Revision Flashcards
Explain the breeding procedure for a budge?
Males have a blue cere
Females have a nude cere
Describe the general accommodation for a duck?
- A pond to swim in which is lined, easy to clean and with a filter
- One side of pond should be sloped to allow easy access
- Sheltered area that is weatherproof and secure
- They need space/facilities to be able to exhibit natural behaviours
- Raised platform for food/water dishes
How would you transport a budgie to the bet vet?
- They can be brought in in their own secure cage/carrier
- Covered with a blanket to minimise stress
- All objects such as toys should be removed prior to make catching easier
Describe the feeding pattern for ducks?
- 90% vegetable matter, 10% animal protein
- Grit/gravel to help gizzard function
- Fed ad lib and food/water dishes should be placed on raised platform
Describe the clinical signs/treatment of a bird suffering from an iodine deficiency?
- Enlarged thyroid gland, pressing on the trachea
- Respiratory problems
- Permanently stuck in moult phase
- Iodine can be supplemented with a block hung on cage
Describe clinical signs/nursing requirements of a parrot suffering from Psittacosis?
- Conjunctivitis, dyspnoea, green diarrhoea, feather plucking, nasal discharge
- Barrier nursing should always be carried out (mask, gloves, apron)
- Treated with tetracyclines
Explain breeding procedure for a budgie?
- In the summer months: stimulated by day length
- Extra protein fed prior to breeding
- Cages should have nesting box with concave at the bottom
- 1-2 eggs before brooding (which usually happens when 3rd egg is laid)
- Incubation period is18 days
- Eggs laid on alternate days, can be an average of 5-6 eggs in a clutch of 3-10
- Sexual maturity occurs at 6-9 months
Describe signs of pain/distress in birds?
- Mouth breathing
- Tail bobbing
- Ruffled feathers
- Anorexia
- Feather plucking
- Unusual perching
Describe euthanasia for a bird?
- Can use ketamine to sedate first (40mg/kg)
- Pentobarbitone injection (ulnar vein, liver IM)
Describe clinical signs if a bird is 7-10% dehydrated?
- CRT more than 1-2 seconds
- Slow tenting of the skin over eyelids/feet
- Dull corneas
- Dry mucous membranes
- Cold extremities
- Poor pulse
Describe acceptable/ maximum housing requirements for a snake?
- Small, ventilated glass tank (should be strong, secures and easily cleaned)
- Substrate (e.g newspaper) and water should be provided
- UV lamp that is guarded, a heat mat and temperature gradient
- Min/max thermometer
- Humidity by spraying plants
Describe the feeding pattern for a terrapin?
- Should be fed in water
- Omnivores but mostly eat fish/aquatic invertebrates
- Fed only on specific plants (pondweed, watercress, dandelions, tomatoes)
- Good quality complete foods area available
- Young should be fed daily
- Adults should be fed approximately 2-3 times a week
Describe the feeding pattern for a garter snake?
- Defrosted fish that have been heated then cooled
- Fish should be fed head first using tongs
- Hatchlings should be fed after first shedding (approx 1 week old) Need to be fed at least once a week
- Adults can range from feeding weekly to monthly
Describe feeding pattern for a boa?
- Rabbits/rats every 2/3 weeks (defrosted first)
- Should be fed from long handled tongs
- Food should be given head first as makes swallowing of limbs easier
What signs will a snake show if it needs fed?
- They will be up at the glass more often
- Moving around vivarium
- Flicking tongue
How should a lizard be transported to the vet?
- In a secure sack
- In a secure, plastic bow with bowls etc removed
Which legislation had to be followed to keep a British Adder?
- Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
- Owners must obtain a licence from local authority
Explain breeding procedure for a tortoise?
- Folliculogenesis is stimulated by time of year
- Hibernation is important for programming of thyroid gland/reproductive cycle
- 2 bouts of egg production can occur per year (average 10-30 are laid)
- Sexual maturity typically occurs 7-10 years
- After mating, females will form fertile eggs (carried for 4w - 4y)
- Females can store sperm for long periods, making ID of father difficult
How could metabolic bone disease be prevented in reptiles?
- Common insects such as crickets, locusts, meal/wax worms should be gut loaded (fed nutritiously on calcium/nutrients)
- Bearded dragons should be fed crickets, locusts, meal worms
- Young need to be fed 2/3 times a day
- When growing slows, so will appetite
- Crickets should be longer than width of lizards head
- UV light should be provided for synthesis of calcium
What are the clinical signs/nursing requirements for a tortoise with MBD?
- Softening/pyramiding of shell, deformed muscles, fractures
- Caused by deficiency of calcium in diet/lack of UV light
- Treatment: Correct diet/UV light, splint fractures
- Calcium gluconate can be given in severe cases (100mg/kg)
Describe clinical signs/nursing requirements of a snake with dysecdysis?
