Smallies 13 - Exotics Flashcards
Describe the GIT of ferrets
Gastrointestinal tract is simple and short
Gastrointestinal transit time 2.5 - 3.5 hours (this is quite short) so the faeces normally looks formed but relatively soft
Lack ileocolonic valve, caecum and appendix
Oesophagus is entirely striated muscle
What are common conditions related to the GIT seen in ferrets?
Splenomegaly → common, often incidental finding in middle aged/older ferrets
GI obstruction should be considered in any ferret showing sudden depression and inappetence
Diarrhoea may be difficult to appreciate
Teeth → Fractures (often due to fighting with another ferret – play fighting) and tartar are very common
Oral cavity → abscesses and foreign bodies (often due to biting or their inquisitive nature)
Megaoesophagus → normally idiopathic, can be due to a foreign body, secondary to Helicobacter
Stomach → Helicobacter mustelae is common inhabitant in potentially all ferrets and may be associated with ulceration
Intestine → foreign body ingestion and obstruction is common, inflammatory bowel disease and proliferative bowel disease
When are endoparasites seen in ferrets?
Generally, not common unless they are kept in large numbers e.g. rescue numbers or breeders
Seen when house in unhygienic conditions – so rarely in normal pet ferrets
What endoparasites are sometimes seen in ferrets?
Coccidia, giardia and ascarids
What GIT viruses are seen in ferrets?
Canine distemper can cause GI signs in ferrets (often respiratory signs too)
Coronavirus – can see an FIP-like syndrome or an enteritis form. Most likely seen when someone has introduced a new ferret into a colony
What GIT bacteria are seen in ferrets?
Salmonella, Campylobacter and E.coli
Helicobacter mustelae
What are clinical signs of a helicobacter infection in ferrets?
Melaena, diarrhoea, wasting (poor digestion or liver disease) and abdominal pain
How do we diagnose a helicobacter infection in ferrets?
Biopsy, PCR
Demonstration of organism in itself is not enough as this is often a normal finding
Need to demonstrate the organism in pathology e.g. histology
How do we treat a helicobacter infection in ferrets?
Combination therapy to avoid resistance
Need an antibiotic plus some type of antacid to treat any ulceration – many combinations e.g.
- Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, Bismuth subsalicylate
- Clarithromycin, Ranitidine bismuth citrate
What pancreatic diseases can be seen in ferrets?
Hypoglycaemia caused by insulinoma produces a sustained stimulation of gastric acid secretion
What anal gland conditions can be seen in ferrets?
Impaction, infection and neoplasia
Why should we not routinely remove anal glands in ferrets?
It is illegal in the UK
What neoplasia are seen in ferrets?
lymphoma
adenocarcinoma
What non-infectious GIT diseases are seen in omnivorous rodents?
Trauma to the face – inncisor fractures, malocclusion and dental caries
Diarrhoea is common → disease, incorrect/poor-quality diet or an abrupt change to the diet
Ileus → secondary to gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal diseases (e.g. respiratory), pain, stress and diet change
Obesity
Gastric dilatation may be secondary to ileus
Cheek-pouch impaction +/- eversion
Polycystic disease may affect liver
Intussusception and rectal prolapse → may result from infectious and non-infectious diseases
Antibiotic-associated enterocolitis extent in other species.
What are the 3 most common issues seen in rats?
mammary and pituitary tumours and respiratory disease
What bacterial diseases are seen in omnivorous rodents?
Clostridium piliforme (Tyzzer’s disease), C. difficile, C.perfringens Lawsonia intracellularis Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and E.coli may cause disease on occasion
What endoparasites are seen in omnivorous rodents?
Oxyurids → common
Cestodes → several species; the dwarf tapeworm Hymenolepsis/Rodentolepsis nana is zoonotic
Protozoa → various, tend not to cause clinical disease (part of normal flora) unless very young or poor husbandry
What GIT parasites are seen in repties?
Nematodes: Oxyurids are common. Ascarids and strongyles also encountered
Trematodes
Cestodes
Protozoa → Hexamita, Trichomonas may be commensal or pathogenic
Coccidia → Isospora sp. and Eimeria sp.
Cryptosporidium sp.
What are clinical signs of cryptosporidium in reptiles?
anorexia, wasting, regurgitation, hypertrophic gastritis (typical in snakes) and death.
What are commensal bacteria of the oral cavity and cloaca in reptiles?
Salmonella spp., E.coli, Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., Aeromonas spp. and Citrobacter spp
What are some antibiotic considerations with reptiles?
Ivermectin kills chelonia → safe for other species when used appropriately
Kingsnakes and indigo snakes appear very sensitive to metronidazole → use lower doses if no alternatives
What is pathological hepatic lipidosis often secondary to in reptiles?
To poor husbandry and diet, improper or lack of hibernation and other diseases such as bacterial infection, parasitism, NSHP and POOS
What is the treatment for pathological hepatic lipidosis in reptiles?
Supportive
Correct deficiencies in husbandry and diet
Treat concomitant disease(s)
Ovariectomy in selected cases
Thyroxin, SAM-e, Sylmarin, L-carnitine
Oesophagostomy tube feeding used in reptiles where supportive care is required for more than a few days and/or where the patient does not tolerate oral medication or alimentation. Need to place one in most cases because it allows for stress free administration of food, water and medication
May require treatment for several months
Which species is renomegaly commonly seen in ?
Green Iguana
What analgesics are safe for use in small furries?
carprofen, meloxicam (licensed in guinea pigs), buprenorphine (if want an opioid)
What prokinetics can we use for small furries?
ranitidine, cisapride, domperidone, metoclopramide (last resort if possible)
What anthelminitics are safe in small furries?
fenbendazole
What antibiotics are safe in small furries?
TMP-S, metronidazole (may have abnormal effects in chinchillas), enrofloxacin
What can we use to reduce adhesions duering surgery of small furries?
Verapamil
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose solution
