Exotics

Question 1

Jill’s are in a near persistent state of..

Answer 1

Oestrus during the breeding season(feb/March to sept/Oct).
Risk of bone marrow suppression which can potentially lead to fatal pancytopaenia (reduction in the production of all rbc: red, white and platelets)
Mating with a vastectomised ferret provides short term solution.
Preferred method of control is with a gnRH-agonist implant which lasts 18 to 24 months.
Spay not recommended as linked to endocrine disease.

Question 2

Castration of hobs is now frowned upon as linked to

Answer 2

Adrenal neoplasia. Instead gnrh Implants used to reduce testosterone.

Question 3

Rabbits are able to..

Answer 3

Have more than one pregnancy from a single mating. They have 2 uterine horns each with its own cervix.

Question 4

Rabbits should be kept

Answer 4

In groups. It is cruel to be kept alone so neutering of both sexes essential.
Can be territorially aggressive.

Question 5

Pregnancy in a rabbit can be detected by palpation or us..

Answer 5

From day 14

Question 6

Guinea pigs have high risk of..

Answer 6

Dystocia due to giving birth to larg precocious young. They should have their first litter before reaches 8 months old. Otherwise her pelvic symphysis will stiffen and may not be able to deliver piglets and c section necessary

Question 7

Most species of birds are

Answer 7

Seasonal breeders as oestrus cycle is stimulated by change of day length.
Sexual maturity reached quickly in small breeds but can take several years in larger breeds

Question 8

A common complication of egg laying in birds is..

Answer 8

The female becoming egg bound.

Question 9

Reptiles can be

Answer 9

Ovoviviparous _give birth to live young. Eggs are incubated internally.
Oviparous - egg laying
Viviparous - a form of placental/thin walled egg like structure is produced internally where foetus develops and live young are born.

Question 10

Reptile eggs should..

Answer 10

Not be moved during incubation and must be kept the same side up as they were deposited
In the chelonian and some gecko species sex of the offspring is determined by the incubation temperature.

Question 11

A small number of lizard species are..

Answer 11

Parthogenetic (females can give birth to females without male fertilisation) sex is determined genetically in all lizard species except for the gecko.

Question 12

In the snake sex is..

Answer 12

Genetically determined

Question 13

Posisble complications among Oviparous reptiles are..

Answer 13

Egg binding and egg impactation