Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

AAA VMS4007 > Reptile Medicine > Flashcards

Reptile Medicine Flashcards

1
Q

Key aspects of clinical examination

A
  • Husbandry
  • Demeanour
  • Respiration
  • Responses to stimuli
  • Faecal analysis - fresh smear + flotation technique
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Pinworms

A
  • Oxyurids common in most species (species-specific)
  • Rarely significant in low no.
  • Treat if CS present - weight loss, poor growth, diarrhoea, anorexia
  • Tx - Fenbendazole 20 mg/kg/d for five doses
  • Beware concurrent disease
  • Avoid ivermectin in all chelonia + green tree pythons - associated neurotoxicity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Coccidia

A
  • Isospora amphiboluri common in agamids (lizards)
  • Pathogenic - bearded dragons
  • 30 mg/kg TMPS for 5 d
  • 10mg/kg toltrazuril (Baycox) for 2 d
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Ascarids

A
  • Common in tortoises
  • Pathogenic - impaction, ill thrift and death reported
  • Tx - Fenbendazole effective
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Protozoa

A
  • Tortoise faeces carry a wide variety of motile protozoa
  • Few pathogenic
  • Txt only if CS suggest pathology
  • Protozoa in carnivorous species are abnormal flora
  • Tx = Metronidazole at 50 mg/kg q 2 d
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Cryptosporidium

A
  • Cause of SI epithelial hyperplasia in leopard geckos + some monitor species
  • Gastric hyperplasia in snakes
  • Leads to rapid weight loss -> growth reduction + regurgitation (uncommon in
    geckos); regurgitation + gastric dilation common in
    snakes; asymptomatic dormant state common
  • Dx - organism detection: acid-fast faecal/gastric flush preparations + histopathology, biopsies of intestinal tract - identify oocysts in villi, hard to see in=house, v small
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Cryptosporidium Tx

A
  • Potentiated sulphonamides slow progression
  • Paromomycin + hyperimmune bovine
    colostrum have shown experimental promise
  • Not readily available
  • HIBC no benefit in small intestinal infection
  • No reliable therapy
  • Advanced cases should be euthanased
  • In contacts should be considered infected
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Salmonella

A
  • Zoonotic - from aquatic terrapins, kids < 5 y/o at risk, should not have access + wash hands
  • Captive reptiles frequently carry Salmonella as part of
    their GI flora
  • Wild reptiles do not
  • Tx not recommended due to potential for inducing antibiotic resistance
  • Good hygiene practice will prevent human infection
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Ectoparasites

A
  • Ophionyssus nactricis mites
  • Pterygosomid mites
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Ophionyssus nactricis mites

A
  • Snakes and lizards
  • High burdens can lead to anaemia
  • Vector of disease
  • Tx - Fipronil (Frontline), 2 mL/kg (used with care due to toxicity of alcohol-based solvent)
  • Ivermectin - don’t use with Green tree pythons or near tortoises
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Pterygosomid mites

A
  • Unusual in UK reptiles, occasionally seen in imported animals
  • Tx - Fipronil (Frontline), 2 mL/kg (used with care due to toxicity of alcohol-based solvent)
  • Ivermectin - don’t use with Green tree pythons or near tortoises
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Blood sampling - tortoise

A
  • Jugular vein runs superficially from the tympanum to thoracic inlet
  • Supcarapacial sinus - decent vol
  • Dorsal tail vein samples are frequently lymph-contaminated, advance until hit bone + draw back -> small vols
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Blood sampling - lizard

A

Ventral tail vein
- Proximal tail contains
hemipenes in males - if too proximal will cause trauma
- Insert needle midline
- Advance until vertebral contact occurs
- Withdraw slightly
- Easy to sample in most species
- Avoid in geckos and juvenile iguanas - will tail drop

Jugular vein
- Runs along a line drawn from the mandibular ramus to the shoulder
- Difficult to access blind

Ventral abdominal vein
- Haemostasis v difficult - once withdraw needle - nothing to apply pressure to, risk of haematoma, don’t risk it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Blood sampling - snakes

A

Ventral tail vein

Palatine vessel
- Possible in large, anaesthetised snakes

Cardiac
- Visualise heart on ventral body wall, smaller snakes; use doppler in larger
- Immobilise the heart by placing a thumb proximally
- Insert needle from caudal aspect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Biochemistry sample

A
  • Serum/heparinised plasma suitable
  • Machines run profile in 0.1 mL serum (6-8% blood vol collected)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Hepatic dysfunc

