Reptile conditions Flashcards
metabolic bone disease (MBD)
can take months to treat, damage is irreversible
what should the Ca+:Phosphorus ratio be like in a healthy reptile?
calcium should be a higher content in their diet than phosphorus
cause of MBD
Ca+:Phos ratio imbalance - too low calcium to too high phosphorus
calcium deficiency is worsened by vitamin D3 deficiency (make sure you are supplementing the correct type of vitamin D)
MBD treatment
increased UVB exposure and calcium supplementation
MBD CS
symmetrical bilateral swelling of mandible, spondylosis (degenerative condition of vertebrae)
what can cause regurgitation?
stress, handling after eating, too large a prey, cold snake
are abscesses common in reptiles?
yes
increased incidence can occur in juveniles due to: growth demands requiring better husbandry, developing immune system, pair/group housing resulting in cagemate aggression/stress
which types of abscesses are common in males?
hemipane or copulatory organ abscesses
what conditions can predispose reptiles to developing abscesses?
active or highly stressed reptiles that don’t acclimate to captive life
risk factors leading to development of abscesses
poor husbandry/stress and trauma
stomatitis
“mouth rot”
stomatitis causes
stress and poor husbandry
stomatitis CS
petechia, swelling, exudate
paraphimosis
prolapse
variety: cloacal, hemipenile, phallus
causes of paraphimosis
dystocia, trauma, parasitic infection, probing, MBD
what can we do for dystocia in a gravid female?
try to change the temperature or housing/birthing nest
can also use manual manipulation to help remove eggs
how is dystocia diagnosed?
radiographs
all female chelonians not doing well should get radiographs
treatment for dystocia
oxytocin injections or surgery
dystocia CS
anorexia, excessive digging, wear to hindlegs and plastron, straining, weakness
gout
accumulation of excess urates in joints and causes them to become swollen
associated with poor nutrition and dehydration
what are factors of a reptile’s ability to excrete excess uric acid?
it depends on the amount of protein they are fed, frequency of the protein being fed, and hydration status
if uric acid is not excreted properly, it accumulates in the joints, kidneys, or around organs (liver, spleen, heart, lungs)
it can also accumulate in the mucus membranes in the mouth
how is gout classified?
articular gout: accumulation in the joints
visceral gout: accumulation in/around the organs
gout trophi: accumulation in the gingiva
what factors can predispose a reptile to gout?
diets too high in protein or diets containing inappropriate proteins, dehydration, altered kidney function
articular gout CS
raised cream-colored masses on joints of toes, ankles, or wrists; trouble moving due to joint pain and edema
sign of gout trophi
mucous membranes in oral cavity have raised whitish spherical swellings
gout treatment
fluids, supportive care, surgery is an option to improve pain and mobility (uric acid crystal buildup is scraped out of joints)
pyramiding
shell condition
caused by husbandry, can be a form of MBD, increased protein in diet, increased fat in diet, low humidity
shell rot
shell condition
soft or deformed shell, abnormal scute growth
SCUD
septicemic cutaneous ulcerative disease
can become a generalized illness
SCUD treatment
wound debridement, systemic antibiotics
prevent through good sanitation
what are the methods of shell repair for trauma?
superficial cracks can be repaired with fiberglass cloth impregnated with resin or dental acrylic
extensive fractures need to be wire closed first, aid with supportive care while shell slowly heals
vitamin A deficiency CS
conjunctivitis, blepharitis (swollen eyelids), nasal d/c, dyspnea, ear abscesses
vitamin A deficiency treatment
correct the deficiency and supplement
beware of over-supplementation which can cause dry flaky skin and skin sloughing which can lead to secondary infection
respiratory infections
common in turtles since they can’t clear discharge easily by coughing since they don’t have a diaphragm
respiratory infections CS
ocular and nasal d/c, dyspnea, sunken eyes, generalized dull coloration, aquatic turtles may lose buoyancy
which type of reptile is more prone to developing pneumonia?
snakes with mouth, sinus, or eye infections because of their glottis location (on floor of the mouth)
pneumonia pathology
gram-negative pathology
pneumonia CS
cyanosis, bubbles from nares/glottis, wheezing, crackling on auscultation, petechia of oral cavity
what factors predispose a reptile to contracting pneumonia?
poor husbandry conditions: low cage temperature, inadequate nutrition
beak deformities
occur with nutritional osteodystrophy
can overgrow and need to be trimmed
trauma can cause deformities
pinworm parasites
don’t usually cause disease in low numbers
may support gut health in herbivorous lizards
no CS or change in feces seen
what can be used as a treatment for a high number of pinworms that is causing infection?
Fenbendazole and clean environment
Fenbendazole can cause toxicity so we only use if necessary
mite check
mites appear as black/gray/red tiny spots
may look like scales but are a different color
vesicular dermatitis
snake condition
“blister disease”
what does a white substance around the nares indicate?
normal excretion of sodium electrolytes
vesicular dermatitis causes
poor hygiene: dirty/humid
vesicular dermatitis CS
blisters filled with bacteria that cause septicemia and death
paramyxovirus
snake respiratory disease
mostly seen in vipers
no treatment, just supportive care
inclusion body disease (IBD)
snake condition
viral infection in boids
unknown route of transmission but probably arthropods
slow progression to neurologic signs: head tremors, disorientation, loss of righting reflex
no treatment, all animals eventually die
cryptosporidia
snake condition
protozoan
no safe/effective treatment
cryptosporidia infection CS
midbody swelling (prevents proper absorption of food because parasite can live in small intestine), weight loss, regurgitation
which type of stain is used to diagnose a cryptosporidia infection?
acid fast stain because the oocytes are very small (< 4 microns)
brumation
hibernation
what functions does brumation affect?
affects life expectancy (allows them to reach full life expectancy), maintains normal hormonal activity, affects reproductive hormone stimulation/synchronization
signs of imminent hibernation
declining appetite, declining activity, burrowing, hiding
what is the single most important factor in most reptiles for stimulating ovulation/spermatogenesis?
temperature drop
should reptiles be allowed to hibernate?
yes, healthy adults should be allowed to if they have the urge to hibernate
semi-hibernation is damaging though
what care should be provided during hibernation?
proper humidity with ventilation, dark cool environment, feed balanced diet with vitamin supplement, pull food 10 days prior, soak 2-3x a week, remove heat source for a week, temperature should be 50-55 F for 3-4 months, monitor, weigh every 3 weeks
