Reptiles Flashcards
Stomach volume in chelonians is about __% of body weight, or ___ml/kg.
2
20
When restaining a snake you should place your index finger and thumb around its _____ and support the body every ___ feet of length.
Mandible
3
T/F: Size does not always indicate age in reptiles.
True
Does a male or female turtle/tortois have a longer tail?
Male
Aside from dehydration what can cause hyperalbuminemia in reptiles?
Reproductive activity
The tertiary spectacle shields that cover and protect the surface of the corneas of some reptiles are derivative structures that originate from the:
a. skin
b. nasolacrimal duct
c. gingiva
d. iris
e. cilairy body
a. skin
Many reptiles have moveable eyelids. Which reptiles lack these structures?
a. turtles, tortoises, terrapins
b. alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gharials
c. snakes and some lizards
d. tuatara
e. frogs and toads
C. Snakes and some lizards
Why should you avoid feeding excess shellfish and certain fish to carvivorous reptiles?
Shellfish = Poor Calcium:Phosporous ratio and
Some fish= contain thiaminase
For invasive or prolonged procedures, what inhalants are recommened? What should you do for 24 hours post-anesthesia?
Isoflurane
Sevoflurane (maybe faster recovery)
Dry dock (q24 hrs)- keep them out of the water
What are the modified scales called that crocodiles and chelonians have?
Scutes (some are osteoderms)
Venomous snakes have ___ rows of teeth in the upper arcade, while non-venomous snakes have ___ rows.
2
4
What antibiotics are commonly used in reptiles for aerobes? Anaerobes? Broad spectum?
Aerobes: Amikacin (renal toxicity), Ceftazidime, Enrofloxacin (muscle/tissue necrosis- always dilute)
Anaerobes: Metronidazole, Clindamycin, Penicillin
Broad-spec: Chloramphenicol
When sexing a female snake, how far should you be able to insert the probe?
a. At least 9-15 subcadals
b. 5 subcaudals
c. At most 1-3 subcaudals
d. Not at all
c. At most 1-3 subcaudals
What does sternothermal mean? Eurythermal?
Both are types of ectotherms
Stenothermal: Typically terrestrial species, able to tolerate only a small range of temperature.
Eurythermal: typically aquatic or arboreal species, able to tolerate a wide range of temperatures.
What 2 drugs are commonly used for antifungal therapy?
Intraconazole
Fluconazole
What is POTR (or POTZ)?
A range of temperature that varies by species- Preferred Optimal Temperature Range/Zone
What are the main things you need to ask about when getting a history?
Background (where acquired, length of ownership…)
Environment (temp, humidity, lighting…)
Nutrition (type, amount, frequency…)
Reproductive (breeding, egg-laying)
Current health status (Eating/drinking, feces/urine appearance, past hx, problems…)
What is the gold standard site for venipuncture in lizards?
Jugular vein
In lizards enclosure dimensions are based on _____, while in snakes it is ______ and in turtles it is ________.
Lizards: Snout-to-tail length
Snakes: Total length
Turtles: Carapace length
Why is butorphanol not selected for analgesia in reptiles? What is used instead?
Reptiles have more mu receptors
Pure mu agonsits (morphine, hydro, fentanyl)
Tramadol (weaker)
Meloxicam (NSAID)
T/F: Oviducts, which have albumin and shell secreting function, empty directly into the cloaca through the genital papillae.
True
Due to the _________ system, injections should only be administered in reptiles in the _____ portion of the body.
Renal portal
Cranial
T/F: Venipuncture is often performed with blind technique and always with aseptic sterilization.
True
The caudal portion of a reptiles lungs is responsible for _____ while the cranial portion is for ______. Except for snakes, which typically only have a one lung on the _____ side.
Storage
Gas-exchange
Right (note: Boas have vestigial left lugn)
Where do you give ICF in lizards? Snakes?
Lizards - Right side of lower abdomen (to avoid bladder)
Snakes - Lower third of body (to avoid lung)
Prey for snakes should not be larger than the ____ of the snake.
Girth
What must you ensure before NSAID administration? For how many days, at most, can you administer these?
Good renal function
3 days
What is the primary nitrogenous waste product in reptiles?
Uric acid (they are uricotelic)
Rather than urea
You notice pyramiding in a tortoise. What are 2 possible causes of this?
