Reptiles

Question 1

What is the difference in turtles, tortoises and terrapins?

Answer 1

Turtles: water
Tortoises: dry land
Terrapins: brackish areas (marsh)

Question 2

What is appendix 1?

Answer 2

Animals that are classified in this are only allowed for research/conservation trade import/export permits

Question 3

T/F: Ectotherms can’t regulate their own body temp

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

What is the anatomical structure that protects the body, aids in locomotion and allows moisture to be retained?

Answer 4

Scales/scutes

Question 5

What species has scutes?

Answer 5

Crocodiles and chelonians

Question 6

What is the term for shedding?

Answer 6

Ecdysis

Question 7

What factors contribute to dysecdysis?

Answer 7

inappropriate closures/humidity, significant scarring, dehydration

Question 8

What is the difference in UVA and UVB lighting?

Answer 8

UVA- behavior

UVB- necessary for production of Vitamin D3 within skin

Question 9

What substrates can be used in enclosures?

Answer 9

Newspaper, paper towel, astroturf, gravel, aspen shavings, playsand, recycled paper pellets

Question 10

How do we know the prey of snakes are okay to feed?

Answer 10

No larger than the girth, pre-killed prey preferred

Question 11

How do we know if the prey of lizards are okay to feed?

Answer 11

No larger than the width of th ehead

Question 12

Which insects can cause impacitons in lizards?

Answer 12

Crickets and mealworms

Question 13

Parsley, spinach and chives are rich in what?

Answer 13

Oxalates (oxalic acid) –> can bind Ca and reduce absorption leading to Goiter

Question 14

What should be included in a patient diary?

Answer 14

Feeding schedule, weight, stool production, ecdysis

Question 15

What is the name for the copulatory organs?

Answer 15

Hemipenes
Males-paired
Females- single

Question 16

How do you tell the difference from a male and female tortoise?

Answer 16

Male: concave plastron and longer tail

Question 17

What is the difference in male vs. female red eared sliders?

Answer 17

Males have longer tails and claws

Question 18

What is important to understand when restraining a reptile?

Answer 18

They don’t have diaphragms

Question 19

How do you hold a snake?

Answer 19

Place index finger and thumb around mandible

Question 20

What is the handler rule for snakes?

Answer 20

1 handler per every 3 ft. of body length

Question 21

What predisposes snakes to alantoaxial subluxation?

Answer 21

Single occipital condyle

Question 22

What happens when a lizard gets stressed?

Answer 22

Tail autotomy- the tail will fall off and will regrow as a cartilaginous structure

Question 23

How do you hold a medium sized lizard?

Answer 23

Cradle tail base under armpit and put body/head along forearm

Question 24

Which reptiles have complete tracheal rings and which ones have incomplete tracheal rings?

Answer 24

Complete: crocs and chelonians
Incomplete: snakes and lizards

Question 25

Which air sac does gas exchange take place in reptiles?

Answer 25

Cranial air sac

Question 26

What is particular about snake lungs?

Answer 26

They only have one lung (L typically absent) | Males will sometimes have a vestigial L lung lobe

Question 27

Since a stethoscope cannot be used on chelonians- how can you listen to the HR and rhythm?

Answer 27

Doppler probe at thoracic inlet

Question 28

How many chambers do reptile hearts have?

Answer 28

3 | *Crocs have 4*

Question 29

Which species have external ears?

Answer 29

Lizards and crocs

Question 30

Which species have external tympanum?

Answer 30

Chelonians and lizards

Question 31

What is commonly seen in turtles in reference to their ears?

Answer 31

Aural abscesses

Question 32

Which species have inner ears?

Answer 32

Snakes

Question 33

Which species has eyelids fused over eyes to form a transparent membrane?

Answer 33

SNakes

Question 34

T/F: Reptiles have NO consensual PLR

Answer 34

TRUE

Question 35

What color should the mm be?

