Turtles

Question 1

what are the types of turtles

Answer 1

Turtle – sea turtle
Tortoise – land
Terrapin (turtle) – associated with fresh water

Question 2

describe chelonians

Answer 2

Shell divided into carapace + plastron
Bones of the shell covered with keratinized epithelium called scutes
This is fused living bone

Question 3

what is Carapace

Answer 3

fused dermal bone. ribs. thoracic, lumbar vertebrae

Question 4

what are the 6 pairs of scutes

Answer 4

Gular
Humeral
Pectoral
Abdominal
Femoral 
anal

Question 5

how do you weigh a turtle

Answer 5

Take in full weight for dosing of medication

Question 6

how is the gender of the turtle determined

Answer 6

Gender is determine by heat of incubation

Question 7

how do you differentiate the sex of a tortoise

Answer 7

sexual dimorphism.

Question 8

how do you sex an aquatic turtle

Answer 8

the males have longer fingernails

Question 9

what is a common disorder of the shell of the aquatic turtle

Answer 9

shell rot

Question 10

what can cause Pyrimydal disease during growth phase in the turtle

Answer 10

often related to excessive protein

Question 11

describe the dentition of turtles

Answer 11

Turtles and tortoises
No teeth
Tomia (keratinized beaks)

Question 12

describe the respiratory system of a turtle

Answer 12

Lungs Attach dorsally to carapace
Sea turtles can breath hold up to 3 weeks
To x-ray the lungs– 3 views
VD- AP– LAT

Question 13

what are the clinical signs of pneumonia in a turtle

Answer 13

head tilt

Question 14

describe the heart of the turtle

Answer 14

Cavum venosum: paired aortic arches, lead to systemic circulation
Cavum arteriosum: receives blood from pulmonary veins and directs oxygenated blood to cavum venosum
Cavum pulmonale: receives blood from right atrium and directs flow into pulmonary circulation

Question 15

what is the potz of an aquatic turtle

Answer 15

POTZ 75-82 F (24-29 C)

Question 16

describe the diet of an adult turtle

Answer 16

omnivorous

Question 17

describe the diet of a terrestrial turtle

Answer 17

Diet – Herbivorous

Prone to constipation

Question 18

what are the common diseases of a turtle

Answer 18

Metabolic Bone Disease
Vit A deficiency-
- conjunctivitis, blepharitis, swollen eyelids
Vit A Toxicity—

Shell rot dry and wet form

Question 19

what is septicemic cutaneous ulcerative disease (SCUD) in turtles

Answer 19

Shell Injury and Repair

Overgrown Beak

Question 20

what are the common respiratory diseases of turtles

Answer 20

Mucopurulent nasal discharge
Ocular discharge
Dyspnea
Open mouth breathing
Abnormal swimming