Endocrine disease in small mammals and exotic species Flashcards
What is needed to allow the absorption of calcium from the intestines
Vitamin D
birds and reptiles this is in the form UV-B
List 3 things that are needed for calcium metabolism in a bearded dragon
UV-B light
Heat
Correct diet and supplements
When are dietary calcium supplements needed in reptiles
herbivorous reptiles
insectivorous reptiles
only carnivorous reptiles if fed all-meat diet or neonatal prey
what should the calcium phosphorous ratio be in birds and reptiles
between 1:1 and 2:1
Calcium should be equal or double the phosphorus levels
when are dietary calcium supplemental needed in birds
Insectivorous bird
parrots- if on seed-based diet
Carnivorous birds- All-meat diet, or over enthusiastic eviscerating
How can rabbits absorb calcium from the gut
Via both passive and and active absorption methods - with or without vitamin D
describe active absorption of calcium in rabbits
Vit D2 —> D3 in kidney by PTH if have low serum calcium, this stimulates intestinal absorption.
describe passive absorption of calcium in rabbits
absorbed across gut wall, vitamin D not required (unlike other mammals). No feedback mechanism.
what is the problem with too high calcium in rabbit diet
If high in diet = high serum calcium.
In rabbits calcium excretion is mostly via kidney
have a good tolerance of high levels of dietary Ca but does have a limit
Describe calcium absorption in guinea pigs
same as rabbits- don’t regulate calcium absorption from the gut
If fed excess calcium, the excess absorbed calcium is excreted through the urinary tract.
List 6 clinical signs of pancreatic adenomas in ferrets
hindlimb weakness
nausea
gazed expression
ataxia
collapse
coma
List 6 clinical signs of hypercalcaemia in guinea pigs/ rabbits
dysuria
pollakiuria
haematuria
thick, beige-brown urine
urine staining
abdominal pain
List 8 things seen with metabolic bone disease
Anorexia
lethargy
abnormal gait
bone deformities and swellings
pathological fractures
constipation- egg binding, cloacal prolapse
dysecdysis
muscle tremors
T/F only reptiles get metabolic bone disease
False
birds can get it to
Why do reptiles and birds need UV light
they can’t use vitamin D2 which you get from the diet, so they need UV-B and heat to convert vitamin D2 to vitamin D3
Are all birds reliant on UV-B to absorb calcium
No
Why should parrots not be given seed based diets
They are deficient in calcium and vitamin D
List 4 non-specific clinical signs of endocrine diseases
PUPD
anorexia
lethargy/weakness
weight loss
what animal are pancreatic adenomas common in
ferrets
what is dysecdysis
difficult or abnormal shedding
List 3 clinical signs of hyperthyroidism in birds
dyspnoea
regurgitation
dysphagia (due to thyroid goitres)
List 5 clinical signs of MBD in birds
weakness
ataxia
bone deformities or fractures
tetany
seizures
List the 3 most common endocrine diseases seen in ferrets
Hyperadrenocorticism*
Insulinoma
Persistent Oestrus*
List the 3 most common endocrine diseases seen in guinea pigs
cystic ovaries
Urolithiasis (hypercalcaemia)
hyperadrenocoriticsm
Should we be worried about alopecia during pregnancy/lactation in guinea pigs
No
Describe how to treat diabetes in guinea pigs
diet changes
what is an insulinoma
a benign tumor of the pancreas that causes hypoglycemia by secreting additional insulin
Describe how to diagnose insulinoma in ferrets
test glucose before and after feeding
List 6 common causes of hypercalcaemia in rabbits
increased dietary intake
renal disease
primary hyperparathyroidism
hypervitaminosis D
osteomyelitis
paraneoplastic syndrome
What type of hay is high in calcium
alfalfa hay
other than hypercalcaemia, list 3 things that can cause bladder sludge or urolithiasis in small mammals
dehydration
reduced movement
improper voiding of the bladder
Other than urinary issues list 2 other consequences of persistently raised calcium in rabbits
dystrophic calcification (particularly in aorta and kidneys)
hypermineralisation of the skeleton
Is hypocalcaemia common in rabbits
No
List 4 common endocrine disorders in reptiles
hypocalcaemia (MBD)
hypercalcaemia
hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
What are the 2 types of hypocalcaemia in reptiles
nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
renal secondary hyperparathyroidism
Describe how Nutritional Secondary hyperparathyroidism occurs in reptiles
calcium in diet too low
PTH increases
calcium mobilised from bone
Describe how Renal Secondary hyperparathyroidism occurs
phosphorus increases in the blood due to lack of excretion
PTH increases to fix the Ca:P ratio
calcium mobilised from the bone
List 5 common causes of kidney disease in reptiles
Over-supplementation of vitamin D3
Malnutrition e.g. hypovitaminosis A
High protein diet
Kidney infections
Chronic dehydration
List 5 common causes of low calcium in reptiles
low calcium in the diet
incorrect Ca:P in the diet
lack of UVB
poor environmental temps
lack of Vit D
List possible causes of hypercalcaemia in birds and reptiles
physiological increase in reproducing females
can also be seen from hypervitaminosis D or excessive calcium intake
occasionally can be from primary hyperparathyroidism and osteolytic bone lesions in reptiles
List 2 consequences of hypercalcaemia in birds and reptiles
soft tissue mineralisation
nephrocalcinosis
what can kidney disease lead to in reptiles and birds
gout- uric acid build up
what reptile species most commonly gets uroliths
tortoises
List 4 common endocrine disorders in birds
medullary hyperostosis
hypocalcaemia
hypercalcaemia
thyroid hyperplasia
what causes thyroid hyperplasia in birds
dietary iodine deficiency
Describe medullary hyperostosis
calcium storage in medullary bone changes pneumatic appearance to solid and dense material
this is a normal finding in female birds on radiographs during reproductive activity
How soon before egg laying does medullary hyperostosis occur
6 weeks prior
why is total calcium no reflective of true calcium status
because it can be affected by a wide range of things
measures ionised, protein-bound and complexed to anions
why is urinalysis not that useful in birds and reptiles
because you can not get an uncomtaminated sample
what can we test for on small mammal urine
USG and dipstick
can we do cystocentesis in small mammals
yes but it has a very high risk for peritonitis in hind gut fermenters
Describe how to diagnose insulinomas in ferrets
blood glucose samples
if under 3.4mmol/L after a 4 hour fast - insulinoma
Describe how do diagnose MBD in birds and reptiles
total + ionized calcium
whole body radiographs
history
Describe how can we diagnose urolithiasis or bladder sludge
X-rays
Describe how can we diagnose hypercalcaemia in rabbits
ultrasound of kidneys
X-rays of the spine
Describe how can we treat insulinomas
prednisolone +/- drugs to inhibit insulin secretion (diazoxide or a somatostatin analogue)
surgical partial pancreatectomy
diet changes - high protein and fat, low carb diet
Describe how can we treat MBD
Ca,cage rest, analgesia
splint unstable fractures
euthanasia
Husbandry changes= correct temp, UVB
Diet changes= correct diet for species, Ca/Vit D supplements
Describe how to treat bladder sludge in rabbits
treat underlying cause
Fluid therapy
treat any secondary infections
husbandy changes - change diet, weight loss, increase water intake, encourage exercise, reduce stress
Describe how to treat uroliths in rabbits
cystotomy
husbandy changes - change diet, weight loss, increase water intake, encourage exercise, reduce stress
Describe how can we prevent endocrine disorders in exotics
correct husbandry and diet
appropriate medical and surgical intervention
