NTCA Medicine - Reptiles Flashcards
What if one of the more common issues reptiles present with?
Anorexia
Detail Anorexia in reptiles
- CLS nor dx
- Many causes
- Need full investigation -> History, CE, Vloods, Faecal analysis, Imaging, infectious testing
What initial treatment for Reptiles with anorexia?
- Warm, rehydrate the initial feeds 0.5-1% of BW
- Reptoboost, Emraid Intensive care
- Syringe feed , oesophagostomy tubes esp in chelonians
What does NSHP stand for?
Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
How is NSHP also reffered to?
Metabolic Bone dx
How causes NSHP
Low levels of dietary calcium causes release fo PTH hormne -> Calium released from bones
What can predispose to NSHP?
Low levels of Vit D (UV light) as this enhances calcium absorption
Causes & signs of NSHP in Tortoises?
- Deiatry deficiency of Ca or vit 1, high growth rate
- Pyramidine of shell, squishy shell, overgrown beaks and claws, dystocia
Diagnosis of NHSP in tortoises?
History, CA but X ray will show poor bone density
- Bloods - Ca may be normal due to mobilisation from bone - elevated Phosphate
Prognosis - NHSP torotise?
Poor if sheel is very soft )> euthanasia
OTherwise tx for NHSP?
Correct husbandry & provie oral calcium
Lizards get HSHP too - what signs?
- Deformities, fractures, limb paralysis, wasting, abnormal flexiblity, pliable jaw, kyphosis , inability to retract tongue, tremors
Who is NSHP more common in (lizards)?
Growing or female individuals
Tx for NSHP (lizzard)?
Corretc husba,ndry, prive calcium and U, analgesia, euthanasia if advanced
NSHP IN snakes?
Uncommon if fed whole prey which contains enough vitD and Ca
Reptiles don’t have a ……? which means they can’t ….?
diaphragm … cough
Resp features - snakes?
Cnakes only have a right lunc and air sac, except boas and pythons which also have a small left lung
What sign of resp dx in aquatic species (i.e. terrapin)?
Reduced buoyancy
What predisp to resp dx?
Low temp and humidity, poor hygiene, no quarantine with new animals added to collection
Upper or Lower Resp dx more common in snakes?
Lower
What causes of resp dx in snakes?
inappropriate temp/humidity, small enclosure, inclusion body disease (IBD, arenavirus), ophidian paramyxovirus
Dx of resp dx in snakes?
swab for culture / PCR radiography / CT
Tx of resp dx in snakes?
Nebulisation, coupage, ABs on culture , correct husbandry
Upper or lower Resp dx more common in tortoises?
Upper
Causes in tortoise resp dx?
Herpesvirus and Mycoplasma
Post hibernation or mixing with other tortoises
Signs of resp dx in tortoises?
Bilat nasal discharge, ocular discharge, stomatitis, lethargy, anorexia
Dx for resp dx tortoise?
Swab for PCR testing - oral or nasal
Tx for resp dx in tortoises?
Tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones for Mycoplasma, acyclovir for herpesvirus
Who commonly gets ocular dx ?
Common in leopard geckos as they have mobile eyelids
CLS of ocular dx?
Retained skin usually inked to low vit D. Odema ulceration, conjunctivitis shed material build up
Tx & prevention for ocular dx?
Tx: flush and clean eyes, tooical ntibacterial eye drops and lubricant correct husbandry esp humidity to aid shedding
Px: addition of vit A to diet (gut loading) invertebrates with multivit supp
What ocular dx in tortoises?
Often due to mycoplasma
Occular dx in Terrapins
hypovit A - swelling of eyelids
Snake occular dx?
- Retained spectacle with dysecdysis
- Subspectacular abscesses also poss due to infection or trauma - eye will appear opaque and enlarged
Require advanced care, GA to excise and drain
Describe Dysecdysis (causes)
- Often toes and eyelids in lizards esp leopard geckos
- caused by inappropriate humidity/ tmep lack of rough surfaces , low vit A (squamous metaplasia), dehydration or ill health in snakes
Tx for dysecdysis?
- Correct husbandry, soak in warm water and gently pull away
- Retained spectacle: lubricate inc humidity and leave until next shed
Describe Burns in reptiles
- due to heat without guard heat mats
- Topical tx e.g. silver sulfadiazine , analgesia, fluids, dressings
- Paper towel substrate while healing
- systemic ABs if infected
What is the name of the snake mite?
