Reptiles Flashcards
Terrapins fall under what Order in the Reptilia Class?
Chelonia. Along with Turtles and Tortoises
What reptiles belong to the Order Squamata?
- Snakes - Suborder Serpente
- Lizards - Suborder Sauria
Which appendix of CITES includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival?
- Appendix i
- Appendix ii
- Appendix iii
- Appendix iv
Appendix ii
Btw, I made up Appendix iv, so yeah.
Which species are protected under Appendix i of CITES?
Those species threatened with extinction.
Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances, such as research.
Which appendix of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is a list of animals that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.
- Appendix i
- Appendix ii
- Appendix iii
- Appendix iv
Appendix iii
What does the term Ectotherm mean?
That body temperature is maintained based on the surrounding environment.
Define POTR (POTZ)
What is the POTR for a temperate zone reptile vs a desert reptile. (Though she said this wouldn’t be on the exam)
Prefered Optimal Temperate Range/Zone
Temperate: Day 80-90F Night 70-75F
Hibernation can be maintained 35-59F for a minimum of 10 weeks.
Desert: Day 85-95F Night 70-75F
Desert reptiles have a different day preference but night is the same. Deserts are just a little warmer than tempterate areas.
As far as ectotherms regulating thier body temps go, you have your Stenothermals and your Eurythermals. One is an organism that can tollerate a wide range of temerparture, and the one can’t. Which is which?
Stenothermal - No, nope, cant handle temperature changes.
Ex, Terrestial animals
Eurythermal - Surely can handle temperature changes.
Ex, Sea critters. Like Sea turtles that traverse the wide majestic ocean and all their temperatures. (they can get cold stunning though if the temp change happens to fast)
Name me the part of the reptile body that protects it, aids in locomotions, allows mositure to be retained, helps with camouflage, and can be modified to make a rattle sound.
Scales
What are the modified scales of Crocodiles and chelonians called?
Scutes
Reptiles have both Renal & Hepatic circulation.
Which form of circulation runs on the ventral midline, just under the ventral abdominal musculature?
The Hepatic Portal system
Takin dem bloods from the intestine to the liver
T/F: The Renal portal system takes blood from the caudal portion of the body and puts it directly into the kidneys.
False
the blood CAN enter the Kidneys, or it can bypass them entirely
So class, this is why we avoid giving drugs in the back end, but fluids are cool.
Why do we consider reptiles to be Uricotelic?
Because thier primary nitrogenous waste is URIC ACID, not urea.
T/F: Reptiles can not produce hypertonic urine.
True
They can’t concentrate urine beyond plasma concentration.
T/F: Ecdysis is stimulated when one snake wants to attract another snake. Ergo, it gets naked.
False, you perv.
It is the regular sheding of skin stimulated by the Thyroid, Age and Health Status.
Snakes shed everything, even around the eyes. Lizards shed in patches. Chelonia and Crocs shed individual scutes.
Dysecdysis manifests most commonly in what locations?
Around the tail, digits and areas with scars or previous injuries.
Commonly in animals kept in inappropiate humidity.
What spectrum of light do reptiles need and why?
UVA (for behaviors or A for Attitude)
& UVB (for Vit D3 production in skin
T/F: As long as the glass is clear (not covered with pictures or flim) you can shine your reptile’s light source through it to mimic a normal day length.
False
glass reflects UVB .. sooo don’t do that. Get a screen.
T/F: Excess moisture/humidity leades to dysecdysis and dessication while inadequate moisture leads to dermatitis.
False, flip dat shiz
Excess moisture = dermatitis
Inadequate moisture = dysecdysis and dessication
Sub-trop: 70-90% Temperate: 60-80% Desert: 35-50%
Which is an example of a substrate you shold NOT use in your reptile’s enclosure?
- newspaper
- papertowel
- astrotruf
- outdoor carpet
- cat litter/quartz sand/cedar shaving mix
- normal sized gravel
- aspen shavings
- playsand
cat litter/quartz sand/cedar shaving mix
None of those should ever be used. Be them as a mix or seperate.
