Lecture 17 - Reptile Nutrition 1

Question 1

The general structure of the GI tract in reptiles is generally similar to the GI tract of…

Answer 1

Birds

Question 2

Reptile stomachs are divided into two parts: the ________ (muscular) part and the _________ (secretory/enzymatic) part

Answer 2

Fundus; pyloric

Question 3

Herbivores have a _________ GI tract than carnivores because it takes __________ to digest the high fiber materials in their diet

(Same word for both blanks)

Answer 3

Longer

Question 4

A pancreatic enzyme secreted by species that eat insects

Answer 4

Chitinase

Question 5

A pancreatic enzyme secreted in higher amount in herbivorous and omnivorous reptiles

Answer 5

Amylase

Question 6

True or False: Some reptilian species have a combined spleen and pancreas, referred to as a “splenopancreas”

Answer 6

True

Question 7

True or False: It is normal to see some bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes in the reptile GI tract, such as oxyurids and strongyloid nematodes

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What occurs during reptilian hibernation/brumation?

Answer 8

They do not move, feed, drink, or defecate; solely rely on catabolism of fat stores

(Liver very important to regulation of this process! Good health/BCS also very important!)

Question 9

True or False: Reptiles can be herbivorous or carnivorous, but not omnivorous

Answer 9

False; reptiles can be herbivorous, carnivorous, AND omnivorous (some reptilian diets actually change as they age!)

Question 10

Are nutritional needs higher or lower for reproductively active female reptiles?

Answer 10

Higher; need energy for ovarian follicle development, oviductal eggs, and embryos (also need calcium for egg laying)

Question 11

What are some important parameters to consider when interpreting a carnivorous reptile’s diet history?

Answer 11

• If the prey is healthy
• If the prey is nutritious / gut-loaded
• If the prey can risk the health of the predator in any way

Question 12

What are some important parameters to consider when interpreting a herbivorous reptile’s diet history?

Answer 12

• If the diet is adequately fresh
• If there is sufficient calcium in the diet
• If the diet provides enough protein
• If the diet provides sufficient vit A or vit A precursors
• If there is sufficient insoluble fiber

Question 13

Opacities in the cornea, conjunctivitis, and respiratory signs can all be indicators of vitamin ____ deficiency in reptiles

Answer 13

A

Question 14

Orthopedic disease and bone deformity can both be signs of _________, _________, and vitamin ____ deficiency

Answer 14

Calcium; phosphorus; D

Question 15

Reptilian mucous membranes should always be pink and moist, not pale or yellow, EXCEPT for which species?

Answer 15

Bearded dragons

Question 16

As a general rule, an acute loss of ____% BW or a chronic loss of ____% BW in reptiles requires medical intervention

Answer 16

10; 20

Question 17

All weight loss in reptiles includes loss of adipose tissue as well as…

Answer 17

Lean body mass

Question 18

When running bloodwork on a reptile, why is it important to use a laboratory that is experienced with processing reptile blood?

Answer 18

RBCs are fragile and hematocrit tends to be lower than what most would consider normal

Question 19

True or False: Renal disease is uncommon in reptiles, and all reptiles naturally form a lot of urea

Answer 19

False; renal disease is COMMON in reptiles, and many reptiles DO NOT form much urea

Question 20

What is used as a major indicator of kidney function in reptiles?

Answer 20

Uric acid (NOT creatinine!)

(Extra note: uric acid can increase in carnivorous reptiles post-prandially)

Question 21

What typically happens to phosphorous and calcium in reptiles who have renal disease?

Answer 21

Phosphorous can be INCREASED, and calcium can be DECREASED

Question 22

(Slide 20)