Scalpel vs Medication
Common Dilemmas in Exotic Mammal Medicine

Speaker: Polina Maratkanova DVM, Master Degree in Exotic and Wild Animals  (“Vetathome” Stockholm, Sweden)
All lectures in English

  • The course will consist of 5 separate lectures
  • Each around 90 minutes long
  • Designed and dedicated to practitioners who may encounter common health issues in popular exotic mammal species
  • Each episode will focus on different practical dilemmas between invasive surgical procedures or conventional treatments and aim to break down and brainstorm these crucial decisions

Course Overview:

The course „Scalpel vs Medication: Common Dilemmas in Exotic Mammal Medicine” provides a comprehensive guide for veterinarians handling exotic mammals, focusing on critical decision-making between medical and surgical approaches for common conditions. Delivered by an experienced specialist, it covers practical diagnostics, therapeutic options, and surgical techniques, enriched with real patient case studies for applied learning.

  • Lesson 1: Therapeutic challenges in rabbits
    • Otitis: Understand the classification, diagnostics (X-ray, CT, ultrasound), and treatment options, including when to opt for surgery versus medical management. Explore potential complications and reversibility of vestibular symptoms.
    • Liver disorders: Learn about clinical signs, diagnostic methods, and treatment for liver problems, including cases involving liver lobe torsion or eimeriosis.
    • Gastrointestinal syndromes (GI Stasis): Dive into therapeutic approaches for varying severities of GI stasis, including obstruction versus non-obstruction cases, and techniques like orogastric decompression.
  • Lesson 2: Rabbits’ oncological problems
    • Thymomas: Master staging and classification, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic options, including sternotomy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Understand survival outcomes and case-specific recommendations.
    • Adenocarcinomas and metastatic tumors: Learn to identify, classify (TNM system), and treat adenocarcinomas of the mammary gland, uterus, and other locations, with insights into surgical and non-surgical strategies.
    • Testicular tumors: Review clinical signs, diagnostic pathways, and innovative alternatives to castration, including radiation therapy.
    • Includes case studies of rabbits with oncological conditions for applied learning.
  • Lesson 3: Rats problems
    • Mammary gland disorders: Explore the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like adenocarcinoma and galactocele, with practical guidance on thoracic imaging and tumor grading.
    • Ear and Zymbal gland pathologies: Gain expertise in diagnostics (CT, X-ray, endoscopy) and advanced surgical procedures, including bulla flushing and lateral bullotomy.
    • Pododermatitis: Understand its etiology, classification, and treatment, with a focus on surgical techniques for severe cases.
  • Lesson 4: Ferrets’ Oncological Problems
    • Lymphoma: Learn the stages, forms (alimentary, multicentric, cutaneous), and treatment protocols (COP, Wisconsin-Madison, radiation therapy). Gain insights into diagnostics like bone marrow sampling and immunohistochemistry.
    • Adrenal gland disorders: Explore etiology, clinical signs, diagnostics (ultrasound), and treatments for adrenal hyperplasia, pheochromocytoma, and adrenal tumors. Includes guidance on Suprelorin implants.
    • Insulinomas: Detailed analysis of diagnostics, conservative treatment, and surgical removal, with recommendations for managing hypoglycemia and long-term care.
  • Lesson 5: Guinea Pig Problems
    • Urinary Stones: Understand the classification of urinary tract diseases, predisposing factors, diagnostics (urinalysis, imaging), and treatment strategies, including surgery. Learn about prevention and treatment.
    • Lymphoma: Study clinical signs, staging, and treatment of lymphoma/leukemia, including diagnostic imaging (CT, blood tests) and chemotherapy options.
    • Thyroid Gland Tumors: Review hyperthyroidism and thyroid neoplasms, covering diagnostics, surgical treatment, and long-term management.

Speaker

Maratkanova Polina

Leg. veterinarian, «Vetathome», Stockholm;
Master degree in Exotic Pet and Wild Animals (UCM, Madrid) with more than 17 years of experience.
International lecturer, author of articles/books on exotic animals.

Specialization: exotic animals (rabbits, rodents, ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders,
racoons, primates, reptiles and ornamental birds).
Field of interests: exotic animals oncology (including chemotherapy and
radiotherapy), internal medicine (including critical care), anaesthesia, soft tissue
surgery, dentistry, X-ray and CT.

Over 17 years of practice, she has completed a large number of training programs
and advanced training courses in the treatment of exotic animals, ultrasound,
radiology and anaesthesiology from world experts: Peter Fisher (USA), F. Harcourt-
Brown (Great Britain), Brian Spear (USA), David Williams (Great Britain), Marty Chu
(Taiwan), Charles Pignon (France), Kevin Eatwell (Great Britain).

She takes an active part as a lecturer in scientific and practical conferences and
webinars with reports on exotic animals in Europe, Asia and USA. Regularly attends
advanced training courses, veterinary congresses and conferences.
One of the few veterinarians in the world who has successful experience in the use of
radiation and photodynamic therapy in different species of exotic animals.

Interests: traveling, sport, reading books, spending time with my kids.