Pocket Pet Emergencies
Jennifer Perkins
Clinicians and veterinary staff often panic when exotic patients present for an emergency. Being unfamiliar with a species often causes concern and stress on how to assess and proceed. Each species has its own unique challenges when trying to provide medical care. Extrapolating basic principles from small animal critical care will be the best tool for patient care in exotic medicine. In any species patients in respiratory distress need oxygen while dehydration or shock needs fluid therapy. Assessment of pain is critical as well. In addition, utilizing knowledge of common diseases for exotic species allows for quality critical care assessment and treatment. This is just a brief overview of the most common emergencies for various small mammal exotics.
Rabbits can be a difficult patient to assess during an emergency. They often become stressed due to handling. Observational exams are critical during these situations as well as preparation for a thorough physical examination. Often stabilization is required before any diagnostics can be completed. A good history from an owner is also essential. Owners tend to notice issues when their pet is already critical. These signs frequently include head tilting, anorexia, diarrhea and a decrease in fecal or urine production.
One of the most common emergency presentations in rabbits is gastrointestinal stasis (GI stasis). Patient history usually includes decreased appetite or anorexia, reduced fecal pellets or complete absence, and increased stress. Frequently, patients present with abdominal discomfort or enlargement. Obstruction, foreign body, uterine adenocarcinoma, and urinary calculi can present with similar discomfort or enlargement and should be ruled out before treatment. On physical exam a soft doughy mass is palpable. Depending on the severity auscultation of gut sounds can be normal to absent gut. Stabilization for GI stasis usually includes fluid therapy and force feeding. Fluid requirements for rabbits are 100-150 ml/kg/day. These can be given orally, subcutaneously or intravenously depending on the severity of the patient. Force feeding a high fiber diet is important to promote gastrointestinal motility.
Pasteurellosis is another common emergency. It is the most common cause of respiratory disease in rabbits, although Moraxella and Bordetella can cause respiratory disease as well. Clinical signs include intermittent ocular or nasal discharge. Some rabbits present with torticollis with the most likely causes due to pasteurella, trauma, or E. cuniculi. Referred upper airway sounds or crackles and wheezing can be present with pneumonia. Rabbits are obligate nasal breathers so any obstruction in the nasal cavity may result in respiratory distress. Rabbits that are open mouth breathing have a poor prognosis. Pre-treating with oxygen may helpan animal during diagnostics. In addition, stabilization with fluids and antibiotics may be necessary prior to diagnostics.
While it is important to address the immediate issues, at some point a comprehensive oral exam should be done. This can be completed after the patient has been stabilized. This may not seem like an emergency but rabbits repeatedly present for anorexia due to malocclusion. Fluids and force feedings to maintain gut motility may be necessary. Once stabilized, patients can undergo dental procedures. Regular follow ups should be discussed to prevent future problems.
There are several reasons guinea pigs are seen on emergency,these include dental disease, respiratory disease, GI stasis and urinary blockage. Supportive care is similar to rabbits with fluid therapy and force feeding a high fiber diet. While the exact cause for the development of stones is unknown, guinea pigs often present for uroliths. Patient stabilization would be similar to dogs or cats. An attempt should be made to alleviate the obstruction. Fluid therapy should be given to help promote gastrointestinal motility.
Another popular exotic pet is ferrets. There are specific diseases known to ferrets that can present for emergency. Young ferrets are known for their playful mischievous nature which can lead to foreign bodies. Radiographs should be taken to rule out obstruction. Development of insulinoma, lymphoma, heart disease, and adrenal disease are likely to occur with age. Classic signs of insulinoma exhibit with ataxia, hypersalivation, dull and potentially seizures. Blood glucose should be checked after initial examination. Since ferrets have a short GI transit time the onset of dehydration can occur quickly. Fluids should be started as soon as possible to prevent electrolyte imbalance. Intravenous catheters allow for constant rate infusion of dextrose in the fluids in severely debilitated patients. Besides insulinoma, adult ferrets regularly develop adrenal disease. This can manifest into prostatomegaly in male ferrets causing urinary blockage. Initial workup should include attempts to relieve blockage using a tom cat urinary catheter and stabilize with intravenous fluids. Urine production should be monitored closely. In some instances surgical intervention may be required. Management of adrenal disease will decrease the chance of blockage due to prostatomegaly. Adult ferrets can develop dilated cardiomyopathies, more common in older ferrets. Heart failure in these patients presents similar to other mammals such as posterior paresis, tachypnea, tachycardia, and weakness. Initial workup should include radiographs while receiving supplemental oxygen therapy. Once the patient has been diagnosed, medications can be prescribed to help manage symptoms.
Sugar gliders can be good pets for the right person. Proper knowledge of sugar glider diets and husbandry is essential. A poor diet can lead to improper balance of nutrients. This can lead to possible hind limb paresis, swollen joints, or even anemia. Fluid therapy and calcium supplementation would be initial therapies. Further diagnostics to check for underlying health issues should be done once the patient is stable. Feeding a proper diet will also improve critical patients. Sugar gliders are also known for self-mutilation. Often stress or trauma can trigger it. Assessment of pain and fluid therapy can help stabilize the patient allowing more complete physical exam and possible surgical intervention.
While sugar gliders are not the best pet, rats can make excellent companions. Although they have a short life span they can do really well in a proper environment. The main health issues that rats exhibit for emergency are respiratory distress and sudden onset of tumors. There are three major causes for respiratory disease, Mycoplasma pulmonis being the most common respiratory disease. While some show no clinical signs of the disease, others can have mild to severe disease. Many factors can contribute to a patient’s pre-disposition. Clinical signs include dyspnea, anorexia, and weight loss. These rats are very critical needing oxygen therapy and nebulization to help improve respiratory function. Continued supportive care is dependent on the patient’s initial response to oxygen therapy. Rats also are known for the acute on set of mammary tumors. These tumors are usually benign but grow rapidly, possibly inhibiting mobility and quality of life. Often surgical removal is recommended to improve the patients overall health. Reoccurrence of a tumor is frequently seen although not always in the same location.
Familiarity of basic common emergencies in popular exotic small mammals can provide quality care for these patients. Combining previous knowledge of small animal emergency and critical care principles will help formulate treatment plans and therapies to stabilize a critical patient. The is no limit to the types of emergencies seen but hopefully this will provide assistance on how to manage exotic pocket pets during a stressful situation.