Hello, my name is Cassandra Man,
I would like to propose a new law today or some kind of substantial change, that will help to better protect the lives of exotic pets seen in veterinary practices.
All too often these animals are misdiagnosed, treatment is delayed or misunderstood, referrals to specialists are delayed or not being made. Many practices do not have theright type of medical equipment required in diagnostics and care for exotics, and are not set up for emergency care and have no way to hospitalize these patients.
This is a very serious problem excaberated even moreby the shortage of veterinarians, especially one's that are specialized in treating exotics. Often Veterinarians who don't specialize in but who will see exotics have not gone through extensive enough training or education to care for these animals and this should change.
If there was more extensive training, a better protocol when it came to treating exotics and referrals are being made quicker, and facilities were better set up to focus on the care for these animals, then they can better receive the care needed.
Sadly many are euthanized when their conditions become too severe and due to lack of knowledge in treating conditions. There is no such law in place I know of adressing the shortage of these types of veterinarians or ensuring a proper standard of care is maintained for these pet's. My rabbit Milo was one such case, where because a referral was not made and treatment was not carried out in a timely manner, and because there was a lack of extensive training, the veterinarian treating him failed to properly culture, diagnose, and treat him for an inner ear infection, which is very common condition that can affect rabbits. Milo's life was lost as a result of something that was so preventable. I intend for no more lives to be lost this way.
Many people like myself have been insituations where it was almost impossible to find a rabbit savvy vet. This needs to change, rabbits are just as common now as a pet cat or dog, they are not so much exotic but they do require entirely different care and treatment. I urge the department of education to start implementing more training that will cover not just a segment of, but that covers training for all exotic animals and all conditions that can affect them.
We must find a way to address the shortage of veterinarians as a whole, bring in more exotic veterinarians with more training, and ensure a standard protocol is being used for these exotics, this would be a great start. These lives cannot be lost this way anymore if knowledge of such conditions and testing and cultures are part of a regular protocol that are followed. No one would want their pet being seen by just anyone, so ensuring the level of care is being met for these exotics has never been more important.
They want someone they can trust and who will know what to do. I hope you will please seriously consider making this mandatory in memory of Milo and all other exotic pet's who did not receive the appropriate treatment or until it was too late.
