Patient-friendly clinics: exotics

Abstract

Patient-centric care is increasingly better represented across many veterinary practices, particularly in the most commonly kept domestic companion pets. With specialised accreditations such as the International Society of Feline Medicine ‘Cat Friendly Clinic’ award, the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund ‘Rabbit Friendly Vets’ initiative and the Dogs Trust ‘Dog Friendly Vet Clinics’, veterinary practices and individuals are able to demonstrate their commitment to species-focused practice, incorporating up-to-date techniques and implementing species-specific adaptations to ultimately reduce stress to the patients and owners while simultaneously cementing a pledge to advocate for these patients when they are under veterinary care. Currently, there are fewer available resources or accreditations for the less commonly presented pets, which are often grouped as ‘exotics’ – a large category of animals from a variety of taxonomic groups including avian, reptilian, amphibian, invertebrate, rodent and small mammal species – though this does not mean that they should not be represented or advocated for, in the same way.