Exotic Animal Formulary5

leather gloves for protection against teeth and nails. Adult animals
may need to be anesthetized for restraint.
Opossums
Rabbits and
hares
Wild rodents
Birds of prey
Passerines,
woodpeckers,
doves, etc.
Waterfowl,
pelagic, and
wading birds
Insectivorous
bats
Appropriate protective gear includes elbow-length leather gloves for
protection against teeth and nails. Anesthesia may be required for
examination of adults.
Appropriate protective gear includes a towel or light gloves for adults.
Cover with a towel before picking up to reduce stress. Restrain so that
the patient cannot kick its hind legs and injure its back. Avoid
overhandling and anesthetize for prolonged restraint.
Adults of these species can deliver hard bites. Appropriate protective wear
includes leather gloves to the elbow. Use nets for initial restraint of
larger rodents. A noose-style catch pole may be appropriate for initial
restraint of large beavers.
Appropriate protective gear includes leather gloves (garden gloves for
small species and up to the elbows or higher for larger hawks and
eagles) and protective eyewear. A leather welder’s jacket may be used
for large raptors such as eagles. Raptors will use talons for primary
defense but may also use their beak. Restrain feet first and head
second. A body grab should be used if the bird has a known leg
injury. A towel may be placed over the body before restraint to reduce
wing flapping. Vulture defense includes regurgitation. Keeping the
patient’s neck extended will reduce regurgitation efforts. Keep the
patient’s eyes covered with a hood or light cloth during handling to
reduce patient stress.
Appropriate protective gear includes light leather gloves. Patients may
become stressed or overheat with handling. Watch the patient closely
and perform procedures in stages if needed. Secure smaller birds using
fore and middle fingers around the base of the head and the bird’s back
pressed against your palm. Do not compress the body by grasping too
tightly as this may compromise breathing. Cup doves, pigeons, and
similar species in a light towel.
Appropriate protective gear includes vinyl or light leather gloves.
Powdered latex gloves and bare hands are inappropriate for waterfowl,
pelagic birds, and other species that require waterproofing of the
feathers. Handle passerine-sized precocial birds the same as altricial
birds. Waterfowl and large wading birds should be restrained by
securing the legs with one hand, tucking the bird’s body between
your side and the arm restraining the legs, and securing the head and
neck with the opposite hand. Long-billed birds such as herons and
loons require the handler to wear goggles and/or face shields to
protect the eyes.
Appropriate protective gear includes latex gloves under leather garden
gloves. Place the bat gently in a soft cloth and cover. Expose portions
of the bat to perform a physical exam. Cotton tip applicators are useful
to examine wing membranes, head and oral cavity, integument, etc.
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