Imp Reptile Stuff (taken from class and past TQs) (AH)

Question 1

A turtle comes in with an overgrown Ramphotheca, what most likely caused this?

Answer 1

Vitamin A deficiency

Question 2

Where is a good place to look for parasites on a lizard or snake (not turtle)

Answer 2

External tympanum. Has good blood supply

Question 3

What do you use to take blood in a reptile?

Answer 3

Lithium hepranized syringe

Question 4

Gender determination in a snake?

Answer 4

M = probe inserted 8-12 scales past the hemipenial sheath. F= 3-4 scales.

Question 5

Gender determination in a lizard?

Answer 5

M = larger pre cloacal pores, larger ornate head, hemipenal bulge in some (chameleons). Hemipenes can calcify in adult make monitors → radiographs.

Question 6

How must a UVB light source be positioned for it to be effective?

Answer 6

Positioned 6-18” from the enclosure. Do not have it going through glass. Change bulb every 6mo regardless of if it appears to be working or not.

Question 7

Why do reptiles need a UVB light source?

Answer 7

For cutaneous photolysis → 7-dehydro cholesterol = previtamin D3

Question 8

How can you test kidney function in a reptile and what method is the most reliable?

Answer 8

Bun/creatinine – not reliable. Uric acid is a more reliable test of kidney function. Renal biopsy is the best indicator of renal function

Question 9

What can high calcium be an indicator of in female reptiles?

Answer 9

Ovulation or it’s an indigo snake.

Question 10

How do you treat NMBD?

Answer 10

Do not give Ca2+ injection. Treat by giving UVB light, a balanced diet and a lot of insects with Ca supplement (veggies or TUMS)

Question 11

What views do you need to take in a turtle to Dx pneumonia?

Answer 11

Lateral, DV, AP. Keep lungs on top. Move head of radio, not the turtle.

Question 12

Steps to treating a shell fracture?

Answer 12

Avoid the lungs → treat with saline, not betadine or chorahex. Fiberglass and epoxy. Do not seal closed.

Question 13

What are the heat/humidity requirements of Amph vs. Rept?

Answer 13

Amph- Can’t tolerate high heat or low humidity. Temp: 65-84. Humidity: 7\60-90%. Reptile- Temp: 70-95. Humidity: 30-90%

Question 14

All adult amphibians are what?

Answer 14

Carnivores. (Tadpoles eat anything)

Question 15

What should you never give to a sick reptile?

Answer 15

LRS → acidemia.

Question 16

Most common way to get fluid into a reptile in an emergency?

Answer 16

intrachoelomic- lungs are up high, so be careful. Draw back before you give.

Question 17

Why should you never feed a dehydrated reptile?

Answer 17

A/D. It has too much purine → increased uric acid → gout

Question 18

What occurs in re-feeding syndrome when too many calories are provided?

Answer 18

starved animals have low phos and K. Admin of glucose → K follows glucose into cells –> hypokalemia. Start with 50% calories over 24hrs

Question 19

What medication do you never give to choelonia? What can you use instead?

Answer 19

Ivermectin = neurotoxin. (indigo, king snakes are also sensitive) use levamisole instead.

Question 20

How do you treat entameoba ranarum?

Answer 20

Metronidazole

Question 21

What percent can you take for blood sampling in an amphibian?

Answer 21

1.00%

Question 22

What is dysecdysis?

Answer 22

poor shedding, not a Dz

Question 23

Reptile fluid tx?

Answer 23

10-20ml/kg/day

Question 24

How do you admin fluids to a reptile?

Answer 24

Preferred method is intracoelomic

Question 25

Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism is caused by what and leads to what?

Answer 25

diet deficiency in Ca2+, vit D, → negative Ca:P ratio. Lack of UVB. Young growing animal

Question 26

What rept. / amph does not get nutritional hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 26

snakes (whole prey diet)

Question 27

When talking about nebulization, what is important to remember about reptiles?

Answer 27

no diaphragm! → can’t cough → accumulation of stuff

Question 28

CS of hypovitaminosis A in chelonians?

Answer 28

Big bulging eyes, blepharoedema. Shell falling apart/flaky

Question 29

What anthelmintic can be used as a appetite stimulant?

Answer 29

metronidazole

Question 30

What part of your routine ocular exam will you not do in snakes or geckos?

Answer 30

check the palpebral reflex. No eyelids.

Question 31

IBD is carried by what and fatal to what?

Answer 31

Carried by boa (CNS and GI signs) Fatal to Pythons (CNS signs only)

Question 32

IBD causative agent?

Answer 32

Arenavirus

Question 33

What does a really high uric acid tell you in a reptile?

Answer 33

dehydration or renal Dz

Question 34

Hypercalcemia is indicative of what in reptiles?

Answer 34

Ovulation or it’s an indigo snake.