conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me a description for a book titled Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician about Doody's, July with the genre: New, Used & Rental Textbooks, Medicine & Health Sciences.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: "This book contains helpful information for veterinary technicians about exotic animals, including the importance of a good history and the ability to provide the client with accurate information. It is written for veterinary technicians with little experience with exotic animals, but it also would be helpful for students and beginning practitioners." ( Doody's , July 2010)
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the first five paragraphs for this book.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician
  Today guinea pigs are a common laboratory and companion animal. Their popularity in research is declining, however, due to the use of genetically engineered rodent models and alternative live-animal models (Pritt 2012). In Europe and North America, pet guinea pigs are increasing in popularity due to their small size, docile nature, and beginner level of required care. The American Cavy Breeders Association recognizes 13 breeds of guinea pigs with a variety of coat colors. Those guinea pig breeds most commonly seen in companion animal practice are the American or English, the Abyssinian, and the Peruvian. English cavies have a short, smooth hair coat (Figure 18.1), while Abyssinians (Figure 18.2) have a short, rough hair coat with rosettes along the shoulders, sides, and back, and Peruvians have a long, smooth hair coat that requires regular grooming.
  A member of the Caviidae family, the guinea pig has a short, stocky, tailless body, with hairless pinnae (Harkness et al. 2010). Males average 900 to 1200 grams in body weight, compared to 700 to 900 grams for females (Quesenberry et al. 2012). They have four digits on their forefeet and three on their hindfeet. Guinea pigs have large tongues, a small, narrow oral cavity, and fleshy cheek folds that invaginate the oral cavity, obscuring visualization. Like all rodents, they are monophyodont, with an elodont (continuously growing) dentition, and aradicular (rootless) cheek teeth (Quesenberry et al. 2012; Yarto-Jaramillo 2011). The incisors are normally white in the healthy animal, unlike most rodents (Yarto-Jaramillo 2011; Quesenberry et al. 2012). The dental formula is 2(I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/1, M 3/3) = 20 (Harkness et al. 2010; Quesenberry et al. 2012). The maxillary cheek teeth of guinea pigs have a palatal convexity, and the mandibular cheek teeth a buccal convexity, which in severe cases may result in tongue entrapment. This results in a 30 **°** oblique occlusal plane of the cheek teeth, with shorter crowns compared to the rabbit (Capello & Lennox 2012; O'Malley 2005). The soft palate is continuous with the base of the tongue forming a membranous covering of the posterior pharynx. Food, water, and air pass through an opening called the palatal ostium (Hawkins & Pascoe 2012; Yarto-Jaramillo 2011). The larynx lies dorsally within the oropharynx, in close association with the nasopharynx, making them obligate nasal breathers. This, combined with the small size of the oral cavity, challenges orotracheal intubation and predisposes guinea pigs to respiratory disease (Yarto-Jaramillo 2011).
  Guinea pigs are monogastric hindgut fermenters. They have a large cecum occupying the center and left side of the abdomen, containing about 65% of the gastrointestinal contents (Harkness et al. 2010; Quesenberry et al. 2012). They practice coprophagy as a source of vitamin B and for optimization of protein utilization. They are not cecotrophic. The gastrointestinal transit time (excluding coprophagy) is approximately 20 hours (Harkness et al. 2010; Quesenberry et al. 2012). The gastrointestinal flora is primarily Gram-positive (Quesenberry et al. 2012).
  Boars have an os penis, and open inguinal canals allowing them to retract their testicles into the abdominal cavity. Sows possess two uterine horns and a single os cervix opening into the vagina (Trewin & Hutz 1998). Both species possess a single pair of inguinal mammae (Harkness et al. 2010; O'Malley 2005). A thin membrane covers the vagina except during estrus and parturition. The pubic symphysis is fibrocartilaginous and is capable of separating during parturition. Failing to breed the sow prior to 7 months of age increases the risks of dystocia as the pubic symphysis is less able to separate (Quesenberry et al. 2012).
  Other anatomic characteristics of note in the guinea pig include their large tympanic bullae; large, bilobed adrenal glands; and functional thymus (Harkness et al. 2010) (Table 18.1).
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the last sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Exotic Animal Medicine for the Veterinary Technician
  Today guinea pigs are a common laboratory and companion animal. Their popularity in research is declining, however, due to the use of genetically engineered rodent models and alternative live-animal models (Pritt 2012). In Europe and North America, pet guinea pigs are increasing in popularity due to their small size, docile nature, and beginner level of required care. The American Cavy Breeders Association recognizes 13 breeds of guinea pigs with a variety of coat colors. Those guinea pig breeds most commonly seen in companion animal practice are the American or English, the Abyssinian, and the Peruvian. English cavies have a short, smooth hair coat (Figure 18.1), while Abyssinians (Figure 18.2) have a short, rough hair coat with rosettes along the shoulders, sides, and back, and Peruvians have a long, smooth hair coat that requires regular grooming.
