Exotics Flashcards
are rabbits rodents?
no (lagomorphs)
what is specialised about the rabbits teeth?
incisors and cheek teeth continuously grow
what is the lifespan of rabbits?
8-10 years old
what is the lifespan of a ferret?
6-8 years
are male or female ferrets larger?
males
what type of rodents are guinea pigs?
hystricomorphs - all teeth continuously grow
what is the lifespan of guinea pigs?
5-6 years
what type of rodents are chinchillas?
hystricomorphs - all teeth continuously grow
what environment are chinchillas adapted to?
cold, dry environments
what is the lifespan of chinchillas?
8-10 years
what type of rodents are rats?
myomorphs - only incisors grow continuously
what is the lifespan of rats?
2-3 years
what type of rodents are hamsters?
myomorphs - only incisors grow continuously
what is the lifespan of a hamster?
1-2 years
what is the lifespan of a bearded dragon?
8-12 years
what diet do bearded dragons have?
omnivores when young and herbivores as adults
what diet do leopard geckos have?
insectivores
what is the lifespan of a leopard gecko?
10-12 years
what are comply kept species of tortoise?
greek
hermanns
horsfield
what diet do corn snakes have?
carnivores
what is the lifespan of corn snakes?
15-20 years
what type of light do all reptiles require exposure to?
UV-B
what is the lifespan of a budgie?
7-15 years
what is the lifespan of an African grey parrot?
20-30 years
what is the preferred optimal temperature zone?
temperature range in which species can exhibit natural behaviours
what is UV-A important for in reptiles?
for them to be able to exhibit normal behaviour
what is UV-B important for in reptiles?
vitamin D/calcium metabolism
why does care need to be taken when handling chinchillas?
fur/tail slip if handled roughly
what are rabbits vaccinated against?
myxomatosis
viral haemorrhagic disease 1and 2
what is the protocol for myxo-RHD plus?
first dose from five weeks old
yearly boosters
(protects against myxomatosis and VHD 1 and 2)
what is the protocol for filavac?
first dose from 10 weeks old
yearly boosters
(protects against VHD 1 and 2)
what are ferrets vaccinated against?
distemper
rabies (if traveling)
what is the protocol for distemper vaccination of ferrets?
first dose at 12 weeks
yearly boosters
what are ferret reactions to vaccines?
anaphylactic reaction causing hyperaemia, vomiting, hyper salivation, diarrhoea
how can ferret vaccine reactions be prevented?
mix vaccine with sterile water/saline
give vaccines 3-4 weeks apart
monitor for 30 minutes post vaccine
what are possible treatment options for ferret vaccine reactions?
adrenaline
diphenhydramine
dexamethasone (prednisolone)
supportive therapy (fluids, oxygen…)
what should raccoons and foxes be vaccinated against?
distemper
what should meerkats be vaccinated against?
distemper
what are pigeons vaccinated against?
avian pox
paramyxovirus
what are canaries vaccinated against?
avian pox
what strategies are used to control parasites?
good husbandry
regular cleaning/hygiene
routine faecal testing
preventative worming (not routinely done)
what are some common internal parasites seen in exotics?
pinworms (rabbits, rodents) - commensal
ciliates (lizards, tortoises) - commensal
what species is ivermectin toxic to?
chelonians, skinks, snakes
what are some possible external parasites seen in exotics?
fleas
flystrike
lice/mites
feather lice
what are the generally guidelines for quarantine?
2 months
separate facilities/objects
faecal test at the start and end
species specific disease testing
what diseases is tested for when quarantining psittacines?
bornavirus
circovirus
polyomavirus
Chlamydophila
what diseases is tested for when quarantining snakes?
cryptosporidium
arenavirus
paramyxovirus
reovirus
adenovirus
what exotics should be routinely neutered?
rabbits
male guinea pigs
male rats
what are the main benefits of rabbit spaying?
population control
reduce unwanted behaviour
prevent uterine neoplasia
what are the possible surgical techniques available for rabbit castration?
pre-scrotal
scrotal incision - closed/open
what happens if a female ferret (Jill) isnt mated?
induced ovulators so will stay in oestrus and can develop hyperoestrogenism
what can hyperoestrogenism in female ferrets lead to?
bone marrow suppression
aplastic anaemia
why is neutering of ferrets not advised?
high chance of developing adrenal gland disease
why does neutering ferrets lead to adrenal gland disease?
removing the negative feedback mechanism that controls the adrenal gland causing hyperadrenocortisim
what is the main product the adrenal glands of ferrets produce?
androgens
what are ferrets neutered without inducing adrenal gland disease?
deslorelin implants (every 18-24 months)
where are microchips placed in birds?
left pectoral
