exotics and birds Flashcards
rodents
mice, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas and guinea pigs. Nocturnal (active at night)
murine
mice and rats
small mammals not allowed
free run, can be fatal to them. Cages must be escape proof.
lifespan for small animals
most are 2-4yrs
guinea pigs (cavy)
lifespan 4-5yrs, seldom bite. Sow-female, boar-male. vocal, often the greet people entering their area.
hamsters
lifespan 1.5-2yrs. Readily tamed but often bite if startled
mice and rats
most common lab animal, young ones are called pups
breeding rodents
bred for specific characteristics or susceptibility of disease
random breed (outbred)
descended from unrelated parents
inbred
descended from parents who were siblings or close relatives
housing
must be escape proof, shoebox style, aquariums with screen top, easy to clean
important for housing
appropriate for animal size, located away from sunlight, cage toys for stimulation, bedding
handling a hamster
scoop them or grasp the loose skin across the shoulders, do not startle them
handling a gerbil
cup both hands under it and lift it from its cage, do not pull the tail
handling a guinea pig
place one hand under the thorax to support the body and other hand supports the hind quarters
handling a rat
become tame when handled gently, can be picked up by the base of its tail for short periods of time
types of eaters
rat and mouse are omnivores. guinea pig, rabbit, chinchilla and gerbil are herbivores (diet specific to species)
mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters eat
block-type pellets help keep the incisor teeth worn down
guinea pigs eat
smaller pellets are more easily eaten by guinea pigs and also need vitamin C
rabbits
2 forms, feral and domestic, 1-7kg, lifespan 5-6yrs+
names for rabbit ages
buck-male, doe-female,kit or bunny-young, kindling-act of giving birth
wild rabbits
naturally nocturnal
rabbit housing
appropriate for conditions, can be trained to use litter box
handling a rabbit
if handled incorrectly it can be injured or bite the handler, never pick up from ears, hold it by its rump
rabbits diet
fresh, balanced diet, can easily become overweight, hairballs are a problem as they cannot vomit
rabbits eat
herbivores, smaller pelleted foods, high fiber diets, small amounts of grass, veggies, fruit
study of amphibians and reptiles
herpetology. cold blooded, more then 4900 living species. Smooth, permeable ans scaleless skin
importance of water for amphibians
water evaporates quickly from the skin. Do not have access to water they will dehydrate and die within hours. Needs a moist env’t
frogs vs toads
F- long limbs that move by jumping and swimming. T-short limbs that move by hopping or walking
housing amphibians
should mimic natural env’t as much as possible
feeding amphibians
frequent water changes, diet according to species
handling and restraint of amphibians
only handle when necessary, wear non powder gloves, place one hand behind the neck/ pectoral region and supporting the body near pelvis
common diseases and conditions
foreign body obstruction, parasitic infestations, poor husbandry and diet, respiratory obstruction, thermal burns, toxin exposure, trauma
reptiles
increasing popular pets (snakes, lizards and turtles)
housing snakes
appropriate heating and lighting
feeding snakes
carnivores and feed on whole prey items, never feed meat from store
handling and restraint snakes
nonaggressive ones can simply be picked up, aggressive may require leather gloves and towel
snake visit to vet
most common reason is poor husbandry and diet, commonly brought in a pillowcase
science of birds
orinthology aviculture, refers to the hobby of raising and caring for birds
birds
approx 9000 bird species
passeriformes
half the bird species, larks, swallows, finches, canaries, sparrows and crows
parrots
psittacines or parrots make up the majority of avian patients
common parrots
parakeets, lovebirds, cockatiels, lorikeets, cockatoos, amazon parrots, conures, rosellas, macaws
basic parrot looks
2 toes pointing forward 2 pointed backward, short blunt beak with downward curved upper beak
external appearance of birds
vary in size, basically similar. Feathers 1. flight 2. protecting skin from exposure 3. assisting in thermoregulation, camoflauge and communication
contour feathers
visible feathers that determine the birds silhouette and contours of the wings, body and tail
flight feather
strong feathers on the wings and tails of birds used in flight
converts (feathers)
small feathers covering the bases of the longer feathers of a birds wings or tail
retrices (feathers)
stiff main feathers of a birds tail used to control the direction of flight
down feathers
fine, soft, fluffy feathers forming the first plumage of young birds and underlaying the contour feathers in certain adult birds
fledgling
young bird that is not fully feathered
cycle of feathers
molting (periodic shedding), pinioning (permanently prevents flying)
bird skin
delicate and dry with slightly wrinkled appearance, sweat glands are absent.
bird beak
called a bill, food gathering, recommended regular trimming
bird claws
used like hands, capture prey, trmming
bird digestive system
high metabolism, do not have teeth, digestive tract similar to other mammals- gullet-esophagus
bird urinary system
“white” droppings, do not have bladders
bird reproductive system
all lay eggs, males have testes, females have ovaries (only the left side develops fully). Eggs must be maintained in correct temperature
bird- brood
a group of birds hatched at one time and cared for by the same parent. Ovulation to egg laying takes approx 15hrs
companion animals
hundreds of years, far from domestic. Highly intelligent. Most behavioural problems are related to instinctual reactions to captivity.
happy and relaxed bird
wags tail back and forth, grinds beak when comfortable and ready to fall asleep
bird fear
fling itself around the cage, struggle violently, flap its wings, scream loudly, take flight, bite
bird biting
exhibit dominance, express fear, exhibit jealousy, hormonal fluctuations
bird stress
plucks its feathers or self mutilate
bird enclosures
spacious, easy to clean, draft free area, out of direct sunlight, in social area of home..perches, food, water and mirrors without crowding
bird nutrition
fresh water at all times, 70% pellets, 30% fruit and veggies- No human food
avian care
beak, nail, and wing trimming (flight feathers) are important for the overall health, Microchip
avian physical exam
3 steps- history, visual, hands on. Many conditions related to poor husbandry and poor diet
bird capture and restraint
behaviour and physical appearance are observed first. towels are useful.
bird in distress
bob its tail or breathe through and open beak
performing the exam
systematic and timely manner, examine the eyes, ears, nares, beak and oral cavity. body palpated, feather quality evaluated-preen gland checked, heart, air sacs, lungs and sinuses are auscultated. Open beak to perform exam, check hydration and weight of bird.
birds symptoms
don’t like to show weakness, may be in advance stages by the time it’s noticed
general avian emergencies
gasping for air, bleeding, weakness, depression, trauma, trouble perching, vomiting, no appetite
avian bleeding emergencies
broken blood feathers, broken toe nails, wounds, open fractures
toxic plants
avocado, clematis, foxglove. lily-of-the-valley, oak, philodendron, poinsetta, yew
