See the Full Issue
July 2024
From the editor
Exotic pets run the gamut from mice all the way up to ball pythons with everything in between. If you live in a large urban area, chances are there is an exotics vet near you. But, in this month’s cover story, our expert writer talks about “exotic pet deserts” and how general practitioners can fill in the gap for care of exotics in such locations.
Growing up in the rural suburbs of New York, my brothers and I would occasionally catch mice in the field next door to our house. We would keep them for a while in a glass terrarium with cedar shavings and a water dish, then declare “Mouse Freedom Day,” and release them back into their woodland homes. I can safely say that we never considered these critters to be “exotic!”
But by the current definition, that is exactly what they were. Exotic pets run the gamut from mice all the way up to ball pythons with everything in between. If you live in a large urban area, chances are there is an exotics vet near you. But, in this month’s cover story, our expert writer talks about “exotic pet deserts” and how general practitioners can fill in the gap for care of exotics in such locations.
Also worth special mention in this issue are articles on AAHA’s new End-of-Life Care Accreditation and how it has helped the practices that have gone through the process, plus a look at how diet can be a key factor in managing aerodigestive disorders in dogs.
Nominate Your Employee of the Month
Now, do us all a favor and head over to aaha.org/EOTM to nominate one of your co-workers for the Employee of the Month contest, and you could win $100 for yourself, and $400 for your nominee.
Coming Next Month
In August we’ll look at some of the new diagnostic tests available for our feline friends, how to upcycle your used cat tree, as well as other cat-related topics. We will also have highlights from the upcoming 2024 AAHA Fluid Therapy Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
As always, let me know what you think at [email protected].
