Reptile husbandry and healthcare Flashcards
What is an ectotherm and what is POTZ
-Ectotherm means that the animal cannot generate own metabolic heat, and it gets as cold as whatever environment it is in
-POTZ stands for preferred optimum temperature range, and every reptile has their own POTZ
How should you house tortoises
-On a tortoise table, never in a tank
-Tortoises need good ventilation because they get pneumonia easily
Which reptiles are herbivores, insectivores, and omnivores
Herbivores: iguana, uromastyx
Insectivores: chameleon, leopard gecko, water dragon
Omnivores: bearded dragons, tegu
What types of foods and supplements should you provide an herbivore
-Leafy greens (high in calcium)
-Dandelions, pak choy
-Add calcium and/or Vit D supplements
-Avoid salad greens
What types of foods should you provide insectivores, and what must owners do before feeding
-Locusts, crickets, mealworms (invertebrates high in chitin, inverse Ca:P ratio)
-Owners must: gut load insects with food high in calcium, dust with calcium powder
What types of food should you provide for omnivores
-Insects, leafy greens, eggs, small mice, tegus love fruit
What type of eater are tortoises
Mainly herbivore, so feed leafy greens, dandelions, huge demand for Ca because of shell
What foods should you feed most chelonians
-They are omnivores, so feed turtle pellets, whitebait, liver, mealworms, earthworms, leafy greens
What foods should you avoid for reptiles
-Dried shrimp mix because its low in vit A, calcium, and protein
-Muscles meats because causes an inverse Ca:P ratio resulting in metabolic bone disease and hypovitaminosis A
What are clincial signs and treatment of hypovitaminosis A
-Clinical signs: blepharedema, anorexia, secondary pneumonia, aural abscess
-Treatment: oral Vit A, tube feeding, dietary advice from vet, surgery if necessary
-No shrimp or muscles meat
What is the most important zoonosis from reptiles
-Salmonella
What advice to the public should be given about handling/owning reptiles in regard to salmonella exposure
-Wash hands after handling reptiles
-Never eat, smoke, or drink when handling reptiles
-Elderly, immunocompromised, and children under 5 should not handle reptiles
-Fecal material should be flushed not rinsed in sink
-Vivarium and utensils should be cleaned in separate sink/shower than ones used for humans
Why do reptiles get so sick
-Excrete uric acid and often dehydrated, so uric acid builds up in BVs, crystallizes and causes hyperuremia and gout
-Chronic illness not uncommon
-Reptiles suffer in silence
Where do we sample blood on snakes/lizards an chelonians
-Snakes/lizards: ventral tail vein, cardiac (small snakes)
-Chelonians: jugular vein, dorsal tail vein, ,subcarapacial sinus
How do we rehydrate reptiles
-Soaking in water baths, encourages drinking, cloacal absorption
-Subcutaneous
-Stomach tubing
-Soaking also helps stimulate excretion and aids shedding
