Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

8:00 a.m.-5:15 p.m.

AAV Pre-Conference Program: Behavior
Moderator: Heather Barron, DVM, Dipl ABVP-Avian, AAV President-Elect and Education Chair

100 Best Practices for Behavior Change, Susan Friedman, PhD
Keys to successful cross-species relationships are hidden in the word PARROT: Power, Approximations, Reinforcement, Repetition, Observation, and Teaching. Imparting these keys to clients will greatly improve the quality of life for animals in their care.

105 Contra Freeloading in Grey Parrots, Yvonne van Zeeland, DVM, MVSc
Contra freeloading is the phenomenon that animals will work for food even though identical “free” food can be easily obtained from a nearby dish. The study presented here tests whether this principle also applies to parrots.

110 Training a Harpy Eagle to Present Medical Behaviors, Barbara Heidenreich, BS Zoology
This paper will explore the use of positive reinforcement to train a Harpy Eagle to shift, scale, fly on cue, allow manipulation of chest, feet, and tarsus while anklets/jesses were attached, and glove training.

115 Flooding Prevention Among Captive Birds, Relational Therapeutic Mechanisms and Considerations, Joseph Yenkosky, PhD, MSA
Flooding, a technique that imposes painful memories to “re-integrate” repressed emotions and force submission is explored along with implied consent emphasis and prevention techniques for guardians, care givers and sanctuaries.

120 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Captive Avians, Treatment Considerations, Joseph Yenkosky, PhD, MSA
Avian Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is often expressed as hyper-sensitivity or inability to self-regulate (e.g., aggression, screaming). The presentation reviews avian therapies, first developed for humans, modified for avians, using a relational context.

125 Frustrated by Parrot Behavior? Ten Common Training Mistakes, Barbara Heidenreich, BS Zoology
Many are challenged with parrot behavior problems, such as screaming for attention, aggressive behavior and fear responses. This paper will explore the ten common mistakes caregivers make when trying to address parrot problem behavior.

130 Interdisciplinary Approach to Feather Destructive Behavior, Susan Orosz, PhD, DVM, Dipl ABVP-Avian, Dipl ECZM-Avian
Feather damaging behavior (FDB) is a complex clinical problem requiring a thorough workup and a functional assessment. Cases will be presented from those having medical reasons to significant behavioral ones using a behavioral support plan.

Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians Scientific Program
Moderators: Cathy Johnson-Delaney, DVM, Dipl ABVP-Avian, Dipl ABVP-Exotic Companion Mammal, AEMV President, and Rose Ann Fiskett, VMD, Dipl ABVP-Avian, Dipl ABVP-Exotic Companion Mammal, AEMV Vice-President
Sponsored by

150 Research on the Use of Selamectin in Rabbits, James Carpenter, MS, DVM, Dipl ACZM
This presentation will report the findings of a study (using 18 NZ white rabbits) that: 1. determined the safety and efficacy of selamectin in rabbits with a known quantity of fleas; 2. determined the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of two doses of selamectin administered topically in the rabbit; and 3. identified suitable doses and treatment intervals which would provide and maintain effective blood concentrations of selamectin in the pet rabbit.

152 Standardization of Renal Physiology Parameters in Guinea Pigs via Urinalysis, Cynthia Bishop, DVM
The purpose of this presentation is to document normal urinalysis parameters in non-laboratory cavies. Urine samples were collected from a group of pet and breeding cavies on a controlled diet. Standard testing for urine chemistry, specific gravity and sediment analysis were performed. Results were analyzed based on breed, gender, and age.

155 Use of the Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage in the Domestic Ferret, Lauren Powers, DVM,
Dipl ABVP-Avian Many causes of acute abdomen in the domestic ferret are considered surgical emergencies. The diagnostic peritoneal lavage is simple to perform and can provide valuable diagnostic information. The technique and select cases will be reviewed.

158 A Novel Mycoplasma Isolated from Pet Ferrets, Cathy Johnson-Delaney, DVM, Dipl ABVP-Avian, Dipl ABVP-Exotic Companion Mammal
A novel Mycoplasma has been isolated from pet ferrets exhibiting respiratory disease including conjunctivitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, and persistent unproductive coughing. The disease appears to be chronic and progressive, with therapeutics only managing the signs. The Mycoplasma has been isolated from bronchial lavage and conjunctival swabs and respiratory tissue. It has also been isolated from clinically asymptomatic ferrets from the same.

