Exotic Animal Formulary5

Preface
Welcome to the fifth edition of the Exotic Animal Medicine Formulary! As we know, the
medical care of exotic pets has become an integral part of most companion animal
practices. The Exotic Animal Formulary, fifth edition, therefore, was compiled to
accommodate this rapid growth of exotic animal medicine. For this revision, 29 of the
most recognized specialists in our field were invited to contribute; their role was to
evaluate published drug dosages and related biologic and medical information and
references, and to select those that would be most clinically useful and relevant to the
practitioner.
Not only is this edition updated and expanded (now containing 295 tables), but we’ve
added a section on “Backyard Poultry and Waterfowl,” in addition to sections on
invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, rodents, rabbits,
ferrets, miniature pigs, primates, and wildlife. The “Selected Topics for the Exotic Animal
Veterinarian” has also been expanded and now includes information on compounding
resources.
This book is not intended to replace existing medical resources or the use of sound
medical judgment, but rather to serve as a guide in providing medical care to exotic
animals. This formulary assumes that the reader has a reasonable understanding of
veterinary medicine. For example, drug indications are generally listed only in unique
situations. Supporting tables have been carefully selected to include those topics of major
importance in clinical practice.
As in previous editions of this book, the selection of species, drugs, and other
information used in this reference was based on an extensive review of the literature (over
2400 references are cited) and on our collective teaching and clinical experience. The
book, therefore, is not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather to serve as a quick reference
for the common questions and medical situations we encounter in clinical practice.
Unfortunately, relatively few pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies in exotic
companion pets have been published. Until more pharmacokinetic, efficacy, and safety
studies of the drugs that we use are conducted, most dosages used in these species are
based on empirical data, observations, and experience.
This book is intended to be a practical, user-friendly, quick reference for veterinary
clinicians, students, and technicians working with exotic animals. We hope that you find
this formulary and accompanying tables handy to use and that it adds to the quality of
17