Exotics Flashcards
Suspect every reptile you see to be suffering from some form of nutritional deficiency…which one is most common?
Metabolic bone disease
What are the Overarching goals of nutrition for wildlife and exotics?
- Growth
- Overall health – longevity (Decreases in infectious and non infectious disease incidences)
- / - breeding success
What are 4 goals of any feeding strategy?
1 – Provide a nutritionally balanced diet
2 – stimulate natural feeding behaviours
3 – Balanced diet that’s consistently
4 – Practical and economical to feed
How do birds get aflatoxicosis?
moldy peanuts, corn & tree seeds
what mycotoxin is responsible for aflotoxicosis in birds?
Aspergillus spp.
Describe the pathology of aflatoxicosis
hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma
how is aflatoxicosis avoided/prevented?
Proper food storage + use of human grade seeds/nutes
What is a rabbit (in a nutritional sense)
Monogastric, hindgut fermenting, concentrate selecting herbivore
What part of a rabbit diet is often overlooked by owners?
High fiber is essential but often overlooked by clients
What GI processes do coarse non-digestable particles stimulate?
*Secretion
*Digestion
*Absorption
*Peristalsis
*Cell regeneration
*Excretion
Inadequate fiber content in rabbits can lead to what? (5)
*Fur chewing (barbering)
*Trichobezoars
*GI stasis (hepatic lipidosis)
*Lethargy, anorexia
*Possibly death
Excessive energy content in rabbits can lead to what? (4)
*Obesity
*Pododermatitis
*Urinary tract disease
*Dental disease
In hindgut, dietary fiber is divided into large
(___________) and small (_________) fibers
- indigestible
- digestible
What happens to large particles of dietary fibre in a rabbit diet? Why is this significant?
Large particles (>0.5mm; 1lignocellulose) are
eliminated directly as hard fecal pellets.
This mechanically stimulates motility of the cecum and colon
What happens to small particles of dietary fibre in a rabbit diet?
Smaller particles (<0.3mm) collect in haustra of
colon and are sent back to cecum via reverse
peristalsis for fermentation
What are cecotrophes?
Cecum synthesizes amino acids
and volatile fatty acids and concentrates this into pellets (cecotrophes)
why are cecotrophes covered in mucus?
protects the nutrients from stomach acids after ingestion
Why are cecotrophes important in a rabbit diet? (2)
*High in Vitamin Bs and K
*2x’s the protein (28%) and ½ the fiber of a normal
pellet
when is cecotroph ingestion higest in rabbits?
Cecotroph ingestion is highest when rabbits are fed diet high in nondigestible fiber.
What type of animal are ferrets?
strict obligate carnivores
Describe the GI system of ferrets (include transit times for different age groups) (4)
- Short GI tract
o 3 hour transit time in adults
o 1 hour in pups - Simple tube from stomach to rectum
o No cecum
o No ileocolic valve - Spontaneous secretors of HCl
- Minimal gut flora
o Few brush border enzymes
why is the short GI tract of a ferret significant?
Means they require small meals frequently (every 3hrs)
Food consumption and weight regulated by _______[1]_______
*20-30% increase in ____[2]______
*Inhibited by _______[3]__________
- daylight
- winter
- artificial lighting
Describe the nutrient requirements of a ferret diet
*High quality protein (>35 %)
*fat 20 %
*fibre and carbs (<5%)
what should be avoided in a ferret diet?
diets/treats with
sugars, high fibre
Why should you introduce your ferret to many foods early in life?
Food preferences set early in life (first few months)
*Need to be fed a variety of nutritious foods
*Variety of food tastes, textures, smells, and different protein sources as juveniles so their diet has more flexibility as an adult.
*This can be extremely helpful when ferrets experience medical conditions that require altered diets
why is a high carb/high fibre diet bad for ferrets?
