Renal disease in birds and reptiles

Question 1

what is important to remember about urine in birds and reptiles

Answer 1

birds and reptiles have limited ability to concentrate urine

Question 2

All birds and most reptiles lack a urinary bladder- what are the exceptions

Answer 2

chelonia
chameleons

Question 3

how is nitrogen excreted in birds and reptiles

Answer 3

as urice acid

Question 4

List 5 possible more specific signs of renal disease in birds

Answer 4

PU/PD
uni/bilateral hindlimb paralysis
haematuria
feather plucking over kidneys
Articular (& visceral) gout

Question 5

What is not usually a feature of reptile renal disease

Answer 5

PU/PD

Question 6

List 4 more specific signs of renal disease in reptiles

Answer 6

hindlimb weakness
constipation
gout
oedema (nephrotic syndrome)

Question 7

How dehydrated should we assume all ‘sick’ birds and reptiles are

Answer 7

5-10%

Question 8

What can be a good indicator of dehydration in birds

Answer 8

basilic wing vein refill time

Question 9

List 8 common causes of primary renal disease in birds

Answer 9

Inadequate diet
Hypovitaminosis A
Hypervitaminosis D3
Lipidosis
Heavy metal toxicity
Infection
Neoplasia
Amyloidosis

Question 10

List 4 common cause of primary renal disease in reptiles

Answer 10

inadequate husbandry
chronic dehydration
bacterial infection
neoplasia

Question 11

Describe visceral gout

Answer 11

accumulation of urate (uric acid) deposits in soft tissues e.g. liver, pericardium and kidney

Question 12

Describe articular gout

Answer 12

accumulation of urate (uric acid) deposits in and around joints e.g. often feet and hocks.

Question 13

How does gout occur

Answer 13

Gout occurs when uric acid secretion is decreased and/or uric acid production is increased.

Question 14

what causes increased uric acid production

Answer 14

excess dietary protein

Question 15

List 5 things that can cause decreased uric acid secretion

Answer 15

Dehydration
Renal tubular disease
Hypovitaminosis A
Infection/inflammation
Post-renal obstruction e.g. uroliths, egg binding

Question 16

Describe how uric acid levels change in birds/reptiles in renal disease

Answer 16

elevated only when >70% kidney function lost
mild to no elevation in dehydration

Question 17

What test can be used to confirm gout in reptiles/birds

Answer 17

Murexide test
Sample of material (e.g. joint aspirate) is mixed with nitric acid and dried over flame

Question 18

Describe general treatment of a sick bird

Answer 18

keep warm, quiet, away from predators
fluids
crop feed once bird tolerates oral fluids (build up)

Question 19

List 2 antibiotics that can be nephrotoxic to birds

Answer 19

aminoglycosides
TMPS if bird severely dehydrated