Neuro disease in small mammals and exotic species Flashcards

1
Q

List 13 clinical signs of neurological conditions in small mammals

A

head tilt
weakness
paresis
exophthalmos
ocular discharge
mydriasis
swaying
nystagmus
tremor
urinary incontinance
seizures
loss of anal tone
circling
faecal impaction

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2
Q

List 10 clinical signs of neurological conditions in reptiles

A

loss of righting reflex
loss of withdrawel reflexes
loss of cloacal tone
limb paresis (hind is most common)
reduced grip in snakes
generalised or localised weakness
tremors/convulsions
blindness
circling
head tilt
stargazing

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3
Q

Describe the righting reflex

A

if they get stuck on their back, they should be able to right themselves immediately

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4
Q

List 8 clinical signs of neurological disease in birds

A

Loss of withdrawal reflexes
Loss of cloacal tone
Limb paresis
Reduced foot grip
Generalised weakness
Tremors and convulsions
Circling
Head tilt

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5
Q

List the clinical signs of central vestibular disease in small mammals

A

nystagmus (vertical or horizontal)
other CNS signs

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6
Q

List the clinical signs of peripheral vestibular disease in small mammals

A

nystagmus ( horizontal)
horners syndrome or facial nerve paralysis

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7
Q

List the possible differentials for central vestibular disease in small mammals

A

E. cuniculi
toxoplasma
neoplasia

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8
Q

List the differentials for peripheral vestibular disease in small mammals

A

otitis media

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9
Q

what type of rabbits are predisposed to otitis media

A

lop rabbits

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10
Q

describ how otitis media forms

A

infection penetrates through the tympanic membrane

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11
Q

List the clinical signs of otitis media

A

ataxia
circling
head tilt
+/- aural base abscess

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12
Q

why is otitis externa often not picked up in rabbits

A

they are prey animals and therefore hide their signs of disease

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13
Q

how can you prevent otitis media from occuring in lop rabbits

A

regular cleaning in order to prevent otitis externa

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14
Q

Describe how Encephalitozoon cuniculi is spread

A

is a fungi spread mostly in rabbit urine

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15
Q

List the clinical signs of E. cuniculi

A

CNS damage- hindlimb paralysis/ weakness, torticollis, urinary incontinence, tremors

Kidney damage: PUPD, weight loss, anorexia, cataracts/ uveitis

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16
Q

Describe how E. cuniculi travels through the body

A
  1. pathogen ingested in contaminated food/water
  2. pathogen moves via the blood stream into the kidneys
  3. is intermittently passed in urine
  4. pathogen moves into spine and causes hind limb paresis
  5. moves up the spine and into brain causing neuro signs
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17
Q

what is floppy bunny syndrome

A

this is flaccid paralysis due to muscular weakness - the exact cause is unknown

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18
Q

Describe how to treat floppy bunny syndrome

A

supportive care - most bunnies recover within 3-4 days

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19
Q

Describe how fipronil causes toxicity in rabbits

A

fipronil blocks GABA receptors in the CNS and stops chloride ion uptake, this causes excessive CNS stimulation and eventual death

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20
Q

List the clinical signs of fibronil toxicity in rabbits

A

seizures
tremors
hyperactivity
diarrhoea
hypersalivation
hypothermia
death

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21
Q

how soon after giving fipronil are clinical signs seen

A

around 9 days after

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22
Q

List 3 viruses causing neurological signs in reptiles

A

inclusion body disease (snakes)
ophidian paramyxovirus (snakes)
adenovirus (any reptile)

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23
Q

List the clinical signs of inclusion body disease in snakes

A

GI signs + neurological signs (head tremor, uneven pupils, muscle spasm, lethargy, etc)

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24
Q

List the clinical signs of adenovirus in reptiles

A

anorexia
diarrhoea
wasting
neurological signs (stargazing, twitching/seizures)

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25
Q

List the cliical signs of ophidian paramyxovirus in snakes

A

Respiratory signs + neurological signs (head tremor, uneven pupils, muscle spasm, lethargy, etc)