*Urolithiasis via plant proteins
-High prevalence if fed dog kibble (struvite)
*Association/exacerbation of pancreatic disease of beta cells (Insulinomas)
What is an insulinoma
Pancreatic islet beta cell tumour INDISCRIMINATE OF INSULIN PRODUCTION
What makes up 25% of all neoplasia cases in North American ferrets?
insulinomas
why are insulinomas in ferrets uncommon in the EU?
their ferrets are fed a low carb diet
What are the clinical signs of insulinomas in ferrets? (6)
*Acute hypoglycemia and
chronic lethargy
*Hind end ataxia and
weakness
*Presumed nausea due to
hypersalivation and pawing at
the mouth
*Depression and longer,
deeper sleeps
*Star gazing
*Rarely seizures
how can you diagnose a ferret with insulinoma?
Presumptive diagnosis when:
*Very low fasting blood glucose
*3.3 to 3.6 mmol/L (normal 35
250 mmol/L)
*Neurological signs and symptoms
abate after meal or IV glucose
You are a veterinarian at an exotic clinic. a 4y.o. male North American ferret comes in for an examination. The owner reports he has been very slow and not running around as he used to. You are suspicious of insulinoma.
List what tests you would use to assist this diagnose (list from most to least definitive)
Surgical Biopsy + histology > blood glucose (glucometer stick test) > xrays/Ultrasound
Client management of hypoglycemic episodes in ferrets (3)
*Client education key (know what signs to look for)
*Corn syrup on gums or under tongue, then feed high protein/fat food
*Get to vet quickly
What are the 2 types of pharmaceuticals that could be used to medically manage insulinoma in ferrets?
Glucocorticoids and Diazoxide
Why are glucocorticoids useful in management of insulinomas in ferrets? Which is most common to use?
Boost hepatic gluconeogenesis, decrease tissue uptake of insulin
Most common: prednisone
Why is diazoxide useful in management of insulinomas in ferrets? When is it used?
*Inhibits pancreatic insulin release
Usually only started once prednisone dose reaches 2mg/kg
T or F: Ferret insulinomas rarely metastasize
TRUE!
What causes the variation of Volume and Frequency of Feedings in exotics? (4)
*Age
*Reproductive status
*Season (Molt = Increase protein required)
*Temperature (Hibernation/Brumation)
What are some Common Nutritional Diseases in exotic animals? (6)
*Metabolic Bone Disease
*Hypovitaminosis A
*Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency
*Thiamin deficiency
*Vitamin C deficiency
*Obesity
What are 3 examples of metabolic bone diseases?
- Rickets
- Osteomalacia
- Fibrous osteodystrophy
What is rickets? What does it involve? Who does it affect?
inadequate mineralization of bone due to
deficiencies in vitamin D and or calcium
*Usually involving growth plates or physis of long bones
*Typically affects young, growing animals
What is osteomalacia? Who does it typically affect?
softening of bone due to mineral loss from a previously mineralized bone.
*Usually a condition affecting adult animals
What is fibrous osteodystrophy? When do we see it in exotics?
replacement of bone with fibrous material
*Common feature of nutritional secondary
hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT) in reptiles
Describe the Multifactorial etiology of metabolic bone disease (3)
*Absolute calcium deficiency
*Ca:P imbalance
*Vitamin D deficiency
Most mammals can utilize D2 (____[1]_______) and dietary D3 (_______[2]_________)
- ergocalciferol
- cholecalciferol
Which animals require D3 in their diet? Why?
*New world primates, birds,
reptiles and fish
Reason: can’t utilize D2
Why do many retiles require special lighting? What is this lighting?
*Many reptiles (eg. Iguana ) are unable to ingest enough Vit D in their diet
*Require adequate sunlight/UVB exposure
Give 10 Clinical Signs of MBD
*Lameness
*Bone deformities
*Fractures and softening of bone
*Swollen jaws and tooth loss
*Hypocalcemic tetany
*Deformed shells (turtles)
*Paralysis (especially lizards)
*Poor feathering
*Deformed/soft eggs (birds and
reptiles)
*Reluctance to climb (primates)
How do we diagnose MBD? (6)
*Thorough History and Clinical Signs
*Facial and long bone swelling
*Osteodystrophy
*Radiographs (Reduced bone density, cortical
thinning, etc)
*Total serum calcium levels (Ionized calcium)
*Plasma vitamin D levels may be
extremely low
how do we treat acute MBD?
