Small Mammals and Exotic Species

Question 1

What are the common clinical signs in small mammals with a respiratory disease?

Answer 1

• Lethargy
• Poor coat
• Anorexia
• Audible clicking
• Sneezing
• Ocular discharge (e.g. porphyrin)
• Dyspnoea/abdominal heaving
• Head tilt if middle ear involved

Question 2

What are the common clinical signs in reptiles with a respiratory disease?

Answer 2

• Lethargy
• Anorexia
• Weight loss
• Difficulty breathing
• Open mouth breathing
• Wheezes or crackles
• Ocular and/or nasal discharge
• Stomatitis

Question 3

What are the common clinical signs in birds with a respiratory disease?

Answer 3

• Lethargy
• Anorexia
• ‘Fluffed up’
• Crusting around nares
• Periorbital swelling
• Dyspnoea or ‘tail bobbing’
• Voice change
• Tachypnoea

Question 4

What are the common causes of resp diseases in small mammals?

Answer 4

• URT bacterial infections can cause: rhinitis and also affect structures outside of the respiratory tract e.g. conjunctivitis, nasolacrimal duct infections, otitis media.
• LRT bacterial infections can cause: tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia
• Husbandry: allergy, dust, poor ventilation, stress, poor diet
• Dental disease (not ferrets – their teeth are like cats and dogs)

Question 5

What are common causes of respiratory diseases in reptiles?

Answer 5

• URT bacterial infections can cause: rhinitis and also affect structures outside of the respiratory tract e.g. conjunctivitis, stomatitis, periorbital abscesses
• Viruses e.g. Herpes virus (tortoises), adenovirus (lizards), ophidian paramyxovirus (snakes) OPMV
• Husbandry high or low temperature, high humidity levels, stress, poor ventilation.
• Space occupying lesions e.g. abscesses, tumours, reproductive disease, coelomic effusions, granulomas.

Question 6

What are common causes of respiratory diseases in birds?

Answer 6

• LRT bacterial infections can cause tracheitis, bronchitis, airsacculitis, pneumonia e.g. Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci).
• Fungal infections e.g. Aspergillosis
• Husbandry: allergy, stress, low humidity, poor hygiene/ventilation, hypovitaminosis A.
• Space occupying lesions e.g. tumours, organomegaly, reproductive disease, obesity, rhinoliths, pulmonary fibrosis, choanal atresia, occluding fungal plaques

Question 7

What samples can you take in exotics and small mammals?

Answer 7

• Deep nasal swab (rabbits)
• Nasal flush (birds)
• Nasolacrimal duct flush (rabbits)
• Lesion/oral swab (reptile PCR)
• BAL/Tracheal lavage (2ml/kg)

Question 8

What aspects of husbandry can be linked to a respiratory disease in small mammals?

Answer 8

• Inside or outside
• Any recent changes
• Dusty
• Diet
• Stress
• Any new pets

Question 9

What aspects of husbandry can be linked to a respiratory disease in reptiles?

Answer 9

• Vivarium, draw or table
• Temperatures
• UV
• Humidity
• Diet and supplements
• Any recent changes
• Any new pets

Question 10

What aspects of husbandry can be linked to a respiratory disease in birds?

Answer 10

• Where is the cage
• Sprays or air fresheners
• Diet
• UV
• Recent changes
• Other pets

Question 11

Describe treatment plan for exotic respiratory disease

Answer 11

• Oxygen
• Fluids and supportive nutrition
• Nebulisation
• Bronchodilator
• Mucolytic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Treatment for specific causes e.g. antibiotics, furosemide, acyclovir, antifungals, antiparasitics, husbandry changes, surgery etc.

Question 12

What are commonly used antibiotics in small mammals?

Answer 12

• TMPS e.g. first line and broad spectrum, licenced.
• Doxycycline e.g. Mycoplasma in rats.
• Azithromycin (macrolide) - also reduces lung inflammation.
• Enrofloxacin (fluoroquinolone) - not without culture and sensitivity.
• Metronidazole for anaerobic infections e.g. abscess (combination).
• Penicillin e.g. Streptococcus, Pasteurella (Parenteral ONLY in rabbits)

Question 13

What are common antibiotics used in reptiles?

Answer 13

• TMPS e.g. first line broad spectrum, licenced.
• Doxycycline e.g. Mycoplasma in tortoises.
• Metronidazole for protozoal and anaerobic infections.
• Ceftazidime – injectable q72 hours, practical.
• Enrofloxacin (fluoroquinolone) - not without culture and sensitivity.

Question 14

What are commonly used antibiotics in birds?

Answer 14

• TMPS e.g. first line, broad spectrum, licenced.
• Penicillin and co-amoxiclav e.g. first line, broad spectrum.
• Metronidazole if anaerobic (not poultry).
• Doxycyline e.g. Chlamydia psittaci.
• Enrofloxacin (fluoroquinolone) - not without culture and sensitivity.
• Azithromycin (macrolide) e.g. Chlamydia psittaci