Reptiles Flashcards
What are the 8 H’s of husbandry?
Heat Hide Humidity Health Hygiene Healthy appetite Habitat Handling
What does preferred body temperature mean?
The temperature at which metabolism is optimal
Difference between thermometer and thermostat?
Thermostat regulates heat
Thermometer reads it
What is ultraviolet light essential for?
Synthesis of Vitamin D and calcium metabolism
What is the average humidity requirement?
40-80%
What in the vivarium can alter humidity levels?
Size of the water bowl
What are the 3 substrates that are unsuitable to use?
Artificial turf
Bark chips
Dirt
What is the most common cause of disease in turtles?
Poor water quality
What type of diet do all Australian snakes have?
Carnivorous
How often should hatchling and adult pythons be fed?
Hatchlings 4-5 days
Adult 1-2 weeks
How often should small and adult lizards be fed?
Small 1-2 days
Adult 2-3 days
How much should an adult reptile be fed maximally?
20%of body weight
What is the most commonly seen condition in pythons?
Stomatitis
-Usually inappetant
What mite can infect snakes, and what are the clinical signs?
Ophionyssus natricis
Dysecdysis
Long periods in water bowls
What are skin blisters caused by? (Ventral necrotic dermatitis)
Excessive humidity
Inappropriate substrate
Suboptimal temperature
Poor hygiene
What can metabolic bone disease be misdiagnosed as?
Neurological issue
-Can have hindlimb and tail paresis, twitchy
How do you treat respiratory disease?
Increase the vivarium temperature
usually don’t need antibiotics
How long should you quarantine a new reptile?
3-6 months
What are some clinical signs of stomatitis in pythons?
Oral lesions
Anorexia
Ptyalism
“Tongue stick”
Why can respiratory disease in snakes be especially problematic?
No diaphragm so can’t cough
Linear anatomy
Only have a right lung
What are some clinical signs of Ferlavirus in snakes?
Respiratory signs neurological signs Non-specific signs- Poor appetite Lethargy Regurgitation -No antibody test in Aus
What is the protocol for fluid therapy in snakes?
25-40 mls/kg/day S.C.
What happens in steatitis?
Fat deposits become hard and abscessed
Euthanasia in severe cases
How long can mites survive off the host?
40 days
What can you use to treat mites in snakes?
Ivermectin Fipronil Permethrin spray Vegetable oil Warm baths to ease discomfort
Why is metabolic bone disease uncommon in snakes?
Because they are fed whole animals with lots of calcium
What are 3 causes of renal metabolic bone disease?
Dehydration
High protein diet
Hypervitaminosis D
How do you treat a reptile with renal metabolic bone disease?
Phosphate binders
Fluid therapy
Supportive care
What should be included in a reptile blood and biochem panel?
Leukocyte estimate and differential count
PCV and total protein
UA, CK, AST
Glucose, calcium, phosphorus, bile acids
During ecdysis what happens to the lymphocyte numbers?
Lymphocytosis
-Increased