Heather thinks toxic plants are gorgeous, because lets be real, in nature the more deadly you are, the prettier you are too. So, instead of buying a planter for them, she decides to save money and spice up her lizards enclosure. Heather knows her reptile would never be dumb enough to eat or play on something so pretty. Is Heather being a good reptile mom?
NO! She is bad and she should feel bad.
Dont use toxic plants as cage furniture.
Gabriela recently found a baby sea turtle washed up on the shore and wanted to keep it for a few days to make all the Finding Nemo Snapchats. Aside from that probably being illegal, she doesn’t want to be a bad reptile mom like Heather was. What 5 things should she monitor in the salt water tank?
- pH
- Ammonia
- Nitrite
- Nitrate
- Salinity
Regarding snake nutrition, which statement is incorrect?
- Prey should be no larger than the girth of the snake
- Offer prey on the substrate the snake is on
- Train to take pre-killed prey
- Do not freeze food >12 weeks
- Do not feed temperate species at least 4 weeks before hibernation
Offer prey on the substrate the snake is on
FLASE
You should feed them on a solid surface as to minimize the chance of them ingesting whatever substrate the prey is on.
In regards to insectivorous lizard nutrition, which statement is INCORRECT?
- Live prey should be no larger than width of lizards head
- all insects should be nutrient loaded prior to feeding 30 minutes before
- dust insects with calcium rich supplement
- feed as many insects as can be eaten in 2 hours
- feed daily.
HA there were two wrong this time. Did you catch it?
all insects should be nutrient loaded prior to feeding 1-2 days before
feed as many insects as can be eaten in 1 hour
How often should you feed carnivorous lizards a lean rodent meal?
Neonates/Juveniles - Ever 1-3 Days
Adults: Every 3-7 Days
some Monitors: Ever 1-2 weeks
Vegetables rich in oxalic acid (oxalates) can bind calcium and reduce absoprtion. Thus skewing the Ca:P ratio. These should be avoided being fed to our herbiverous lizards and tortoises. What are some examples?
Parsley, Spinach, Chives, Alfalfa
Is it aight to feed commercial primate, canine and feline diets to carnivorous tortoises and lizards?
Naw, dont do that. Way too high in protein. Sounds like you just want them to have Gout.
What are some things you can feed carnivorous Turtles and Terrapins?
What should you avoid?
Feed lean mice & chicken to larger species.
Shrimps, prawns and whole fish to most.
Avoid shellfish with poor Ca:P, or fish with excess thiaminase
Which of these would not be part of an initial diagnostic workup?
- PE
- CBC
- Plasma BioChem
- Fecal
- Radiographs
- Surgery
Surgery is not part of an INITIAL diagnostic workup.
What is wrong with how this small lizard is being restrained?
Back legs look like they are not against the body. Otherwise good technique
Want the head held firmly between the thumb and index finger
Hold body in the cup of hand.
Hold front and back legs against the body.
Avoid Grabbing the tail
Medium Sized Lizard restraint differs. It looks like this.
Thie body is supported along the forarm, with the tail tucked in between the elbow and your body.
Be aware of where thier face is, incase they try to bite your chest or belly.
Some lizards will lose thier tails as a self defense mechanism or when stressed. A new tail will grow back and be made of cartilage instead of bone/vertebrae. What is this tail loosing called?
Tail Autotomy
How should you restrain a nonvenomous snake?
Hold head with the index finger and thumb around the madible
Support the body every 3 ft
How do you handle a deadly snake?
Magically and safely shove its head a good way up a tube.
How should you hold a “small” crocodilian?
- Tape the mouth shut
- Hold at the tail base and neck
What is the best way to handle a small chelonian?
What about a large one?
Small: grasp the lateral margins of the carapace for terresttrial
grasp carapace just caudal to head and between the rear flippers for aquatic. Orient them vertically to get them calmer.
Adults: Can be huge, needs many people. Be mindful of the head and flippers
Students should be familiar with the physical exam process and be able to perform a physical examination on a reptile patient
Get weight
Observe respiration (only croc have a pseudo-disphragm)
Get temp via deep cloacal
Get HR and rhythm via stethoscope, pulse ox cloacal probe, doppler probe around thoracic inlet
Check them from the nares to the tail
Which reptiles have complete tracheal rings, thus making you want to avoid inflating a trach tube should you use one?
