By Peter Lopatin for WebVet
When people think of veterinarians, they think "dog-and-cat-doctors." And with good reason. Dogs and cats are the most common American pets by far. According to the 2007 U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook , published by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Americans own 81.7 million cats and 72 million dogs. But cats and dogs - and birds and reptiles, for that matter - are not the only pets Americans own.
We also share our homes with about 1.1 million pet ferrets, 6.2 million rabbits, more than 1.2 million hamsters , 1 million guinea pigs, and hundreds of thousands of other rodents.
It's not just raining cats and dogs
Recognizing this demographic reality, in April of this year, the AVMA formally recognized a new veterinary specialty: the Exotic Companion Mammal (ECM) specialty practice area. Now, owners of "pocket pets,'' as these small animals are sometimes called, will have access to veterinarians who have demonstrated specialized expertise in treating the unique medical conditions of these diminutive companion animals.
Achieving certification as an ECM specialist is no easy matter. According to an April 24, 2008, AVMA press release, veterinarians desiring ECM specialty certification need to have six years of experience in the ECM field, relevant education, and must have published relevant articles. In addition, they must provide letters of reference and pass a two-day examinat...
Click here to read full article from WebVet.com
WebVet does not partner with or endorse any of the local product and service providers listed on this page. If you have questions specific to your pets needs or the quality of care and service, we highly recommend you speak with your veterinarian. If you don't have a local veterinarian, please click here to find one.