Approaching the exotic patient Flashcards
1
Q
What are some exotic species?
A
- Rabbit
- Guinea pigs
- Rats
- Hamsters
- Chinchillas
- Ferrets
- Bearded dragons
- Leopard Gecko
- Tortoise
- Budgies
- Chickens
- Fish
2
Q
Things to know about rabbits?
A
- Lagomorphs (like hares)
- Strict herbivores, fiber-rich diet
- Caecotrophy
- Specialized dentition - continuously growing
- Hind-gut fermenters
- Lifespan = 8-10yrs
- Social - should live in pairs
3
Q
Things to know about ferrets?
A
- Carnivore
- Sexual dimorphism
- Females are seasonal induced ovulators
- Lifespan = 6-8yrs
4
Q
Things to know about guinea pigs?
A
- Rodents
- Strict herbivores
- Hystricomorphs:
- Dentition and masticatory muscles
- All teeth continuously growing
- Hind gut fermentation (caecum)
- Also do caecotrophy
- Lifespan = 5-6 yrs
- Very social, should live in groups
5
Q
Thing to know about chinchillas?
A
- Hystricomorph Rodents
- Strict herbivores
- All teeth continuously growing
- Adapted to cold, dry environments
- Very dense haircoat
- Lifespan = 8-10 yrs
6
Q
Things to know about rats?
A
- Myomorphs:
- Differences in dentition and masticatory muscles
- Only incisors grow continuously
- Omnivores
- Require relatively dry, well ventilated environments
- Very social, should live in same-sex groups
- Environmental enrichment
- Lifespan = 2-3yrs
7
Q
Things to know about hamsters?
A
- Myomorph Rodents
- Omnivores
- 3 common species kept as pets:
- Syrian
- Roborovski
- Russian
- Solitary, non-social
- Frequently kept as a kid’s first pet
- Lifespan = 1-2 yrs
8
Q
Things to know about bearded dragon?
A
- Medium size lizards (400-700g)
- Omnivores to herbivores as they mature
- Terrestrial/dry environment:
- Basking T = 33-40C
- Lower end T = 27C
- UV-B exposure essential
- Kept as single pet
- Lifespan = 8-12yrs
9
Q
Things to know about leopard gecko?
A
- Small lizards (60-100g)
- Insectivores
- Terrestrial/dry environment:
- T = 22 – 33C
- UV-B exposure advised
- Hiding places w/ high humidity
- Kept as single pet
- Lifespan = 10-12yrs
10
Q
Things to know about tortoises?
A
- Several species commonly kept:
- Greek (Testudo graeca)
- Hermann’s (T. hermanni)
- Horsfield’s (Agrionemys horsfieldii)
- All strict herbivores
- Small to medium sized
- Terrestrial temperate to dry environment:
- T = 24 – 38C
- UV-B exposure essential
- Very long lifespans (up to 80y)
- Some individuals routinely hibernate
- Can be kept in groups or single
11
Q
Things to know about cornsnakes?
A
- Small to medium size snakes
- Strict carnivores (rodent prey)
- Terrestrial environment:
- T = 21 – 30C
- UV-B exposure?
- Lifespan = 15-20yrs
- Should be kept single
12
Q
Things to know about budgies?
A
- Probably most commonly kept pet bird
- In the wild, feeds on a variety of seeds. As pets:
- Balanced seed mixes
- Pellets
- Some greens
- Very social and easy to breed
- Appropriate cage size/design
- Environmental enrichment
- Perches
- Toys
- Bathing
- Lifespan = 7-15 yrs
13
Q
Things to know about African grey parrot?
A
- Most commonly kept parrot species
- Medium size (350-500g)
- Feeds on variety of fruits, seeds and berries
- Pellets
- Mix vegetables/fruit
- Calcium supplements + UV-B?
- Appropriate cage size/design
*nEnvironmental enrichment - Perches
- Toys
- Bathing
- Social interactions
- Lifespan = 20-30 yrs
14
Q
Things to know about domestic chicken?
A
- Most are ex-battery egg-laying hens
- Mixed indoors (coop with perches + nesting boxes) and outdoors
- Diet:
- Commercial pellets
- Some grains/vegetables + insects/invertebrates
- Gritt
- Kept in all female groups +/- 1 male
- Lifespan = 5-12 yrs
15
Q
What are husbandry needs of reptiles / amphibians?
A
- Temp
- Humidity
- UV-B exposure
- Substrate
- Enclosure size
