The Debate on Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats: Why Does AEAC Care?

For years there has been ongoing debate on what the veterinary medical community should recommend to owners in regard to indoor vs. free roaming pet cats. It's been shown that free ranging cats have shorter lifespans, and are more prone to accidents, predators, parasites and infectious diseases.    In addition, evidence now shows that outdoor cats have already made a significant negative impact on native wildlife populations, in particular wild birds, some of whose numbers are declining and may be threatened eventually.  Every year concerned citizens come to our door with injured birds and mammals their cats have caught outdoors, or even brought inside as "presents".  Most of these do not survive. For this reason, AEAC supports the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) position on out door cats which is available here: https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Free-Roaming-Owned-Cats.aspx

For many years, the Association of Avian Veterinarians has recommended keeping cats indoors, primarily due to the impact on native birds.  The position statement can be found here: : http://www.aav.org/default.asp?page=feralcats

Spring is Almost Here, And That Means Easter….and Maybe Easter Bunnies?

At the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic, we love pet rabbits.  We love people who love pet rabbits. However, in the weeks after Easter, our local rescue partners see an upswing in the number of rabbits relinquished by well-meaning people who bought Easter Bunnies on impulse without a lot of thought about what goes into caring for a pet who can live for 10 years or more. The House Rabbit Society has a wonderful article on the Easter Bunny Problem you can read here:http://rabbit.org/easter-and-rabbits-do-not-mix/

If you are considering a pet rabbit at Easter, or any time of the year, we would love to talk about it!  The Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic offers free “Pre-Purchase Consults” where you and your family and learn the ins and outs of rabbit (or any exotic pet) ownership BEFORE you purchase.  Call 317-879-8633 to schedule.

We Offer Pre-Purchase Consultations!

Have you ever though about coming to see the veterinarian BEFORE you buy an unusual exotic pet?  This is an excellent way to be sure you understand exactly what’s involved in day-to-day care, and learn strategies to avoid and minimize illness. The internet and pet stores are great places to start for information, but not everything you read or hear may be accurate or up-to-date.  We also encourage the entire family to attend, including children who may be part of your new pet’s care.  We’ll be sure everyone’s on the same page, and provide written care instructions.

Give us a call and schedule a pre-purchase consult now…best of all, they are FREE!

Heroic Pet Bearded Dragon "Donor" Donates Blood

Blood transfusions have been used for many sick exotic pets who need red blood cells due to severe anemia.

Outbreak of Seoul Virus in Rats

The Indiana State Department of Health alerted veterinarians and other health professionals about an outbreak of a virus that was found in pet rats sold and shipped from Illinois and Wisconsin after September 1, 2016.

The Seoul virus is related to hantavirus; while hantavirus can cause severe illness, the Seoul virus is much less severe.

The board of health is alerting owners who might have purchased rats from this facility.

If you have any questions about exposure to rats purchased from Illinois and Wisconsin after September 1, call the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Epidemiology Resource Center at 317-233-7125.

More information about the Seoul virus can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/outbreaks/seoul-virus/index.html.

 

The ISDH recommends the following preventive measures for all rodent owners:

• Wash your hands with soap and running water after touching, feeding, or caring for rodents or cleaning their habitats. Be sure to assist children with handwashing.
• Be aware that pet rodents can shed germs that can contaminate surfaces in areas where they live and roam. Make sure rodent enclosures are properly secured and safe so your pet doesn’t get hurt or contaminate surfaces.
• Clean and disinfect rodent habitats and supplies outside your home when possible. Never clean rodent habitats or their supplies in the kitchen sink, other food preparation areas, or the bathroom sink.
• Avoid bites and scratches from rodents. Be cautious with unfamiliar animals, even if they seem friendly. Take precautions when cleaning out rodent cages or areas with rodent urine or droppings.
• Visit your veterinarian for routine evaluation and care to keep your rodents healthy and to prevent infectious diseases.

Pet Chicken Day!

Bats and Rabies: The Risk Is REAL And Here In Central Indiana

Last week the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic took in a sick Brown bat found by a local family.  The bat did not survive, and was sent to the Indiana State Department of Health for testing. Unfortunately the bat was positive for rabies virus.  The family and everyone exposed to the bat will now need treatment for rabies exposure. This episode emphasizes the fact that while rare, rabies is present in Indiana and is a potential danger to anyone handling wildlife, especially bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. While AEAC will accept injured and orphaned wildlife, we urge the public to contact Animal Control or local law enforcement, and do not handle potential rabies carriers, especially bats. “Bats are the most important rabies carriers in the state of Indiana,” said Dr. Jen Brown, State Public Health Veterinarian at the Indiana State Department of Health. “It is best not to handle live bats. Anyone who has had possible contact with a bat should call the local health department for advice on whether to receive rabies shots. If a possible exposure has occurred, then the bat should be safely collected so that it can be tested for rabies.”

