DVM, Phd, DABVP, DACVP

50 Shades of Hay Ashley Emanuele, DVM Avian and Exotic Animal Care Raleigh, NC EXOTIC PHYSIOLOGICAL DIETARY ADD’L DISEASE CRITICAL CARE PET CONSIDERATION COMPONENTS REQUIREMEN STATES* DIETS** S TS Rabbit Cecotrophy Hay => alfalfa for None GI stasis Probiotic Hindgut young and Urolithiasis Oxbow Critical fermentation lactating, timothy Bladder sludge Care Aradicular teeth for adults GI dysbiosis Renal excretion of Pelleted diet Dental disease calcium Greens Guinea Pig Vitamin C Hay => alfalfa for Ascorbic acid Hypovitaminosis Probiotic requirements young and (vitamin C) C Oxbow Critical Aradicular teeth lactating, timothy GI stasis Care Hindgut for adults Urolithiasis fermentation Pelleted diet GI dysbiosis Cecotrophy Greens Dental disease Ascorbic acid Ferret Short transit time Pelleted diet None Insulinoma Oxbow Carnivore Lack of brush Whole prey Lymphoma Care border IBD/ECE “Duck soup” Strict carnivores Salmonella, Dietary preferences Campylobacter, E. coli Foreign body ingestion Rodents Aradicular incisors Pelleted diet None GI dysbiosis Lafeber Emeraid Foraging and Vegetables Stress colitis Omnivore hoarding Fruit Dental disease Concentrate Insects/Protein Obesity selection Avian Foraging Pellet/balanced None GI dysbiosis Lafeber Emeraid Social eating diet Beak overgrowth Omnivore Beak utility Vegetables Liver disease Harrison’s Concentrate Protein Dystocia Recovery Diet selection Fruit Avian bornavirus Metal ingestion Feather picking and poor behavior Reptiles Environmental Feeder insects or Calcium +/- Endoparasites Lafeber Emeraid impact on prey items vitamin D “M B D ” Omnivore metabolism Vegetables Seasonal Oxbow Critical Calcium Greens anorexia Care requirements Pelleted diets Dystocia Oxbow Carnivore Vitamin A Care requirements Species variety Amphibian Species variety Feeder insects or Calcium +/- Endoparasites Lafeber Emeraid Environmental prey items vitamin D Foreign body Omnivore impact on ingestion Oxbow Carnivore metabolism Care Larval feeding Fish Species variety Pelleted diet None Water fouling Gel diet (Mazuri Environmental Live food Endoparasites base or homemade) impact on Greens Skeletal metabolism abnormalities Feeding rhythms 245 *Disease states mentioned are not necessarily secondary to poor diet/husbandry, but should be considered when treating the exotic patient and may change dietary requirements. **Products and diets mentioned may not be the only available resources, but are most commonly used by the author. Resources for more information The Veterinary Clinics of North America did an excellent journal dedicated to nutrition of exotic pets in 2014 which can be accessed at vetexotic.theclinics.com Oxbow and Lafeber both have thorough websites discussing their diets and critical states of exotic pets. 246 Aquatic Invertebrates for Dummies: Corals and Other Home Aquaria Species Ashley Emanuele, DVM Avian and Exotic Animal Care Raleigh, NC The aquarium industry is enjoying a significant boom, partially owed to increasing technology and the popularity of certain orange and blue reef fish. The aquarium industry has been valued at over $100 million dollars internationally, and the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) estimates that 14.5 million American households own either saltwater or freshwater aquatic animals. Much research and discussion has focused on the husbandry and medicine of the flashy and gregarious fish kept in these aquariums. However, balanced and true-to-life aquariums often contain invertebrate species that are frequently overlooked and under-treated. Knowledge of common aquatic invertebrates as well as their care is crucial to the well-rounded veterinarian working with aquarium owners. Often, treatments prescribed for fish disease can cause sudden death or injury to the more sensitive invertebrate tankmates. Consideration should also be made when considering the balance of a tank, as invertebrates can both be predated upon by aggressive fish, or cause the loss of valuable fish species (as in the case of the curious and aggressive octopus). In general, a good rule of thumb for most invertebrate home aquarium inhabitants are to avoid treatment with copper, maintain good water quality, and prevent housing predators and prey in the same tank. Freshwater Molluscs – Clams, mussels, and snails Freshwater bivalves often require high flow, cold temperatures, and turbid water. These husbandry factors, coupled with their predilection for burrowing, make them uncommon home aquarium pets. Bivalves (clams and mussels being most common) are highly susceptible to tank mate predation, water quality and heavy metal intoxication. They are not especially vivid or even visible creatures, making them uncommon in a display aquarium. Environmentally, introduction of