Lessons from human care

Matthew Shackleton | WEC2025 | Stream 1 Exotics

45 minute video - Certificated at 1 hour of CPD

Lessons from human care; their application in the management and treatment of MSK disease in exotic species. Physiotherapy is a well-researched & intrinsic method of treatment in human patients; with a variety of neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory & oncological disease may see a physiotherapist for management & treatment. With training of clinicians in human health care, the importance of the multidisciplinary team is well understood & enables a holistic approach to the management & treatment of disease. This approach is beginning to be demonstrated in the literature for small domestic species. But what is its relevance to exotic species, & could a more holistic approach be more relevant? We will look at some of the contemporary veterinary research & the benefits of the MDT in the treatment & management of exotics, as well as some of the current challenges within the industry, such as knowledge gaps & the need for a more specialist approach with varying taxonomic groups.