Crocs and Chelonians
T/F: In reptile lungs, the cranial lungs are used for gas exchange, while the caudal lungs are used for storage.
True
T/F: Reptiles have three chambered hearts
False
All reptiles but Croc have three chambered hearts. Crocs have 4 chambers. Though there is communication between the Ventricles.
What kind of ears do Reptiles have?
External Ear - Lizards & Crocs
External tympanum - Cheloanians and Lizards
Inner ear Only - Snakes
Which reptiles have Brille (spectacle) eyes?
Snakes
Why would putting atropine drops into either Reptilian or Avian eyes not likely dialate the pupil?
Because the Irises are made of skeletal muscle (nicotinic receptors).
Atropine affects smooth muscle (muscarinic receptors).
T/F: Reptiles and Birds lack a consensual PLR
True
What is Jacobson’s organ?
A vomeronsal organ innervated by the olfactory nerve that opens directly into the mouth.
Which reptiles lack teeth?
Chelonians
they have a sharp tomia instead
T/F: Venomous snakes have 4 rows of teeth in the uppper arcade and 2 in the lower.
False
Venomous have 2 rows in both upper and lower arcade.
Nonvenomous have 4 rows in the upper aracde and 2 in the lower.
What special adaption for feeding do sea turtles have lining thier throat?
Esophageal papillae
T/F: Reptile epidermis has lost respiratoy function and prevents fluid loss.
True
What are the boney plates that support the epidermal scales?
Osteoderms
They can be seen on Xrays
Which of these lack a sternum?
Chelonians
Lizards
Snakes
Crocs
Chelonians and Snakes
What can be palpated in the caudal coelomic cavity?
Eggs
Cystic Calculi
Organ Enlargement
Masses
Fluid
Where can you palpate that aids in assesing gravidity, colonic and cloacal tone, cystic calculi or space occupying lesions?
The Cloaca
The Cloaca is made up of the Coprodeum, Urodeum and Proctodeum. Which one is the area that urine and feces mix?
Proctodeum
T/F: Just like in birds, female reptiles only have the left ovary.
False
They have paired ovaries
T/F: Chelonians have a single median penis that comes out of the cloaca while Lizard and Snakes have a piar of hemipenes located in the cloaca.
True
Which is NOT a part of the minimum database for a reptile?
Hematocrit
Total solids (protein)
Glucose
Ca:P
Plasma biochemical panel
Bacterial blood culture prior to antimicrobial therapy
Ca:P
How many mls of blood can safely be drawn from a reptile?
0.5ml/100g BW
What are the anticoagulants of choice in reptiles?
Lithium and Sodium Heparin
EDTA causes red blood cell lysis in chelonians
List 6 sites you can perform venipuncture on a Chelonian
- Jugular
- Coccygeal
- Bracial
- Subcarapacial
- Interdigital Vein (letherbacks)
- Dorsal cervical sinus
Where can you perform venipuncture on a snake?
Caudal vein (ventral tail) - Caudal to cloaca, 25-50% down the tail
Heart - not recommended, 22-33% from snout to vent
If you do dare to take blood from the snakes heart, how long must you maintain digital pressure after?
30-60 seconds
What three sites can blood be drawn from a lizard?
- Caudal (tail) vein
- Ventral abdomnal vein
- Juglar vein
Where can you obtain a blood sample from on a crocodilian?
- Caudal (ventral tail) vein - small to medium crocs
- Supravertebral - medium to larger crocs
When taking RADs of a Chelonian, what views should you take?
- Dorsoventral
- Lateral
- Craniocaudal
Normal BG for reptiles is 70-100 g/dl.
How would you treat a BG between 20-40 g/dl?
10% dextrose bolus IV
If 40-50 g/dl - 5% dextros in LRS IC
If <20 d/dl- bolus 50% 0.5 to 1 mL per kg
Total Solids/Protein are a source of energy and the building blocks for ____, _____, _____, _____ & _____
Bone, Muscle, Skin, Enzymes & Hormones
What are neutrophils called in reptiles?
Heterophils
What is the normal Ca:P ?
