Other Exotics

Question 1

Topic: Salmonellosis

1. What is the etiologic agent?
2. What are the clinical signs seen in reptiles and poultry? What about other animals?
3. How is this treated?
4. How is this prevented?

Answer 1

1. S. enterica subsp. enterica
2. Typically asymptomatic
   - Older animals: Gastroenteritis, without septicemia (see Gastroenteritis and septicemia in humans!)
3. Healthy animals usually don’t need treatment! If so, tx with AB.
4. Cull or isolate carriers in a herd
   - Careful food handling
   - wash hands after touching animals

Question 2

Topic: Encephalitozoonosis in Rabbits

1. What is the etiology?
2. Is this a common disease?
3. List the clinical signs.
4. How is this disease diagnosed?
5. How is it treated?
6. Prognosis?

Answer 2

1. Encephalitozoon cuniculi
   - Eukaryotic organism, phylum Microsporidia, kingdom Fungi
2. Widespread disease, present in 50-75% rabbit colonies
3. Behavior changes, head tilt, nystagmus, ataxia, rolling, seizures, renal pathology, phacouveitis, pneumonitis
4. IIF (indirect immunofluorescence), ELISA Positive result indicates exposure, not cause of disease
   - Repeat titers 3-4 weeks later
   - Urine antibody analysis, CSF
5. Tx with benzimidazoles
   * Oxibendazole, fenbendazole, albendazole
6. Risk of bone marrow suppression, death

Question 3

Topic: Rabbit AB sensitivity

What AB are not used in rabbits and why?

Answer 3

Some antibiotics suppress normal flora, allow pathogens to proliferate
◦ Clindamycin
◦ Lincomycin
◦ Ampicillin
◦ Amoxicillin (+/- clavulanic acid)
◦ Cephalosporins
◦ Many penicillins (oral)
◦ Erythromycin

Question 4

Topic: Heat Stroke in Rabbits

Question 5

Topic: Anesthesia - Fish (MS222)

Question 6

Topic: Insulinoma

1. An insulinoma is a tumor of what organ?
2. Describe the pathogenesis of this disease.
3. This is very common in ferrets within what age range?
4. What are the most common clinical signs?
5. How is this condition treated?

Answer 6

1. Of the pancreas. The tumor itself is derived of beta cells secreting insulin.
2. Under normal conditions, beta cells secrete insulin when blood glucose levels are high. This release of insulin brings blood glucose levels back down to normal. Insulinomas secrete an unregulated amount of insulin –> hypoglycemia.
3. > 5 yrs of age
4. A. Hypoglycemia; BG < 60 mg/dl (normal 80-120); remember that glucose levels can vary so this is only suggestive. Need to perform a fasting glucose to confirm.
   B. Neurologic signs
   C. Symptoms resolve when glucose or food is administered.
5. Surgical removal of the pancreas. However, recurrence rates are high: 40% over a 10 month post-op period.

Question 7

Topic: Distemper

1. What are the c/s?
2. How is it diagnosed?
3. How is it treated?
4. What is the prognosis?
5. How can it be prevented?

Answer 7

1. A. Depression, fever, anorexia
   B. Severe mucopurulent rhinitis, conjunctivitis
   C. Dermatitis on chin and in inguinal area
   D. Diarrhea, dehydration
   E. Neurological signs
   F. Hyperkeratosis (“hardpad disease”)
2. A. Clinical signs
   B. Serum titers (IFAT)
   C. PCR on whole blood
   D. Histopathology
3. Supportive care
4. Grave; Almost 100% fatal
5. Vaccinate!

Question 8

Topic: Adrenal Gland Disease

1. What are the c/s?
2. How is it diagnosed?
3. How is it treated?
4. What is the prognosis?

Answer 8

1. A. Middle-aged ferret
   B. Progressive, symmetrical, nonpruritic, bilateral alopecia (esp.
   females)
   C. Shivering and depression
   D.Vulvar swelling in females
   E. Stranguria or urinary blockage in males (due to enlarged
   hyperadrenocorticism prostate)
2. A. Clinical signs highly suggestive
   B. May be able to palpate enlarged adrenals
   C. Ovarian hormonal panel: See increased androstenedione,
   estradiol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone
   D. Ultrasound:Abnormal adrenal shape and size, enlarged
   prostate in males
3. A. Melatonin (oral or implant): Helps with fur regrowth, does NOT alter disease course
   B. GnRH agonists (e.g, deslorelin,leuprolide)
   C. Adrenalectomy: Left gland easier to remove, right gland is adjacent to vena cava
4. Fair for short term, poor for long term because it recurs