  A member of the Caviidae family, the guinea pig has a short, stocky, tailless body, with hairless pinnae (Harkness et al. 2010). Males average 900 to 1200 grams in body weight, compared to 700 to 900 grams for females (Quesenberry et al. 2012). They have four digits on their forefeet and three on their hindfeet. Guinea pigs have large tongues, a small, narrow oral cavity, and fleshy cheek folds that invaginate the oral cavity, obscuring visualization. Like all rodents, they are monophyodont, with an elodont (continuously growing) dentition, and aradicular (rootless) cheek teeth (Quesenberry et al. 2012; Yarto-Jaramillo 2011). The incisors are normally white in the healthy animal, unlike most rodents (Yarto-Jaramillo 2011; Quesenberry et al. 2012). The dental formula is 2(I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/1, M 3/3) = 20 (Harkness et al. 2010; Quesenberry et al. 2012). The maxillary cheek teeth of guinea pigs have a palatal convexity, and the mandibular cheek teeth a buccal convexity, which in severe cases may result in tongue entrapment. This results in a 30 **°** oblique occlusal plane of the cheek teeth, with shorter crowns compared to the rabbit (Capello & Lennox 2012; O'Malley 2005). The soft palate is continuous with the base of the tongue forming a membranous covering of the posterior pharynx. Food, water, and air pass through an opening called the palatal ostium (Hawkins & Pascoe 2012; Yarto-Jaramillo 2011). The larynx lies dorsally within the oropharynx, in close association with the nasopharynx, making them obligate nasal breathers. This, combined with the small size of the oral cavity, challenges orotracheal intubation and predisposes guinea pigs to respiratory disease (Yarto-Jaramillo 2011).
  Guinea pigs are monogastric hindgut fermenters. They have a large cecum occupying the center and left side of the abdomen, containing about 65% of the gastrointestinal contents (Harkness et al. 2010; Quesenberry et al. 2012). They practice coprophagy as a source of vitamin B and for optimization of protein utilization. They are not cecotrophic. The gastrointestinal transit time (excluding coprophagy) is approximately 20 hours (Harkness et al. 2010; Quesenberry et al. 2012). The gastrointestinal flora is primarily Gram-positive (Quesenberry et al. 2012).
  Boars have an os penis, and open inguinal canals allowing them to retract their testicles into the abdominal cavity. Sows possess two uterine horns and a single os cervix opening into the vagina (Trewin & Hutz 1998). Both species possess a single pair of inguinal mammae (Harkness et al. 2010; O'Malley 2005). A thin membrane covers the vagina except during estrus and parturition. The pubic symphysis is fibrocartilaginous and is capable of separating during parturition. Failing to breed the sow prior to 7 months of age increases the risks of dystocia as the pubic symphysis is less able to separate (Quesenberry et al. 2012).
  Other anatomic characteristics of note in the guinea pig include their large tympanic bullae; large, bilobed adrenal glands; and functional thymus (Harkness et al. 2010) (Table 18.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me five more paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Fawns should be left alone unless injured. The doe often leaves the fawn alone for hours at a time while she feeds.
  Baby raccoons are usually on their own by the time they are 4–5 months old and weigh 8–12 pounds (3.5–5.5 kg). If a younger raccoon is discovered alone, the caller should leave the youngster where it was found and check on it periodically. Although nocturnal, the mother raccoon will look for her missing infant during the daytime as well as during the nighttime. If 24 hours passes with no sign of the mother, the licensed rabies vector rehabilitator should be called for instructions. You should be careful in advising the public to handle any rabies vector species.
  Reuniting diurnal species' (active during the day) babies during the daylight hours and nocturnal species' (active at night) babies during the night should be practiced. If the infant gets cold while waiting for the parent, a warm water bottle should be provided and placed with the baby. It may take several hours for a mother to reclaim its baby. If a diurnal species is found at night, it may be worth a try in the morning to reunite it with its parent.
  Orphans that are brought into the hospital will probably need to be taken home at night by a caretaker and brought back in the morning in order to provide the young animals with enough nourishment.
  If the caller wants to try to take care of the animal themselves, explain to them why that is not in the animal's best interest. Some points in making this argument include:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the first sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: The doe often leaves the fawn alone for hours at a time while she feeds.
  Baby raccoons are usually on their own by the time they are 4–5 months old and weigh 8–12 pounds (3.5–5.5 kg). If a younger raccoon is discovered alone, the caller should leave the youngster where it was found and check on it periodically. Although nocturnal, the mother raccoon will look for her missing infant during the daytime as well as during the nighttime. If 24 hours passes with no sign of the mother, the licensed rabies vector rehabilitator should be called for instructions. You should be careful in advising the public to handle any rabies vector species.
  Reuniting diurnal species' (active during the day) babies during the daylight hours and nocturnal species' (active at night) babies during the night should be practiced. If the infant gets cold while waiting for the parent, a warm water bottle should be provided and placed with the baby. It may take several hours for a mother to reclaim its baby. If a diurnal species is found at night, it may be worth a try in the morning to reunite it with its parent.
  Orphans that are brought into the hospital will probably need to be taken home at night by a caretaker and brought back in the morning in order to provide the young animals with enough nourishment.
  If the caller wants to try to take care of the animal themselves, explain to them why that is not in the animal's best interest. Some points in making this argument include:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Give me the last five paragraphs.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Nonprofit organization devoted to bat rehabilitation, research, education and conservation; includes resources, contacts and promotes public awareness.
  This site offers membership, training, education, and support for wildlife rehabilitators, literature catalogues, non-releasable animal placement, job line, symposium information, on line training, standards, rehabilitation links.
  Yearly subscription. Natural history, rehabilitation, medical management, husbandry, etc. for the Virginia opossum.
  This site offers membership, training, education, and support for wildlife rehabilitators, NWRA/IWRC Minimum Standards, state and federal permit agency listings, career page, baby animal care, publications, literature order reprints, upcoming events, and symposium.
  To subscribe, send an e-mail to: listserve@listserv.nodak.edu with a blank subject line and text that reads: subscribe WLREHAB.