2:1
Inverse can be due to Renal Disease
Hypercalcemia may occue in reproductively active females
Changes in uric acid level on a biochem panel can be from what 3 processes?
Dietary intake
Dehydration
Renal DZ
What causes Elevated/Decreased NaCl levels ?
Elevated - Dehydration & Dietary Intake
Decreased - Malnutrition
K levels can become elevated with Renal Dz. What can cause them to decrease?
Re-feeding syndrome
Several parasites can be found when doing a fecal float. What are we looking for when performing sedimentation?
Trematode eggs
What are the 3 acoustic windows for US visceral examination in chelonians?
- Mediastinal - cardiac
- Axilliary - liver, pectorals, heart
- Inguinal - kidney, bladder, stomach, intestines, right liver lobe, repro tract, gallbladder
What are the three crystalloid fluids used in reptiles?
- Reptile Ringers Solution
- Normasol-R
- LRS
What is Reptile Ringers comprised of?
1 part LRS + 2 parts 2.5% dextrose and 0.45%NaCl
What colloid options have been used in chelonians?
- Hetastarch - diluted 1:2-3 with 0.9% Saline
- Oxyglobin - seaturtles and desert tortoises (mm become discolored)
What routes are used to administer fluids for rapid rehydration or emergency?
IV & IO
necessary for whole/artificial blood, colloidal fluids, fluids with >5% dextrose
What routes can be used to administer fluids in reptiles?
- Jugular
- Cervical Sinus (sea turtles) - bolus IV fluid therapy
- IC - can compromise lung space and absorb poor
- SQ - poor absorption, must be 2.5% dextrose or less
- PO - stomach volume is 2% BW or 20 mL/kg
- Soak - 24 hours, reduces epibiota
- Intra-cloacal
How much fluids can be administered to a reptile?
No more than 2-3% BW per dat
15-30 mL/kg/day
Which antiparasitic should NEVER be used in Chelonians?
Ivermectin
How long before sutures can be removed in reptiles?
4-6 weeks
Squamates wait until next ecdysis (months)
What is the primary holding layer for reptile incisions?
Skin
Coelomic membrane and body wall
Before inducing a debilitated turtle, what parameters would concern you and make you want to stabilize the turtle first?
PCV <10%
TP <2.0 g/dl
Respiratory compromise
Sepsis
What drugs would you use for a short non-invasive procedure or to induce anesthesia?
Medetomidine & Ketamine
Propofol - dilute 2 saine:1 prop given over 2 minutes
What would you add to Medetomidine/Ketamine and Propofol for an invasive or prolonged procedure to make a more complete anesthetic plan?
Iso/Sevo
Thermoregulatory support
HR monitor - Doppler/PulseOx/ECG
Dry dock 24 hours post anesthesia
Analgesia (NSAID/Opioid)
What MUST you have prior to NSAID administration?
Adequate Renal Function
T/F: In reptiles, NSAIDs decrease endotoxin production in septic patients and in general should not be administered for more than 3 days.
True
What are signs of a reptile being in pain?
They are stoic so…
Decreased appetite, depression, alteration in normal behavior
Which Opioids are relatively short acting, can cause depression and SHOULD NOT be used with head trauma?
Butorphanol & Bupernorphine
What is the gold standard of medical honeys?
Manuka Honey from New Zealand
Melissa has just begun day one of her reptile rotation. A lizard is brought in for muscle tremors/fasiculations. On PE Melissa notes tooth loss and abnormal looking limbs. Durring the history taking, she learns that the patient’s main light source is from the sun shining through the outside window, and that it is fed a phosphorus rich diet. Blood work shows low normal Ca++ and RADs show loss of cortical density and fractures. She diagnoses the patient with ….
Secondary Nutritional Hyperparathyroidism
CS, inadequate light source, diet with imbalanced Ca:P, low normal Ca++, pathologic fractures, tooth loss, fibrous osteodystrophy, loss of cortical density
What should Melissa recommend as treatment for this patient?
Correct diet and environment
Fluid Therapy
Calcium glubionate
Vit D Therapy
~~Possibly Calcitonin if BW monitored closely~~
Which nuitritional DZ is caused in adult reptiles by water deprivation and a high protein diet, and manifests with hyperuricemia and lesions around or near joints on RADs?
