Reptile Medicine Flashcards
What are the ONLY reptiles that should be kept on a sand-type substrate?
Sand boas & sand skinks
(They need to hide in it naturally)
For every five degrees outside a reptile’s preferred optimal temperature zone (POTZ), that animal’s immune function is cut by what percentage?
50%
What type of bulbs last 12-24 months, as well as provide the reptile with both heat and UV light?
Mercury vapor bulbs
What type of bulbs need to be replaced every six months, even if the light is still on, and only provide the reptile with UV light (no heat)?
Fluorescent bulbs
Name six causes for nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP).
1) Low dietary calcium
2) High dietary phosphorous
3) Low vitamin D3
4) Lack of UV-B light
5) Improper temperature ranges (enzyme activity)
6) Anything that disrupts the intestine (hypovitaminosis A, parasites, enteritis, liver disease, renal disease)
What is the safest and most effective way to treat hypovitaminosis A?
Oral vitamin A supplementation
Pure vitamin A: dose with 2000 U/kg PO q2-3 weeks
All ______ diseases in reptiles are preventable.
nutritional
The best blood collection site in lizards and small crocodilians is generally where?
Ventral tail vein
Is Cryptosporidium serpentis zoonotic?
No
Is Cryptosporidium saurophilum/varanii zoonotic?
No
Is Cryptosporidium pestis zoonotic?
Yes
Is Cryptosporidium muris zoonotic?
Yes
Tuataras, most snakes, and lizards have what structural type of lungs?
Unicameral - one main chamber
Iguanas, agamids, and chameleons have what structural type of lungs?
Paucicameral (transitional) - few simple divisions, and possibly air sac projections or dilations caudally
Crocodilians, turtles, monitors, gila monsters, beaded lizards, blind snakes, and file snakes have what structural type of lungs?
Multicameral - extensively chambered
Which order of reptiles has NOT had a primary fungal pathogen reported in them?
All orders of reptiles have had a primary fungal pathogen reported in them
Ivermectin can be given to a corn snake to treat mites. True or false?
True
Ivermectin and related drugs are TOXIC to which reptiles?
- Chelonians (turtles, tortoises, terrapins, etc.)
- Skinks
- Crocodilians
- Indigo snakes
A newly acquired ball python is presented with respiratory and possible neurological signs. Which of the following viruses are NOT on your rule-out list?
- Ophidian paramyxovirus/ferlavirus
- Filamentous nidovirus/serpentovirus
- Adenovirus
- Inclusion Body Disease/arenavirus
Adenovirus
Why should you NOT use colloidal silver as a supplemental treatment for a reptile positive for adenovirus?
Colloidal silver has NOT been shown to be anti-viral. It is only anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It may upset normal flora and worsen the patient’s condition. There is also a risk of agyria with high light exposure.
If a female reptile is in follicular stasis, which two medications should you NOT give?
Oxytocin and argenine vasotocin
If a female reptile is in dystocia, when is it appropriate to give oxytocin? (four criteria)
- No misshapen, enlarged, abnormal eggs noted on imaging AND
- no obstruction or pathology noted on imaging AND
- animal is stabilized AND
- has calcium on board
What anatomical structure allows crocodilians to perform a right-to-left intracardiac shunt?
Foramen of Panizza
Why is a reptile gonadectomy a challenging procedure in a lizard?
- A midline ventral abdominal vein prevents a midline incision
- The right gonad is directly adjacent to a prominent blood vessel
- The left gonad is directly adjacent to an adrenal gland
- Bearded dragons have a dark serosal pigmentation that makes anatomical identification difficult