A
  • Hepatic lipidosis - anorexia
  • Very common syndrome with non-specific symptoms
  • Enzymes (AST, GGT, ALT) non-specific
  • AST elevation with normal CK supports hepatocellular
    damage, rather than generalised ST damage
  • Low albumin and uric acid, elevated urea
  • Bile acids most reliable marker - single point measurement, insensitive with focal/mild hepatopathy
  • Imaging may identify hepatomegaly - endoscopic or surgical biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis
  • Accompany w/ US scan - look for enlargement, abscessation + focal masses
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Renal dysfunc

A
  • Urinalysis limited as urine is modified in the lower
    intestine
  • Urinary GGT, NAG and AST indicate renal tissue
    damage
  • Blood AST non-specific
  • Elevated uric acid can indicate compromise
  • Concurrent urea measurement helps with differentiating renal and pre-renal disease
  • Hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia seen in
    renal disease (RSHP, Renal Secondary Hyper parathyroidism)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Calcium

A
  • Total calcium not a reliable marker of calcium homeostasis
  • Ionised calcium much more reliable but requires
    greater sample vol
  • Phosphate elevation with low ionised calcium consistent with secondary hyperparathyroidism
  • 1,25-Cholecalciferol (vit D) and PTH levels possible in reptilian species but not commercially available
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Haemtaology

A
  • Nucleated red blood cells preclude standard
    haematology machine use
  • Manual counts simple to perform in-house - PCV + WBC
  • Heterophilia and leucocytosis common in infectious pathology
  • Monocytosis in chronic infections
  • Leucopaenia with chronic disease, viral infection, sequestration with focal inflammation or chronic immunosuppression with inappropriate husbandry
  • Blood smear evaluation - differential count + assessment of morphology
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q
A

Toxic heterophil presence, regenerative erythrocyte respone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Metabolic Bone Disease)

A
  • Affects all reptiles
  • breakdown of calcium homeostasis
  • Calcium metabolism requires several factors: calcium; vitamin D (dietary or UVB provision); appropriate heating - so vit D can be converted into active form; renal and hepatic function
  • Husbandry deficiencies common
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Metabolic Bone Disease) - importance of calcium homeostasis

A
  • Keep calcium within a narrow range
  • Reduced availability leads to hypocalcaemia
  • Parathyroid hormone secretion increases
  • Osteoclast activity increases
  • Blood calcium normalises
  • Bone is demineralised
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Metabolic Bone Disease) - Dx

A
  • Clinical presentation is characteristic
  • Blood calcium may be normal
  • Blood phosphate is usually elevated
  • Radiographs can grade severity - demineralisation, particularly of extremities + bone remodelling
24
Q

Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (Metabolic Bone Disease) - Tx

A

Correct deficiency
- Intramuscular calcium gluconate
- Oral calcium and Vitamin D medication

Correct husbandry
- UVB lighting
- Supplementation of vit D + calcium
- Correct temperatures
- Apply to all animals in group, not only clinical cases

  • Euthanase cases with permanent mobility or feeding compromise
25
Q

Post-hibernation anorexia

A
  • Primarily tortoises
    Causes
  • Excessive length of hibernation
  • Poor health prior to hibernation
  • Low white cell count (neutropoenic) = chronic stress
  • Failing to reach POTZ (preferred optimum temperature zone) - compromises immunity, favours pathogens
  • Disease or trauma during hibernation
  • Poor husbandry and management
26
Q

Post-hibernation anorexia - when to intervene

A
  • Loss of 10% body weight during hibernation
  • Failure to urinate or drink within 4 days
  • Failure to eat within one week
  • Presence of any clinical signs
  • Concurrent runny nose syndrome common
27
Q

Post-hibernation anorexia - Tx

A
  • Correct dehydration
  • Fluid therapy and achieve urination - prior to initiation of feeding
  • Increase blood glucose once hydrated
  • Optimal environmental conditions
  • Appropriate nutrition
  • Treat concurrent disease
  • Improve long-term care and management
  • Oesophagostomy tube
28
Q

Minimising hibernation problems

A

Pre-hibernation health check
- Visual exam, faecal exam, further tests if indicated, scan females (any repro issues) - no harm in missing hibernation if tortoise is sick, discuss hibernation length
- Preparation of hibernaculum - esure temperatures are appropriate and stable
- Monitor throughout hibernation - be prepared to act if problems arise

29
Q

Hibernation preparation

A
  • Mimic late autumnal conditions - dec temperature gradually initially + maintain at consistently low temperatures (< 15 C) + decreasing light and UVB exposure
  • Starve for 3 - 4 weeks -> no necrotic food in gut, usually tortoises do this themselves
  • Bath regularly to ensure hydration
30
Q