Question 9

Topic: Vitamin C Deficiency

Answer 9

Question 10

Topic: Estrogen induced anemia - ferrets

Question 11

Topic: Human influenza - ferrets

Question 12

Topics: Cuterebriasis in rabbits

Answer 12

Question 13

Topic: Newcastle disease
1. Etiology & transmission
2. CS
3. Dx
4. Tx
5. Prevention

Answer 13

1. avian paramyxovirus; exhaled air, respiratory discharge, and feces
2. Sudden death is sometimes the only finding; no pathognomonic c/s
   - Decrease in egg production; shells are soft and abnormal in shape
   - Necropsy: hemorrhages of the proventricular mucosa and intestinal serosa
3. Viral isolation via oropharyngeal or cloacal swabs, RT-PCR
4. None
5. Vaccination, strict biosecurity

Remember: Newcastle disease is REPORTABLE and his highly contagious!!!

Question 14

Topic: Aeromonas hydrophila

1. AKA?
2. Etiologic agent
3. C/S
4. Tx

Answer 14

1. “Red Sore Disease,”“Hemorrhagic Septicemia”
2. Gram-negative rod found in fresh and brackish water
3. erythema and redness of the skin
4. oxytetracycline medicated feed

Question 15

Topics: Edwardsiella ictalurid

Question 16

Topic: Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease

1. What is the signalment & etiology? What is this also called?
2. What are the c/s?
3. How is this diagnosed?
4. How is this treated?
5. What is the prognosis?
6. How is it transmitted?

Answer 16

1. Psittacines, esp. cockatoo; Circovirus; Pachecho’s disease
2. A. Progressive feather loss (down feathers first, then flight and
   contour feathers)
   B. Beak necrosis with chronicity
   C. Immune suppression
3. PCR on blood/ feces/ swabs/ feathers
4. None, supportive care
5. Poor; usually progressive and fatal; Circovirus infects pulp of new, growing feathers
6. Vertical and horizontal transmission

Question 17

Topic: Pet Bird Toxicities

Describe the toxic principles for each of the following:
1. Chicken
2. Cheese
3. Avocado
4. Blueberries
5. Hot Peppers

Answer 17

A toxin, known as persin, is a phytochemical found in the Guatemalan type of avocado which causes myocardial necrosis in the budgerigar, parrot and possibly other pet bird species.

Blueberries and peppers (even “hot” peppers) are not toxic to psittacines.

Chicken and cheese are high in fats and are not appropriate to feed parrots, but there is no toxicity associated with them.

Question 18

A cockatiel presents with a large yellow-orange mass on the tip of its wing and also on its breast. You perform a fine needle aspirate and cytology reveals macrophagic inflammation with multi-nucleated giant cells and cholesterol clefts. What is your diagnosis? What is the etiology? What species are most commonly affected?

Answer 18

A xanthoma is a benign growth composed of lipids and cholesterol accumulations and is most prevalent in cockatiels, budgies and cockatoos. They are typically non-aggressive, but at times can become locally invasive causing irritation and self-mutilation of the site. The etiology is unknown but a high fat diet and inactivity may contribute.

Question 19

Topic: Aspergillosis

1. Name the etiologic agent.
2. What species are commonly affected?
3. How is it transmitted?
4. What are the clinical signs?
5. How is it diagnosed?
6. How is it treated?

Answer 19

1. his is caused by Aspergillus fumigatus.
2. It is common among raptors, penguins, and waterfowl but not psittacines except under poor husbandry, stress, or immunodeficiency.
3. Transmission is by inhalation of spores.
4. There may be a history of respiratory signs (acute or chronic).
5. A. Post-mortem: Fungal plaques on the air sacs and thickening of the air sacs.
   B. Antemortem diagnosis can be made by transtracheal wash with culture and cytology.
6. Treatment is with antifungals such as amphotericin B or -azole antifungal agents.

Question 20

Why is ultrasounding birds typically unrewarding?

Answer 20

Ultrasounding birds is unrewarding due to their air sacs which do not allow visualization of coelomic structures.

