Simon J. Girling 
Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Pets 

Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Pets is the definitive
reference book on the principles and practice of nursing exotic
species. From rabbits and chinchillas to budgies and iguanas, it
not only covers husbandry, nutrition and handling, but provides an
overview of diseases and treatments, and explores anatomy and
chemical restraint. The redesigned layout and full colour artwork
make it quicker and easier to find exactly what you’re
looking for.

New coverage for this revised and enlarged second edition
includes: emergency and critical care, radiography, and small
marsupials such as sugargliders. In addition to the thorough
explanations of appropriate home-care which will enable you to
confidently advise clients, the book now also covers the care of
hospitalised exotics.

Key features:

* Provides an understanding of the basics of diseases, husbandry,
anatomy and physiology of exotic pets as outlined by the RCVS
examinations

* Gives veterinary nurses the confidence to discuss exotic pets
with clients by providing a solid knowledge base in these
species.

* This book acts as a companion to the City and Guilds NVQ level
4 equivalent qualification ‘Veterinary Nursing of Exotic
Species’.

Suitable for veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians and
veterinary students.

Table of Content

Preface vii

Part I Small Mammals 1

Chapter 1 Basic Small Mammal Anatomy and Physiology 2

Chapter 2 Small Mammal Housing Husbandry and Rearing 26

Chapter 3 Small Mammal Handling and Chemical Restraint 36

Chapter 4 Small Mammal Nutrition 49

Chapter 5 Common Diseases of Small Mammals 59

Chapter 6 An Overview of Small Mammal Therapeutics 91

Chapter 7 Small Mammal Diagnostic Imaging 110

Chapter 8 Small Mammal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine 122

Part II Avian Species 131

Chapter 9 Basic Avian Anatomy and Physiology 132

Chapter 10 Avian Housing and Husbandry 150

Chapter 11 Avian Handling and Chemical Restraint 158

Chapter 12 Avian Nutrition 170

Chapter 13 Common Avian Diseases 185

Chapter 14 An Overview of Avian Therapeutics 209

Chapter 15 Avian Diagnostic Imaging 226

Chapter 16 Avian Emergency and Critical Care Medicine 234

Part III Reptiles and Amphibians 245

Chapter 17 Basic Reptile and Amphibian Anatomy and Physiology 246

Chapter 18 Reptile and Amphibian Housing Husbandry and Rearing 266

Chapter 19 Reptile and Amphibian Handling and Chemical Restraint 272

Chapter 20 Reptile and Amphibian Nutrition 286

Chapter 21 Common Reptile and Amphibian Diseases 297

Chapter 22 An Overview of Reptile and Amphibian Therapeutics 319

Chapter 23 Reptile Diagnostic Imaging 337

Chapter 24 Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Reptiles 346

Appendix 1 Legislation Aff ecting Exotic Pet Species in the United Kingdom 355

Appendix 2 Useful Addresses 357

Index 358

About the author

Simon J. Girling BVMS (Hons)DZoo Med, Dip ECZM, CBiol, FSB, Eur Pro Biol, MRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, European Veterinary Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management)
Simon has had a varied career spending time in mixed and small animal practice, out of hours emergency work, DEFRA/Animal Health and zoos. Throughout all of this his first love has been exotics. He is currently a Director at Girling and Fraser Ltd and course tutor, and is Head of Veterinary Services to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland based at Edinburgh Zoo. Simon has authored and co-authored several texts on veterinary medicine for exotic species. He lectures widely in the UK and Europe on many different aspects of zoological medicine, both to vets and veterinary nurses.