invasive pet molluscs into the local environment can cause serious ecological damage, as in the case of the zebra mussel in the Great Lakes. In general, it is a great rule of thumb to not abandon pets in the wild – don’t abandon your anaconda in the Florida Everglades, and don’t dump your home aquarium inhabitants in the local river. Gastropods are more easily acquired through local pet stores. The most commonly sold species (the mystery snail/apple snail) are generally peaceful in the community tank and patrol for algal buildup. They can also be fed algae-based food and vegetarian fish flakes. These snails do require access to the waterline in order to breathe, and can damage and eat live plants in the aquarium. Again, good water quality is paramount to the health of these animals in the home aquarium. Particularly aggressive fish species (barbs, tetras, cichlids, etc.) are likely to predate upon these snails. Common diseases of pet freshwater gastropods include soft tissue trauma (either tank mate or accidental), shell fracture, and bacterial disease. Illness is often characterized by lack of mobility, a withered appearance to the soft tissue, and deep recession into the shell. Arthropods – Crustaceans Increasingly freshwater shrimp, lobsters, and crayfish are being sold and kept in home aquariums. These crustaceans breed readily, clean detritus well (good for the chronic over-feeder), and are active and brightly colored members of a tank community. Most freshwater crustaceans are omnivorous and do not require a specific diet. They can be readily preyed upon by more aggressive species, so again care is required in considering the balance of a tank. Crayfish enjoy burrowing and can uproot and destroy live plants in the planted aquarium. Crayfish are more reclusive as well. Crayfish and crabs are more predatory than shrimp, and may catch and eat smaller fish or fry. Crabs require a terrestrial section of the home aquarium, as the most commonly kept species (the red-claw crab, the Nigerian rainbow crab, and the fiddler crab) are amphibious. Crabs are particularly motivated to escape the home aquarium. As with other arthropods, crustaceans periodically molt their exoskeleton. This leaves them particularly vulnerable to predation for a time period. These animals require adequate calcium in the water order to successfully grow. Improper mineral balance in the water can lead to soft or pitted shells, abnormal growth, and predilection towards secondary infection. Fungal and bacterial infection is also reported in freshwater crustacean species and is often treated with salt baths. North American crayfish species can introduce “Crayfish Plague” (Aphanomyces astaci), a reportable fungus seen only in these species. Native crayfish can tolerate the fungus but it causes high morbidity and mortality in non-native species. White spot virus (a baculovirus) is more commonly seen in high-density shrimp aquaculture but can make its way into the home aquarium. Hallmarks of this disease include white spots on the shell and high mortality. This disease is reportable but not zoonotic. 247 Saltwater Coelenterates – Jellyfish, hard corals, soft corals, anemones The term “coelenterate” encompasses the cnidarians and the ctenophores. Cnidarians are the most well-known, and include both hard and soft corals, anemones, and many jellyfish. Ctenophores are colloquially known as “comb jellies” and are separated from cnidarians due to their lack of true stinging cells (nematocysts), changes in radial symmetry, and other structural differences. Corals are actually colonial organisms, with many polyps working in concert as a single structure. Coral polyps also utilize symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) to generate amino acid building blocks and recycle waste. Stony or hard coral produce a calcium carbonate “skeleton” from which individual polyps shelter and feed. Corals require adequate water flow in order to feed, and many may need to be target fed with the use of a turkey baster. Many home aquarists elect to grow their own copepods or plankton for the purpose of feeding their reef. Jellyfish require particular housing, with the most common being the kreisel tank. This tank is designed to continually move the jellyfish in a circular motion, preventing crowding or trauma in corners and facilitate feeding. Coelonterates do have several methods of defense, including mucus production, stinging nematocysts, and a functional immune system (although lacking humoral immunity). Corals in particular can “fight” by stinging neighbors in a bid for larger territory and growth (a process termed contact inhibition). All members of this group are highly susceptible to trauma, water quality issues, toxins,

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