Calcium gluconate given
IV if seizures occurring
How do we treat chronic MBD? (2)
*Ca:P supplementation at
proper ratio (1.5 - 2:1 ) in diet
*Vitamin D supplementation if
not getting UVB light/sunlight
What concentration should be given of Ca:P when treating MBD?
1.5 - 2:1
When would euthanasia be most appropriate for an MBD case?
Euthanasia is appropriate if long bones/pelvis
are not visible on X ray
How do we prevent MBD? (6)
- Feed balanced diets with known
nutritional profiles - Gut load insects (no more than 50% larval forms) with high calcium food
- Dust insects in calcium just prior to every feeding
- Feed nutritionally balanced whole food items
- Allow access to unfiltered
sunlight/full spectrum light or at min. UVB light - Keep reptiles in their POT(H)Z
What common exotic pet foods are deficient in Calcium?
Seeds, muscle/organ meat, fruit,
most grains, and most insects
You are an exotic veterinarian at the new UCVM clinic! Your first patient is a 1y.o. male fancy bearded dragon. This is your client’s first beardie. They have been feeding crickets from PetSmart and pellets they bought off Amazon. What husbandry questions should you ask to assess risk of MBD in current setup?
Regarding food:
1. What setup do they have for the crickets (important to clarify if they buy as needed or raised at home. If latter, then asked about gut loading)
2. Do you dust the crickets before feeding?
Regarding enclosure:
1. What lightbulbs do you have in the enclosure? (looking for UVB 290-315nm)
2. Expiration dates
3. Distance from animal
4. Basking areas
5. Mesh wire
6. Plastic or glass terrariums
All meat and seed diets are deficient of what?
Vitamin A
What is Vitamin A important for?(5)
- Important for vision,
- re-modelling of bone,
- integrity of epithelium,
- immune function
- reproduction
In birds, what are the clinical signs of Hypovitaminosis A? (7)
*White plaques in mouth and
esophagus
*Blunting of choanal papillae
*Conjunctivitis, sinusitis, resp.
infections,
*Poor growth, ataxia and gout
*Occlusion of uropygial
gland
*Abnormal feathers
*Parrots also exhibit
squamous metaplasia of
the salivary glands.
Which reptiles are commonly found with hypovitaminosis A?
*Insectivore/omnivores
*Red eared sliders
*Leopard
gecko s
What is the key clinical sign of hypovitaminosis A in any species?
Poor fertility, growth rates and
blindness (malfunctioning rods)
in all species
How do we treat hypovitaminosis A?
Vitamin A
injection
*Dietary correction
*Animal liver
*Dark leafy greens (e.g. dandelions, collards).
*Fortified pellets
When would it be detrimental to supplement vitamin A in a diet?
If diet contains whole
prey
How do we prevent hypovitaminosis A?
*Ensure diet has adequate levels of retinol
What do herbivores require in their diet to prevent hypovitaminosis A?
Precursors (Beta carotene and other carotenoids)
_____________ and __________ reduce free
radical damage
Selenium and Vitamin E
What is vitamin E/selenium important for?
Important for reproductive, muscular,
circulatory, nervous and immune
functions
Which animals are commonly found with Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency?
*Guinea pigs
, hamsters and fish
What is the most common nutritional disease of captive ruminants?
Vitamin E/Selenium Deficiency
Why is vitamin E/selenium deficiency a Common problem in Eastern North
America, parts of AB?
Low levels in soils
Clinical Signs and Pathology of Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency
*Most common in young but any
age affected.
*White muscle disease
*Stiffness and paralysis due
to Skeletal muscle necrosis and/or Mineralization
*Cardiomyopathy
*Sudden death especially
when stressed
*Ill thrift and lethargy (Guinea Pigs and
deer)
*Conjunctivitis (Guinea Pigs)
How do we treat mild and severe cases of vitamin E/Selenium deficiency?
