down properly then an overgrowth occurs causing injury.

Gnawing on things helps control the overgrowth by wearing down the teeth.


ChinchillasExpensive nocturnal animal with compact bodies, bushy tails, and large eyes and ears. Its thick coat does not support parasites like fleas and ticks. They are very timid, easily frightened, and can be noisy. They may bite or shed its fur in fear and because of this are not recommend as pets for young children. They are clean with no body odor but hate water. The lifespan is around 20 years but they are very sensitive to heat and can die from heat stroke.


RatsClean, highly intelligent social animals that enjoy human company. There are numerous rat varieties and have a lifespan of 1 to 3 years. They naturally live in groups and are very active and love to climb. Rats mature early and breed extremely quickly from 5 weeks old, producing a litter of 8 or more young every 4 or 5 weeks. They are prone to respiratory diseases which are contagious to other rats and but not humans.


MiceDomestic mice bred in captivity make friendly pets and come in a wide variety of colors. They live for 1 to 2 years and are fully grown at around 3 months. They love playing with toys and they like cardboard tubes to run through and chew on. Mice love to groom and play with each other. Mice are usually friendly and enjoy human contact but can occasionally be timid.


GerbilsMongolian Gerbil most commonInquisitive, friendly, hygienic and rarely bite.Easy to take care and active during nightLive underground in tunnels so similar environment neededHave hairy tails instead of rat or mouse likeEnjoy running, digging, burrowing, and climbingTerritorial and live 2 to 5 years


HamstersMost common breed is the golden hamster. Naturally solitary and prefer to be kept alone. Usually enjoy human contact and rarely bite. Short tails and cheek pouches. Lifespan is 2 to 3 years. Most active during the evening and at night. inexpensive, friendly, and fairly easy to care.


Guinea pigsSeven common varieties and known as “Cavies”. 4 toes on front, 3 on back, and no visible tail. Sensitive hearing, keen eye sight and excellent peripheral vision. Inquisitive, friendly and enjoy being handled. Rarely bite or scratch but can be nervous. Active during the daytime. Communicate vocally with different noises having different meanings. Healthy vegetarians with large front incisors that are very sharp. Can live 4 to 8 years


Prairie DogsHighly social amusing animalsRequire lots of attention and love to digWeight 5 pounds and have short tailsHave been know to carry hantavirus and bubonic plagueLife span of about 10 years“Bark" when excitedProne to obesity.


Sugar GlidersNocturnal tree dwelling Marsupial. Highly social and live in groups. Docile creatures prone to malnutrition often causing rear end paralysis, parasites, pneumonia and malocclusion. Live 10 to 15 years and require a diet of fresh chopped fruit and vegetables. If you're not prepared for the daily upkeep on these, don't get one.


AVIANThere are many different types of birds.The two most common orders seen in veterinary clinics are passeriformes and psittaciformes.Passerines – straight beaks – 3 toes in front of foot and 1 in the backPsittacines – curved beaks – 2 toes in front and 2 in the back


CanariesPasserinesSmall birds – 5 ½ inches long2nd most popular caged birdKnown for their singingBut the males are the only singersVariety of colorsLifespan 6 to 16 years


FinchesPasserinesSmall birds – 4 ½ inches longHundreds of speciesColors from gray, tan, cream and buffShort, red bills


ParakeetsPsittacines – Most popular caged bird. Several species but most common is known as the budgie. Life expectancy is 15 to 20 years. They are small bird 6 to 7 inches. The males have a blue cere and blue-gray feet and the females have a pinkish brown cere and shade of pink on their feet.


Parrots PsittacinesMedium size (15 inches)No external differences in male and femalesAmazon and African Grays are most commonLifespan is 30 to 50 yearsThe African gray is popular because it has the ability to mime.