Ophionyssus natricus
Describe snake mite.
- Affect lizzard too eg bearded dragon
- can be seen by naked eye usually around head
- can cause dysecdysis, irritation and may transmit oPMV
- Live in environment too
Treatment for EctoPs
- Treat with fipronil on cloth wiped on animal
- Treat environment and ventilate
Name of Yellow fungus disease?
Chyrsosporium anamorph of Nanniiopsis vriesii (CANV)
Describe Yellow fungus dx?
- Bearded dragons
Yellow-brown crusting skin lesions - Biopsy for culture an dhistopath
- High mortality
- systemic and topical antifungals like itraconazole
- Monitor liver parameters as long tx time
What other BACTERIAL derm dx look similar to Yellow Fungus dx?
Devriesia agamarum
What can cause Neuro dx in snakes?
- oPMV
- IBD
- Other viruses emerging
How do snakes get oPMV?
Transmission via direct contact and snake mites
CLS of oPMV?
Reduced righting reflex, stargazing, respiratory and GI signs also
DX, Tx, Pg oPMV?
Dx: PCR oral swab
Tx: Supportive, euthanasia avised
- Prevention, quarantine new individuals and tx of snake mites
Describe IBD in snakes
- Common in boas and pythons
- GI & neuro signs
- PCR diagnosis via oral swab or blood sample. - - - Inclusion bodies seen on histopath - either biopsy of organs on at post-mortem
supportive tx
What neurological dx do other reptiles get?
Adenovirus. & Hypocalcaemia
Describe adenovirus
- Bearded dragons
- Tremors, ataxia, reduced growth, death , GI signs
- PCR oral or cloacal
- No tx
Describe hypocalcaemia (neurological)
- weakness, seizures, tremors
- Blood smaple - low ionised calcium
- calcium gluconate injections or oral supplementation
- Related to NSHP/MBD
What other Gastro-intestinal disease do reptiles get?
- Endoparasites
- Stomatitis and periodontitis
- Impaction
- Neoplasia
What endoparasites dop reptiles get?
- OXyurid (pinworms)
- Coccidia
- Cryptosporidium
Describe oxyurids
- Low numbers non-pathogenic
- If causing D+, weight loss or anorexia then tx needed or if high numbers present
Dx & Tx for oxyurids
Dx: Saturate salt or zinc sulphate solution for flotation, also seen on direct smear
Tx: fenbendazole
Coccidia describe (who and what CLS)
- Pathogenic in bearded dragons and chameleons if moderate amount or younger animals
- Diarrhoea, weight loss, reduced growth
Diagnosis & Tx of coccidia
Dx: faecal analysis
Tx: potentiated sulphonamides or toltrazuril
Who gets Cryptosporidium,?
What CLS?
- Leopard geckos in intestine
- Anorexia, weight loss, D+
Dx & Tx of crypto?
Dx: PCR on faeces
If emaciated- euthanasia
Otherwise tx with paromomycin - variable success - can be carriers
Crypto effect on stomach in snakes?
Regurg, weight loss, so need gastric lavage
Who gets periodontitis?
common in acrodoent lizards
What causes of periodontitis?
older age, poor diet (fruit), obesity or low BCS
CLS of Periodontitis?
Staining of teeth, tartar, gingivitis, oestomyelitis
Dx Periodontitis?
Radiography, culture, usually gram-negative bacteria
Yx of Periodontitis ?
Debride and descale under GA, topical iodine or chlorhexidine, sometimes systemic ABs
What can stomatitis be linked to?
Periodontitis or due to trauma eg rostral abrasion common in Chinese water dragons housed in glass vivarium
In association with resp dx in snakes
Dx and Tx of Stomatitis
Dx via clinical exam, culture
Tx similar to periodontitis
Impaction - Cause & CLS ?
- Inappropriate substrate or feeding on substrate
- CLS : Straining, not passing faeces, observed ingestion of substrate
Dx & Tx of Impaction?
Dx: Coelomic palpation, radiography
Tx: is only a small amount e.g. sand - liquid paraffin , enemas, rehydrate. IF more severe - surgery
Prevention of Impaction?
