GI Disease in Avians and Reptilians Flashcards
describe the coelom
- avians and reptiles do not have a diaphragm, so use the word coelem instead of abdomen
- the actions of the respiratory tract have serious implications on the GI tract and vice versa
-any pathology involving expansile masses with any organ system in the coelom will affect the respiratory tract eventually
describe imaging for avians and reptiles
- radiographs are usually first step
-but details are usually poor - ultrasound is great for reptiles but of limited value in birds
-full of air - CT is most often used when available/at UGA
describe sampling
everything you can!!
- cytology of vomit
- microbiology and stain of feces
- examination of regurg material
- crop-swab to check for upper GI infection
describe the crop smear
- should be examined for signs of infections and fungal elements
- smell the smear
-birds can get a sour crop (fermenting smell) - no fungus or parasites should be seen here
describe cytology of crop or regurgitated material
- sour crop: fermenting
- white or yellow
- mucosal proliferation
- treat with antifungals
describe fecal cytology
- indicates type of microbes present
- detects anaerobes and difficult-to-culture organisms
- provides info on numbers of each organism present
- guides initial antimicrobial treatment
- normal fecal gram stain
-psittacine: 100-500 gram positive organisms/hpf (80% rods, 20% cocci)
-passerine: few to no bacteria
-raptors: mixed population, very dependent on diet
describe vomiting/regurg across different species
- snakes: extremely common, defense strategy
- in tortoises: grave sign
- in parrots: sign of affection OR toxicosis
is jaundice seen in psittacines?
no! they lack biliverdin reductase
so if see yellow serum, is NOT icterus, is betacarotene from food
also! beware of food coloring in feces (green poop could be normal if eating fruit loops)
describe fatty liver from seeds
- bile acids are best liver function test
- increase in liver enzymes (AST, SDH with normal CK) indicate hepatic cellular damage
- use radiographs and ultrasound
-or biopsy for more definitive diagnosis
*birds do not store excess fat on stomach or by making a juicy dumpy, they stick it in the liver :(
describe constipation in avians and reptiles
- fairly common in reptiles
- often due to inadequate husbandry conditions
- need to know the humidity, temperature, and preferred food of each species
describe energy use in reptiles
- energy can only be used at optimum temperature
- at optimum temp, a good energy (protein) source needs to be available
- if don’t provide enough protein or heat
-reptiles will just stop growing
describe passive hydration for reptiles
- dehydration is common, esp in sick animals due to wrong form of water container or method of presentation
- water should be clean and free of bacteria
- can add 2-4 drops of bleach/liter of water
- passive hydration: place water over heat source = evaporation to environment
-or bathe in the water so absorb through skin
describe the water requirements of reptiles
- depends on water content of diet
- environment:
-loss due to respiration
-natural history: desert versus jungle changes requirement
describe decrease in eating frequency
normal at:
1. just before shed
2. before eggs are passed
3. before hibernation
abnormal due to:
1. parasitism
2. bad husbandry
3. stress
4. wrong diet
*if animal loses more than 10% body weight = disease
describe obesity
- excess calorie intake
- most common in carnivorous reptiles
-monitors and snakes - sometimes done on purpose: breeder snakes
-beware egg bound potential - can be related to lack of exercise and roughage
*birds just kill their liver instead of gaining weight usually
describe hepatic lipidosis
- seen in obese animals that have been starved
- similar to mammal physiology
describe blockages
- if feeding mature rats (denser fur, less water)
- or anorexia, absorbing water from feces
