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107 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are the four orders in Class Reptilia? |
Chelonia Squamata Rhynchocephalia Crocodilia |
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Why are chelonians also called anapsids? |
Because they have no temporal fossa |
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What are the three orders in Class Amphibia? |
Gymnophiona Caudata Anura |
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What's one of the best indicators of health in amphibians? |
Appetite |
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What should you always do on PE of a herptile? |
Get a weight!! |
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What can you assess on distant exam of a herptile? |
Body condition Activity\Movement Posture Skin colour/condition Respiratory rate/effort Response to stimuli |
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____________ may be needed for thorough examination of smaller species of herptiles. |
Magnification may be needed for thorough examination of smaller species of herptiles. |
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What is unique about the pupils of reptiles and amphibians? |
They have voluntary control over their pupils. PLR won't really be possible and retinal exams are typically unrewarding. |
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What is different about the oral cavity when comparing reptiles/amphibians to mammals? |
The oral cavity is typically paler than mammals - they have a lower hematocrit. |
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What's an easy way to determine the heart rate of a small herptile? |
Direct visualization of apical heartbeat (snake) Doppler or B-mode ultrasound |
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What are two useful techniques to internally visualize the abdomen of a small herptile? |
Transillumination Ballottment |
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When examining amphibians, what must you always do? |
KEEP THEM WET |
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Relative to reptiles, what is the preferred optimal temperature zone of amphibians? What must you be wary of? |
POTZ of amphibians is lower than that of reptiles Be careful of thermal shock (esp with handling and transport)! |
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What should you wear when doing a PE of amphibians? Why? |
Powder-free nitrile or latex gloves Decreases danger of the amphibian absorbing stuff from your skin (lotions etc), protects you against toxic or noxious excretions from the amphibian's skin. |
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What might anurans do to make coelomic palpation difficult? |
Puff up! |
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What can you use in an amphibian to monitor respiratory rate visually? |
Gular movement |
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What are six common reasons for emergency care of a herptile? |
Trauma Infection Foreign body ingestion Reproductive issues Toxicity Sudden inappropriate environmental change |
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What are approximate POTZs for reptiles and amphibians? |
Reptiles: 25-29C Amphibians: 20-22C |
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Acute processes in herps have a _______ prognosis, while chronic processes have a ______ prognosis. |
Acute processes in herps have a better prognosis, while chronic processes have a poorer prognosis. |
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What are some signs of shock in a herptile? |
Weakness/depressed mentation Tachycardia Pale/discoloured mucous membranes Vasoconstriction of intraoral vessels and ventral abdominal vein Prolonged CRT Dilated pupils |
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How can you assess hydration in a reptile? |
Mucous membrane moisture Skin gliding over underlying tissue Ocular globe position PCV/TP (if values known) |
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What is the maintenance fluid level for reptiles? |
10-15 mL/kg/day |
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What are three ways you can give fluid to a reptile for mild/moderate dehydration? What are two ways for marked/severe dehydration? |
Mild/moderate: SQ, intracoelomic, shallow bath Marked/severe: IV, intraosseus |
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What's the most important organ in an amphibian? |
Skin! |
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Because an amphibian's plasma osmolality is low, when giving fluids it should more (dilute/concentrated). |
Because an amphibian's plasma osmolality is low, when giving fluids it should more dilute. |
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What are some ways to administer fluid to amphibians? |
Transdermal rehydration is effective! Intracoelomic is good for severe cases Intraosseus IV catheters - usually only in big salamanders |
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When would you use undiluted Plasmalyte in an amphibian? |
Hydrocoelom (fluid in coelomic cavity) |
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What drives reptiles to breathe? |
Temperature - warm them up before giving oxygen! |
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What is the maximum pressure of gas for ventilating a reptile? |
8 cmH2O Don't exceed this! |
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A reptile has a POTZ of 26-35C. What temperature range should you keep them in for emergency therapy? |
~32-35C Upper third of POTZ |
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In regards to analgesia, reptiles have a well-developed _______________ system. |
In regards to analgesia, reptiles have a well-developed endogenous opioid system. |
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What are two types of drugs that can be used for analgesia in amphibians? |
Opioids Alpha-2 agonists |
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When selecting an antimicrobial for herptiles, unless your culture tells you otherwise you should use one that targets ____________ bacteria. |
When selecting an antimicrobial for herptiles, unless your culture tells you otherwise you should use one that targets gram negative bacteria. |
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What are two useful treatments for skin trauma in herptiles? |
Opsite (adhesive spray bandage) Polysporin |
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What are four common blood collection sites for reptiles? How much can you take in a healthy or ill animal? |
Coccygeal (tail) vein Cardiac Jugular Subcarapacial vein Healthy: 0.8% BW Ill: 0.4% BW |
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What are five common blood collection sites for amphibians? How much can you take in a healthy or ill animal? |
