Exotic nursing Flashcards
what is meant by exotics?
animals not included in farm, equine or cats and dogs
how do you become an exotic vet?
get a special diploma
what are key factors of exotic consults?
ideally 30 minutes
thorough history vital
often need diagnostic tests
how can reception advise owners when bringing exotics into practice?
advise transport request faecal samples ask to bring in food and supplements bring photos of environment pre-consult questionnaire
how should rodents and rabbits be transported?
secure carrier
what needs considering when transporting reptiles?
heating provisions
how should snakes be transported?
pillow case
how should birds be transported?
cages
how should fish be transported?
double plastic bag in waterproof box
second bag if need anaesthesia recovery
what facilities are needed in practice for exotics?
heated tank for birds
vivarium for reptiles
cool area for rabbits
list some equipment used in exotic consults
good microscope crop tubes fine instruments ventilator endoscopy magnification sensitive scales disinfectants
why do exotics often present with progressed diseases?
hide illness
once presenting rapidly deteriorate
what is first aid for exotics?
check ABCs stop bleeding provide correct temperature oxygen except reptiles rehydration analgesia
why is oxygen provision to reptiles given cautiously?
stop breathing in high oxygen
define zoonoses
infectious disease that can pass from animal to human
list common zoonoses in reptiles
salmonella
campylobacter
pentastomids
list common zoonoses in birds
chlamydohila
salmonella
mycobacterial
avian influenza
list common zoonoses in small mammals
dermatophytosis
E. cuniculi
salmonella
state a common zoonoses in fish
mycobacterium marinum
what are symptoms of mycobacterium spp. in fish?
local non-healing ulcers
reduced appetite
weight loss
body deformities
what is the effect of mycobacterium spp in humans?
localised lesions
how is mycobacterium spp zoonoses spread prevented?
cover open wounds with water proof dressings
gloves
wash hands well
wash equipment separate to sinks for human use
how is dermatophytosis spread?
skin contact with the fungus
what are signs of dermatophytosis infection?
scaly, itchy patches on skin
how can you prevent spread of dermatophytosis?
wear gloves
wash hands well
how are exotics euthanised?
gaseous or injectable anaesthetic
how are exotic mammals euthanised by injectables?
IV to ear vein or cranial vena cava
injection into kidney or liver
how are reptiles euthanised by injection?
IV to tail vein or jugular
injection into liver or heart
destroy spinal cord with needle
how are birds euthanised by injection?
IV to jugular or tibiotarsal
into liver
how are fish euthanised?
anaesthetic in water
pentobarbitone injection
sever spinal cord behind gill cover
list some anatomical features specific to rabbits
light skeleton powerful hindlegs can cause damage nasal breathers larynx hard to visualise for intubation open rooted teeth cant vomit coprophagic open inguinal ring so need closed castration 2 cervices prominent forward eyes
list parameters assessed in rabbits
posture HR RR temperature weight droppings
what is normal rabbit temperature?
38.3-39.4
what environmental features are needed for hospitalising rabbits?
secure non-slip floor cool to prevent heat stress no predators near normal food and water can keep with bonded pair
where are rabbit blood samples taken from?
lateral saphenous
marginal ear vein
cephalic
jugular
what is maximum recommended volume of blood to take from rabbit?
1ml/100g
what are ways of giving medication to rabbits?
syringe into side of cheek SC IM quads IV ear vein shampoo cream
what are signs of pain in rabbits?
naturally hide pain
quiet
grinding teeth
grimace scale
what are fluids used for in rabbits?
crystalloids to correct imbalance
colloids to bring up BP
what is maintenance fluids for rabbits?
100ml/kg/24hrs
4ml/kg/hr
what are the preferred routes of fluid provision to rabbits?
