- Email: [email protected]
Introduction—Advanced Clinical Techniques
TOPICS IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY Introduction—Advanced Clinical Techniques J. Jill Heatley, DVM, MS, Dip. ABVP (Avian), Dip. ACZM It is with great enthusiasm that I present to you this edition of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine focusing on Advanced Clinical Techniques. Techniques and assays presented in this issue represent the forefront of science as it applies to clinical diagnosis and treatment of exotic animal species. The application of assays and techniques previously investigated only in companion and laboratory animals such as nonanesthetized computed tomography imaging of cats, herein applied to parrots, as well as previously undescribed surgical procedures for elodontoma removal and continued management in both prairie dogs and squirrels are included. Both of these clinical techniques appear suitable for routine practitioner use. The possibility of unsedated internal imaging of birds, when included in our diagnostic arsenal, should improve our ability to image and diagnose internal abnormalities, while decreasing the likelihood of avian morbidity or mortality based on anesthetic risk. Physical restraint would no longer be required to obtain images of an avian patient that is fractious or in respiratory distress. Elodontoma removal, via the techniques presented, improves
the quality of life in the species affected and increases the lifespan of treated animals by months to years. I am particularly pleased that Dr. Cray has provided a groundbreaking review of biomarkers of the acute phase response, which incorporates both review material and data that is actively under development in her laboratory. The use of diagnostic assays developed for companion or laboratory animals to acute phase proteins in companion exotic animals is exciting and promising, although much more research is required to understand the full capabilities of this diagnostic test. The variety of biomarkers of early inflammation is notable, as we are now able to discover clinically occult disease in a variety of species where the complete blood count or other classical testing methodologies currently provide insufficient information in this area. It is my hope that this issue would spur other veterinarians to try new clinical diagnostic techniques or apply known techniques or both to a new species. Most important is that this type of work is shared with the veterinary community at large, not only at meetings but also in print.
From the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA. Address correspondence to: J. Jill Heatley, DVM, MS, Dip. ABVP (Avian), Dip. ACZM, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. E-mail: [email protected]. Ó Copyright 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 1557-5063/13/2101-$30.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2013.08.002
2 4 4
Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 22 (2013), pp 244
the quality of life in the species affected and increases the lifespan of treated animals by months to years. I am particularly pleased that Dr. Cray has provided a groundbreaking review of biomarkers of the acute phase response, which incorporates both review material and data that is actively under development in her laboratory. The use of diagnostic assays developed for companion or laboratory animals to acute phase proteins in companion exotic animals is exciting and promising, although much more research is required to understand the full capabilities of this diagnostic test. The variety of biomarkers of early inflammation is notable, as we are now able to discover clinically occult disease in a variety of species where the complete blood count or other classical testing methodologies currently provide insufficient information in this area. It is my hope that this issue would spur other veterinarians to try new clinical diagnostic techniques or apply known techniques or both to a new species. Most important is that this type of work is shared with the veterinary community at large, not only at meetings but also in print.
From the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX USA. Address correspondence to: J. Jill Heatley, DVM, MS, Dip. ABVP (Avian), Dip. ACZM, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. E-mail: [email protected]. Ó Copyright 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 1557-5063/13/2101-$30.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2013.08.002
2 4 4
Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 22 (2013), pp 244