It's interesting to note that in the US, we are actually fortunate when it comes to rabies exposure. According to the World Health Organization, tens of thousands people die of rabies each year, mostly in Asia (especially India) and Africa. The victims are mostly children, and the source is overwhelmingly unvaccinated dogs. Routine vaccination of pets in the US is an amazing success story, and owners should be congratulated and encouraged to keep up our defenses against this terrible disease.

For more information on India's rabies crisis, go here: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150915-indias-rabid-dog-problem-is-running-the-country-ragged

Hello From the Hay Fields of Nebraska!

This past weekend Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic technician Sarah Dehn and Dr. Lennox traveled to Oxbow Animal Health Headquarters near Murdoch Nebraska.  Our task was to help film educational videos for both veterinarians and pet owners with Dr. Michelle Hawkins from UC Davis, and to participate in Oxbow's annual Veterinary Advisory Board meeting.

Videographer Katie Lennox traveled with the team to film videos on physical exam techniques for small exotic mammals, use of a new online interactive dosing calculator for hand feeding formulas, and more.

The Oxbow Advisory Board Meeting is a great time to learn more about upcoming new products and other projects, such as grants for exotic animal rescues, and scholarships for veterinary students.

Small Pets 101 Seminar in Indy

Congratulations to Our Two Brand New Veterinary Technicians!

Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic is proud to announce Brie Worrell and Savannah Goins recently passed their qualifying exams and have graduated from Veterinary Assistant to Registered Veterinary Technician. They join Kasey Gardner who passed her exam in the spring.

So what’s the difference between veterinary assistant and technician?

A Veterinary Technician is a highly trained veterinary nurse qualified to assist with a number of important jobs, such as monitoring anesthesia and running diagnostic tests. It is these bright professionals who work hard to keep our patients safe during surgery.

Both Brie and Savannah spent time during their training learning with us, and joined our team right after finishing class work. Both passed the qualifying test together in August, and we are very proud of both of their efforts.

Are you or someone you know interested in a career as a veterinary technician?  Here is advice from Brie and Savannah:

Advice to future vet techs:

Start getting experience with animals as early as possible! Volunteering or working as an assistant in a vet clinic are both great places to start. In order to become a Registered Veterinary Technician, you must graduate from an accredited veterinary technician school. This is a two year degree program, though some schools offer an accelerated 18 month program instead. Once you start the program, stick with it! And if possible continue working or volunteering in a vet clinic to continue increasing your experience. Once you've graduated with a degree in veterinary technology, you have to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam as well as the state exam for which ever state you want to be registered in. That is the process in a nutshell. Good luck!

Graduation Ceremony at Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic

Congratulations to Dr. Samantha Swisher, who this week completed her 2 year residency at the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic.  Dr. Swisher will now remain at AEAC as an associate veterinarian, and work towards completing her Exotic Companion Medicine Board Specialty. Dr. Swisher was surprised to see that her "graduation"  included robes, presentation of a wand, and a book entitled "Magic Animal Formulary".

Announcing construction of the latest addition to the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic: The Avian and Exotic Inn!

We are looking forward to the grand opening of our exotic animal only boarding facility this fall. Construction began in mid June, and we see more progress every day.

The demand for exotic pet boarding and baby-sitting is increasing, and many dog and cat boarding facility won't care for unusual pets. This new addition will allow plenty of room, and separate facilities for exotic mammals, birds and reptiles.

We don't have an opening date just yet, but anticipate late summer/early fall.

Visiting Campers

On Wednesday, we welcomed a large group of campers from our neighborhood to come have a tour and meet some exotic pets. Eighteen kids from St. Joseph’s Institte for the Deaf, which is located right down the street from us, walked down for a visit.  The children took a tour, petted a turtle and a rabbit, and met Abba and Happy the Caiques.  Special thanks to EARPS for providing such a patient and quiet bunny for the children to meet!

Dr. Lennox Goes to Poland

Dr. Lennox recently returned from a visit to Poland, to teach at the VetForum conference in the city of Lodz. It's always fun to meet colleagues from around the world, and see how exotic animal medicine is different, and in many ways just the same. In Poland exotic pets are increasing in popularity, and more people are bringing them to the veterinarian for care. My host Dr. Agnieszka Drohobycka had time to show me some interesting sites in Krakow. Perhaps the most interesting was the wonderful "log cabin" she and her husband are restoring. It was great to stay with them, and walk to the local bakery for bread and the neighbor's cow for fresh milk!

