Evaluation of health and welfare Flashcards
Understanding effects of taxon-specific anatomy and physiology on pharmacokinetic parameters (absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination)
Carnivores have a more acidic stomach, meaning acidic drugs will be absorbed quicker. Whereas, herbivores have PH neutral stomachs, meaning the same drugs will take longer to be absorbed.
Distribution takes longer in more fatty animals as the drugs can be stored.
Higher metabolism means that the drug will be processed and ready for elimination faster.
Some animals cannot vomit, so elimination relies on excretion.
Demonstration of applied knowledge for an exotic animal species using domestic animal model in terms of pharmaceutic administration and pharmacokinetic parameters
IV, SC, IM, needle length, area with least fat if IM
Principles of modelling and measurement of pharmacokinetic parameters, including integration of volume of distribution, elimination half-life, and clearance into patient management
Measuring levels in the blood over time and making comparisons to the baselines
Identification of parameters for a well-constructed pharmacokinetic study for development of a novel study
Type and timing of samples collected
Recording of times samples collected is more important than consistency
Review of allometric principles and the application of them in scaling metabolic and physiologic processes
Relationships between animal size (measured as body mass) and various crucial measurements (including metabolism) do not scale in a linear manner, so that expressing these relationships as %, mg/kg, or similar, is biologically not correct (but maybe convenient)
Allometry considers other factors like ADME depending on internal biology
Demonstration of limitations of allometric scaling for pharmaceutical guidance
Lack of research so assumptions on biological processes may be made
Discussion of metabolic processes with effect on pharmaceutical metabolism as focused on ectothermic body temperatures
Temperatures outside are likely to change metabolism of the drug in ectotherms
What does the topic of reproductive technologies include
techniques directly applied to animal breeding and the treatment of infertility, such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. However, in a broader sense, the topic includes technologies for contraception and pest control, sperm and embryo freezing, germplasm banking, animal cloning, etc.
Some of these technologies are used in zoos, where the focus is on breeding specific individuals whose genetic value would otherwise be lost. This type of usage can be intensively applied within planned breeding programmes; however, they are not usually efficient enough for use with population management.
The multiple uses and applications of contraceptive treatments in zoo and free living wild animals
To maintain genetic diversity, and appropriate population demographics
To prevent overrepresentation, reduce inbreeding, and modify generation length
For modifying inappropriate behaviours, therapeutic management (e.g. endometriosis)
The mechanisms of action of the different contraceptive drugs available
Synthetic steroid hormones (progestogens): thicken cervical mucus, interrupt gamete transport, disrupt implantation, inhibit LH surge stopping ovulation (progestogen/oestrogen combination): suppress follicle development and ovulation PLUS as above
GnRH agonists: suppress pituitary- gonadal axis to suppress gonadal hormone release
Immunocontraception: antibodies prevent the attachment of sperm to the ova
The holistic approach to the use of contraception: safety and reversibility, monitoring efficacy, research
Are the animals fit for purpose?
The approach to diagnosing point of breeding failure/infertility
Identify problem, choose diagnostics, explore treatment options, items and people needed
Technological advances in imaging can assist in improving outcomes for captive wild animal reproduction and contraception.
For basic research into anatomy and physiology
As a diagnostic tool to identify and monitor
As a supportive tool for disease treatment and assisted reproduction
Via both non-invasive and invasive techniques (ultrasound vs xray)
describe in principle the modified McMaster Method for the recovery of helminth eggs
A clear slide with 2 compartments for samples, where floatation fluid causes eggs to rise to the top of the slide and etched lines help them to be seen
describe in principle the Baerman technique for the recovery of helminth larvae
A sample is suspended in water inside a glass funnel with gauze, and larvae move into the water where they sink to the bottom
discuss the interpretation of results obtained using these two techniques and appreciate their limitations
Pseudo-parasites can interfere with identification if the person looking does not have knowledge
They do not identify the relative number of the parasites due to differences in fecundity
Presence may not occur in the sample despite being in the host depending on the parasite species, as they may not enter the intestines
They may be at different developmental stages, and therefore not be present in the sample
discuss the value of faecal culture
It allows for the identification of the relative number of each parasite.
