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Although rabbits, ferrets and pocket pets are not presented for services in the same numbers as cats and dogs, these critters also deserve the best medical care possible. Are you comfortable with the husbandry, behavior, physical exams, treatment, and the restraint of these animals? Are you capable of providing superior client education to their owners? If the answer is no it may be that your practice does not have effective protocols in place to treat these small animals and/or you have not been trained specifically in the treatment of rabbits and ferrets and pocket pets. Continuing education courses cover a very wide range of topics but does the information apply to these animals?
This course is designed to increase your familiarity with these pets by providing species specific information across a broad spectrum of areas. Basic Principles of Ferrets, Rabbits and Pocket Pets covers ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, sugar gliders and hedgehogs. A review of the anatomy and physiology of each species is covered along with critical husbandry and nutritional factors that are essential to the survival of the species. A basic approach to veterinary care presents detailed information on restraint, physical examination and venipuncture techniques along with parasites, fluid therapy, pain management and medication administration. Some team members find they enjoy working with these animals and they become the “go to” person when one of these pets visits the practice. The attending veterinarian needs a team member who is aware of the special needs and concerns of these small pets.
Basic Principles of Ferrets, Rabbits and Pocket Ferrets is a 4 week course. Through expert content, practical assignments, case studies and examinations, participants will leave the course feeling confident in their new found knowledge and better able to participate directly in the care of these animals.
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Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- describe anatomical and physiology structures of ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and pocket pets
- discuss safe and appropriate housing modalities for ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and pocket pets
- analyze and determine appropriate diets for ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and pocket pets
- implement safe restraint techniques for ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and pocket pets
- execute physical examinations on ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and pocket pets
- identify common parasites seen in ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and pocket pets
- demonstrate venipuncture techniques used to obtain laboratory samples in ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and pocket pets
- compare and contrast ideal locations for catheter placement and fluid therapy protocols
- describe the importance of environmental enrichment factors in ferrets
- implement a pain management program for ferrets and rabbits
- evaluate vaccination protocols and implement vaccine reaction procedures for ferrets
- facilitate hand raising orphaned rabbits
- describe the importance of digestion and absorption, hindgut flora and fermentation in rabbits
- recognize the importance of cecotrophy in rabbits and evaluate dietary components for rabbits,/li>
- consider zoonotic diseases in small rodents and implement protocols to prevent the spread of such diseases
- discuss color and genetic variations in, and identify techniques used to hand raise sugar gliders
- integrate techniques to examine hedgehogs safely
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This 4-week entry level course discusses the basic elements needed to understand the anatomy and physiology of ferrets, rabbits and pocket pets. Husbandry, including housing, environmental enrichment and nutrition are covered in detail, along with basic approaches to veterinary care. Techniques used for restraint, venipuncture, urine collection and radiology are provided, along with guidelines for antibiotic and fluid therapy, pain management and medication administration. |
Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents – Clinical Medicine and Surgery 3rd Edition Authored by: Katherine Quesenberry, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian) and James W. Carpenter, MS, DVM, Dipl ACZM
It is mandatory that each participant has access to this textbook as the content of the book is not reproduced within the course. It is up to each person to determine the best way to acquire the text. Some will already have the text in their library and therefore will not need to purchase another copy. Where to purchase and in what format is totally up to the participant. The text is not included in the fee for this course.
The text is available as a print publication and as an eBook. One option is to purchase the text from Elseiver. The following link to the text on their website is provided as a courtesy.
Purchase Text From Elsevier
Important: Regardless of which option the participant chooses, access to a copy of the textbook is mandatory. Without the text the student will not be able to complete the assignments, case studies and examinations. If enrolling close to or beyond the course start date, it is recommended that the text be purchased as an eBook to prevent text acquisition related delays. VetMedTeam has no control over shipping delays and other related problems.
Limited Quantity eBook Code Offer:
VetMedTeam has a limited number of eBook text codes available for purchase. The cost of the eBook via this option is $46.00. If you are interested in purchasing a code please email us at CE@vetmedteam.com. VetMedTeam cannot guarantee the availability of codes so please look into other options while waiting for a reply. |
...The overall information was great. It gave me a chance to experience the difference between the species and their nutritional needs.
...I've really this course and Nichole has been great at helping and getting back to us. I've enjoyed learning about the physiology of the different species and the husbandry and care of these pocket pets as well as some of the diseases and problems they suffer from. These are things I can certainly help clients with in our practice. I've been challenged and this is very important to me in a course.
...The aspects of the course I found most beneficial were the current recommendations and care of a variety of exotics because rarely does anyone know how to proceed with them if they are sick.
...I enjoyed The assignments and case studies, because of their comprehensiveness and variety, along with the helpfulness, knowledge and timely responses of the course instructor, Nichole Zellner
...The textbook was fantasticly well put together. It was easy to understand and very relevant. Certainly feel much more confident with exotic pets.
...The textbook is a very good resource, that I will refer to after this course.
...Lots of information and time to apply it
...I found the Ferret section great since we do see a few ferrets.
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VetMedTeam courses are asynchronous - they do not contain real time components. Students log in while the course is in session at times convenient to personal schedules and participants do not have to be online at specific times to attend lectures.
The design of this course allows each student to proceed based on individual schedule, as long as all assignments are submitted by the assignment submission deadline. |
Completed students are awarded a certificate of completion. Completion requirements include:
- Interactive Assignments and Case Studies: Practical in nature - designed to help the student apply the newly learned material
- Examinations: All examinations must be submitted with a score of 80% or better.
- Course survey
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Basic Principles of Ferrets, Rabbits and Pocket Pets is an introductory course intended for veterinary assistants and technicians who wish to learn or enhance their skills. Veterinarians may also benefit from this course, as it covers the basic care of these patients, and provides a base for the next course, Advanced Concepts of Ferrets, Rabbits and Pocket Pets. |
Course meets the requirements for 10.00 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval. However, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery. |
Participants may enroll in this course after it has begun, up to the enrollment deadline date. Participants who enroll after the start date do not miss out on any components of the course.
There are no real time sessions.
The design of this course allows each participant to proceed based on individual schedule, as long as all assignments are submitted by the assignment submission deadline |
This course utilizes content from Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents – Clinical Medicine and Surgery 3rd Edition by Katherine Quesenberry, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian) and James W. Carpenter, MS, DVM, Dipl ACZM |
 Nichole Zellner, DVM
Dr. Zellner is a proud alumni of Virginia Tech where she received her undergraduate degree. She went on to the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine where she received her DVM in 2006. Immediately following graduation, Dr. Zellner moved down to Florida where she began practicing at the Avian and Animal Hospital in Largo, FL. She has a special interest in avian and exotic medicine and is pursuing board certification.
This past March, she married a fellow veterinarian. Dr. Zellner and her husband share their homen with 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 snakes, and 4 birds. |
June 15, 2013 - Registration deadline is 11:30 PM Eastern June 20, 2013
August 15, 2013 - Registration deadline is 11:30 PM Eastern August 24, 2013
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