Question 21

Topic: Derm

1. Define a feather cyst. Where are they commonly found?
2. Describe the pathogenesis.
3. How is it treated?

Answer 21

Feather cysts are the avian equivalent of an ingrown hair. A growing feather is unable to protrude through the skin and curls within the follicle. Since feathers are much larger than hairs, cysts can be quite large and painful. They commonly are found in the primary feathers of the wing. The cysts contain keratinized feather material that can be expressed or excised but commonly recur. Treatment of choice is surgical removal of the involved feather follicle.

Question 22

Topic: Feather Picking

1. List the causes of feather picking.

Answer 22

1. BPA Is Infectious 2 Endocrine Systems

B - Behavior
P - Pain response (arthritis, growing feather, feather cyst; pain is localized in these cases)
A - Aggression from conspecifics (e.g. breeding season)

I - Improper husbandry (diet lacking essential FAs, low humidity)
I - Infectious (Dermatitis, hypersensitivity reactions, parasites, psittacine beak and feather disease)
E - Hypothyroidism (ACTH stim to diagnose)

Question 23

Topic: Egg binding

Answer 23

Egg binding = failure of egg to pass through oviduct at a normal rate
* Dystocia = egg causing obstruction
* Common dystocia locations
◦ Caudal uterus
◦ Vagina
◦ Junction of vagina and cloaca
* Predisposing factors
* Multifactorial:
- Muscle dysfunction, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, stress, infection, systemic disease, damage to the uterus from previous egg, malformed egg

C/S: depression, lethargy, unwillingness to fly, wide based stance, straining, fluffed at botom of enclosure, tail bob

dx: PE, diagnostic imaging

Treatment
1. Correct metabolic disturbances
A. Stabilize patient
B. Fluid therapy
a. +/- Antibiotic therapy
C. Keep prolapsed tissue lubricated
2. Egg removal
A. Warm, humid, quiet environment
B. Calcium supplementation
C. Oxytocin
D. Prostaglandin (Lutylase, PGE2 Propodyl gel, Misoprostol)
E. Manual manipulation
a. Ovocentesis
F. If all else fails –> Salpingotomy or Salpingohysterectomy

Question 24

Topic: Proventricular Dilatation Disease

1. What is the etiology and signalment?
2. What are the c/s?
3. How is this diagnosed?
4. How is this treated?
5. What is the prognosis?
6. How is it transmitted?

Answer 24

1. Bornavirus;Any psittacine species, rare in small species
2. Birds can be asymptomatic for years
   A. Progressive loss of weight and condition
   B. Pass undigested food/seeds in feces
   C. Regurgitation common +/- diarrhea, secondary infections
3. A. Live bird: Radiology, fluoroscopy, crop biopsy
   B. Dead bird:Necropsy reveals enlarged proventriculus,
   lymphoid infiltrates in GI nerve ganglia
4. Provide easily digestible food, Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), Isolation/biosecurity
5. Prognosis poor for those with clinical signs
6. Fecal-oral transmission; Causes lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates around autonomic nerve ganglia in the walls of GI tract, especially proventriculus and crop, +/- brain –> paralysis and dilation of the proventriculus and maldigestion

Question 25

Chlamydia 1. What are the key clinical signs of this disease? 2. How is this diagnosed? 3. How is this treated? 4. Is this disease zoonotic?

Answer 25

1. Yellow/lime green urates, tail bob, depressed, anorexic, +/- upper respiratory signs, conjunctivitis 2. - Antemortem: PCR or serology on a choanal or chloanal swab OR blood sample. - Postmortem: Histpath, elementary bodies in hepatocytes or other cells 3. Tetracycline antibiotics (ideally doxycycline) 4. Yes this disease is reportable & zoonotic! If you see an owner with flu-like symptoms - this is Chlamydia

Question 26

Hypovitaminosis A 1. What are the key clinical signs? 2. How is it diagnosed? 3. How is it treated? 4. What are the c/s of overdosing the medication used to tx this disease?

Answer 26

1. Swollen and closed eyes +/- discharge - Lethargy, depression, weight loss 2. Based on physical, dietary history, and response to treatment 3. A. Injectable or oral vitamin A overdosing B. Feed carotene-rich foods C. +/- AB for secondary infection 4. Signs of Vitamin A overdose include anorexia, skin sloughing, and edema.

Question 27

Stomatitis ? Inclusion body disease in snakes?

Question 28

Dysecdysis 1. AKA?

Answer 28

1. Retained shed

Question 29

Ichthypohthirius White spots on fish Dx: skin scraping Tx with formalin and increase tank temperature

Question 30

Tank/pond management