Respiratory and MSK diseases in NTCA Flashcards
What is the clinical presentation of a respiratory disease in reptiles?
- Open mouth breathing
- Increased froth or fluid
- Mucus on nostrils
- Bubble blowing
- Periocular oedema
- Lethargy/ anorexia
- Poor shedding
- Buoyancy issues (chelonia specific)
- Blepharospasm
What are some potential viral pneumonia differential diagnosis?
Herpes – immunocompromised, common in tortoises,
Paramyxo + Reovirus (in squamata), Inclusion body disease
(IBD)*Neurological signs , Retrovirus, Adenovirus
What are some potential parasitic differential diagnosis
Lungworm (Rhabdias sp),Hookworm ( Kalicephalus sp),,*
Pentastomids
What are some potential bacterial pneumonia differential diagnosis?
common primary cause is husbandry related.
(Aeromonas sp, Pseudomonas spp, Klebsiella spp, Mycoplasma*, Chlamydophila spp)
* Tortoises very susceptible to Mycoplasma
What are some potential fungal differential diagnosis?
(Aspergillus, Candida spp) – must consider ventilation, lighting,
temperature, humidity
What may a mineral deficiency cause?
Hypovitamonis A (epithelial degeneration)
What non-infectious diseases may trauma cause?
- Bites, door, boat propeller
- Aspiration pneumonia.
- Space occupying lesion at glottis.
What non-infectious diseases may toxins cause?
- Smoke inhalation
- Bedding / Husbandry
How would you treat a respiratory disease in reptiles?
list of treatments
- Clear the passage and open the airways
- Reduce inflammation and pain
- Rehydration (fluid therapy)
- Mucolytics
- Aqueous eye drops
- Husbandry practices
What drug should not be used in chelonia?
Ivermectin
What are the clinical signs of MSK diseases in reptiles?
Anorexic
- Paralysis
- Weakness
- ‘Odd shape’ / non symmetrical body
- Soft shell
- Misshapen jaw
- ‘Dropped jaw’
- Muscle twitching
- Loss of body mass (‘looks smaller’)
- Wounds (muscle tear, open fracture)
- Joint swelling
- ‘Lumps and bumps
Name 5 differential diagnosis for MSK diseases in reptiles
- Congenital deformity
- Metabolic bone disease
- MSK trauma
- Infectious causes (septic arthritis)
- Gout
- Hypovitaminosis A
What are the 4 main diagnostics for MSK diseases in reptiles?
- History
- Physical exam
- Radiography
- Haematology and Biochemistry
What is the treatment and prognosis for msk diseases in reptiles?
- Fluid therapy
- analgesia
- Wound management
- Calcium supplementation
- Surgical management
- Cage rest
- Euthanaesia for severe cases
- Environment and husbandry changes
What is the clinical presentation of respiratory diseases in birds?
Feather plucking
* Stained feathers above nares
* Increased nasal discharge
* Irritation/ scratching/ rubbing head
* Dyspnoea
* Persistent conjunctivitis
* Sneezing
* Periocular oedema
* Blocked nasal passage (Rhinolith)
What are the main differentials for respiratory diseases in birds?
Viral pneumonia (Paramyxovirus)
* Bacterial pneumonia (Pasteurella,
Pseudomonas, Mycoplasma)
* Aspergillosis
* Chlamydophila psittaci (spread via respiratory
secretion, feather dander) *ZOONOTIC
* Air sac mite
* Hypovitaminosis A – causing metaplasia of
mucous membrane
How would you diagnose respiratory diseases in birds?
History (diet, environment, bedding, deworming status)
* Palpation, Auscultation
* Haematology and biochemistry
* Culture and sensitivity
* Radiography
* Ultrasound
* Endoscopy (to see, take samples and sometimes remove plaques)
* PCR ( detect Chlamydia in dropping or organs – PM)
How might you treat respiratory diseases in birds?
- Fluid therapy
- Nebulisation
- Analgesia
- Anti-parasitic drugs
- Antibiotics
- Antifungals
- Bronchodilators
- Mucolytics
- Surgical removal of rhinoliths
What is the treatment/ prognosis of MSK diseases in birds?
Reduce pain, inflammation – Analgesia, Anti inflammatory
* Hydration and loss of fluid - Fluid therapy , IV, IO, SC
* Immobilise limb, prevent further damage - Bandage and splint
* Antimicrobial therapy if open wound
* Supportive care – Tube/ crop feeding
* Surgical repair – internal, external, hybrid
* Cage rest
What are the clinical signs/ presentation of respiratory disease in NTCA?
Nasal discharge
- Dyspnoea
- Sneezing
- Crusty nasal area
- Dirty FL
- Poor body condition
- Dull coat
- Inappetant
- Isolating themselves from the group
- Porphyrin staining(rats)
What is the differential diagnosis for respiratory diseases in small mammals
Infectious
* Bacterial pneumonia
- Mycoplasma pulmonis – highly contagious *rats
- Chronic infection – repeat episodes of bronchitis / pneumonia
- Bordetella bronchiseptica *, Pasteurellosis, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
Klebsiella pneumonia
*BB- common in GP’s kept with rabbits who carry the pathogen
asymptomatically
* Viral pneumonia
o Canine distemper virus (ferrets)
* Fungal pneumonia
- Aspergillosis
- Pneumocytosis (Rats)
* Parasitic - Aelurostrongylus abstrusus – causes chronic coughing
What are some of the non-infectious causes of respiratory disease in small mammals?
allergy , dusty environment, poor ventilation, high ammonia
* Neoplasia in older animals
* Secondary to dental disease
What are the treatment principles for small mammals?
Fluid therapy (PO, SQ, IV, IO)
* Oxygen and nebulisation
* Analgesia
* Anti-inflammatories
* Mucolytics - Bromhexine
* Bronchodilators- Salbutamol
* Antibiotics – Fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines (*make sure safe to
be given orally for hindgut fermenters)
* Prevention: Distemper vaccination for ferrets
What are the common msk clinical signs in small mammals?
Distress when handling
- Dull coat, hair loss
- Swollen joints
- Bleeding gums
- Lame/ abnormal gait
What would be the diagnostic workup for msk in small mammals?
- Radiographs
- Bloods
How might you potentially treat msk diseases in small mammals?
Supplementation with diet (Kale, Cabbage)
* High amounts of fruits not the best option (gut issues, also high sugar)
* Vit C (Oral and in water)
* Pain management (VERY IMPORTANT)
* Prognosis dependent on onset and severity. Consider welfare if severe
Howe might you prevent MSK diseases in small mammals?
GP diet – fortified with Vit C
* Supplementation