Midline abdominal vein Femoral vein Coccygeal (tail) vein Cardiac Sublingual Healthy: 1% BW Ill: 0.5% BW |
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What are three things you can do to make blood draws easier in amphibians? |
Pre-coagulate syringes Transillumination Ultrasound |
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What are some uses of radiographs in reptiles? |
Evaluation of skeletal, respiratory, or GI disease IO catheter placement confirmation 1:10 diluted barium for contrast studies |
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What can you use endoscopy for in amphibians? |
(Go through cloaca) Foreign body removal Coeomic evaluation |
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What are four important bacterial diseases in herps? |
Bacterial pneumonia Dermatosepticemia Periodontal disease Abscesses |
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Why are reptiles predisposed to bacterial pneumonia? What species commonly get it? |
Simple respiratory system with no diaphragm Pythons, boas, and chelonians |
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What type of bacteria cause bacterial pneumonia in reptiles? |
Gram negative bacteria (Including P. aeruginosa, Aeromonas spp, Klebsiella spp, Proteus spp.) |
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What are the clinical signs of bacterial pneumonia? |
Respiratory distress Open mouth breathing Nasal bubbling Wheezing Swimming difficulties in aquatic turtles |
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How can you diagnose and treat bacterial pneumonia? |
Dx: radiographs, culture, necropsy Tx: antibiotics, improve husbandry, nutrition, supportive therapy |
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What is another name for Red Leg Disease in amphibians? |
Acute dermatosepticemia |
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What causes acute dermatosepticemia? |
Opportunistic pathogens, usually environmental in the water column. |
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What are the clinical signs of acute dermatosepticemia? |
Lethargy, anorexia Sudden death Anasarca (generalized edema) Bloating Dyspnea Panophthalmitis Abnormal posturing, head tilt, loss of righting reflex Dermal petechiae, ventral erythema Multisystemic hemorrhages |
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How can you diagnose and treat acute dermatosepticemia? |
Dx: culture, rule out viral/fungal pathogens Tx: supportive, antibiotics On pathology: congestions, organomegaly, necrosis and fibrin, inflammatory infiltrate in liver, spleen, lung, heart, serosal surfaces |
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What's a common disease in agamids and chameleons? |
Periodontal disease |
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Why are agamids and chameleons predisposed to periodontal disease? |
Acrodont dentition Exposed bone Captive diets |
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What are the clinical signs of periodontal disease? |
Inappetance Lethargy Osteomyelitis |
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How can you diagnose and treat periodontal disease? |
Dx: radiology, culture Tx: Debride, flush, topical disinfectants, systemic antibiotics (ones that get into bone well like clindamycin) |
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What is the most common inflammatory lesion in captive reptiles? |
Abscess!! |
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What are the clinical signs of an abscess? |
Lameness Swelling of joints, oral cavity, tympanum, skin, or limbs |
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How can you diagnose and treat an abscess? |
Dx: radiology (make sure it's not in the bone), lancing, culture and sensitivity Tx: debridement, topical and systemic antibiotics On pathology: many bacteria, laminar rings of debris and usually well-encapsulated |
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What are three important viral disease of herptiles? |
Herpesvirus Ranavirus Inclusion body disease |
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What type of herpesvirus is most common in reptiles? |
Alphaherpesvirus |
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What species are commonly affected by herpesviruses? |
Tortoises Freshwater turtles Sea turtles Lizards Boa constrictors (Venom gland infections) |
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What are the clinical signs of herpesvirus in tortoises? |
Cachexia Anorexia Nasal/ocular discharge Cervical swelling Severe stomatitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, glossitis |
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How can you diagnose and treat herpesviruses in tortoises? |
Dx: PCR, EM, virus isolation, histo Tx: antiviral therapy, supportive care (+/- abs) Path: intranuclear inclusions |
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What are the clinical signs (and pathology)of herpesvirus in freshwater turtles? |
CS: DEATH Pathology: intranuclear inclusions in liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas, lung; hepatic necrosis |
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What type of adenovirus affects lizards? |
Atadenovirus |
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What species is most susceptible to adenovirus infection? |
Bearded dragons |
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What are the clinical signs of adenoviruses? |
Anorexia, lethargy Neurological signs Hepatomegaly Death |
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How can you diagnose and treat adenovirus? |
Dx: PCR (cloaca, feces), histology, EM Tx: none :( supportive only Pathology: necrotizing hepatitis, intranuclear inclusions in many tissues |
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An arenavirus (RNA virus) causes... |
Inclusion Body Disease |
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What species are most affected by inclusion body disease? |
Boids (Also palm vipers and King snakes) |
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What are the clinical signs of inclusion body disease? |
CNS signs (eg loss of righting reflex) Wasting Regurgitation Stomatitis Pneumonia Lymphoproliferative disorders Round cell tumours Death |
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How can you diagnose and treat inclusion body disease? |
Dx: blood smears, histology, EM (PCR is coming) Tx: supportive, treat secondary infections Pathology: eosinophilic to amphophilic globular intracytoplasmic inclusions in epithelial cells, pancreas, liver, neurons of CNS |
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Ranaviruses are most important in ___________, but affect fish, amphibians, and reptiles. |
Ranaviruses are most important in amphibians, but affect fish, amphibians, and reptiles. |
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Pathogenicity of ranaviruses is related to... |