Lack of humidity (<25%)
Incorrect diet
What is the vemeronasal organ that opens into the mouth which is innervated by the olfactory nerve in snakes?
Jacobson’s organ
(Found in many animals)
What are the routine views for chelonian rads?
DV
Lateral
Craniocaudal/AP (for lung fields)
Concerning reptiles, which statement is most accurate?
a. Most boids have 2 lungs
b. Most viperids have 2 lungs
c. Like birds, most snakes have a single ovary
d. Anatomically, if not functinally, snakes have a pelvic dirdle
e. All snakes have a mandibular sympthysis
a. Most boids have 2 lungs
How much blood can you take from a reptile?
0.5ml/100g (10% of blood volume) in a healthy animal
What 3 areas should you place thermometers in an enclosure?
Basking spot
Temperate zone
Cool area
Which of these is the correct order in the cloaca?
Urodeum- Coprodeum - Proctodeum- Vent
Coprodeum-Proctodeum-Urodeum-Vent
Coprodeum- Urodeum- Proctodeum- Vent
Coprodeum- Urodeum- Proctodeum- Vent
(C-U-P)
What is ecdysis? What stimulates it in reptiles?
Regular shedding of skin
Thyroid gland/hormones
No shedding= Dysecdysis
Snakes and some species of lizard have fused eyelids which form a transparent membrane over the globe. What is this called?
Brille / Spectacle
(Pic shows just before shedding)
A young turtle presents to you with bilateral blepharoedema, discharge from the nares and eyes, weight-loss, and overall ADR. What are you thinking and how can you confirm your suspicions?
Hypovitaminosis A
Vit A assay of liver or Vit A level in blood
What is the preferred mode of administration for vit A supplementation?
Oral (e.g. feed small pieces of liver)
What are these?
Esophageal papillae (sea turtle)
Which antiparasitic drug is sometimes counterindicated because it causes bone marrow suppression?
Fenbendazole
Why should an aquatic reptile be positioned vertically in the water column when you are handling them in the water?
To prevent them from biting
To prevent them from swimming (take them out of their normal element)
What part of the physical exam can when combined with body weight help in identifying nutritional problems?
Morphometric measurements
What can you do instead of general anesthesia to take rads of lizards?
Vasovagal response- tape cotton balls over the eyes to apply pressure
(Gives you about 30min)
What do you use to get heart rate and rhythm in reptiles? How many chambers does a raptile heart have? What is the exception?
Doppler (NOT a stethoscope)
3 chambers - common ventricle + 2 atria
Crocodiles
How could you easily remove excessive epibiota from a saltwater turtle?
Place it in freshwater
Why must you provide both UVA and UVB light? Why should the bulb NOT shine through glass?
UVA for behavioral reasons
UVB for Calcium ansorption, vitamin D production in skin (prevent bone disease)
Glass deflects UVB light
What do reptiles have instead of neutrophils?
Heterophils
What is the most common site for venipuncture in small to medium crocodilians? In larger ones?
Caudal (ventral tail) vein
Supravertebral sinus
What are the properties of honey that make it such good wound dressing?
Hyperosmotic (kills bacteria and fungi by dessication)
Acidic (pH=4 inhibits bacterial growth)
Produces hydrogen peroxide (kills bacteria)
What are the diagnostic you would perform following a physical exam?
CBC
Plasma biochemistry panel
Rads
Fecal
Other specialized diagnostics as needed
Why do you not get a consensual PLR in reptiles?
Iris is controlled by skeletal muscle
What are the only reptiles that have a pseudodiaphgram?
Crocodilians (all other have NO diaphragm)
What can occur if you only feed crickets rather than a variety of insects and grubs?
Chitin impaction
What is the normal calcium to phosphorous ratio? What if the reptile has renal disease?
- 5-2 : 1
1: 1.5-2 (inverse)
How many mLs of blood can safely been drawn from a reptile weighing 800grams?
4mL
Why should you chop up the variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers that you are feeding your lizard?
So they cannot preferentially eat one type of food (maintain balanced diet)
Which disorder results in the deposition of uric acid and urate salts within visceral tissues and on articular surfaces? What is the typical history of affected animals?
Nutritional Gout
Adults reptile, water deprived, high protein diet
What disorder, most common in lizards and aquatic turtles, is caused by an imbalance of Ca:P ratio (excess P), and inadequate UV light exposure, presents with muscle tremors and skeletal changes?