Case Study: Spike the Betta Fish

Spike the betta fish developed an abnormality of his right eye. The eye could not be repaired, and so his owner elected to have us remove it.  Eye problems like these are potentially painful in other species, so we assumed it would be the same for Spike.

**WARNING: Surgery Pictures Below!**

Spike came in for his post surgical recheck last week and his owner reports he is doing well. He is one lucky betta!

Did you know there is an organization dedicated just to medicine and surgery of fish? The American Association of Fish Veterinarians even holds their own annual conferences.  Learn more at: http://www.fishvets.org

Veterinary Technician vs. Veterinary Nurse?

What should we calls the licensed professionals who assist the veterinarian? "Technician" is the traditional term in the United States; however, there is a move to change that designation to "Nurse", which many believe more accurately describes the role of these well trained and compassionate professionals, and is in alignment with much of the rest of world, and with human medicine.

The North American Veterinary Technician's Association is pushing to make the change official.  Some of the reasons cited are that "technician" sounds too mechanical, like a professional that works with machines or cars.

See more information on the debate here; http://www.navta.net/page/Vet_Techs_In_Action

What do you think about the name change?  Do you support or oppose an official name change from Veterinary Technician to Veterinary Nurse?   Let us know what you think on our Facebook!

Wildlife Season Approaches!

Every spring we brace for the onslaught of injured and orphaned wildlife.  The weather is warming up and we saw our first group of orphaned rabbits today so baby wildlife season is upon us! Here's our yearly reminder on what to do if you encounter injured or orphaned wildlife. Please click the here for more information. In the majority of cases, wildlife you encounter doesn’t actually need help. When they do, we are here to help. As always, we do not charge anything for the care of wild animals, but we are always in need of donations! Here is what is needed most:

Wildlife Donation Wishlist:

• Towels, washcloths, blankets and fleeces
• Paper Towels, Dawn dish soap, bleach
• Heating pads
• Food: Kitten Milk Replacer (powdered), powdered goats milk, baby bird handfeeding formula, jars of (human) baby food
• Simple monetary contributions

As always, please call us if you have any questions! 317-879-8633

Case Study: Myagi

This is a picture of a very lucky little guinea pig who presented for a strange lump on his neck, just off to the side where a lymph node might be. He went to surgery to remove what was most likely an abscessed lymph node.  However, there was some strange solid tissue mixed with hard tissue, and no abscess at all.  The mass was sent off for analysis and it turned out to be something unusual, but not completely unheard of-thyroid cancer. The exact diagnosis is: “HYROID GLAND: PAPILLARY THYROID ADENOCARCINOMA, WITH INTERSTITIUM HETEROTOPIC BONE” Fortunately, Myagi is doing well without the mass, but his owner is careful to watch for signs of recurrence, or problems related to changes in thyroid hormone levels.  Since this is such an unusual tumor, predicting what might happen is difficult, but so far so good!

Myagi's owner found the lump while it was still small which made removing it much easier. That's why it's important to check your pets frequently for any unusual changes!

Exotic Hats for Everyone!

At our last staff training we welcomed Shirley the Hat Lady, who goes around to various medical facilities offering her custom made surgical bonnets. They are beautiful, well made, and best of all, reasonably priced.  We were her first veterinary clinic, and she was glad to make us a batch featuring all of our favorite exotic animals.  By the way, her bag also contained hats featuring comic book heroes, Disney characters, Doctor Who and much more. The staff was sorry they really are to wear in the surgery only....they look so great for everyday wear!

Rest in Peace, Phil

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Phil, the clinic degu. Phil came to us nearly 8 years ago as an adult, though no one was quite sure of his actual age. He, unlike most of his species, couldn’t stand living with other degus and had to be kept separately from his family. He lived alone quite happily in one of our exam rooms, where many of you may have seen and interacted with him. Phil enjoyed exploring the clinic in his giant hamster ball while his cage was being cleaned, being scratched (but not picked up!) and rearranging his cage furniture. About 6 months ago, Phil started to have some health problems and it was decided that it was time for him to retire as clinic pet. He went to live with our receptionist Megan, where he enjoyed hanging out on the couch getting snuggled during movie time and sleeping against the side of the cage against his cat friend Samurai Sam.  When in his ball, he particularly liked forming trains with Megan's other pets to follow her around the house! Megan spoiled him rotten until he finally passed on Saturday. All of us will miss him greatly. As a legacy to Phil, we are opening his cage up to adoptable animals from one of our local rescues. Next time you are in the clinic, be sure to visit our first adoption candidate Dora the Gerbil!