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Exotics > Lecture 4 > Flashcards

Lecture 4 Flashcards

1
Q

What class to reptiles belong to

A

Reptilia

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2
Q

What are the 4 main orders of reptiles

A

1) Crocodilia: alligators and crocodiles
2) squamata: snakes and lizards
3) chelonian: turtles and tortoises
4) rhyncocephalia: tuataras

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3
Q

What class to amphibians belong to

A

Amphibia

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4
Q

What are the 3 main orders of amphibians

A

1) gymnophiona: caecilians
2) Anura: frogs and toads
3) cuadata: salamanders and newts

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5
Q

Describe what it means for reptiles and amphibians (herptiles) to be “cold blooded”

A

This means they are ectothermic

They are unable to generate large amounts of heat internally, so their body temperature depends on the environmental temperature

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6
Q

Some reptiles can markedly raise body temperatures by ___

A

Muscular contractions

Leatherback sea turtle swimming
(Pythons shiver when incubating eggs)

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7
Q

Define herptiles

A

Mainly regulate body temperature via behaviour

Ex. Sunbathing, changing skin color, coiling or uncoiling

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8
Q

True or false

Thermoregulation is less important in hot environments

A

True

It is more important in cold environments

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9
Q

Describe ecothermy in reptiles/amphibians

A

Related to energy conservation

These animals metabolism depends on body temperature

This allows many herptiles to survive on very small amounts of food (most being to maintain body temp)

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10
Q

Temperature of herptiles depends on access to temperatures within the POTZ, what is this?

A

Preferred optimal temperature zone
(Changes with species)

This is the range of temperature in which the animal can perform all necessary metabolic functions

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11
Q

Why is it critical that a sick patients environment is at POTZ when administering medications? What could happen if it is not at POTZ?

A

This allows proper absorption, metabolism and excretion of the medications

If not, it can lead to no response to treatment, lack of healing, overdose or death

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12
Q

Heat sources such as heat rocks and red light bulbs are not acceptable in the herptiles world, what is the best source of heat?

A

Non light providing sources such as ceramic bulbs or heat mats that go under the tank

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13
Q

What is something that is often unknown about UVB or UVA bulbs

A

These bulbs lose the ability to provide these nutrients before they stop lighting up

Recommended to change every 6 months

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14
Q

Why is it difficult to give SQ injections it reptiles

A

Because they have very little space

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15
Q

Describe the dermis of reptiles

A

Dense connective tissue

Contain Blood and lymph vessels, nerves and chromatophores (pigment containing cells)

Chromatophores allow some lizards to change skin color and pattern

Contain osteoderms: bony plates within the dermis of some lizards and crocodilians

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16
Q

Describe the epidermis of reptiles

A

Scales and scutes of reptiles are formed by epidermal folds in most reptiles, they vary in size and shape. It is keratinized

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17
Q

What are some other epidermal structures than may be present on reptiles

A 
Crests 
Tubercles 
Spines
Dewlaps 
Keels 
Horns 
Barbles
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18
Q

Describe the integument of turtles/tortoises

A

Scales and scutes are thick epidermal plates

Nomenclature aids in species identification and medical recording

Cervical scute: first scute at the base of the neck area

Vertebral scutes: run down the center of the shell (numbered)

Pleural scutes: lay right over the lungs (numbered and labelled left or right)

Marginal scutes: the border of the shell (numbered and labelled left or right)

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19
Q

What is ecdysis? Describe this?

A

Shedding of the skin

Occurs with growth and in response to injury

Shed in pieces or in one large piece

Skin does not grow with the animal, so the body outgrows the skin and the animal must shed it

The shed skin is called: exuvia

Enzyme containing lymph secreted between old and new layer (reabsorbed before ecdysis)

The skin color fills (spectacle opacifies)

Mechanical rubbing on objects aids in shedding

It is controlled by the thyroid gland

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20
Q

What is dysecdysis? Describe this

A

Abnormal or difficulty shedding

Usually due to poor husbandry: low humidity, no objects in enclosure to rub on, malnutrition, dehydration etc

Can be from skin wounds, disease, dermatitis, parasites

If not corrected it can lead to Dyspnea, dermatitis, future shed issues, loss of toes or tail tips

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21
Q

What can be done to help dysecdysis

A

Correcting underlying problem

2 hour warm water baths (softens shed and you can pull it off)

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22
Q

What is different about amphibian integument? What are drink patches?