Secondary Nutritional Hyperparathyroidism
Excess P can be caused by diet high in shrimp
Why should you avoid feeding parsley, spinach, chives and alfalfa to herbivorous reptiles? Why should you also avoid brussels sprouts, bronccoli, cauliflower, kale, radish and watercress? (what are they rich and and what does this cause)
Parsley etc. are rich in oxalic acid which binds calcium and reduces absorption
Brussels sprouts etc. bind iodine (are glucosinolates) which leads to goiter formation
Signatory nations to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wilf Fauna and Flora (CITES) have agreed that animals listed in Appendix 1 of that treaty:
a. may not be exported from their native countries for any reason
b. are a cause of concern, but trade between cooperating nations may be approved for commercial purposes
c. may not be exported for commercial purposes, but limited trade between zoos and educational institutions may occur
d. are not in immediate danger of extinction, but will become so if trade is not controlled
e. can be freely traded for any purpose as long as permits are obtained by the exporting nation
c. may not be exported for commercial purposes, but limited trade between zoos and educational institutions may occur
What are the gold standard venipuncture sites in turtles, tortoises and terrapins?
Jugular vein - all (alternative= Brachial)
Dorsal cervical sinus - sea turtles (hard shell)
Interdigital- Leatherbacks
What is the most common site for venipuncture in snakes and where is it located? What is the alternative location?
Caudal (ventral tail) vein
Caudal to cloaca, 25-50% down tail, 45-60deg angle on ventral midline
Alternative: Heart (under sedation)
How long do boids (like boas and python) have to be quarantines? What about tortoises during hybernation?
6 months
4-6 weeks following hibernation
Other reptiles at least 90 days
Which 2 species have complete trachea rings? Which have incomplete rings?
Complete: Crocs, Chelonians
Incomplete: Lizards, Snakes
Never use ______ in chelonians!!
IVERMECTIN
Why is inhalant anesthesia difficult in some reptiles?
Can hold breath for long time (5 hours)
What disorder are you thinking if you see lytic lesions near joints? How is it treated?
Gout
Correct husbandry (low purine diet, high moisture good, mist and regualr water access)
Drugs: Probenecid (increase secretion), Allopurinol (reduce hepatic production), Corticoteroids (inflammation)
IVF as needed
+/- Surgery
What nutritional deficiency causes neurological signs due to necrotizing encephalopathy and peripheral neuritis? How do you treat it?
Thiamine
Vit B-1 (thiamine) IM
What foreign body may you find in the urinary bladder in oviparous or oviviparious( female) reptiles?
Egg(s)
What methods of fluid administration are indicated in severely compromised chelonians?
IV
IO
(Also the route for blood, colloids,a nd fluids w>5% dextrose)
What is CITES?
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
(Appendix 1-3)
What are the anticoagulants of choice for reptiles and why?
Lithium and Sodium Heparin
Because EDTA causes RBC lysis in chelonians
Make sure you dont let Na-Hep tube sit too long because it will increase Na value
T/F: Some, but not all, species of lizard can regrow their tail after they have dropped it, usually due to stress.
True
What can a frozen fish diet cause in reptiles?
Thiamine deficiency
What 3 fluid types are comonly used in reptiles?
Normasol-R
LRS
“Reptile Ringers Solition” (LRS + Dextrose + NaCl)
What percent of body weight do reptiles need to eat daily?
7%
What must you be careful to avoid if administering fluids intracelomically in chelonians as you are accessing this cavity via the inguinal fossa?
Bladder
Kidney
Gonads
Lizards and crocodilians usually have an _____ ear while snakes only have an _____ ear. Chelonians and some species of lizards have an external _______.
External
Inner
Tympanum
Excess moisture in the envrionment can lead to _____, while inadequate moistue leads to _______ and _____.
Dermatitis
Dessication, Dysecdysis
What is the maintenance fluid rate in reptiles?
15 ml/kg/day
(up 20 ml/kg/day)
For short, non-invasive surgical procedures or for induction what drugs can you use?
Dexmedetomidine (or Medetomidine) +/- Ketamine
- (low dose ketamin is synergistic w/(dex)medetomidine)*
- (Dex)medetomidine can be reversed with atipamazole*
Propol + saline (1:2 dilution)
Alfaxalone + Midazolam