IV marginal ear vein or cephalic
SC
why are buster collars not recommended for most rabbits?
stressful
prevent coprophagia
describe how to supportively feed rabbits
1ml syringe feeding so easy to eat without spitting
feed finely ground grass based food as still need long chain fibre
what are examples of parasites found in rabbits?
mites
fleas
coccidia
worms
what are signs of GI stasis in rabbits?
anorexia
absence of droppings
bloated abdomen
abdominal pain
what causes GI stasis in rabbits?
pain
stress
wrong diet
concurrent disease
how is GI stasis treated in rabbits?
analgesia IVFT prokinetics syringe feeding encourage eating find and treat underlying cause
what do different BG levels in rabbits suggest?
less than 5- pathology, inappetance 5-10 normal 10-15- stress, pain 15-20- significant pain over 20- GI obstruction
list GI diseases that can be present in rabbits
GI stasis GI obstruction liver lobe torsion dental disease diarrhoea
what are signs of respiratory disease in rabbits?
difficulty breathing
open mouth breathing
what are examples of respiratory disease in rabbits?
snuffles
pneumonia
neoplasia
what are causes of urinary incontinence in rabbits?
renal disease dental pain bladder infection, stone, neoplasia back pain e cuniculi
what are signs and causes of vestibular disease in rabbits?
head tilt and circling
e cuniculi
what is e cuniculi in rabbits?
parasite effecting kidneys and CNS
how does e cuniculi in rabbits spread?
shed in urine
eat infected urine on grass
list symptoms of e cuniculi in rabbits
head tilt ataxia hindlimb weakness urinary incontinence renal failure cataracts
how is e cuniculi treated in rabbits?
fenbendazole
list some skin problems in rabbits
mites flystrike abscesses pododermatitis otitis
what are causes of faecal clogging?
no caecotrophy so collects on back end too much carbs obesity so cant reach dental disease back pain
how is myxomatosis spread in rabbits?
biting insects
direct contact
list symptoms of myxomatosis in rabbits
swelling around eyes and genitals
ocular discharge
how is rabbit haemorrhagic disease spread?
fomites
direct contact
what are symptoms of rabbit haemorrhagic disease?
sudden death
haemorrhage from nose, mouth, anus
list animals considered wildlife
birds hedgehogs bats foxes badgers deer
what are aims of wildlife rehab?
alleviate pain
restore so can be returned to wild and survive
reduce impacts on wild life caused by humans
species conservation
what are considerations when rescuing wildlife?
make sure they actually need rescuing
own safety first
minimise stress to animal
when is it better to euthanise wildlife?
cant release animals if wont survive or likely to have complications
what are advantages and disadvantages of keeping wildlife in captivity?
adv- healthy but wouldnt survive in wild, breed rare species
disadv- affects quality of life, increased stress
why is water quality so important to fish?
constant exchange between fish and water so good quality water means healthy fish
how are fish anaesthetised?
phenoxethanol or MS222 tricane methane
LA with systemic effect
depth depends on amount of agent in water and how long left in
to recover place in fresh water
what are some diagnostic tests that can be done on fish?
mucus scrapings for parasites gill and fin preparations bacteriology bloods radiography ultrasound
what are advantages and disadvantages of admin of therapeutics for fish?
adv- injections last long due to slow metabolism, topical good
disadv- in pond kills bacteria, in pond and food inaccurate
what is causes of ulcer disease in fish?
septicaemia
trauma
how is ulcer disease in fish treated?
GA debridement iodine cleaning antibiotics correct underlying disease
state some first aid advice to give to fish owners
check water quality
can quarantine affected fish
change 30% water to dilute toxins
improve aeration
what are basic husbandry requirements for amphibians?
polikotherms so need good temperature nocturnal UV light for calcium metabolism good water quality high humidity
list common amphibian problems
skin infections
chytridiomycosis
foreign bodies
metabolic bone disease
what are common problems associated with invertebrates?
shedding issues
mites
nematodes
trauma
list anatomical features specific to reptiles
exotherms inflexible skin covered in scales shed skin as grow bony shell in chelonia contains vessels and nerves no diaphragm coelom is single body cavity
what is monitored for reptiles?
weight RR excretions activity shedding environmental temperature
what is needed for hospitalising reptiles?
environmental temperature control
heated tank or vivarium
tortoise table
where are bloods taken from in reptiles and why are they hard?
ventral tail vein
snakes- ventral tail vein, cardiocentesis
tortoise- jugular, subvertebral
relies on landmarks as hard to palpate
how are medications administered to reptiles?
topical oral deep SC IM to back legs IV IO
what are methods of fluid therapy in reptiles?
soaking oral intracoelomic SC IV IO