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Zoological medicine > Reptiles > Flashcards

Reptiles Flashcards

1
Q

orders

A

crocodilia, chelonia, squamata

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2
Q

which orders and species are covered by the Dangerous Wild Animal Act

A

crocodilia, front-fanged poisonous snakes, and 2 species of poisonous lizards

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3
Q

husbandry: temperature

A

heliotherms actively seek sun for heat to bask
temperature has a direct impact on metabolism and immune system: most important factor of husbandry/temperature requirements change by species, age, season, and time of day

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4
Q

POTZ

A

preferred optimum temperature zone or thermal gradient
75-99 F

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5
Q

husbandry: lighting

A

broad spectrum lighting
use unfiltered sunlight when available (when outside temperature is above 70 F)
for lizards more light is better, place 2-4 tubes 12in or less from basking site, replace every 6 months

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6
Q

UVA light effect

A

help animals with normal behaviors

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7
Q

UVB light effect

A

activates vitamin D synthesis
D3 or cholecalciferol from UVB exposure is necessary for calcium absorption

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8
Q

basic aquatic cage

A

has a water filter, water thermostat, basking areas, and feeding areas

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9
Q

basic terrestrial cage

A

has UV light, basking light/ceramic heat emitter, thermometers, astroturf, humidity, hide box, water and food

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10
Q

humidity

A

too little = shedding problems (dysecdysis)
too much = fungal infections
using soaks allows more control

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11
Q

what are some ways you can get an anorexic animal to eat?

A

boas and pit vipers use heat sensing pits to locate warm blooded prey so might need to warm up prey
motion can also trigger feeding, and make sure cage is in optimum temperature zone: cold snakes won’t eat
animals also won’t eat pre-shed or during shed

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12
Q

physical exam

A

evaluate body-muscle tone, motility
measure snout to vent length
skin: look for lumps/bumps, parasites, skin tenting, dysecdysis, redness
eyes: look for cloudiness
resp: check for d/c
CV: heart usually 25% down body from snout
neurologic: righting reflex, skin twitching
oral: mucosal color varies by species: pale pink-bluish, oral cavity should be moist without stringy mucus

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13
Q

what type of teeth do reptiles have?

A

polyphyodontic teeth
teeth are reabsorbed or shed and quickly replaced

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14
Q

anesthesia

A

have episodical breathing: can hold their breath up to 24 hours so need PPV: 4-8 Bpm
relaxation begins cranial to caudal and is reversed during recovery
righting reflex is the first to go, check cloacal reflex and tail pinch
use fresh O2 during recovery through an ambu bag: can tolerate hight levels of CO2
unpredictable: same dose in different animals can get different results
long recovery due to slow metabolism: maintain heat

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15
Q

radiology

A

allows us to see through shell in chelonians
DV view is good for evaluation of the internal structures
lateral view is good for lungs
skyline view is used for lungs in chelonians: cranial-caudal head on view, ideal to use horizontal beam

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16
Q

venipuncture

A

lizard: jugular, tail vein, axillary plexus
chelonian: jugular, subcarapacial sinus
snakes: tail vein, cardiocentesis, axillary plexus (caudal front leg pointing toward axilla)
heparin is the preferred anticoagulant for RBC evaluation

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17
Q

caudal tail vein

A

ventral midline of the tail, about 1/4 tail length caudal to the vent
be careful of hemipenes and musk glands
go between the scales at a 90 degree angle on the midline

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18
Q

injection sites

A

IM, intracoelomic (Ice), SQ
intracoelomic: coelomic cavity accessed through prefemoral fossa (space just cranial to pelvic limb), good for turtles/tortises

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19
Q

why do some people believe injections in reptiles should be administered cranial to the kidneys?

A

they have a renal portal system which allows blood to flow from the caudal portion of the body to the kidneys prior to returning to the heart
some owners think this may cause an issue with injections: may or may not actually be an issue

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20
Q

fluids administration

A

SQ preferred for snake and lizard fluids
can use plain ringers, Normosol, LRS (if no liver issues)

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21
Q

what is the best form of fluid maintenance?

A

soaking

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22
Q

how is fluid therapy done?

A

orally

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23
Q

normal stool

A

well-formed, high in fiber
don’t defecate frequently

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24
Q

what causes soft stool?

