Review by Kathy Lyon (Click on stars for an explanation)

This is titled as being for technicians, but clinicians who are undecided about whether to begin treating some of these small exotics will also find it useful.

The chapters cover birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, rodents (guinea pigs), small rodents (mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils), hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and fish.

The information is basic, but that is what many technicians need when they begin working with small exotic mammals. The book is primarily husbandry (diet and housing), but there is an overview of some of the common problems of these little creatures. If presented with a truly sick individual, more detailed information may be needed.

This book would be useful in any veterinary clinic that is expanding into exotic mammals. The information is sufficient to help make a determination about whether to pursue each species further. It is certainly not a do-all for treating exotics - there is much more to learn before one can be reasonably proficient - but this is a good place to start.

AAHA Press (2001).

Softcover, 247 pages.

ISBN-10: 1-58326-012-9.

ISBN-13: 9781583260128.