Mild cases
*Respond to supplementation with vit E/Se injections
Severe cases
*Poor response
*Supportive care, muscle relaxants and sedatives
How do we prevent Vitamin E/Selenium deficiency
Ensure adequate levels in diet
(Dependent on species, age and formulation)
*Marked species variation
*Measure Vitamin E serum levels
*Supplement fish and high fat diets
(100 IU vit E/kg fish)
*Follow expiry dates on dry foods
*Neonatal hoof stock should receive a vit E/Se injection within the first 24 48hrs in deficient areas
What is a common nutrittional disorder in Pelicans, penguins,
marine mammals, some
snakes , amphibians and
fish?
Thiamin Deficiency
What are the clinical signs of thiamine deficiency?
*Anorexia and weight loss
*Ataxia and limb paralysis
*Tremors and seizures
*Stargazing
*Cardiac failure
*Loss of equilibrium, edema and
poor growth in fish
Why would we opt to feed our fish eater pets smelts instead of goldfish? Would they be thawed or frozen? Why?
To prevent thiamine deficiency
*Thiaminase activated after
death in fish
*Enhanced by freezing
Treatment and Prevention of thiamine deficiency
Supplement diet with thiamine
(30 - 35 mg/kg of fish for animals on thiaminase
containing diets)
Why do Most primates, bats, cavies (guinea pigs , capybara), some birds (eg. swallows, bulbuls), fish and some cetaceans fall victim to Vitamin C deficiency?
they cannot synthesize ascorbic acid because *
they lack enzyme that converts glucose to ascorbic acid
Vitamin C deficiency results in:
Defective blood vessels and tooth
position
You are a goldfish enthusiast and own many tanks! One day, you notice a few of your fishies have their tailfin bent outwards to the side. You test the water parameters and everything appears normal. What should you suspect the issue is?
Vitamin C deficiency
Clinical Signs of Vitamin C deficiency
*Poor coat and skin condition
*Lameness
*Stomatitis
*Muscle and joint hemorrhage
*“Broken Back Disease” in fish
*Swelling at long bone
epiphyses and CC junctions
*Fractures
*Increased susceptibility to
infectious disease
*Anorexia
*Diarrhea
If you’re feeding a fortified sommercial diet to your guinea pig to avoid Vitamin C deficiency, what is your “best before date” and why?
Feed within 90 days due to oxidation
why should you feed lots of fruits and green veggies to guinea pigs?
Seeds and animal tissues have low to no vitamin C
Why do fruit bats and lemurs often get iron toxicity?
Feeding an excess of Vitamin C (via fruits)
Which nutritional disorder is Particularly common in carnivores, ungulates, birds, primates, reptiles (boids) and amphibians (White’s tree frog, horned frogs)
Obesity
why is obesity in animals bad?
Increased weight = Increased strain on musculoskeletal
system and decreased life span
list the common issues associated with obesity and the animals most likely to be affected
Dystocia (all), hepatic lipidosis (all), atherosclerosis (parrots), pododermatitis, uroliths and dental disease (rabbits)
Rabbits are prone to developing __________ (guinea pigs and chinchillas to a lessor degree).
uroliths
You are a proud owner of a new 2y.o. bunny!! You are so excited and have been making sure they have lots of food available. The bag of hay you are using says “alfalfa” and your bunny seems to love it! You seem to refill it 2x a day! Your bunny lives in a hutch in your room but you take him out to brush/pet him a lot. You recently went to the vet. What does your vet tell you is a concern with your bunny and why?
The vet is concerned about obesity and urolith development in your bunny.
- limited exercise (bunnies should be allowed to free roam in order to get enough exercise)
- Alfalfa hay is high in carbs, can lead to excessive weight gain
Describe Calcium regulation in rabbits (3)
*Serum calcium is
not regulated in a narrow range
*Excreted in high concentrations in the urine
*Sludge starts building up in urinary tract
Signs of Urinary Sludge and/or Calculi
*Frequent urination
*Often outside the normal toilet area
*Dribble urine
*Hindquarters may be continually damp with urine.