Host (age, viral characteristics) Environmental factors (pesticides, pollution, UV, climate change) |
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Ranavirus in amphibians is a _______________ disease with regards to surveillance. |
Ranavirus in amphibians is a notifiable (OIE) disease with regards to surveillance. |
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What are the clinical signs of ranavirus in anurans? |
Decreased activity Abnormal swimming Fibrinous ascites Anasarca Focal erythema Skin ulceration Multisystemic hemorrhages Death |
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What are the clinical signs of ranavirus in caudates? |
White multifocal epidermal polyps, hemorrhages, and ulceration Decreased activity Floating in water Hemorrhagic feces Emesis Death |
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How can you diagnose and treat ranavirus? |
Dx: histology, virus isolation, capture ELISA, PCR Tx: nothing. Supportive and treat secondary infections only. |
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Describe the pathology of ranavirus in amphibians? |
Microvasculitis Multicentric necrosis in liver, spleen, kidney, skin, hematopoeitic tissues Salamanders: mucosal necrosis, ulceration, and hemorrhage in the GI tract Basophilic to amphophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions |
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Fungal infections are not usually primary, and tend to opportunistically colonize skin lesions such as... |
Dysecdysis, burns, and papillomas |
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In what organs do fungal infections usually take hold in reptiles? |
Skin Oral cavity GI tract Lungs |
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What's the fungal disease we have to know for reptiles? |
Chytridiomycosis |
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What are the two OIE notifiable diseases we have to know in reptiles? |
Ranavirus Chytridiomycosis (fungus) |
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What causes chytridiomycosis? |
Batracochytrium dendrobatis (Bd) B. salamandrivorans (Bs) |
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What types of frogs may be carriers for chytridiomycosis? |
Bullfrogs African clawed frogs |
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At what temperature do you see the greatest pathogenicity of Batracochytrium dendrobatis? |
12-23C |
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At what temperature is the highest growth of Batracochytrium salmandrivorans? |
15C (problem for Canadian salamanders) |
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What are the clinical signs of chytrid? |
Abnormal posturing Abnormal behaviour (How are those different?) Lethargy Loss of righting reflex Sudden death |
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If gross lesions from chytrid are present, what will you see grossly? |
Hyperkeratosis with sloughing Epidermal discoloration, ulceration Hyperemia of digital and ventrum skin Hemorrhages in skin, muscle, eyes, visceral congestion |
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How does chytrid kill amphibians? |
Impairment of osmoregulation with resultant electrolyte imbalances leading to cardiac arrest. Also interferes with cutaneous respiration. |
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How can you diagnose chytridiomycosis? |
Histopath/EM, IHC, RT-Taqman PCR (but only indicates presence of the organism, not infection) |
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How can you treat chytrid? |
0.01% itraconazole bath Fluconazole, voriconazole, terbinafine Thermal treatments Chloramphenicol/florfenicol |
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What's a common protozoan that affects reptiles? |
Cryptosporidiosis (C. serpentis, and others) |
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In what type of reptiles is crypto most common? |
Sneks |
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What are the clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis? |
Regurgitation, gastric enlargement in snakes Anorexia Wasting Diarrhea (sometimes) Conjunctivitis (Beardies) Aural/pharyngeal polyps (green iguanas) |
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How is crypto transmitted? |
Fecal-oral As usual |
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How do you diagnosis cryptosporidiosis? |
Presence of oocytes in regurgitated matter Gastric washes Feces (modified acid fast) IFA Histo |
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Where do you find ectoparasites on reptiles? |
Around the head and neck Mites: under the scales or in water bowls |
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What is one of the main challenges with a mite infestation? |
Very difficult to eliminate from large groups of snakes, as mites have become resistant to treatment. Also predisposes to other skin diseases from loose scales. |
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What can you use to treat mite infestation? |
Topical pyrethroids Dichlorvos pest strips Avermectins |
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What is the lungworm in anurans and caudates? |
Rhabdias sp - causes rhabdiasis |
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An anuran is infected with one Rhabdias lungworm. Is this a problem? |
Yes - if it's female, they're parthenogenic and will reproduce by itself! |
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How do Rhabdias larvae enter the amphibian? |
Orally Percutaneously |
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What are some signs of Rhabdiasis? |
Verminous eosinophilic pneumonia Ulcerative dermatitis with secondary bacterial infection |
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What's a common reproductive in female reptiles? |
Follicular stasis/dystocia |
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How can you treat follicular stasis? |
Supportive care (fluids, heat, environment, nutrition, parenteral calcium!) Vasotocin arginine in most reptiles Oxytocin in turtles Surgery if necessary (be patient!) |
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What can cause paraphimosis? (What is it?) |
Causes (multiple!): trauma, traction during copulation, infection or inflammation, neurologic deficits, impaction of cloaca with urates (When the hemipenes get stuck outside of the cloaca; "e-reptile dysfunction") |
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How do you treat paraphimosis? |
Reduce edema Replace the hemipenes Treat inflammation, infection Amputation if necessary |
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How can you treat generalized trauma in reptiles? |
Surgical/medical management Supportive care Analgesia |
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In what reptiles is foreign body ingestion most commonly seen? |
Those with unsupervised free range in the client's homes. |
