Exotics pharmacology Flashcards
Why is it difficult to administer drugs to exotics?
Small muscle mass
Renal portal system (birds/reptiles)
Limited number of licensed drugs
Where should IM injections be given in exotics?
Epaxial muscles - rabbits, guinea pig, chinchilla
Quadriceps (cranial) - ferrets, rabbits, small rodents
Where should IV injections be given for ferrets and rabbits?
Cephalic vein
Lateral saphenous vein
Marginal ear vein (rabbit onyl)
IO injections act via a catheter. What do they require? Where can they be give?
Heavy sedation or anaesthesia
Greater trochanter of femur, proximal humerus, proximal tibia
Where should you sub-cut injections be given on a bird?
Scruff (intrascapular)
Pectorals - not ratites/nestlings
Can use thighs but beware as renal portal system may excrete/nephrotoxic
Where should intravenous injections be given in birds?
Right jugular
Basilic vein
Medial metatarsal vein
Where should IO injections be given in a bird? Why not humerus or femur?
Distal ulna or proximal tibia
Pneumatic bones
Where can IM muscles be given in chelonia, lizards and snakes?
Upper arm in chelonians and lizards
Epaxial muscles of snakes
Where can IV injections be given for reptiles?
Right jugular - chelonians
Tail vein - snakes and lizards
Can IO injections be given to reptiles?
Only lizards - proximal tibia
Which medications should be AVOIDED in small mammals?
PLACE Penicillin Lincosamides Aminoglycosides Cephalosporins Erythromycin
What medication can be used in small mammals?
Metronidazole, fluoroquinolone, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, macrolides (not erythromycin)!
What drug is licensed in rabbits, small furry mammals and birds? (only licensed in most exotics)
Enrofloxacin
Not ferrets - none licensed
Why are birds often very sick when brought into the vet?
Hide clinical signs
Fluoroquinolones can be used in birds. How should they be administered? What are the disadvantages?
Oral - tastes bitter
IM can cause necrosis
Which are very safe antibiotics to give to birds? (high therapeutic index, often used)
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Also used - tetracyclines, sulphonamides, macrocodes, chloramphenicol
Which antibiotics can be toxic to birds?
Aminoglycosides
Why is analgesia in exotics challenging?
Limited data
High (small mammals/birds) or low metabolic rates
Difficult to recognise pain
What is a particular issue with medication for reptiles?
Pharmacodynamics and kinetics altered by body temperature
Body temperature varies
When should analgesics be given? (All species)
Before pain occurs - far more effective
What are examples of local anaesthetics used in exotics?
Lidocaine
Bupivicaine - longer acting, absorption too fast in birds so toxic
What opioids can be used for exotics?
Morphine - not rabbits
Butorphanol
Buprenorphine - small mammals. Little effect in reptiles
Why should care be taken when administering morphine to rabbits?
Adverse GI effects
What NSAIDs can be given to exotics?
Ketoprofen
Carprofen
Meloxicam
