Reptiles

Question 1

What are the clinical signs of renal failure in an iguana?

Answer 1

Episcleral injection, swelling (edema) of the pharyngeal region, and pain on palpation of the abdomen

These iguanas are also typically large and on a high protein diet

Question 2

Which dewormer is toxic to turtles?

Answer 2

Ivermectin

Causes paresis, paralysis, and death at low doses

Question 3

What are the signs of a gravid female iguana?

Answer 3

Hyperactivity, irritability, anorexia, and an enlarged abdomen

Most likely to present from November to June

Question 4

What are the signs of cryptosporidiosis in reptiles and how is it treated?

Answer 4

Regurgitation, weight loss, and debilitation due to the organism causing thickening of the GI mucosa and loss of motility

Dx: acid-fast staining of fresh feces or regurgitated food

Tx: no effective treatment - euthanasia is often recommended

Question 5

To what are iguanas predisposed when fed an imbalanced/improper diet?

Answer 5

Development of large cystic calculi

Question 6

What is SCUD in turtles and what pathogen causes it?

Answer 6

Septicemic Cutaneous Ulcerative Disease

Citrobacter freundii

Question 7

What is a scute?

Answer 7

Any squama (a scale or thin, plate-like structure) or scale-like structure, especially one of the thick epidermal plates on the head of snakes or the shell of a tortoise