A

It is extremely permeable: they absorb water directly from the environment (don’t drink)

“Drink patches” are areas of increased permeability on ventral surfaces

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23
Q

Describe the epidermis of amphibians

A

Single or few layers or keratinized cells -very thin

Aquatic amphibians do not have keratinized cells

Amphibians regularly shed layers of epidermis and usually eat the exuvia

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24
Q

Describe the dermis of amphibians

A

Contain chromatophores and glands

Glands produce secretions which help to protect the animals skin (because they don’t have a thick layer of keratinized skin, they need this instead)

Very little space in salamanders and caecilians

Anurans have looser attachments of dermis

May have toxic secretions produced by some glands within the dermis and epidermis (defends mechanism)

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25
Q

What does the reptilian and amphibian nervous system depend on

A

Spinal segmental reflexes and locomotor centers for control of movement

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26
Q

Describe the nervous system of reptilians, what reflexes are present? How are some of them used?

A

Tongue withdrawal, jaw, pedal and tail reflexes are all present

When monitoring anesthesia in reptiles OTHER than snakes; use the corneal and palpebral reflexes (snakes do not blink)

In snakes: the tongue withdrawal reflex will be maintained at the surgical plane of anesthesia

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27
Q

Describe the vision of reptiles

A

Iris made up of skeletal muscle under voluntary control (PLR: consensual reflexes not seen)

Lower lid is usually more mobile than upper lid (upper lid is more mobile in mammals)

Nictitans: well developed, and mobile in many reptiles

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28
Q

Some species of lizards have a thin transparent lower lid to allow for

A

some vision when lids are closed

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29
Q

What is the spectacle found in snakes and some lizards

A

A clear fused scale on the eye above the cornea (have a small space in between: contains tear film)

Tears drain into mouth through a nasolacrimal system

These animals have no true eyelid

In caecilians, the eyes are covered with skin

Eyelids are absent in some aquatic species

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30
Q

Most reptiles have poorly developed extraocular muscles (have to move entire head to look around) what is the exception to this?

A

Chameleons: their eyes move freely and independently of one another

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31
Q

Describe the lacrimal and harderian glands? What’s different about chelonians,

A

Present in most reptiles and amphibians: produce secretions that combines to form the tear film

Chelonians: no nasolacrimal ducts, tears spills over the lid margins

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32
Q

What happens in some amphibian eyes when swallowing?

A

protrude ventrally into the oral cavity when swallowing

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33
Q

Describe the eye in reptiles

A

Contain ossicles: sclera bones present in most reptiles (not snakes or crocodilians)

Lens: more fluid in reptiles than mammals (more rigid in snakes) this allows for further accommodation

Parietal (rudimentary) eye in some reptiles (space - not an eye thought to be associated with light cycles)

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34
Q

Describe what’s different about accommodation abilities in chelonians and snakes

A

Accommodation:

1) chelonians: lens is squeezed through the pupil to adjust its size
2) snakes: lens moves back and forth due to pressure changes within the aqueous and vitreous humors (doesn’t actually change shape)

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35
Q

What is hypovitaminosis A

A

One of the most common disease affecting turtles and tortoises

Usually from a diet deficient in Vit A resulting in abnormal functioning of skin

Signs: swollen eyelids, loss of appetite, weight loss, raw skin with secondary bacterial infections, nasal discharge, abnormal development of eyes in embryos

Treated with Vit A injectable or dietary supplements (maybe also need to treat secondary bacterial infections -mucosal surfaces more prone to infection)

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36
Q

What is different about a snake ability to hear

A

Snakes: no external ears, columella articulates with the quadrate bone of the jaw: this allows snakes to be very sensitive to ground vibrations transmitted through the mandibles and converted to sounds

Snakes can hear aerial sounds but it is not as highly developed

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37
Q

Who are aural abscesses common in? What are they often secondary to?