- Skin peels off in smaller sections instead of as a whole
- Snake should be rehydrated (bath)
- Give abrasive towels/substrate
- Retained spectacles can be removed with viscous and moist cotton buds
Describe clinical signs/nursing requirements of a snake with hookworms?
- Enteritis
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Treat with ivermectin twice a year
Describe clinical signs/ nursing requirements of a mite infestation in a snake?
- Black mites around spectacle and in skin folds under chin
- Can cause anaemia, dysecdysis, and transmit bacteria
- Treat with ivermectin topically for 8 weeks
Describe signs of pain/distress in snakes?
- Aggression
- Striking at glass
Explain euthanasia process for a tortoise?
- Ketamine (IM 100-200 mg/kg)
Or (IV 200 mg/kg) - Pith to destroy brain stem (needle/spike inserted through the firemen magnum)
Describe housing requirements for a rabbit?
- Indoor cage/enclosure (at least 1.5m, 0.6 floor space and 0.9 high)
- Must have a solid floor with bedding/wood shavings/straw/shredded paper
- Should be cleaned daily
- Separate nest box/sleeping area
- Hiding places/toys/chew blocks
- House rabbits kept safe from hazards e.g electrics
- Outdoor hutch with grass run
- Bowls should be ceramic/heavy to prevent overturning
- Constant supply of fresh water
Describe clinical signs/nursing requirements for Proventicular Dilation Syndrome?
- Virus
- Weight loss, vomiting, paralysis, nerve/crop damage
- No vaccination/ no cure
- Diagnosis: clinical signs/crop biopsy
Describe clinical signs/nursing for Scaly beak and tassel foot?
- Parasite that eats cell debris
- Crusting/enlargement of the cere, beak deformities, skin thickening on legs
- Treatment: skin scrape, ivermectin injectable (0.2 mg/kg)
Describe clinical signs/treatment for red feather mite?
- Sucks blood
- Irritation, restlessness, anaemia, weakness
- ID of eggs/larvae/adults
Describe the housing requirements for a budgie?
- Cages/large aviary (sheltered and secure)
- Should contain various perches of different lengths made from natural wood
- Live plants are good (no poisonous)
- Easy to clean/drain
- Nest boxes provided during breeding
- Access to food/water (seed mix/fruit)
Describe clinical signs/treatment for a bird with salmonella?
- Bacterial disease (carried by rodents, insects, wild birds)
- Can be spread through water
- Signs: enteritis, diarrhoea, sudden death, wasting, septicaemia,
- Diagnosis: faecal samples
- Treatment: Trimethoprim/ Sulphanamides
- Notifiable
Describe clinical signs/treatment of a bird with bumble foot?
- Pododermatitis
- Can be caused by inadequate substrate/perches/lack of exercise
- Causes: wounds/injuries to the foot, pressure sore, wound infections (s.aureus, E.coli)
- Treatment: Perches of different diameters, good quality diet, opportunity to exercise, debride wounds/dressings, treat infections
Describe signs/treatment of Hypovitaminisis A in birds?
- Caused by selective feeding (parrots- all seed diet)
- Functions- eyesight/hearing/skin
- Signs: 2nd bacterial infection (Candida Albacans)
Treatment: treat bacterial infection, IVFT, vit a injections, better diet
Describe signs/treatment of hypovitaminosis D?
Functions: healthy bones, control of uptake of calcium
Causes: Poor diet (low calcium/high phosphorus), lack of sun
Signs: Rickets, leg weakness, tremors, paralysis
What signs/treatment of blister disease in amphibians?
- Scale rot (semi-aquatic species)
- Signs: skin blisters, secondary infections
- Treatment: Antibiotics, topical treatment (iodine)
What are the common methods for fluid therapy in birds?
- Intraosseous
- Two bones commonly used are the ulna and the tibiotarsus bone
Describe common signs/treatment of an infection with mouth rot (stomatitis)
- Common in lizards and snakes
- Caused by poor husbandry/injury
- Bacteria, fungus, virus
Describe clinical signs/treatment for a bird suffering from Chlamydophilia?
- They will shed the organism when stressed and spread in faeces
- Can be Found in dander, oral and respiratory secretions
- Symptoms: clear nasal discharge, sneezing, conjunctivitis, dyspnoea, green diarrhoea, feather plucking
- Diagnosis: X-rays/blood tests
- Treatment: Tetracyclines
Describe clinical signs/treatment for a bird suffering from Aspergillosis?
- Causes: fungal organisms, poor hygiene, stress, vit a deficiency
- Symptoms: dyspnoea, death, liver failure
- Diagnosis: X-rays/ endoscopy
- Treatment: Amphotericin (IV for 3-5 days 1.5 mg/kg), given with fluids to prevent renal toxicity