describe in principle how nematode larvae may be recovered from grass samples and subsequently identified
Collect and wash the grass, sieving the contents, and using Baerman or flotation methods
describe in principle how nematodes may be recovered from the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
They can be flushed out into containers and sieved, followed by use of formalin fix and microscope
Define animal welfare and explain how it relates to health and productivity
The physical and mental state of an animal in relation to its conditions (e.g. environment and husbandry)
Give examples of common welfare indicators and how they could be used to understand animal welfare
Enclosure assessments to identify whether their needs are being met, and behavioural assessments to identify if the animal is able to cope in the environment
Apply knowledge of concepts and frameworks to objectively assess behaviour and welfare-related issues
5 domains: health, environment, behaviour, nutrition, mental state
5 needs: protection from unnecessary pain/suffering, to be housed with or without others, suitable diet, suitable environment, opportunity to exhibit normal behaviours
Critically discuss common techniques for testing a species’ cognitive flexibility, taking into account the ‘hard problem of consciousness’
Mirror test – for self-awareness
Deception test – for theory of mind (knowing what others know/don’t know)
Flexible tool use – problem solving with prior knowledge
Counting – concept formation
Define cognition and consciousness, and logically argue whether and how they might relate to each other
Cognition is the processing of information
Consciousness is the understanding of thought and experiences
They may be related as consciousness can influence changes in cognition, thus the more complex an animal’s cognition is, this could indicate consciousness
Define abnormal repetitive behaviours and explain why it can be difficult to identify them with certainty
Behaviours that have no underlying function and occur at a statistically significant rate with unvarying patterns
Evaluate some of the internal and external processes that can lead to their development, including relevant evidence-based examples
Environmental needs that aren’t met can cause frustration, which leads to motivations not being fulfilled and thus the behaviours occur as either a coping mechanism or result of stress or an attempt of the animal trying to fulfil the need themselves (e.g. wall licking in giraffes)
Critically discuss the use of abnormal repetitive behaviours as welfare indicators
Can indicate health or environmental issues, although need to remember these may have been learnt previously and thus not reduce immediately after changes
Why is allometry used
Relationships between animal size (measured as body mass) and various crucial measurements (including metabolism) do not scale in a linear manner, so that expressing these relationships as %, mg/kg, or similar, is biologically not correct (but maybe convenient)
Hemosiderosis is
local or systemic deposition of iron and hemochromatosis is systemic deposition with associated organ damage.
Caused by increased iron absorption
Clinical signs include lethargy and muscle pain.
Diagnosis in live animals is dependent on % transferrin saturation and serum ferritin values. Susceptible species include toucans.
Appropriate diets for wild animals in captivity are
dictated by the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal system.
It is important not to disturb the fermentation chamber, where present to ensure health is maintained.
There is no evidence that variety of food is required for good welfare
Reptiles - Develop an appropriate diet based on the feeding type
Carnivore – mostly protein and fat, omnivore – half carbohydrate, then protein and fat, herbivore – lots of carbohydrates, small amount of protein and fat
Know the reasons for metabolic bone diseases and their clinical manifestation
Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, low blood calcium leads to hyperparathyroidism so calcium is released from bones
Depression, tremors, soft bones, spontaneous fractures, hard thighs, paralysis of hind legs, scute pyramiding, collapsed carapace, shortness of breath, dystocia
Relate energy disorders to health
Weight loss - inadequate food, so body tissue is used to metabolise
Obesity - overfeeding causing build up of fat, leading to lameness and potentially reduced organ function
Reptiles - Name the main endoparasites and discuss the diagnostic tests to be used
Amoeba, oxyurids, coccidia, cryptosporidia
Microscopy of fresh faecal sample, flotation/sedimentation, SAF fixation
Appreciate the anatomy/physiology of the reptile liver
Arterial, portal, and venous circulation
Hepatocytes, endothelial cells, macrophages, ito cells
Biliary system (canaliculi to gallbladder to common bile duct)
Metabolism varies (egg/hatchling/adult/temperature, hibernation)
Biliverdin rather than bilirubin
Appreciate the practical approach to hepatobiliary disease investigation
History of husbandry (e.g. lack of hibernation, lack of reproduction, hepatotoxic drugs)
Nutrition (e.g. hepatotoxins, excess nutrition/obesity)
Physical examination (jaundice/hyperbiliverdinemia, polyuria/polydipsia, coelomic enlargement, anorexia, depression)
Hepatic markers to investigate disease and its effects, radiography for hepatic carcinomas, hematology for leukocytosis, CT scan for hepatic size and shape, ultrasound for displacement or compression or vascular abnormalities.
Coelioscopy (in through abdominal wall incision)
Hepatic biopsy (elevations of liver enzymes, elevated bile acids)
Appreciate the anatomy/physiology of reptile kidneys
Paired, paired ureters > urodeum, urethra > large bladder in some spp
Renal portal system (filtration of waste and excess water)
Ammonia, urea, uric acid
Post-renal modification of urine by cloaca/bladder
Appreciate the practical approach to renal disease investigation
Unlikely to show clinical signs until 2/3 of function is lost
Decreased activity, decreased appetite, regurgitation, abnormal urine/faeces, increased bathing, polydipsia, polyuria, anuria
Physical examination (body condition, palpation, skin tenting, poor shedding, fluid overload, gout, renal enlargement)
Blood collection BEFORE any treatment
Urinalysis (volume, presence/absence, colour, pH, blood, glucose)
Radiography for size and shape, ultrasound for size and shape, CT for size and shape and lesions
Coelioscopy (in through abdominal wall incision)
Renal biopsy (electrolyte imbalance, toxin build up, blood in urine, masses)
Appreciate the routes for delivering medication to reptiles via the topical, oral, and injectable routes
Irrigations, baths, creams, powders - bandaging
Syringe feed, stomach tube (mouth gag, oesophagus tubing)
Oesophagostomy tube
PEG tube (skin to stomach)
SC (slow uptake, useful when muscles is limited)
IM (reliable, smaller volume)
Instracoelomic (slow uptake so use larger volume, or for fluid therapy)
IO (rapid uptake for emergency)
IV (rapid uptake for emergency)
Central IV lines (longer term)
The differences in Reproductive lifespan in Asian elephants in modern zoos and in range countries with special reference to calf mortality
Fertility peaks at 20, and calf mortality/stillbirth increases with mother’s age
Male calves have higher mortality risk than female calves
Calf mortality, stillbirths, dystocia etc decreases when welfare is increased