160 The LH-receptor Sequence in the Ferret Adrenal Gland, Nico Schoemaker, DVM, PhD, Dip ECZM-Small Mammal, Dipl ABVP-Avian
During a study into the sequence of the ferret adrenal LH-receptor it was found that the full length is present in the diseased adrenal gland. A truncated form is present in the healthy adrenal gland.

163 Brain Tumors in Hedgehogs, Michael Garner, DVM, Dipl. ACVP
This report will describe the clinicopathologic features of spontaneous brain tumors in seven African pygmy hedgehogs.

165 Cryptococcal Meningitis and Optic Nerve Neuritis in a Chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera), Beth Bicknese, MPVM, DVM
A chinchilla with neurologic signs and subsequent blindness had meningitis and optic neuritis with myriad intra-lesional yeast morphologically consistent with Cryptococcus species at necropsy. This appears to be the first published report of chinchilla cryptococcosis.

168 Hymenolepsis in Prairie Dogs, Inge Thas, DVM
Several prairie dog pups were presented with anorexia, cachexia, facial edema and sudden deaths. Fecal examination revealed hymenolepsis infestation. In the author’s knowledge this is the first report of this parasite in prairie dogs.

170 Multiple Facial Surgeries in a Pet Rabbit, Vittorio Capello, DVM, Dipl ECZM-Small Mammal, Dipl ABVP-Exotic Companion Mammal Challenging multiple surgical treatments for an odontogenic facial abscess; subsequent empyema of the alveolar and tympanic bullae; chronic septic rhinitis; and retrobulbar abscess in a 2-year old female lop rabbit is presented and discussed.

173 Rabbit Thoracic Surgery, Avery Bennett, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVS
Thoracic surgery is indicated to remove masses or abssessed lung lobes. The patient must be intubated and ventilated during surgery. Ventral midline and intercostal thoracotomy will be reviewed along with postoperative care.

175 Elodontoma of a Maxillary Cheek Tooth in a Guinea Pig, Vittorio Capello, DVM, Dipl ECZM-Small Mammal, Dipl ABVP-Exotic Companion Mammal
A elodontoma of a maxillary cheek tooth was diagnosed in a guinea pig. The complete case including intraoral dental procedures and extraoral extraction are presented. A review of odontomas in other rodent species is discussed.

176 Ferret Preputial Tumors, Angela Lennox, DVM, Dipl ABVP-Avian
Ferret preputial apocrine gland adenocarcinomas are seen relatively frequently. They are reported to carry a poor prognosis. From a 42 case review, a good prognosis was found with prompt surgical removal and wide surgical margins.

180 Deslorelin Implants as Alternative for Surgical Castration in Ferrets, Nico Schoemaker, DVM, PhD, Dip ECZM-Small Mammal, Dipl ABVP-Avian
In male and female privately owned ferrets the longevity and potential side effects of an implant containing 4.7 mg deslorelin were monitored as alternative for surgical castration over a two year period.

183 Gabapentin for Tail Trauma in a Hamster, Hilary Granson, DVM
A 20-month old female hamster with self-inflicted tail trauma was treated with gabapentin and other treatment modalities. After gabapentin was added to the regimen the lesion began to heal and completely resolved appoximately six weeks later.

185 Canine Distemper in Ferrets; Vaccines and Titers, Julia Whittington, DVM
Canine distemper causes significant mortality in ferrets. Vaccination provides protection against infection; however vaccine efficacy depends on numerous factors. Antibody titers respond to natural exposures and vaccination but may have limited predictive or diagnostic value.

188 Sedation as an Alternative to General Anesthesia, Angela Lennox, DVM, Dipl ABVP-Avian
General anesthesia is associated with risk; studies in animals including the rabbit indicate sedation is associated with less risk than general anesthesia. This session presents reports of safe and effective use of sedation in exotic companion mammals.

190 Secondary Nutritional Hyperparathyroidism with Fibrous Osteodystrophy in 3 Guinea Pigs, Michelle Hawkins, VMD, Dipl ABVP-Avian
Dietary calcium restriction is often recommended for guinea pigs with urolithiasis, however we describe three cavies that developed fibrous osteodystrophy following calcium restriction. Caution should be used when considering this dietary recommendation in
guinea pigs.