Gout
How to you get a definitive diagnosis of Gout?
Go looking for gouti tophi to biopsy. Demonstrate monosodium urate crystals within joints or tophi.
What would a recommended treatment plan look like for Gout?
Correct diet (low purine high moisture food, regular water access)
Fluid (caution with secondary renal dz)
Probenecid
Allopurinol
Corticosteroids for inflammation
T/F: Probenecid increases secretion of the monosodium urate crystals while Allopurinol reduces hepatic production of them.
True
What signalment and history are associated with Hypovitaminosis A?
Young, fast growing chelonian
Long term rehabiliation chelonian
Inappropiate diet lacking adequate Vitamin A (green plants)
Name some clinical signs of Hypovitaminosis A
Bilateral blephatoedem (squamos metaplasia)
Nasal/Ocular Discharge
Lethargy
Anorexia
Weight loss
Pneumonia
Diarrhea
Abscesses
How does one treat Hypovitaminosis A?
Correct diet/enviornmnet
Fluids
Correct Vit A level - supplement, Injection, Raw Liver
Overdose man lead to epidermal sloughing - recovery takes 4-6 months. treatment similar to severe burn treatment
What leads to Pyramiding?
High protein diet
Humidity below 25%
What disorder results from feeding fish frozen for longer than 12 weeks, presents with neurological signs, and is diagnosed by response to Vit B1 25 mg/kg/day?
Thiamine deficiency
you better have gotten that from the diagnosis if nothing else, or get out.
Small enclosures can results in rostral abrasions, which may abcess or give way to osteomyelitis. How are these abrasions treated?
Abx
Surgical curettage
Inappropiate low temperature ranges can lead to hypothermia, anorexia and immunocompromisation. The Immunocompromisation can lead to abscesses. What is different in reptile abscesses from those in mammals?
Hard/solid mass
No presence of heat, erythema, fever
Aural Abscesses can be seen in immunosupressed reptiles, those with high levels of bacteria in their water and chelonias suffering from hypovitaminosis A. What kind of bacteria is most prominent in these abscesses?
Aerobic gram-negative
Too high of temperature in reptilian enclosures can cause thermal burns. So you will treat any contaminated wounds, use Abx and give suppoertice care
What are some potential complications of inappropriate substrate?
Obstruction
Bacterial infections
So a reptile walks into a bar feeling dehydrated, regurgitating and his belly is swollen. Whats goin on?
Cryptosporidiosis
You notice that an iguana has some stunting and diarrhea. The next day its dead. What does it most likely have?
Coccidiosis
Iridovirus clinically presents similar to herpes with a stomatitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis complex. Which reptiles does this virus affect?
Chelonians and Lizards
How do you treat herpes?
With supportive care and Acyclovir when symptomatic .. though Herpes is for life
A bunch of turtles in an enclosure have nasal/ocular discharge and palpebral edema. Some seem like they have pneumonia. You do a PCR and discover the agent. You then decide you will treat with a Tertacycline or Fluoroquinolone. What agent did you discover?
Mycoplasma agassizii
The infected may not be reintorduced back into the wild or into a healthy collection of animals becaus this is never completely cleared and spread by direct contact.
Adenovirus is commonly seen in snakes, lizards and bearded dragons. How do you treat breeding reptiles with this Dz?
You dont .. you cull them.
Others can be given supportive care
Paramycovirus can be found in lizards and snakes. CS include nasal discharge, purulent hemorrhagic discharge from the glottis and neurologic signs. Why might you give an affected reptile Abx?
From a resultant secondary bacterial infection caused by the severe inflammation.
Inclusionbody Dz mainly affects what kinds of snakes?
Boas and Pythons.
CNS Dysfunction
Euthanize animal because they won’t survive.
T/F: Salmonella is not zoonotic
SUCH FALSE
T/F: ALL reptiles have the potential for carrying and spreading salmonella
True
T/F: It is super easy to establish salmonella status of a reptile
False
It can be transiently shed
What is the best way to disinfect an area you are concerned about salmonella being in?
Bleach