A

diet too high in carbohydrates and too low in fiber or parasite infection

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25
Q

nycotherus

A

normal flora in chelonians

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26
Q

trypanasomes parasite

A

normal but watch for high numbers

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27
Q

kalicephalus parasite

A

intestinal hookworm associated with anemia and malnutrition in snakes

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28
Q

protozoa parasites

A

cryptosporidium, trichmonas, coccidia, giardia

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29
Q

salmonella

A

bacteria
found in raw meat, healthy reptiles, and people
reptiles carry normally in digestive tract
people can get sick from reptile contact or get it subclinically

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30
Q

chelonia

A

family: testunidae (tortoise)
protected species: Gopher, Texas, Desert
most primitive group of reptiles
tortoise is terrestrial, turtles are aquatic or semiaquatic except box turtle is terrestrial

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31
Q

sulcata tortoise

A

can get up to 200 lbs

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32
Q

leopard tortoise

A

can get above 60 lbs

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33
Q

radiated tortoises

A

live up to 50 years
from Madagascar
critically endangered

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34
Q

red foot and yellow foot tortoises

A

from South America
require 70% humidity

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35
Q

box turtle

A

terrestrial, protected in some areas, has a hinged plastrom

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36
Q

Blanding’s turtle

A

black with yellowish spots, very long neck and a bright yellow chin and throat, head is dark with short rounded snout and a notched upper jaw

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37
Q

terrapin turtle

A

lives in swamp water

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38
Q

red eared slider turtle

A

most popular pet turtle
lives 20-30 years
pond/river turtle

39
Q

cheloniidae family

A

sea turtles
females must come ashore to lay eggs in sand

40
Q

Kemp’s Ridley turtle

A

sea turtle
critically endangered, have primarily 1 breeding area in the gulf of Mexico, females all lay eggs at once

41
Q

Hawksbill turtle

A

endangered sea turtle
used for shell trade
sponges are primary food source so loss of coral reef can lead to difficulties getting food

42
Q

cape canaveral turtle

A

sea turtle
“dark skies” during nesting

43
Q

leatherback turtle

A

sea turtle
largest turtle in the world
only 1 that lack scales and hard shell
has rubbery skin over interlocking bones

44
Q

turtle shell anatomy

A

carapace = dorsal shell - keratin covering up to 50 bones including nuchial (most cranial)
plastron = ventral shell - made up of 9 bones
box turtles have movable hinge between pectoral and abdominal scutes

45
Q

turtle beaks

A

soft-shelled turtle: elongated nose
adaptations for diet

46
Q

turtle respiratory system

A

trachea is short and bifurcates into mainstream bronchi, have complete tracheal rings
lungs are saccular and attached to carapce
head and limbs retracted into the shell and hissing = expelling air
no diaphragm
have cloacal bursa for gas exchange
aquatic turtles can also exchange gases through the mucosa of their oral cavity
soft shelled turtles exchange O2 through skin

47
Q

turtle respiration

A

alternating body cavity pressure with leg pumping and muscular contraction and relaxation within shell

48
Q

turtle circulatory system

A

3-chambered heart with 1 ventricle that allows mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood
have a cardiac shunt believed to serve in bypassing the lungs in diving turtles

49
Q

which type of turtle has uric acid as waste?

A

terrestrial turtles

50
Q

which type of turtles have urea and NH3 as waste?

A

aquatic

51
Q

male turtle anatomy

A

longer, larger tails
plastron is concave to mount female
aquatic males have long front feet nails
single, large, dark colored penis located on the floor of the cloaca and is only used for reproductive purposes - can prolapse, tx: amputate

52
Q

gravid turtle

A

pregnant or egg-bound

53
Q

turtle female reproductive system

A

no true uterus but have an oviduct
shells are pliable

54
Q

turtle PE

A

mostly hands-off
evaluate weight, measurement, overall condition, activity, eyes/nares, tympanic membrane, heart auscultation, respirations
look to see how they fit their shell - edema?
hydration status: shrunken eyes = dehydrated, skin turgor can be done on dorsal aspect of neck

55
Q

turtle conditions commonly seen on PE

A

rostral abrasions
stomatitis: mouth rot, heals slowly over several sheds, salt secretions
beak overgrowth (hyperkeratosis): swollen eyes from vitamin A deficiency
ticks commonly found around ears and in just above rear legs under shell

56
Q

crocodilians

A

closest living relative of birds
orders: crocodile, alligator, caiman, gharial

57
Q

crocodile

A

lighter color, long narrow nose, teeth visible with mouth closed

58
Q

caiman

A

live in swamplands of central and South America, bony plates on belly, smaller but aggressive

59
Q

gharial

A

freshwater crocodile of India
endangered

60
Q

crocodilians anatomy

A

4-chambered heart
foramen of panizza located between 2 aortas, shunts blood away from lungs to heart and brain during submersion, can last up to an hour
have a lowered metabolism

61
Q

squamata

A

lizards and snakes
suborder: sauria = lizards
loosely divided into arboreal, terrestrial, burrowing, semi-aquatic, and aquatic

62
Q

monitor lizards and geckos

A

noted for aggression
Asian water monitor lizard is a more appropriate pet but still has a vulnerable status in the wild

63
Q

which lizards are covered by the dangerous wild animals act?

