Marsupials and monotremes Flashcards
What are the differences between marsupials and monotremes?
monotremes lay eggs
What length is marsupial gestation period?
very short - neonates born at very immature stage then develop in pouch
What is parturition?
Synchronised cascade of hormonal events triggered by foetus, young makes its way to cloaca unaided (mother assumes an easier position however)
What diseases are due to faecal contamination of enclosure?
Lumpy jaw, helminthosis, coccidiosis, salmonelosis
What are the different types of diets of macropods?
Small - need high quality seeds, fruits, fungi and invertebrates
Medium - utilise a wide range of vegetation
Large - specialised grass feeders
What is fresh browse supplemented with?
good quality hay
chopped apple/carrot/corn/maize
mineral block
vit E
What is merycism
Macropods may regurgitate food after eating, aids digestion
What is capture myopathy?
Recently captured or stressed marsupials
Degeneration and necrosis of skeletal and cardiac muscle due to rapid build up of lactic acid
- Acute = sudden death
- Chronic = lameness, spasms, paresis, paralysis
How is breeding controlled?
Castration of dominant males Removal of pouch young Immuno contraception Tubal ligation of females Culling
What are the signs of stress for marsupials?
Vocalisations flinching escape attempts licking shoulders, forearms, flanks reduced food intake diarrhoea
What daily health checks should be carried out?
coat condition fur on floor appetite discharge faeces dirt around mouth injuries pouch young development / presence
what is lumpy jaw
necrobacilloisis bacterial disease dependent on husbandry practises predisposed by: - poor hygiene - oral cavity damage - inappropriate diet - stress
What is toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasma gondii
Oocysts shed in cat faeces, causes pulmonary or neurological or sudden death
prevention: hygiene
What does coccidiosis do?
diarrhoea, lethargy, weakness
can lead to cloacal prolapse
predisposing factors: moist, overcrowding, stress
prevention: dry, well drained yard, appropriate stocking
What is candidiasis?
Thrush
predisposing factors: poor hygiene, stress, immunocpmpetence
signs: grey-white encrusting mouth and pharynx, dysphagia, anorexia, diarrhoea
common in hand-reared orphans