Hibernation of tortoises

A
  • Hibernate between 3 - 7 C
  • Too cold: frost can cause blindness + limb damage, frequently seen in ‘free hibernating’ UK tortoises
  • Too warm: energy stores are rapidly used up so tortoises lose weight, dehydrate and accum toxins
  • 1% weight loss per month is acceptable
31
Q

Management during hibernation

A
  • Weight check - q two days
  • Signs of activity- urination or significantly disturbed bedding suggests inc temperature + a break in hibernation
  • Early hibernation – ensure temperatures low enough
  • Mid/late hibernation - stop hibernation
  • Monitor ambient temperature at least once daily - auto-monitoring, data-storing thermometer
  • Any other signs of illness - predator injury in outbuildings
32
Q

Hibernation - fridge method

A
  • Stable temps
  • Easy monitoring
  • Preferable
  • Beware of ice formation
33
Q

Ending hibernation

A
  • Outdoor hibernated tortoises will naturally awake in late spring
  • Prolonged hibernation is the most common factor in post-
    hibernation anorexia - utilisation of all energy stores, lack of time to re-accumulate stores before next hibernation + failure to recover from prolonged dormant state
  • UK tortoises are commonly hibernated for 5 - 6 months, far longer than in their natural climate, 4 - 12 w recommended
  • Hibernation should never exceed 16 weeks
34
Q

Ending hibernation

A
  • Tortoises need temperatures > 15 C to kickstart metabolism
  • Warming should occur over several hours
  • Once responsive movement is seen move to normal enclosure
  • Inc temperatures from 15 C to POTZ over 48 h
  • Provide 8 h light with UVB
  • Bathe daily - many tortoises require water to stimulate urination, allow hydration via drinking/bladder absorption
  • Monitor weight, urination, defaecation + appetite until normal
35
Q

Post-hibernation exam

A
  • Discuss hibernation protocol used
  • Check weight
  • Physical examination
  • Assess summer management
  • Intervention as necessary - further tests e.g. blood profile, FT, pharyngostomy tube placement, specific treatment
36
Q

Runny nose syndrome

A
  • Any tortoise species, often Testudo sp (mediterranean)
    Causes
  • Viral
  • Mycoplasma
  • Bacterial
  • Fungal
  • Hypovitaminosis A
  • Poor husbandry
37
Q

Runny nose syndrome - Dx

A
  • Clinical appearance distinctive
  • Identify specific causative factors
  • Chelonian herpes PCR
  • Geochelone/Stigmochelys species and Hermann’s tortoises appear particularly sensitive, many others may act as carriers
  • Mycoplasma PCR
  • Chlamydia serology/PCR
  • Dietary and husbandry assessment
  • Bacterial culture and sensitivity
38
Q

Runny nose syndrome - Tx

A
  • AB - 2y infections
  • Nasal flushing - AB, saline, F10 (antiseptic solution)
  • Improve husbandry
  • Severe cases - hospitalisation: assist feeding, FT, nebulisation + flushing
39
Q

Pneumonia

A
  • RNS (runny nose syndrome) in tortoises or stomatitis in snakes
  • Viral, bacterial and fungal agents all reported
  • Radiography especially useful in tortoises
  • Horizontal beam views most rewarding
  • Tracheal wash indicated in all reptiles: cytology, culture, PCR
  • Lung biopsy/flush can be carried out endoscopically
40
Q

Pneumonia - Tx

A
  • Antimicrobial therapy based on microbiology
  • Nebulisation - 1 : 1250 F10, AB solutions
  • Clearing of secretions in snakes - coupage, encourage activity, high humidity
41
Q

Tortoise trauma

A
  • Common in outdoor
    tortoises - lawnmowers, children, dogs, foxes and rat
  • All wounds should be
    considered contaminated
  • Maintain as open wounds
    initially
  • Soft tissue injuries require
    protection to granulate
42
Q

Shell Fx repair

A

-1). Wet-to Dry Bandages - gauze and saline +/ chlorhexidine, short-term to clear infection, long-term use traumatises granulation bed
- 2). Vacuum assisted closure - constant negative pressure of ~ 125 mmHg, excellent for chronically infected wounds
- Expensive equipment, not practical in all cases
- 3). Epoxy resin - cannot be used for contaminated wounds
- Can hinder shell growth
- Often used together with screws/wires/plates
- 4). External fixation - cannot replace deficits
- Good positioning of fragments usually achieved
- 5). Platelet Rich Plasma - platelets store + release GFs + chemotactic molecules involved in haemostasis and cell proliferation (clot blood w/ calcium gluconate + place in wound, can be from donor)
- Sodium citrate anticoagulant - add calcium gluconate to trigger clot formation + apply as a gel
- Acts as a barrier and promotes local healing

