Topics in Endocrinology
Preface
Anthony A. Pilny, DVM, DABVP (Avian) Editor
Our understanding of veterinary endocrinology is constantly evolving as we learn more about this complex body system. New scientific discoveries and published papers, talks at conferences, sharing of personal experiences, and relying on the currently accepted veterinary literature are all components of managing endocrine disease in our avian and exotic patients. However, these patients still present more of a challenge based on their physiology, ability to make a definitive diagnosis and offer treatment, and other necessary information such as reference ranges, prognoses, and available therapeutic options. Although there are some well-recognized endocrine disorders seen in clinical practice, much is still unknown and we still do not know in all cases if current methods of diagnostic testing will allow us to make an accurate diagnosis so we can treat our patients properly. This allows me to state what I said in the preface of the previous issue devoted to endocrinology: that this dilemma means that much remains to be learned about exotic pet endocrinology. I am honored to be guest editor for this Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice devoted to endocrinology since the last issue published on this topic was in 2008. My first thought may have been, “what has really changed with exotic pet endocrinology in the last 5 years?,” but now that we have the contributions, I can see how timely it is! The senior editors wanted this Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice to reflect an updated version as well as to keep our clinical focus to further educate on endocrine disorders. I have invited some authors from that last journal to contribute on different areas of the endocrine system as well as offer some updates and also new topics. The goal was to compile a set of articles that would offer the most current information and it is a huge success. Each author contributes a lot of time toward these articles and I extend my sincere gratitude. Many of these authors have published in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice before and it is refreshing to have some new names as well. Sincere thanks are also given to Elsevier, John Vassallo, and especially Patrick Manley,
Vet Clin Exot Anim 17 (2014) ix–x http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2013.10.003 vetexotic.theclinics.com 1094-9194/14/$ – see front matter Ó 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Preface
who replaced John more than halfway through and was so diligent and supportive in helping us publish this important information on endocrinology of birds and exotic pets. Anthony A. Pilny, DVM, DABVP (Avian) The Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine 562 Columbus Avenue New York, NY 10024, USA http://www.avianandexoticvets.com E-mail address: [email protected]
Preface
Anthony A. Pilny, DVM, DABVP (Avian) Editor
Our understanding of veterinary endocrinology is constantly evolving as we learn more about this complex body system. New scientific discoveries and published papers, talks at conferences, sharing of personal experiences, and relying on the currently accepted veterinary literature are all components of managing endocrine disease in our avian and exotic patients. However, these patients still present more of a challenge based on their physiology, ability to make a definitive diagnosis and offer treatment, and other necessary information such as reference ranges, prognoses, and available therapeutic options. Although there are some well-recognized endocrine disorders seen in clinical practice, much is still unknown and we still do not know in all cases if current methods of diagnostic testing will allow us to make an accurate diagnosis so we can treat our patients properly. This allows me to state what I said in the preface of the previous issue devoted to endocrinology: that this dilemma means that much remains to be learned about exotic pet endocrinology. I am honored to be guest editor for this Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice devoted to endocrinology since the last issue published on this topic was in 2008. My first thought may have been, “what has really changed with exotic pet endocrinology in the last 5 years?,” but now that we have the contributions, I can see how timely it is! The senior editors wanted this Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice to reflect an updated version as well as to keep our clinical focus to further educate on endocrine disorders. I have invited some authors from that last journal to contribute on different areas of the endocrine system as well as offer some updates and also new topics. The goal was to compile a set of articles that would offer the most current information and it is a huge success. Each author contributes a lot of time toward these articles and I extend my sincere gratitude. Many of these authors have published in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice before and it is refreshing to have some new names as well. Sincere thanks are also given to Elsevier, John Vassallo, and especially Patrick Manley,
Vet Clin Exot Anim 17 (2014) ix–x http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2013.10.003 vetexotic.theclinics.com 1094-9194/14/$ – see front matter Ó 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
x
Preface
who replaced John more than halfway through and was so diligent and supportive in helping us publish this important information on endocrinology of birds and exotic pets. Anthony A. Pilny, DVM, DABVP (Avian) The Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine 562 Columbus Avenue New York, NY 10024, USA http://www.avianandexoticvets.com E-mail address: [email protected]
