BB AALA Ch19 Reptiles

Question 1

1. Reptiles are ________ so they require an external heat source, that they can move into and away from as needed, and warm ambient temperatures to maintain normal metabolic processes.

Answer 1

poikilothermic

Question 2

2. If species information on a preferred temperature range is unavailable, a range of ________ is generally acceptable.

Answer 2

26-32 C

Question 3

3. Which of the following statements is false regarding reptiles?
   a. The reptilian glottis is positioned more rostrally than the mammalian laryngeal opening.
   b. Snakes and lizards have complete tracheal rings.
   c. Turtles and crocodilians have complete tracheal rings.
   d. In snakes the glottis lies immediately behind the tongue sheath allowing the snake to breath while slowly swallowing large prey.

Answer 3

b is false

snakes and lizards have INCOMPLETE tracheal rings

Question 4

4. Which of the following statements is false regarding reptilian lungs?
   a. All reptilian lungs are simple, endothelium lined sacs.
   b. In some species, lungs terminate in air sacs.
   c. Paired lungs are present in crocodilians, turtles and lizards.
   d. Most snakes have a single, functional right lung and a vestigial left lung.

Answer 4

a is false by caveat

All reptilian lungs are simple, endothelium lined sacs, EXCEPT CROCODILIANS

Question 5

5. Which of the following statements is false regarding reptiles?
   a. Reptiles lack a true muscular diaphragm.
   b. Reptile respiration is controlled by hypercapnia, hypoxemia and environmental temperature.
   c. The ribs of turtles are fused to their carapace immobilizing their intercostals muscles so they must use their limbs and pelvic girdle to assist ventilation.
   d. Reptiles decrease their tidal volume in response to elevated environmental temperatures and elevated carbon dioxide levels.

Answer 5

d is false

Many reptiles increase tidal volume in response to elevated temperature and elevated carbon dioxide levels

Question 6

6. A minimum of _____ hours of fasting time is recommended for reptiles prior to anesthesia.

Answer 6

24-48

Question 7

7. True or False: Reptiles can be anesthetized with either inhalant or injectable agents, however inhalants are preferred because of the relatively rapid induction and recovery times.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

8. Which of the following statements is false regarding reptile restraint?
   a. Lizards should be restrained behind the head, supported minimally at the pectoral and pelvic girdle and held by the tail.
   b. Cylindrical plexiglass tubes protect the handler from bites and allow access to injection sites.
   c. Autotomy, or tail amputation in a fracture plane, is an escape mechanism of some species of lizards.
   d. Lizards will slap their tails as a defensive behavior; this can be quite painful to the holder.

Answer 8

a is partially true

True: Lizards should be restrained behind the head, supported minimally at the pectoral and pelvic girdle.

Lizards should NOT be held by the tail.

Question 9

9. Which of the following statements is false regarding reptile restraint?
   a. Turtles either move their limbs frantically in an attempt to escape or withdraw into their shell.
   b. All crocodilians will attempt to roll when restrained.
   c. Crocodiles are often easy and safe to handle.
   d. Small crocodilians should be restrained similar to lizards; larger crocodilians require two people for restraint.

Answer 9

c is false, duh

Question 10

10. True or False: A minimum of two people should be present if venous reptiles are to be manipulated.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

11. Which of the following statements is false regarding venomous reptile species?
    a. Antivenom is not necessarily needed onsite unless you expect to be bitten.
    b. Plexiglass tubes of appropriate size should be used for restraint of venous species.
    c. Extreme caution is necessary when working around fangs to prevent accidental inoculation.
    d. Depth of anesthesia must be verified before removing a venous reptile from an induction chamber.

Answer 11

a is false, duh

Question 12

What are acceptable sites for IV injection or catherterization in lizards? In snakes? In turtles?

Answer 12

Lizards: ventral coccygeal vein, ventral abdominal vein

Snakes: ventral coccygeal vein, right jugular vein (with cutdown)

Turtles: dorsal venous sinus (on dorsal midline of tail), jugular vein

Question 13

13. Which of the following statements is false?
    a. Endotracheal intubation is very difficult in reptiles.
    b. Intubation of reptiles is recommended to ensure adequate anesthetic induction and ventilation.
    c. Reptiles are hypoxia tolerant and can convert to anaerobic metabolism.
    d. Lidocaine can be applied to the glottis before intubation.

Answer 13

a is false

Question 14

14. Which of the following statements regarding inhalant anesthesia in reptiles is false?
    a. Halothane can rapidly reach lethal concentrations and should be avoided in reptiles.
    b. A rebreathing circuit is appropriate for most reptile species.
    c. Isoflurane is the agent of choice.
    d. Sevoflurane has been used in reptiles

Answer 14

b is false

A NON-rebreathing circuit is appropriate for most reptile species. Very large animals (>10 kg) may require a standard circle system.

Question 15

15. ___________ can be administered intramuscularly and in combination with other agents, such as medetomidine, for anesthetic induction prior to intubation and for minor procedures in reptiles.

