the tortoise and the hare SDL Flashcards
Why is recycling urea through the kidney-gut pathway important during hibernation?
drastically reducing their metabolic rate. Urea recycling is important because it allows the body to minimize nitrogen waste while reusing nitrogen to synthesize essential amino acids. This process helps prevent muscle wasting and protein loss. Instead of being excreted, urea is diverted to the gut, where bacteria can convert it back into ammonia, which can then be used to produce new amino acids.
How does the urea cycle adapt during hibernation in animals?
The urea cycle is typically responsible for converting ammonia, a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism, into urea for excretion. However, during hibernation, the urea cycle slows down to conserve energy. Instead of excreting urea, hibernating animals use mechanisms to retain it and reroute it to the gut, where it is broken down by gut bacteria. This allows them to recycle nitrogen for protein synthesis, which is crucial since their diet is suspended during hibernation.
What are common post-hibernation problems related to the urogenital tract in tortoises?
Post-hibernation, tortoises commonly suffer from issues like dehydration due to reduced water intake during hibernation. This leads to the concentration of uric acid, which can cause urinary sludge or bladder stones. Another problem is urinary tract infections, as the reduced activity during hibernation can allow bacteria to accumulate in the urinary tract. Additionally, bladder stones may form due to the crystallization of uric acid, exacerbated by poor hydration.
How can you prevent and manage post-hibernation urogenital tract problems in tortoises?
Prevention begins with proper preparation before hibernation, ensuring the tortoise is well-hydrated and healthy. After hibernation, gradually warming the tortoise, offering frequent shallow baths to encourage drinking and urination, and providing a water-rich diet can prevent urogenital issues. If urinary sludge or bladder stones are present, increasing water intake and adjusting the diet (lowering protein and calcium levels) can help manage these conditions. In severe cases, medical treatment or surgical removal of bladder stones may be necessary.
How is calcium excretion in rabbits different from that in cats and dogs?
Rabbits handle calcium differently from most other mammals. Instead of tightly regulating calcium absorption in the intestines like cats and dogs, rabbits absorb calcium freely from their diet. Excess calcium is then excreted through their urine, which is why rabbit urine often appears cloudy or chalky due to calcium carbonate crystals. This system increases their risk of developing bladder sludge or calcium-based bladder stones, especially if their diet contains too much calcium. In contrast, cats and dogs regulate calcium absorption more strictly in the intestines, excreting only minimal amounts in their urine, thereby reducing the risk of urinary calcium buildup.
What are the risk factors associated with bladder disease in rabbits?
Several factors can increase the likelihood of bladder disease in rabbits, such as:
High calcium intake: Since rabbits excrete excess calcium in their urine, a diet high in calcium (e.g., excessive alfalfa or calcium-rich vegetables) can lead to bladder sludge or stones.
Dehydration: Insufficient water intake leads to concentrated urine, which increases the risk of bladder sludge and stones.
Obesity: Overweight rabbits may be less active, reducing the frequency of urination, which can contribute to urinary issues.
Lack of exercise: Inactive rabbits are more prone to urinary stasis, where urine sits in the bladder for too long, encouraging sludge formation and bacterial growth.
Pellet-heavy diets: Diets rich in pellets, rather than hay, often contain higher levels of calcium and protein, contributing to urinary problems.
What are the signs of pain in rabbits, and why are they significant for diagnosis?
Rabbits are prey animals and tend to hide signs of pain, making it crucial to recognize subtle indicators. Signs include:
Postural changes: A rabbit in pain may hunch its back, stay immobile, or sit in an unusual position to alleviate discomfort.
Teeth grinding: Unlike content purring, loud teeth grinding or chattering often indicates pain.
Reduced activity: A rabbit in pain may be lethargic, reluctant to move, or uninterested in its environment.
Appetite loss: Pain often leads to reduced food intake, which can result in life-threatening conditions like GI stasis.
Altered grooming: Rabbits may stop grooming themselves, leading to a dull coat or unclean rear end. Recognizing these signs early is essential for prompt treatment, as untreated pain can lead to severe complications, including stress-related issues and secondary illnesses.
what does each segment of the cloaca do
Coprodeum: Receives and stores feces.
Urodeum: Receives urine and reproductive materials (sperm or eggs).
Proctodeum: The final chamber before excretion, involved in mixing and expelling materials.
In rabbits, what are five common risk factors to urolith formation?
- high dietary calcium intake
- dehydration
- lack of exercise
- pellet heavy diets (contain more calcium and protein)
- genetic predisposition
how should you collect a urine sample in a rabbit
NOT by cysto - they have a high risk of developing peritonitis
- from a non-absorbant surface
- manual expression free catch