43
Q

Shell Fx repair management

A
  • Analgesia
  • Antibiotic therapy
  • Secure loose fragments
  • Sterile dressing changes daily
  • Consider patching large defects once confident the area is not infected
  • Fibreglass or non-heating resin
44
Q

Stomatitis

A
  • Inflam of mm of mouth
    Causative factors vary:
  • Herpes virus related in tortoises
  • Snout trauma in lizards
  • Immunosuppression in snakes
  • Paramyxovirus involvement
  • Culture, cytology and biopsy can aid specific Dx
  • Often broad spectrum antibiotic therapy is initiated
  • Topical Tx - F10 flushes, silver ointments for open lesions
  • Analgesia necessary
45
Q

Periodontal disease

A
  • Agamids + chameleons
    have acrodont teeth (no root) - housed in an exposed section of the jaw bone, teeth are not shed and replaced
  • Soft diet or trauma predispose to gingival
    inflammation and recession
  • Osteomyelitis eventually results
46
Q

Periodontal disease - prevention + Tx

A
  • Feed harder diet (avoid soft fruits)
    -Prevent trauma
  • Tx - Remove plaque
  • Debride necrotic tissue and bone
  • Administer topical and systemic antibiotics
47
Q

Neuro disease in snakes - CS

A
  • Loss of righting reflex
  • Stargazing
  • Paresis
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Aggressive behaviour
48
Q

Neuro disease - DDx (snake)

A
  • Heat or mechanical trauma
  • Metabolic abnormalities
  • Renal/hepatic disease
  • Hypocalcaemia unusual in snakes
  • Toxin exposure
  • Nicotine
  • Insecticides
  • Infectious - permethrin
49
Q

Neuro disease - infectious causes (snake)

A
  • Paramyxovirus (Ferlavirus), colubrids and elapids, predilection for venomous species
  • May cause respiratory or neurological disease
  • Difficult to Dx reliably - can have an incubation period of up to 1 y, 1/3 positive cases asymptomatic, 1/5 grossly normal on PME
  • Dx by serology - seroconversion takes 6 - 8 w, demonstrate rising titre
  • PCR on oral and cloacal swabs can be used
  • Lung>intestine>liver>kidney for inclusions on histopa
50
Q

Inclusion body disease of Boids (IBDB)

A
  • Infection with arenavirus
  • Pythons highly susceptible + develop acute neurological symptoms
  • Single case report in corn snakes
  • Boas can act as subclinical carriers
  • Serology and PCR available for ante-mortem testing of adrenal glands
  • Histopathology - large eosinophilic protein inclusions (not viral particles), clinical syndrome, not single pathogen
51
Q

Agamid adenovirus 1

A
  • Cause of neuro signs, poor growth,
    immunosuppression + death
  • Demonstrated in clinically healthy
    bearded dragons
  • 18.5% PCR +ve for agamid adenovirus 1
  • Breeding groups should be screened to maintain clean colonies
  • Dx - combined choanal and cloacal swabs for PCR
51
Q

Autotomy (tail slip)

A
  • Tail autoamputation = natural defence + minimises bleeding
  • Rough handling, acute stress or tail trauma
    triggers vertebral cleavage
  • Ongoing contractions focus attention on the
    tail
  • Keep the stump clean but do not apply medication or suture the site
  • House the gecko alone, on paper
  • Feed daily as energy and fluid storage is compromised
  • Within 8 weeks a primitive tail will reform
52
Q

Osteomyelitis

A
  • Requires initial entry wound
  • Skin trauma common
  • Bacterial emboli block smallest capillaries
  • Toes typically affected
  • Other joints may less commonly be involved
  • Swelling and pain results
  • Dx = aspiration + radio
  • Analgesia
  • Broad-spectrum AB therapy pending culture
  • Cytology of joints assists in diagnosis - Gout, Mycoplasmosis, Mycobacteriosis, Fungal infections
53
Q

Urolithiasis (bearded dragons)

A
  • Urates = semi-solid waste produced by the kidneys
  • Urates stored in the rectum + cloaca until they are voided with faeces
  • Infrequent defaecation predisposes to dessication of
    urates refluxed into the colon
  • Colon absorbs fluid to leave a solid urolith
54
Q

Urolithiasis - Tx (bearded dragon)

A
  • Usually easily flushed by instilling fluid into the cloaca and rectum via a blunt ended tube
    Prevention
  • Adequate fibre
  • Appropriate temperatures
  • Hydration
  • Calcium and UVB provision
55
Q

Tail autotomy uses

A

Minimise bleeding for tail amputation procedure

AAA VMS4007 (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions