Snakes!!!

Question 1

What bacteria is an issue for tortioses and snakes?

Answer 1

Entamoeba

Question 2

Where is the heart located in snakes?

(TQ)

Answer 2

90-120 scales from the head

(1/3 distal to rostrum)

Question 3

How do GI FBs often present?

Answer 3

• Regurgitation
• Anorexia
• Slow progressive wt. loss w/ no other abnormalities

Question 4

What is a common complication of GIT FBs?

Answer 4

Aspriation pneumonia

Question 5

What type of contrast should be used when you suspect a GIT FB?

Answer 5

Iodine based contrast

Question 6

R/O for GIT FBs?

(7)

Answer 6

• Cryptosporidium
• Viral
• Amoebiasis
• Bacterial enteritis
• Inflammatory bowel dz.
• Reproductive dz.
• Metabolic dz.

Question 7

What is the minimum fasting time for snakes before undergoing anesthesia?

Answer 7

5 days

Question 8

List the Injectable Anesthetics you can use in snakes?

(3)

Answer 8

• Ketamine/Medetomidine
• Propofol
• Tiletamine/Zolazepam

Question 9

How do you administer inhalant anesthetic to a snake?

(TQ)

Answer 9

• Isoflurane → via mask/tube
• Non-rebreathing system
• UNCUFFED ET tubes

Question 10

Where do you incise the skin when retrieving a gastric FB?

Answer 10

Between the lateral & ventral scales

Question 11

What direction is the incision made in the bowel when retrieving a gastric FB?

Answer 11

Longitudinal incision

Question 12

How do you close the bowel after you retrieve a gastric FB?

Answer 12

Simple continous/interrupted pattern

Question 13

How is the skin closed after retrieving a gastric FB?

Answer 13

Everting simple interrupted pattern

Question 14

When are sutures removed after gastric FB SX?

Answer 14

• 14-21 d later
• allow them to shed out

Question 15

What spectrum of ABXs do you use in snakes?

Answer 15

Gram NEGATIVE

(NO BAYTRIL!!)

Question 16

Post-op considerations once you’ve removed a gastric FB?

(6)

Answer 16

• Room air during recovery
• Fluids –> btwn. liver & kidneys
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• ABXs
• NPO 7-10 d. → gradual increase in size of food items afterwards
• PO fluids at 10-14 days.

Question 17

4 systems that like to get neoplasia in snakes?

Answer 17

• Renal
• GIT
• Integumentary
• Reproductive

Question 18

TX for neoplasia?

Answer 18

SX removal + chemo/radiation

Question 19

Where should transitters be placed in snakes?

Answer 19

Caudal 1/3 of body in the coelom

Question 20

What is the euthanasia solution of choice for snakes?

Answer 20

Fatal Plus (blue stuff) → very absorbable

Question 21

How do you tube feed a snake?

Answer 21

• Hold animal perpendicular to ground (head up)
• Insert tube & pump food in quickly
• Kink tube & pull it out
• PLACE ANIMAL DOWN FLAT

Question 22

What size U/S probes work well on snakes?

Answer 22

10-24 MHz

Question 23

What is an important piece of HX to collect when a GIT FB is suspected?

Answer 23

How long did they keep their prey down for?

Question 24

What 2 drugs can be used to TX egg stasis in snakes?

Answer 24

• Arginine vasotocin
• Ca²⁺ gluconate→ check Ca²⁺ 1^st

Question 25

What are two ways to collect samples for culture?

Answer 25

• Swab mouth
• Transtracheal wash