A

Middle ear infections are common in chelonians

Can be secondary to hypovitaminosis A

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38
Q

Location of the heart varies in amphibians and reptiles, describe the location in some different species

A

Chelonians: on midline just caudal to the thoracic girdle, central to the lungs

Most lizards: within the thoracic girdle/space

Crocodilians and some lizards: farther back in the coelomic Cavity (abdominal cavity ish near the center)

Snakes: usually at the junction of the first and second third of the body length (fairly mobile within the coelomic cavity)

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39
Q

Describe the heart of most reptiles and amphibians. Describe the heart of crocodilians

A

3 chambered with two atria and one ventricle

Crocodilians: 4 chambered heart unlike mammals or avians

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40
Q

How is there no mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in a 3 chamber heart (only one ventricle)

A

The ventricle is divided (septum), it is just not considered 2 Chambers

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41
Q

Why is it difficult to auscultate reptilian hearts? What can you do instead?

A

You usually can’t heart it, very slow, difficult to find, in turtles you can hear past shell

You may be able to watch cardiac movement through the skin

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42
Q

What does heart rate depends on

A

Species, size, temperature, activity level and metabolic function

43
Q

In lizards, what is the vasovagal reflex

A

Induces a drop in heart rate, blood pressure and a catatonic state

Triggered by applying gentle pressure to both eyeballs through closed eyelids (recover when pressure is released or with mild stimulation)

44
Q

True or false

Reptiles can’t survive long without breathing

A

FALSE

reptiles can survive long periods without breathing

45
Q

Respiration is driven by

A

Oxygen levels in the blood (in mammals it’s CO2 levels in blood)

46
Q

Lizards tend to experience severe respiratory depression while under anesthesia, so it is important to provide____

A

Positive pressure ventilation (2-4 breaths per minute generally)

If they stop breathing on their own, which can happen, the anesthesia will wear off

47
Q

Where is the glottis of most reptiles and amphibians located? Describe the glottis in snakes? Is there an epiglottis present?

A

In the rostral portion of the oral cavity

The glottis is very mobile in snakes and protrudes from the mouth to allow respiration during ingestion of prey

There is not often an epiglottis present, there is paired arytenoid cartilages that border the glottal opening, that open and close with respiration

48
Q

Is it easy to pass an endotracheal tube in reptiles? Why?

A

Yes because the it is clearly visible and distinct from the esophagus

49
Q

Describe the vocal ranges of reptiles

A

They have no vocal cords

The only vocalizations possible are hissing, grunting, or bellowing

Frogs and toads: vocal sacs arise from the trachea

50
Q

What is the glottal keel

A

Present in some species of snakes that increases the volume of vocalizations

This structure found at the glottal opening also makes intubation difficult

51
Q

Reptiles have no diaphragm, how do they breathe?

A

By the action of the intercostal muscles and ribs and parts of the axial musculature used for respiration

Do not restrain them too tightly

52
Q

Describe the amphibian respiratory system

A

Simple sac like lungs

Some salamanders have no lungs (they have cutaneous respiration: absorbs air through the skin)

Pulmonary ventilation from pumping of the buccal cavity and pharynx (necks gets bigger/smaller) gas exchange occurs through mucous membranes of the buccal cavity, pharynx and cloaca

Gills may be present in young amphibians

53
Q

Some reptiles can be carnivorous, omnivorous or herbivorous

Snakes, crocodilians and adult amphibians are strict

A

Carnivores

54
Q

What is the function of the deeply forked tongues of snakes and lizards

A

Function as a particle delivery system for the vomeronasal organ (accessory olfactory organ) (smelling air by tasting it)

Allow for detection of particle gradients

55
Q

Describe the tongue of chameleons

A

Specialized projectile tongues designed for capturing prey from long distances (sticker end which the prey stick to)

56
Q

Describe the tongue of turtles and tortoises

A

Typically thick, fleshy and relatively immobile

57
Q

describe the tongue of crocodilians, what structure of the oral cavity aids them when being under water

