Essentials of the Exotic Pet Practice

Exotic pet practice is an exciting but demanding field in veterinary medicine. The decision to enter this field should be made only after careful consideration of some of the unique challenges and responsibilities of this type of practice. This article covers the considerations to be made when choosing species to see as patients, specific challenges for the exotic pet practitioner, legal and ethical issues regarding exotic species, sources of patients, development of a network for referral veterinarians, and a discussion of education for the veterinarian, staff, and clients. Also covered are suggestions for additions to the physical plant as well as recommendations for surgical, anesthetic, treatment, and examination equipment. There is an extensive list of additional recommended sources of information in the forms of texts, publications, organizations, and internet sites included at the end of the article.