Appropriate substrate, feed from tongs
What is a common reproductive dx in reptiles?
Follicular stasis
What is follicular stasis?
Ovarian follicles produced, enlarge, failure to ovulate or regress, compress organs -> can lead to rupture and sepsis
CLs of follicular stasis?
lethargy, anorexia, enlarged coelom
Dx of follifulcar stasis ?
In tortoises pre femoral US, non-progression over 4 weeks. US or sometimes Xray of lizards. If follicles are different sizes - abnormal
Blood sample will usually show leucopaenia, hyperalbuminaemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypercalcemia, elevated ALP
Tx for follicular stasis?
Bilateral ovariectomy or husbandry improvements if clinically well e.g. provide nesting site, oral calcium
What is Dystocia (egg retention) in tortoises due to?
Husbandry: hypoCa, inadequate nesting, inadequate temperatures
How do we find Dystocia?
Can present straining but also can be picked up oni pre-hibernation radiography
Tx for Dystocia?
- If well provide nesting site, oral calcium
- IF no mechanical obstruction then medical management such as injectable Ca gluconate and oxytocin
- If obstruction -> surgery
What kinds of prolapses can we get?
Penile, cloacal, bladder, intestinal.
What prolapse can be normal?
In tortoises intermittent prolapse of genitals can be normal
How to manage prolapses?
- Find underlying cause! hypoCa and parasites common
- Lavage, 50% dextrose; lubricant, reduce under anaethesia, cimple interrupted suture can be placed to hold temporarily
If necrotic penile prolapse…?
Amputation of phallus using transfixing ligatures
Describe Hemipene abscesses
Plugs and infections in male h-geckos common
- CLS: swelling & erythema of hemipenes, abscess, crusting, straining
Tx & prevention of hemipene abscess?
Tx: analgeisa, Ab, express GA sometiems surgery
- Linked to low vit A so prevention with supp
Describe bladder stones in reptiles
- Usually uric acid due to chronic dehydration
- Main C/S straining
- Dx: x-ray
- Cystotomy if unable to pass
What causes renal dx in reptiles?
severe dehydration, diets high in protein, infection, toxins
what signs of renal dx in reptiles?
non specific signs; anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, oedema, gout
What will bloods show if renal dx?
elevated uric acid, ideally renal biopsy for diagnosist
Tx for renal dx?
Fluid therapy, allopurinol if uric acid greater than 600mmol/L
What causes GOUT?
Failure to excrete uric acid -> buids up in joints and visceral organs
Can lead to chronic end stage renal dx or chronic dehydration
Dx and Tx of Gout?
Dx: uric acid leels on bloods, joint tap will see urate crystals on microscopy
Tx: Fluids and allopurinol
If visceral gout…?
poor prognosis
Prevention of gout?
ensure adequate water intake, avoid nephrotoci drugs
What can cause tail rot?
sometimes insect bites -> infection due to poor hygiene retained shed causing constriction also
CLS of tail rot & Dx?
CLS: necrosis fo tail, desicated, thinning, retained shed
Dx: Xray to check for fracture but amputation regardless
Describe amputation under GA ?
- Use autotomy plane for gecko and leave to heal by 2nd intention
- everything sutures in bearded dragon
What neoplasia can reptiles get?
- Gatsric neuroendocrine in bearded dragons
- SCC in bearded dragon & chalameon
- Lymphoma in snakes
Overgrown beak can be linked to …?
inappropriate diet (excess protein, hypovit A), lack of abrsive surface to feed on
Tx: correct husbandry & burning with dremel
Why do we see Aural abscesses?
Ascending infection from mouth so may be linked to stomatitis to resp dx
Hypovit A esp in semi-aquatic species
CLS,, Dx, TX of Aural Abscess?
CS: swelling of tympanic scute, purulent material in mouth
Dx: cytology, culture
Tx: surgical removal of abscess, analgesia, ABs
Where do we blood sample?
- Ventral tail vein in most lizards
- Tail requires GA in gecko due to tail autonomy; can use jugular
- Jugular, dorsal tial vein or subcarapacial sinus in chelonians
- Ventral tail vein in large snakes, cardiac puncture ideally under sedation or GA
How much blood?
0.5-0.8ml blood/100g
How do we do imaging on reptiles?
- Horizontal beam for Xray as no diaphragm to prevent mov of organs