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26
Q

List 2 drugs that are toxic to reptiles and can cause neuro signs

A

ivermectin and metronidazole

27
Q

List the clinical signs of ivermectin toxicity in reptiles

A

depression, paralysis and death in chelonia

sensitivities in other reptiles

28
Q

List the clinical signs of metronidazole toxicity in reptiles

A

vestibular disease

29
Q

List 3 viruses causing neurological signs in birds

A

Newcastle disease
Avian influenza
Marek’s disease

30
Q

what causes Marek’s disease

A

herpes virus 1

31
Q

what causes Newcastle Disease

A

Avian paramyxovirus 1

32
Q

List the clinial signs of Newcastle disease in birds

A

Respiratory and head tilt

33
Q

List the clinical signs of avian influenza

A

respiratory and sudden death

34
Q

when does hyperlipidaemia occur in birds

A

if the birds are fed a poor diet - i.e. seed only diet for parrots

35
Q

List the clinical signs of hyperlipidaemia in birds

A

obesity/overweight, tremors/seizures, weakness, liver damage signs

36
Q

how can we treat hyperlipidaemia in birds

A

treat with liver protectants and change the diet

37
Q

List the clinical signs of heavy metal toxicity in birds

A

regurgitation, lethargy, weakness, anorexia, weight loss, anaemia, polydipsia, diarrhoea and haemoglobinuria

CNS signs - depression, seizures, head tilt, blindness

38
Q

List the clinical signs of head trauma in birds

A

depressed/ stunned
blindness
head tilt

39
Q

what is pectin

A

the blood vessel at the back of a birds eye providing blood to the eye

40
Q

what happens if the pectin is destroyed

A

the bird becomes blind in that eye

41
Q

what causes Psittacosis

A

Chlamydia psittaci (zoonotic)

42
Q

Describe how Psittacosis is spread

A

via faeces, urine and respiratory secretions

43
Q

List the clinical signs of Psittacosis

A

Respiratory (dyspnoea, oculonasal discharge)
GIT (bright green faeces, regurgitation).
CNS (tremors, twisting of the head & body).
Sudden death (especially lovebirds)

44
Q

Describe how to diagnose otitis media

A

radiography, otoscopic examine

CT is the best way

45
Q

Describe how to diagnose spinal problems in rabbits

A

radiography

46
Q

Decsribe how to diagnose heavy metal toxicity in birds

A

history + clinical signs
blood work
radiography

47
Q

Describe how to diagnose hepatic lipidosis

A

bloods - can see grossly if severe, can test cholesterol levels and liver values

48
Q

Describe how to diagnose E. cuniculi

A

blood test antibody serology (ELISA)- need to do 2 to see if increasing over time

urine antigen test (PCR)- unreliable

histology (kidney PCR) - PME if housed with other rabbits

49
Q

Describe how to diagnose Marek’s disease

A

presumptive diagnosis on clinical signs and gross PME

can do histopathology and PCR

50
Q

Can we treat Marek’s disease

A

No

51
Q

Describe how to diagnose Psittacosis

A

PCR - conjunctival/cloacal swab or faecal PCR

52
Q

Describe how to diagnose inclusion body disease

A

PM histology (liver, kidney, pancreas)

PCR (mouth or cloacal swab)

53
Q

Describe how to diagnose Ophidian paramyxovirus

A

PM histology (lung/brain)
PCR (mouth or cloacal swabs)

54
Q

Describe how to diagnose adenovirus in lizards

A

clinical signs
PM histology (liver biopsy)

55
Q

Describe how to treat otitis externa/ media

A

antibiotic eardrops
analgesia
C&S
ear flush
massage aural base abscess to remove debris

56
Q

when do we consider TECA-LBO in rabbits

A

if the ear infections are recurrent or non-responsive to treatments

57
Q

what are the risks of TECA-LBO in rabbits

A

facial nerve paralysis, vestibular disease

58
Q

can we treat E. cuniculi

A

we can ease symptoms and reduce inflammation, but we can’t reverse the damage already done

59
Q

Describe how to treat E. caniculi

A

isolate individuals, disinfect the environment, kill pathogens (fenbendazole), NSAIDs or steroids, gut support

euthanasia should be considered

60
Q

Describe how can we prevent E. cuniculi

A

quarantine new rabbits and treat them with fenbendazole (regular worming should be unertaken)

61
Q

Describe how to treat hepatic lipidosis

A

change diet slowly over 6 months

liver supplements - milk thistle, hepatosyl and lactulose

62
Q

how do we treat lead toxicity in birds

A

supportive treatment
calcium EDTA and remove metal particles from the GIT (endoscopically)

63
Q

how do we treat psittacosis in birds

A

Doxycycline for 45 days