Nursing Reptiles Flashcards
What anatomy/physiology is important to consider in reptiles?
Regulate body temp. environmentally
Skin is inflexible, covered in scales and sheds as animal grows
Chelonia have a bony shell with nerves and a blood supply
Reptiles have no diaphragm - lung(s) are spongy and air is drawn in by muscular body movements
Single body cavity (coelom), hence abdominal surgery is referred to as coeliotomy rather than laparotomy
What parameters can we monitor in reptiles?
Weight Respiration rate Defecating/urinating Activity Shedding Environmental temperatures
What is the single most important thing to consider for hospitalised reptiles?
Control of environmental temperature is vital - heated tank/vivarium/tortoise table
How can we take blood samples in reptiles?
Lizards = ventral tail vein Snakes = ventral tail vein / cardiocentesis Chelonia = jugular / subvertebral sinus
How can we give medications to reptiles?
Topical
Oral
Injection - subcut, IM, IV, IO
By what routes can we administer fluid therapy?
Soaking (esp, Chelonia) Oral Intracoelomic Subcut (not much space) IV (difficult to maintain access) IO
What fluid therapy can we administer?
Normal saline or Hartmann’s
10-30ml/kg/day
How can we deliver assisted feeding to reptiles?
Stomach tube / oesophagostomy tube
Electrolytes and amino acids (Vetark critical care)
Grass-based (Oxbow critical care - fine grind)
Carnivores - Hills a/d or carnivore care
What analgesia can we provide to reptiles?
NSAIDs and opioids
Limited information, few studies
What parasites can reptiles get and how do we diagnose them?
Worms - Ascarids and Strongyles Flagellates Coccidia Ciliates Ticks Mites Diagnose with a wet preparation or faecal floatation
What are some common medical problems in reptiles?
Anorexia Impaction Metabolic bone disease Shell/scale rot Trauma - wounds/burns etc. Abscesses Retained shed (dysecdysis) Mouth rot Pneumonia Hypovitaminosis A Renal disease
What is metabolic bone disease?
Imbalance between calcium and phosphorous and lack of vitamin D3
What are the clinical signs of metabolic bone disease?
Shell deformity Fractures Rubber jaw Weakness Muscle tremors Seizures
How can we treat metabolic bone disease?
UV light
Calcium and vitamin D supplementation
Calcium and vitamin D injections
Describe retained shed (dysecdysis).
Results from poor husbandry - inadequate humidity
Snakes = retained spectacles, lizards = toes, mouths and eyes
Provide humidity e.g. shedding chamber
Gently ease off retained shed