A

Immobile and attached to intermandibular space

Muscular flaps from base of tongue and dorsal pharynx allow for opening of mouth while submerged without ingesting or inhaling water (blocks off the throat)

58
Q

Describe the oral cavity of amphibians

A

Tongue used to capture prey (most amphibians)

Salamanders: tongue is flipped to pretend food (lingual flipping)

Has numerous salivary glands to provide stickiness

Some have venom glands (snakes and lizards) which is a modified salivary gland with a canal that runs down the tooth

59
Q

Describe the dentition of tortoises and turtles

A

They do not have teeth, they have Tomia (keratinized beaks)

Other reptiles have teeth

60
Q

Describe the dentition of snakes

A

Have 6 rows of teeth: two mandibular, two maxillary, two palatine/pterygoid bones

61
Q

Snakes without venomous fangs are called

A

Aglyphous snakes

62
Q

Dentition of venomous snakes

A

Specialized dentition for delivery

Venom teeth: hollow with an opening near end where venom is expelled

Fangs receive venom through a duct from a venom gland at its base

Contraction of muscles around venom gland forces venom out from the fang

63
Q

True or false

Snakes can control the amount of venom delivered with each bite

A

True

64
Q

Describe the dentition of most amphibians

A

Most have teeth

Caecilians and salamanders: both maxillary and mandibular teeth (some have palatal teeth)

Some anuran species have a maxillary dentition

Some have odontoid process: cutting plates on rostral mandibles of some frogs

65
Q

Describe the esophagus in reptiles and amphibians

A

Reptiles: thin and distensible: unique morphology reflects type of prey

Amphibians: very short and wide (especially in anurans)

66
Q

Describe the stomach of reptiles

A

Variable in size and shape

Snakes: highly distensible

Crocodilians: thick muscle comparable to avian gizzard

67
Q

what are anurans capable of doing with their stomach?

A

Anurans capable of prolapsing the stomach through the mouth

Used for emptying the stomach if they ingest something undesirable

Gastric prolapse can be a terminal event in dying animals

Can be seen with some methods of anesthesia

68
Q

Describe the intestinal tract of reptiles

A

Varies according to diet

Herbivores: longer than carnivores

Snakes: relatively straight (not a lot of coiling)

Colon: large and complex in herbivores (hind gut fermentation)

Cecum: site of hindgut fermentation in herbivorous lizards and chelonians

Liver: bilobed and large

69
Q

Describe the cloaca

A

common outflow tract for GIT and urogenital tracts (all reptiles and amphibians)

Three chambers, similar to birds: coprodeum, urodeum, proctodeum

70
Q

Describe the reptilian kidney

A

Have a renal portal system arising from the veins of the pelvic limbs and tail (avoid injection of meds in caudal half)

71
Q

Describe the amphibian kidney

A

Some amphibians excrete ammonia as a nitrogenous was product -other excrete urea, or Uric acid

These have no ability to concentrate their urine

Urinary bladders and cloacal anatomy similar to reptiles

72
Q

Male reptiles have internal testes located in the

A

Dorsal coelomic cavity

73
Q

In male reptiles, the ductus deferens leads from the testes to the

A

Dorsal wall of the urodeum

They possess a copulatory organ such as a phallus or paired hemipenes

74
Q

Most male reptiles have a sexual portion to the kidney tubules, what does this do

A

Develops in response to high levels of circulating sex hormones and provides secretions that contribute to the seminal fluid

75
Q

Describe how copulatory organs vary in structures in male reptiles

A

Crocodilians and chelonians: phallus of erectile tissue rising from floor of cloaca

Snakes and lizards: paired hemipenes everted from the tail base through the vent (caudal to the vent)

76
Q

Describe the female reptilian anatomy

A

Paired ovaries in dorsal coelomic cavity

Paired oviducts lead to cloaca and end at the genital papillae on dorsal wall of the urodeum