Answer 15

ketamine

Question 16

16. True or False: Tiletamine-zolazepam can be used for minor procedures and as a premedication in reptiles; recovery times are often very quick with this drug.

Answer 16

False - recovery times can be prolonged with Tiletamine-zolazepam

Question 17

17. True or False: Lidocaine (not to exceed 10 mg/kg) & bupivicaine ( not to exceed 4 mg/kg) can be used in reptiles for procedures requiring local anesthesia.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

18. Which agent is recommended for total intravenous anesthesia in reptiles, if gas anesthesia is not an option?

Answer 18

propofol

Question 19

19. True or False: Neuromuscular blocking agents are appropriate for immobilizing for larger reptiles and provide adequate analgesia for invasive procedures.

Answer 19

False

Neuromuscular blocking agents have been used in the past to immobilize large crocodilians. But, should not be used for any procedure that has potential to cause pain.

Question 20

20. Which of the following statements is false regarding preanesthesia in reptiles?
    a. Ketamine-medetomidine cannot be used to anesthetize reptiles.
    b. Butorphanol and buprenorphine, if used alone in reptiles, provide minimal to moderate sedation and may decrease breath holding and struggling.
    c. Opioids are more effective when combined with a dissociative (Ketamine) or benzodiazepine (diazepam).
    d. Atropine and glycopyrrolate are not typically used in anesthetic regimens for reptiles.

Answer 20

a is false

Question 21

Describe hypothermia as a mechanism in reptiles.

Answer 21

Hypothermia immobilizes animals

Can cause immune system depression and tissue damage

Analgesic efficacy is questionable

Not recommended as a sole anesthetic method

Question 22

22. What is the recommended means of anesthesia induction and maintenance in reptiles?

Answer 22

Propofol IV follwed by intubation and maintenance on an inhalant. If IV or IO is unsuccessful, ketamine-dexmedetomidine IM.

Question 23

23. Which of the following statements is false?
    a. Isoflurane and sevoflurane are the preferred inhalant anesthetics for reptile anesthesia maintenance.
    b. Maintenance of preferred temperature throughout a surgery/procedure is essential.
    c. Intraoperative fluids should be given if necessary @ a rate of 5-10 m/kg/h.
    d. Assisted ventilation should not be provided during reptile anesthesia.

Answer 23

d is false

Question 24

24. Which of the following statements is false?
    a. During anesthetic induction, reptiles relax anterior to posterior.
    b. Recovery occurs anterior to posterior as well.
    c. Reflexes are used to measure anesthetic depth: righting reflex, toe and tail withdraw, cloacal pinch and palpebral reflex (turtles and most lizards).
    d. In lizard and snake species with spectacles, corneal and palpebral reflexes cannot be evaluated.

Answer 24

b is false

Recovery occurs posterior to anterior, opposite of relaxation during induction

Question 25

25. Which of the following statements regarding monitoring anesthesia in reptiles is false?
    a. Doppler ultrasonic flow detector eletrocardiography and pulse oximetry are general used for anesthetic monitoring.
    b. ECG leads should be placed opposite of mammals.
    c. The Doppler probe should be placed over the heart or carotid artery.
    d. Pulse oximetry is of questionable accuracy due to high methemoglobin levels in reptiles

Answer 25

b is false

Leads are placed as in mammalian species. Snakes should have leads placed cranial and caudal to heart.

Question 26

26. True or False: Caution must be exercised to prevent a reptile from overheating or becoming chilled during recovery.

Answer 26

True

Question 27

27. Common signs of pain or discomfort in reptiles include all the following except:
    a. hunched posture
    b. abnormal movements or tremors
    c. vocalization
    d. increased aggression

Answer 27

c - most reptiles do not vocalize

Question 28

28. Please list common analgesics used in reptiles for post-op pain. Orthopedic pain? Chronic pain?

Answer 28

Post op pain: opioids such as butorphanol and buprenorphine

Orthopedic pain: meloxicam, ketoprofen, carprofen

Chronic pain: meloxicam best; carprofen and ketoprofen can be used but monitor for renal and GI complications

Question 29

29. True or False: For prolonged or repeated anesthesia in reptiles, inhalant anesthetics are preferred because of minimal tissue accumulation, ability to control anesthetic depth, and rapid induction and recovery.

Answer 29

True

Supplemental anesthesisa with injectables other than propofol can result in inability to accurately control depth, and prolonged recovery times.

Question 30

30. Which of the following statements are false regarding field anesthesia of reptiles?
    a. Injectable anesthesia permits more rapid release of animals following anesthetic recovery.
    b. For situations requiring brief anesthesia, open-drop systems can be used with inhalants like Isoflurane.
    c. NSAIDs can be used for analgesia.
    d. For large reptiles infiltration of lidocaine or bupivicaine following sedation can provide anesthesia and analgesia for minor procedures.

Answer 30

a is false