A

venomous lizards
Mexican beaded lizard and gila monster

64
Q

komodo dragon

A

lizard genus
largest reptile, may have some venom but appear to not need it, kill through blunt force trauma and blood loss

65
Q

lizard temperament

A

tegus and monitor lizards are known for powerful bites
iguanas use tail and neck to attack

66
Q

basic lizard anatomy

A

lifespan: up to 30 years in larger species
iguanas have nuchal and dorsal crests
have dewlap
coelom = no diaphragm
have renal portal system

67
Q

lizard ear anatomy

A

no external ear
tympanic membrane is clear in some
iguanas have sub-tympanic scale

68
Q

lizard eye anatomy

A

most lizards have movable eyelids and nictating membranes
chameleons have independent eye movement
pupil differences depending on species: round = diurnal, vertical = nocturnal
light helps with melatonin release, knowing time of day, absorption of light, and temperature control

69
Q

lizard colors

A

variations, most adults lose bright green and become grayer/brown
males have a deep reddish orange color during mating season
can develop stress colors or darken in the sun

70
Q

lizard Jacobson’s organ

A

sensory organ located on dorsal oral cavity
scent particles are collected on tongue and transferred to the sensory organ which detects prey pheromones

71
Q

lizard cardiac anatomy

A

have 3-chambered heart
cardiac shunt diverts blood across the heart to bypass pulmonary circulation
the impact this shunt has on them is that they can be intermittent lung breathers but can also have periods of apnea which affects anesthesia (they can hold their breath for 24 hours)

72
Q

parietal eye

A

“3rd eye” that some reptiles and fish have
has an unknown purpose

73
Q

lizard sexing

A

male: larger size, has dewlap, highly developed femoral pores, paired hemipenes, probe will pass posterior much deeper than female (will only pass 2-3 scales deep in females)

74
Q

hemipenal prolapse

A

can occur in males due to straining, post copulation, forced probing, or infection

75
Q

lizard shell gland

A

no true uterus, eggs form in oviduct, pliable shells

76
Q

snake suborder

A

serpentes

77
Q

which types of snakes are viperids?

A

rattlesnake, cottonmouth, copperhead

78
Q

viperid characteristics

A

fangs on back of upper jaw for injecting venom, can rotate fangs independently, can fold against roof of mouth when not in use
venomous
located around the world except for isolated islands
triangular shaped head
short, stout body
ovoviviparous

79
Q

venom control in snakes

A

can deliver dry bites and carefully control how much venom is expelled per bite to conserve venom

80
Q

keeled scales

A

seen on most snake species
aka ridged scales
splay slightly outward from body and gives the snake a rough textured appearance

81
Q

snake reproduction

A

ovoviviparity
snake’s young hatches from eggs while inside of the snake, then the snake gives birth to live young and expels the egg remains after

82
Q

elapids

A

cobra, coral snake, mamba
slender and agile
short fangs, hang on and chew venom into victims, venom is toxic to nervous system and paralyzes breathing center

83
Q

boidae

A

boa constrictors are exclusively New World
can be tame in captivity
max length in captivity: 7-8ft vs wild: can get more than 12ft

84
Q

pythonidae

A

pythons live in African/Asian and Australian tropics
ball python can get to be 5ft at most
Burmese and reticulated pythons can reach 20+ ft

85
Q

snakes anatomy

A

have Jacobson’s organ
no eyelid or nictating membrane
spectacle or globe of eye is kept moist by harderian gland
round pupil = diurnal, vertical = nocturnal
absent external ear and no middle ear but sense vibrations from substrate on which head rests
arboreal snakes pick up aeral vibrations
buccal cavity creates mucus to coat prey

86
Q

pit organs

A

specialized heat sensitive organs in snout of snakes that can sense infrared radiation signals
seen in boas, pythons, and vipers

87
Q

snake circulatory system

A

position of heart correlates with arboreal, terrestrial, or aquatic habits
intracardiac shunting allows them to hold their breath

88
Q

snake respiratory system

A

most have a single right lung and a small nonfunctioning left lung
right lung is ~1/2 or more of body length and posterior 1/3 is an air sac
breathe using negative pressure ventilation where intercostal muscles expand the ribs along the entire body dropping lung pressure while drawing in air

89
Q

snake male reproductive

A

longer tails, more scales subcloacally
cloacal probe advances further in males
boas have vestigal pelvic spurs used in copulation as stimulation and to help position the 2 cloacas together

90
Q

snake female reproductive

A

70% of snakes are oviparous: no placental connection, young are nourished by egg yolk
ovoviviparous is seen in places where the ground is too cold to incubate eggs

91
Q

ecdysis

A

shedding
skin is shed in visible pieces, many reptiles eat shed
amphibians shed in pieces or whole, some do gyrations to lose shed
tortoise/turtle: shed in small pieces
snakes: shed in 1 piece, amount vaies with size

92
Q

appearance and behavior during shedding

A

eyes will become opaque during shedding
they will become cranky, anorexic, inactive, and have fragile skin

93
Q

dysecdysis

A

abnormality in shedding process
treatment: soak in lukewarm water for 30-60 minutes 1-2x daily

Zoological medicine (13 decks)

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