Exotics 1: approach to the exotic patient Flashcards
1
Q
LOS
A
- Recognizing common exotics species seen in practice;
- Have a basic knowledge on those species’ anatomy, physiology and behavior;
- Recognizing that each species has particular needs in terms of husbandry/diet;
- Taking a good clinical history;
- How to safely approach and restrain different exotic species;
- How to perform a clinical exam in different exotic species
2
Q
What is the most common exotics patients seen?
A
- 3rd most common pet in UK = rabbit
- Rodents - guinea pigs, rats, hamster, chinchillas
- Ferrets
- Reptiles - bearded dragons most common, leopard gecko
- tortoise spp
- corn snake
- budies
- chickens
3
Q
What are the most common fish seen in practice?
A
Goldfish, Koi carps
4
Q
about rabbits
A
- 3rd most common pet
- Number 1 patient in any exotic practics
- Lagomorphs – not rodent - Dentition = Continuously growing incisors and cheek teeth
- Strict herbivores = Need high fibre diet
- Caecotrophy
- Specialized dentition, continuously growing
- Hind-gut (caecal) fermentation
- Huge variety of breeds: differ in haircoat, External ear anatomy , Body size
- Lifespan 8-10 y
- Social, should live in bonded pairs
5
Q
Ferrets, about
A
- Carnivore (hypercarnivore) – v high protein diet
- Domesticated from wild polecats (Mustela putorius)
- Sexual dimorphism (males are larger)
- Females are seasonal induced ovulators – otherwise stay in season
o Need to be mated in order to ovulate
o Is the jill doesn’t ovulate, she’ll continue to produce oestrogen and stay in season until mated
o If not mated will succumb to aplastic anaemia and die - Lifespan 6-8 y
- Some variety of color morphs (sable, albino, etc)
6
Q
Guinea pigs about
A
- Rodents
o Split into 2 main groups based on dentition:
Hystricomorph
myomorph - Strict herbivores
- Hystricomorphs:
o Dentition and masticatory muscles
o All teeth continuously growing - Hind gut fermentation (caecum)
- Also do caecotrophy
- Lifespan 5-6 y Some variety of hair colour, length (hairless varieties as well)
- Very social, should live in groups
7
Q
Chinchillas about
A
- Hystricomorph
- Rodents
- Strict herbivores
- All teeth continuously growing
- Adapted to cold, dry environments
- Hind gut fermentation
- Very dense haircoat
- Lifespan 8-10 y (likely more 13/15yo)
- Some variation in hair colour
8
Q
Rats about
A
- Rodents
- Myomorphs:
o Differences in dentition and masticatory muscles
o Only incisors grow continuously NOT cheek teeth - Omnivores
- Require relatively dry, well ventilated environments
o If not subjected to healthy conitions - Very social, should live in same-sex groups
- Environmental enrichment + social interaction
- Lifespan 2-3y 1-2 years is geriatric already
9
Q
Hamsters about
A
- Myomorph
- Rodents
- Omnivores
- 3 common species kept as pets:
o Syrian – most common and largest
o Roborovski
o Russian - Should live separately - solitary
- Frequently kept as a kid’s first pet
- Lifespan 1-2 y
10
Q
Bearded dragon about (Pogona vitticeps)
A
- Most common reptile
- Medium size lizards (400-700g)
- Omnivores when young, to herbivores as they mature
- Terrestrial/dry environment:
o Basking T = 33-40C
o Lower end T = 27C
o UV-B exposure essential (bulb)
As is to pretty much all reptiles - Usually kept separately
- Some variation in color
- Lifespan 8-12y
11
Q
What is failure to send skin?
A
Dysecdysis
12
Q
Lepoard gecko about
(Eublepharis macularius)
A
- Small lizards (60-100g)
- Insectivores
- Terrestrial/dry environment:
o T = 22 – 33C
o UV-B exposure advised
o Hiding places w/ high humidity to allow normal shedding - Usually kept separately
- Huge variation in color/pattern
- Lifespan 10-12y
13
Q
Most common species tortoise kept
A
o Greek (Testudo graeca)
o Hermann’s (T. hermanni)
o Horsfield’s (Agrionemys horsfieldii)
14
Q
tortoise about
A
- All strict herbivores
- Small to medium sized
- Terrestrial temperate to dry environment:
o T = 24 – 38C
o UV-B exposure essential - Very long lifespans (up to 80y)
- Some individuals routinely hibernate
- Can be kept in groups or single
o Not strictly social species but can be kept in groups
15
Q
Corn snake about
A
o Most common snake seen
o Small to medium size snakes
o Strict carnivores (rodent prey)
o Terrestrial environment:
o T = 21 – 30C
o UV-B exposure?
Debate. He advises it
o Lifespan 15-20y
o Should be kept single
o Huge variety of colour morphs