*Straining to urinate
Hunched posture and grinding of their teeth
*This is an emergency, because the urinary system may be blocked.
*Urine thick and white
*Blood in the urine
*Loss of appetite
Your have a bunny. You use a combination of litter pans and no-pill fleece for housing. You are about to do the fleece laundry when you find dry patches that have a little bit of grainy white material on them. Should you rush your bunny to the vet? Why or why not?
No.
Grainy white material when dry (small amounts can be normal).
Cause for concern when there is a large amount. You should keep an eye on bunny to be safe
You have a bunny. You’ve noticed a dark orange colour in the litter pan after your bunny uses it. Should you panic and rush to an emergency vet? Why or why not.
No need to panic!
Normal bunny urine is light yellow to a dark orange
Rabbits and rodents have __________ incisors
Hypsodont
Rabbits and rodents have hypsodont incisors. What does this mean?
*Continuous growth or “open ended”
*Up to 10 12cm/yea r
In terms of dental health in rabbits, what can an inappropriate diet lead to? (5)
*Spurs, points or overgrown
teeth
*“Slobbers”
*Anorexia
*GI stasis and dysbiosis
*Hepatic lipidosis
You have adopted a 5month old bunny from a rescue! What should you be feeding him? Include what to avoid and why
*A commercial legume based (alfalfa) pellet ad lib
*16 - 18% protein
*Protein in a rabbit diet comes from the leaves and stems of legume
plants.
*At least 16% fiber
*Grass hay ad lib
*Veggies (handful/day)
*Avoid spinach and cabbage due to high oxalates
You have adopted a 7y.o. male bunny from a rescue! What should you be feeding him? Include what to avoid and why
*Non-legume based (timothy) pellet, offered in a measured amount (30-60 grams/kg/day)
*12 - 14 % protein
*20 -25% fiber,
*< 2.5% fat
*< 1% calcium is recommended.
*Grass hay ad lib
(~ 35% fiber)
You have acquired a 7y.o. female bunny online! The previous owner mentions she was housed with a male with no issues.As you’re cleaning her cage on day, you notice baby bunnies around her!! To ensure your bunny maintains her strength, what should you feed her? What should you avoid?
*A commercial legume based (alfalfa) pellet ad lib
*16 - 18% protein
*Protein in a rabbit diet comes from the leaves and stems of legume
plants.
*At least 16% fiber
*Grass hay ad lib
*Veggies (handful/day)
*Avoid spinach and cabbage due to high oxalates
Less than _______% fiber = diarrhea and anorexia
15%
What are the Benefits of Hay for Rabbits?(7)
- High fiber and ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio
2.Good behavioural enrichment
*Promotes more natural foraging behaviour
3.Reduces aggression
4.Reduces excessive grooming and fur chewing
*Decreased risk of trichobezoars
5.Reduces chewing on inappropriate objects
*Decreased risk of impaction
6.Decreased risk of obesity and pododermatitis
7.Reduced risk of uroliths, dental and infectious disease
What are the risks of obesity in parrots?
*Long term diets high in fat and cholesterol
*Perch potatoes (lack of exercise)
*Age
*Concurrent hepatic lipidosis
and right side heart failure
Your client has had an African Grey parrot for 25 years. The last time you saw this parrot was 6 years ago. At that time, the parrot’s weight was on the higher side of normal but you mentioned this to the owner and was assured they were working on it. You receive a distressed call the other day wheere the owner tells you their parrot has died without warning. They have requested you perform a necropsy. What are your suspicions?
Obesity leading to right-sided heart failure
What are the clinical signs of obesity in arrots?
*Acute death
*Dyspnea, lethargy, paresis and collapse
How can owners avoid their parrots turning into “perch potatos”?
*Improve diet and exercise
*Omega 3 fatty acids (PUFAs):
This helps to inhibit vasculitis and reduce plaque formation