CockatoosPsittacinesMedium size (17-18 inches)Usually white or faint pastelShort tails and long or short crestsExtremely playful and interactive with a lively personalityLoving - affectionate birds


CockatielsPsittacinesVariety of color patterns and a crestFriendly and easy to tameMedium size (12 inches)Long tail and pointed crestMales have yellow faces and orange cheeks Females have touch of yellow on face and cheeks but not as bright as malesGood at whistling and can often be taught to whistle tunes


Macaws PsittacinesRange in sizes from small to largeSeveral species thus several colorsRequire lots of attentionNot good for people that are gone from home 10 hours a dayIntelligent, very good talkers and love human attention


reptilesReptiles are vertebrates, they have scaly skin that keeps their bodies from drying out, their young do not go through a larva stage like amphibians, but instead look like small versions of the adults when they hatch. There are four main groups of reptiles: turtles and tortoises; lizards and snakes; crocodiles and alligators; and the tuatara, the only species left from an ancient group of reptiles that goes back to the dinosaurs.


IguanaGreen Iguanas most popularOmnivorous and cold-blooded so heating and lighting criticalBright green to dull, grayish-greenAdults 4 to 6 feet with long fingers and clawsSusceptible to many diseasesGood sense of hearing and smell, and superb visionAwake during day and tend to live alone


Other LizardsLizards are becoming increasingly popular and the health care team must be very careful in handling these reptiles. Bites are highly septic and can cause nasty wounds and disease conditions. Monitor lizards are the most common species. Others include anoles, bearded dragons, chameleons, geckos, blue tongued skinks, and many more.

For pictures of different lizard species the following web site is one of the best:

http://www.naturalhistorymall.com/lizards.html


SnakesThere are many types of snakes whether in the wild or in pet stores. You should never put your hand into a holding container until you are sure what is inside. Know how to identify the poisonous species in your area and always use caution when handling any snake.

Pictures of different types of snakes can be found at the following web site. It is one of the best.

http://www.naturalhistorymall.com/


Turtles/TortoisesThere are many types of turtles and tortoises. Some types are on the endangered species list so the owner must be aware of the species they have. It is illegal to keep an endangered species as a pet.

Pictures of different types of Turtles and Tortoises can be found at the following web site. It is one of the best.

http://www.naturalhistorymall.com/


AMPHIBIANSWorking in a veterinarian clinic you may encounter a number of different amphibians that are kept as pets including frogs, toads and salamanders. Some amphibian species are on the endangered species list so the owner must be aware of the species they have. It is illegal to keep an endangered species as a pet.


FISH

Although rare you may have someone to bring in a fish for treatment. Some of the more common species include goldfish, algae eaters, Siamese fighting fish, mollys, and platys. Ich is often a common disease and fish also can have parasites, i.e. anchor worms.


RESOURCESExotic Companion Medicine Handbook

for Veterinarians By

Cathy A Johnson-Delaney - Linda R HarrisonPublisher

Wingers Pub. ©1996Lake Worth, Fla.

ISBN: 0963699644 9780963699640 OCLC: 34964490


RESOURCES

THE NATURAL HISTORY MALLhttp://www.naturalhistorymall.com/

SAN DIEGO ZOO

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/index.html


RESOURCESFor information on different types of pets

•Rats: www.ratfanclub.org

•Mice: www.horns.freeserve.co.uk/mouse.htm

•Hamsters: www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/hamsters.htm

•Guinea Pigs: http://cavyspirit.com/

•Pot-Bellied Pigs: www.pigs.org

•Reptiles (Snakes, Lizards, Turtles): www.neherp.com/


RESOURCESFerret - www.ferretcentral.org or www.ferretwise.org Birds – www.avianwelfare.orgGerbils: www.animalhospitals or usa.com/small_pets/gerbil_care.htmlChinchillas: http://wvwv.essortment.com/caringforchinc_rqpa.htmlSugar Glidders -http://www.sugargliderconnection.com/


Phone: Toll Free (800) 357-3182 or (940) 380-8858

Address:2701 Hartlee Field Road, Denton, TX 76208

Fax: (940) 381-1847

E-Mail:[email protected]

Documents

ACT - Exotic Animals1. 2 Exotic Pets Exotic animals are often defined as any species of animal that is not considered to be a common pet (companion animal)