Reproductive Disease in Avian and Exotic Species Flashcards
List 8 clinical signs of a reproductive problem in reptiles
lethargy
anorexia
bloated/ distended celomic cavity
dysponea
lamness- mainly tortoises
straining
behaviour changes
List 10 clinical signs of a reproductive problem in birds
lethargy
inappetance
bloated
dysponea
seizure
separation from group
lameness
straining
‘fluffed’ up appearance
behaviour changes
List 6 common conditions that affect reptile repro tract
prolapse
imapctions
hypocalcaemia
pre-ovulatory ovarian stasis
post-ovulatory egg stasis
neoplasia
What is the first step of treating a prolapse in a reptile
identify the prolapsed organ
List 3 organs that get prolapsed in reptiles
hemipene
cloaca
uterine
List 7 common causes of prolapses
constipation
Endoparasites
Impaction
Egg binding
Egg in the bladder
Cystitis/bladder stones
Traumatic copulation
name one reptile that is an induced ovulator
tortoises
Describe what occurs in pre-ovulatory ovarian stasis
Ovaries produce follicles but they never ovulate so they increase in volume and size each year Space occupying effect –> Fatal.
Describe how to treat pre-ovulatory ovarian stasis
surgical
Describe how to treat post-ovulatory egg stasis in reptiles
surgical, medical or husbandry management
What do you need to identify when treat post-ovulatory egg stasis
whether obstructive or non-obstructive
List 4 causes of obstructive dystocia in reptiles
Uroliths
Egg/foetus oversize
Pelvic abnormalities
Renomegaly
List 4 causes of non-obstructive dystocia
Hypocalcaemia
Inadequate husbandry, diet, nesting site etc.
Poor muscle tone
Dehydration
List 8 common avian repro conditions
Sexual frustration
Chronic egg laying
Abnormal eggs
Egg binding
prolapse
Coelomitis (egg yolk peritonitis)
Salpingitis (inflammation of the oviduct)
Neoplasia
in what birds can sexual frustration be a problem in
pet parrots who live alone
List 4 things that a bird that is lonely more likely to show
excessive regurgitation
feather plucking
jealousy and aggression
excessive egg laying
List 6 ways to prevent sexual frustration in birds
share interactions between household
avoid stroking down length of back
avoid certain behaviours e.g. mouth to beak feeding
Do not positively reinforce courtship behaviours e.g. regurgitation
Remove mirrors in their cage so they cannot self-bond.
Keeping them as a pair (depending on species)
what birds is chronic egg laying common in
captive cockatiels , lovebirds and budgies
List 5 things that chronic egg laying can lead to
Uterine inertia
Calcium depletion
Egg binding
Yolk coelomitis
Osteoporosis
List 5 predisposing factors of avian chronic egg laying
Increased photoperiod
Food type (e.g. high fat)
Presence of actual or perceived mates
Toys, owners, mirrors, other birds
Short-circuit in the reproductive hard-wiring
List 5 common causes of egg binding in birds
malformed eggs
chronic egg laying
systemic disease
lack of exercise
genetic predsposition
List 4 things that avian egg binding can lead to
circulatory disorders
lameness
pressure necrosis of the oviduct
Metabolic disturbances by interfering with normal defecation and micturition, and cause ileus and renal disease.
What is Coelomitis
Inflammation of the celomic cavity (mammal equivalent is peritonitis).
Celomic cavity because fluid filled
List 4 common causes of coelomitis
ectopic eggs
ovarian neoplasia
cystic ovarian disease
oviductal disease e.g. salpingitis
What happens to total calcium levels in female birds and reptiles when they are reproductively active
increased
What do you see on radiography with Pre-Ovulatory Ovarian Stasis
lateral view shows reduced lung field but no eggs
What do you see on bloods with Pre-Ovulatory Ovarian Stasis
increased total calcium (causes you to suspect a reproductive cause)
What do you see on ultrasound with Pre-Ovulatory Ovarian Stasis
via prefemoral fossa, can visualise follicles (or CT scan).
Describe how to diagnose post-ovulatory egg stasis
radiograph- will see the eggs
Decsribe how to diagnose coelomitis
history of prior egg laying
distended abdomen
Radiograph: fluid filled/soft tissue density throughout the celomic cavity.
Celomic aspirate showed a large volume of cloudy fluid with evidence of egg yolk.
Decsribe how to treat prolapses in birds/reptiles
Lubricate and replace or amputate prolapses, can place stay sutures to prevent future prolapses. + treat underlying cause!
what does a salpingotomy do
remove eggs only (can breed again)
is a possible treatment of post-ovulatory egg stasis/ egg binding
what does Ovariosalpingectomy remove
remove oviduct and ovaries
is a possible treatment of post-ovulatory egg stasis/ egg binding
what is an ovocentesis
Needle is inserted into an egg and its contents aspirated under GA (via cloaca or percutaneous
then manually move the egg
possible treatment of post-ovulatory egg stasis / egg binding
List 4 potenital husbandry corretions for reptiles
correct dietary deficiencies
correct temp and humidity
bathe and keep hydrated
Ensure access to an appropriate substrate/ nesting site for the species
List 6 possible husbandry corrections for birds
Decrease photoperiod (8-10 hrs)
Remove real/perceived mates.
Prevent nesting by removing all shredable/nesting material
Reduce the amount and calorie(fat) content of food
Increase exercise and foraging time
Stop stroking and petting and mouth to mouth actions
do we routinely neuter reptiles
No
outside breeding seasons repro tract hard to find
husbandry key to healthy repro
where are the ovaries attached in the bird
to the dorsal abdominal wall, the cranial renal artery and the common iliac vein overlay them
how are birds ‘neutered’
not surgically
generally done via hormone impalnts
T/F castrating a cockerel is legal in the UK
False