77
Q

In viviparous species, describe the fetus development

A

Viviparous: birth of live young

Fetuses are retained and nourished in uterine portion of the oviduct

78
Q

In oviparous species, describe birth of young

A

Birth of young by laying eggs

Many reptiles dig nests to lay eggs in

Without a suitable nested many females will not lay and experience dystocia

79
Q

Chelonians and some lizards may dig deep holes to

A

Deposit their eggs into and leave after

80
Q

After oviposition or parturition, reptiles are often not involved with the care of eggs or offspring, what are the exceptions to this

A

Crocodilians: protect their nests and young for a period of time following hatching

Pythons and cobras: protect their nests until hatching

81
Q

Describe incubation of eggs

A

Development and hatching requires proper temperature, humidity and gas composition of the nest

Incubation time and temperatures vary in species

Reptile eggs should NOT be rotated during incubation like with avians

82
Q

Describe sex determination of reptiles with incubation

A

Sex can be determined by genotype or temperature at which eggs are incubated

Females: heterozygous (ZW)
Males: homozygous (ZZ)
Opposite in mammals

83
Q

In some species they do not have sex chromosomes, describe how sexes are made in incubation

A

Higher incubation temperatures produce males in crocodilians and lizards (opposite in chelonians)

Temperature range within the nest allows production of mixed clutch of hatchlings

Artificially you can determine the sex of the animals

84
Q

True or false

Snakes have no real sexual dimorphism

A

True

There is often no good way to differentiate sexes

85
Q

In some species, pelvic spurs are present and can be be larger in males, what are these

A

Remnants of pelvic limbs and provide tactile stimulation to females

86
Q

Describe a Male chelonians vent

A

May have a concave plastron and more distally located vent than females

Allows closer apposition of the cloaca when the male mounts the females

87
Q

What is an example of a species of lizards that show obvious sexual dimorphism

A

The male jackson’s chameleon has three well developed horns on its face

88
Q

Describe different sexual dimorphism in amphibians

A

Poison dart frogs: males have enlarged toe pads

Anurans: males may have Large tympanic membranes

Salamanders: males have prominent cloacal glands

89
Q

Most caecilians (serpentine amphibians) are

A

Viviparous

90
Q

Most anurans and salamanders are

A

Oviparous

91
Q

What are amplexus frogs and toads

A

These fertilize eggs as they are laid while grasping the female

92
Q

What are spermatophores in salamanders

A

Packets of sperm deposited onto substrate by male salamanders

These are picked up by the females cloaca in the spermatotheca (pocket in the cloaca of female salamanders where sperm can be stored)

93
Q

When amphibians lay eggs, they are often laid in or near

A

Water

94
Q

There is some parental care of eggs/young in what amphibians

A

Anurans and most salamanders

95
Q

Larval anurans (Tadpoles) have completely aquatic lives prior to

A

Metamorphosis

96
Q

Tadpole metamorphosis is usually complete within

A

90 days

97
Q

What is tadpole metamorphosis stimulated by

A

Thyroid hormones

98
Q

What is the life cycle of a frog

A

Egg

Embryo

Tadpole

Front legs break through

Pulmonary breathing starts

Tadpole frog

Adult frog

99
Q

Describe the snake skull

A

Extremely mobile

Mandibular symphysis is connected by ligaments that allow the jaws to move independently of each other

This is to allow the mouth to open extremely wide for ingesting large prey

100
Q

Describe the shell of a turtle

A

The shell is a part of their skeleton -actually connected

It can grow and heal like any bone

They do have a backbone/spine that is connected to the shell

Most of the space inside is occupied by lungs

101
Q

What is tail autonomy

A

A defensive mechanism: species will drop their tail that will continue to wiggle to distract predators

Present in some lizards and salamanders

These species have a “fracture plane” on the tail where the tail is designed to break off from that results in very little blood loss

Lost tail can regenerate but it is often stiff and cartilaginous

102
Q

What is metabolic bone disease

A

Caused by an imbalance of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3

Proper diet, temperature and light will prevent this

Symptoms: swollen mandible, curvature if the tail and possibly spine, decreased bone density on radiographs (will not appear as white) (weak, fragile deformed bones)

103
Q

What are some common reptile/amphibian species native to Saskatchewan

A

Plains garter snake
Greater short horned lizard
Prairie rattle snake
Tiger salamander

Exotics (11 decks)

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