Answer 35

Pink- can check cloaca if you can't see in mouth

Question 36

What is the name of the vomernasal organ that opens directly into the mouth and is innervated by the olfactory nerve?

Answer 36

Jacobson's Organ

Question 37

Which species has well developed oral mucous glands?

Answer 37

Snakes

Question 38

How many rows of teeth do venomous teeth vs. non venomous teeth have?

Answer 38

Venomous- 2 rows | Non-venomous- 4 rows

Question 39

What kind of beaks do leatherbacks have?

Answer 39

Maxillary cusps (helps grab jellyfish)

Question 40

What is the keratin structure found in all sea turtles?

Answer 40

Esophageal Papillae

Question 41

Which species continuously shed vs. periodically shed?

Answer 41

Continuous: crocs and chelonians Periodic: squamates

Question 42

What is the name of the top vs. bottom shell on a chelonian?

Answer 42

Top: carapace (thoracic ribs fuse to form this) Bottom: plastron (abdominal ribs fuse to form this)

Question 43

What are the three parts that make up the cloaca?

Answer 43

Coprodeum: fecal material comes from colon Urodeum: ureters from bladder, repro Proctodeum: urine and feces mix here

Question 44

What is the name for when reptiles give birth to live young?

Answer 44

Viviparous

Question 45

What is the term for species producing young by means of eggs that are hatched within the body of the parent

Answer 45

Ovoviviparous

Question 46

What are the anticoagulants of choice?

Answer 46

Lithium and Sodium Heparin

Question 47

What causes RBC lysis in chelonians?

Answer 47

EDTA

Question 48

What are the 6 areas you can take blood from?

