Toxic Exotics

The purpose of this article is to familiarize the reader with the basic venom components, the pathophysiologic responses of envenomated dogs and cats, and some brief treatment guidelines for envenomations by various exotic “pets.” Representative toxic species of reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods are included. The growing trend toward the collection of exotic animals by private owners increases the likelihood that veterinarians will face the challenge of treating an exotic envenomation.