Exotics Cardiology

Question 1

where does the heart lie in birds?

Answer 1

coelomic cavity
slightly right of midline
close sternal contact
apex surrounded by liver

Question 2

what are the atrioventricular valves like in the bird heart?

Answer 2

left: tricuspid
right: rectangular in shape and muscular

Question 3

how are bird hearts adapted to high-performance demands?

Answer 3

increased stroke volume, cardiac output, and heart rate
small diameter cardiac muscle fibers
atria more important for ventricular filling than anything else

Question 4

what are some differences in the conduction system of bird hearts?

Answer 4

atrioventricular ring
ventricular depolarization not from endocardium outward

Question 5

what can you see on the lateral view of a bird?

Answer 5

close sternal contact
brachiocephalic trunk, aorta, pulmonary arteries

Question 6

what can be found on physical examination of a bird with cardiac disease?

Answer 6

bluish tinge to periorbital skin
sunken periorbital region
edema of legs or wings
dyspnea
exercise intolerance
generalized weakness
ascites

Question 7

what are the views with echocardiography in birds?

Answer 7

parrots, raptors: ventromedian approach (most common)
pigeons, others: parasternal approach as well

Question 8

what arrhythmias might be seen on electrocardiography of birds?

Answer 8

2nd and 3rd degree AV block
sinus arrest
T wave depression
APCs

Question 9

how can you treat cardiac disease in birds?

Answer 9

furosemide
ACE inhibitors
cardiac glycosides
antiarrhythmics
pericardiocentesis when warranted

Question 10

how common is atherosclerosis in birds?

Answer 10

13% in study had

Question 11

what are some abnormalities that are normal for ferrets?

Answer 11

sinus arrhythmia
sinus pauses

Question 12

what can be found on physical examination of ferrets with cardiac disease?

Answer 12

pale/cyanotic mucous membranes
prolonged CRT
hypothermia
auscultation
abdominal palpation

Question 13

why do we perform radography on ferrets?

Answer 13

evaluate cardiac size
presence of pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pulmonary venous congestion/dilation

Question 14

what is the diagnostic of choice to diagnose structural cardiac disease in ferrets?

Answer 14

echocardiography

Question 15

what is the gold standard for diagnosing arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities in ferrets?

Answer 15

electrocardiography

Question 16

what is the suspected cause of DCM in ferrets?

Answer 16

genetic cause

Question 17

how common is chronic valvular disease in ferrets?

Answer 17

52% in study had valvular regurgitation

Question 18

what is the prognosis of heartworm disease in ferrets?

Answer 18

guarded to poor

Question 19

what arrhythmias can ferrets have?

Answer 19

APCs/VPCs
atrial fibrillation
sinus bradycardia

Question 20

describe a bird heart

Answer 20

right atrium larger than left atrium
right ventricle thin-walled, sickle-moon shaped
left ventricle thick-walled, cone-shaped

Question 21

what is electrocardiography useful for in birds?

Answer 21

arrhythmias
conduction disorders
detecting ventricular enlargement

Question 22

which birds are more likely to have atherosclerosis?

Answer 22

african greys
amazons

Question 23

what cardiac diseases can ferrets commonly get?

Answer 23

chronic valvular disease
dilated cardiomyopathy
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Question 24

what heart rate in ferrets carries a poor prognosis and can rapidly become symptomatic?

Answer 24

<80 bpm

Question 25

how can we treat congestive heart failure in ferrets?

Answer 25

diuretics
ACE inhibitors
pimobendan
cardiac glycosides
vasodilators
oxygen

Question 26

what cardiac diseases do rabbits get?

Answer 26

degenerative mitral valve disease
cardiomyopathies
arrhythmias
CHF

Question 27

what cardiac diseases do guinea pigs get?

Answer 27

cardiomyopathy
pericardial effusion
toxicity
metastatic or dystrophic mineralization
rhabdomyomatosis

Question 28

which species has 3 aortic arch branches and 2 cranial vena cavae?

Answer 28

hamsters

Question 29

what is nice about rat lungs?

Answer 29

small lung on left: visualization of heart for venipuncture
cardiac striated muscle extends to lung tissue (not nice: infection spreads easier)