Answer 48

``` Jugular (not good spot for chelonians since they can retract their heads) Coccygeal Brachial Subcarapacial Interdigital vein Dorsal cervical sinus ```

Question 49

What is the site of venipuncture that can have lymph contamination?

Answer 49

Subcarapacial

Question 50

What is the gold standard venipuncture site for chelonians?

Answer 50

Dorsal cervical sinus

Question 51

What is the gold standard site of venipuncture for lizards and snakes?

Answer 51

Caudal vein

Question 52

What is the catabolic end product for nitrogen elimination?

Answer 52

Uric acid

Question 53

What is the normal Ca:P ratio?

Answer 53

2:1

Question 54

What are causes of hypocalcemia?

Answer 54

Lack of dietary intake and lack of UVB lighting

Question 55

What biochem values are good to evaluate in a patient with liver disease?

Answer 55

AST If elevated CK and AST-think muscle CK normal and AST high-think liver

Question 56

What is the most common fecal examination method?

Answer 56

Flotation Use sedimentation for trematode eggs

Question 57

What are the routine rad views for chelonians?

Answer 57

Dorsoventral Lateral Craniocaudal

Question 58

What is the passage time in chelonians?

Answer 58

24-40 days

Question 59

How can you initiate the vasovagal response in lizards?

Answer 59

Place cotton balls over the patient's eyes and wrap with tape- gives you around 30 minutes of a calm lizard

Question 60

What are the most preferred fluid solutions given to reptiles?

Answer 60

Normosol R and LRS Moving away from reptile Ringers Solution (one part LRS + 2 parts 2.5% dextrose and .45% NaCl)

Question 61

What are the routes of fluid administration for chelonians?

Answer 61

IO and IV

Question 62

Where are intracoelomic fluids administered?

Answer 62

Inguinal fossa- chelonians Right side of lower abdomen- lizards Lower 1/3 body- snakes

Question 63

What is a con of administering intracoelomic fluids?

Answer 63

Large amounts can compromise lungs- missing diaphragm

Question 64

What percentage of fluids should not be exceeded daily?

Answer 64

Do not exceed 2-3% of body weight per day

Question 65

What is the maintenance rate of fluids?

Answer 65

15 mL/kg/day

Question 66

When should a blood transfusion be administered?

Answer 66

When PCV < 5% or acute hemorrhage

Question 67

Where should injections be administered?

Answer 67

Cranial body-avoid renal portal system

Question 68

What is an Ab that is HIGHLY NEPHROTOXIC?

Answer 68

Amikacin- aminoglycosides

Question 69

What is a potential side effect of Baytril?

Answer 69

Tissue necrosis and painful- DILUTE

Question 70

T/F: you should never use ivermectin in Chelonians?

Answer 70

TRUE- crosses BBB and can KILL

Question 71

What is the primary holding layer in wound healing?

Answer 71

Skin

Question 72

What is medetomidine reversed with?

Answer 72

Atipamezole

Question 73

How long should reptiles be dry docked for post-op?

Answer 73

24 hrs

Question 74

What local anesthetic is highly toxic in sea turtle babies?

Answer 74

Lidocaine

Question 75

What are three components of manuka honey?

Answer 75

Hyperosmotic, acidic, hydrogen peroxide production

Question 76

Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism is most common in what species?

Answer 76

Lizards and aquatic turtles

Question 77

What are the physical exam findings of patients with secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 77

Muscle tremors, fasiculations and tetany Fibrous osteodystrophy (thickening and swelling of long bones and mandibles) Pathologic fractures Tooth loss

Question 78

What are the tx options for secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism?

Answer 78

Calcium Gluconate oral Vitamin D therapy Calcitonin

Question 79

There is a patient presented to you with deposition of uric acid and urate salts in visceral tissues and articular surfaces- what are you suspecting?

Answer 79

Gout

Question 80

What are common components of the history of a patient with gout?

Answer 80

Water deprived, high protein diets

Question 81

What is the primary vs. secondary cause of gout?

Answer 81

Primary: overproduction of uric acid Secondary: chronic disease or drug (Furosemide)

Question 82

What is a definitive dx of gout?

Answer 82

Monosodium urate crystals within joints of affected patients or within tophi

Question 83

What are some tx options for gout?

Answer 83

Low protein diet, high moisture foods | Allopurinol-reduce hepatic production

Question 84

What are you suspecting when you observe bilateral blepharoedema or squamousmetaplasia in chelonians?

Answer 84

Hypovitaminosis A

Question 85

What are the CS of hypervitaminosis A?

Answer 85

Blisters on skin of neck/legs Tissue sloughing Water soluble

Question 86

What are the common causes of pyramiding of a chelonian carapace?

Answer 86

Lack of humidity and incorrect diet

Question 87

What is the key component in the history of a patient with thiamine deficiency?

Answer 87

Frozen fish diet | This will increase the thiaminase activity

Question 88

What parasite causes dehydration, regurgitation and mid-body swelling?

Answer 88

Cryptosporidiosis

Question 89

How do you dx coccidiosis?

Answer 89

Fecal flotation with modified Sheather's solution

Question 90

What is the tx of coccidiosis?

Answer 90

Ponazuril

Question 91

What is the virus in chelonians and lizards that is similar to herpesvirus and has basophilic inclusion bodies on impression smears?

Answer 91

Iridovirus

Question 92

Which virus causes rhinitis, conjunctivitis, enteritis, pneumonia, heptaomegaly, neuro dz and has eosinophilic inclusion bodies?

Answer 92

Herpesvirus

Question 93

What is the tx for herpestvirus?

Answer 93

Acyclovir

Question 94

What are the CS of mycoplasmosis?

Answer 94

Nasal/ocular discharge, conjunctivitis, palpebral edema, pneumonia

Question 95

T/F: mycoplasmosis will never completely clear so you should never return patient to wild

Answer 95

TRUE

Question 96

What is a highly contagious disease in sea turtles?

Answer 96

Fibropapillomatosis (Herpesvirus)

Question 97

T/F: Majority of reptiles have Salmonellosis?

Answer 97

TRUE- no tx needed unless very bad