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Exotics & Lab Animal Medicine > Reptile Handling, Physical Exam, & Clinical Techniques > Flashcards

Reptile Handling, Physical Exam, & Clinical Techniques Flashcards

1
Q

What 2 things should be done before performing a physical exam on a reptile?

A
  1. wash hands - Salmonella!
  2. observation of the animal before restraining - behavior, attitude, activity, gait, strength, posture
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2
Q

What are 6 signs of aggression in reptiles?

A
  1. tail whipping
  2. head bobbing
  3. hissing/huffing
  4. open mouth
  5. tongue flicking
  6. defecating, urinating, musking
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3
Q

What are some important reptile handling equipment?

A
  • gloves and towels
  • snake hooks/tongs
  • snake tubes
  • snake shields
  • carriers
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4
Q

How should a reptile be approached?

A
  • never approach head on
  • typically, not a lot of restraint is needed
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5
Q

What are important clinical considerations associated with hypothermia and hyperthermia in reptiles?

A

HYPO - decreased metabolic rate and drug clearance

HYPER - increased metabolic rate, oxygen demand, HR, and vasodilation

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6
Q

What is never done when restraining lizards? How is this properly done?

A

grab by the tail —> can drop!

support the whole body

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7
Q

Why should lizards be carefully handled? What is proper restraint technique?

A

can dangerous sharp teeth, nails, tails, and scales

  • hold head firmly behind the mandible between the thumb and first finger while wrapping other fingers around the shoulder to pin the front limbs
  • use other hand to grasp rear legs against the tail and pin it against body
  • can consider using a towel or gloves
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8
Q

What response can be used to calm down lizards?

A

vaso-vagal response - light pressure over eyes induce a torpor state, can use Vetwrap to hold it there for longer procedures

  • do not cover the nares!
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9
Q

Why should snakes be handled carefully? What is proper restraint technique?

A

beware of teeth and constriction

  • hold gently, but firmly behind the mandible (expect slight resistance with moving the snake)
  • be sure to support the rest of its body
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10
Q

Why is it especially important to wash hands before handling snakes? What is a common behavior in nervous snakes?

A

rely heavily on smell for eating/hunting and will likely bite if a prey species was handled prior

  • wrap tail around an object to anchor themselves
  • certain species can musk
  • may regurgitate if handled shortly after a meal
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11
Q

How should snakes be handled if they are about to shed?

A

should NOT be handled as they tend to be extremely agitated in this state

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12
Q

Why should turtles be handled carefully? How are larger and smaller species restrained? What is avoided?

A

beware of beak, shell, nails, legs, spurs; fingers can be trapped between shell and leg! (especially box turtles)

  • LARGE = dorsal and caudal portion of shell
  • SMALL = held midway between front and back legs

keeping turtles on back or side for long periods of time

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13
Q

How can the head of a turtle be exteriorized?

A

placing thumb and first finger firmly behind the mandible

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14
Q

What is a common nervous behavior in turtle?

A

urination

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15
Q

What 8 things does a detailed reptile history include?

A
  1. enclosure type and size
  2. heat sources
  3. eater sources
  4. lighting
  5. substrate
  6. temperature/humidity
  7. enclosure mates
  8. diet/supplements
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16
Q

When is it preferred to do a physical exam on a reptile?

A

when it is awake —> animal and human safety

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17
Q

What reptile species has a spectacle?

A

snakes

  • retained shed can get stuck here
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18
Q

What is unique about the otic anatomy in reptiles? Snakes?

A

no external ear canal or pinna

no external ears

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19
Q

What can be used to make oral exams easier in reptiles? Where is the glottis found?

A

spatula or metal oral speculum can be used to hold the mouth open

base of tongue

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20
Q

What differences between reptiles species’ mouths should be noted to not confuse with pathology?

A

pigmented mucous membranes

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21
Q

What 6 things are important to note in oral exams of reptiles?

A
  1. masses
  2. discharge
  3. dentition
  4. stomatitis
  5. respiratory issues
  6. beak condition
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22
Q

What is dysecdysis? What portions of the physical exam are important when diagnosing this?

A

abnormal shed

nares, distal limbs, spectacles

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23
Q

What is a common cause of burns in reptiles?

A

unable to get off basking area

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24
Q

What is a common diagnostic for ectoparasites in reptiles? What ectoparasite is common in snakes?

A

tape prep

mites in the pits or gular folds —> commonly transmitted at reptile shows and can cause anemia —> death if left untreated

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25
Q

What are 4 common chelonian carapace/plastron conditions?

A
  1. pyramiding - enlarged costal scutes
  2. flaking
  3. pitting - small pits on the carapace
  4. fractures
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26
Q

Why is assessing the heart and lungs difficult in reptiles?

A

stethoscope is not helpful

  • not common to get a HR on PE, but if heart disease is a concern, a Doppler can be used
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27
Q

What are 4 ways to assess the respiratory system in reptiles?

A
  1. observe glottis
  2. observe respiratory excursions
  3. listen for referred upper respiratory noise
  4. nasal discharge/dysecdysis
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28
Q

What is normal to palpate on coelomic palpation of reptiles? Abnormal?

A

NORMAL = digesta/feces, ova, fat bodies, liver

ABNORMAL = retained ova, cystic calculi, impactions, masses

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29
Q

What are 2 important taxa considerations for coelomic palpation in snakes and chelonians?

A
  1. SNAKES - press firmly along ventrum of the whole length - should be able to feel heart, food material, and ova/feces
  2. CHELONIANS - shell makes palpation difficult; can rotate around inguinal region and palpate through the prefemoral fossa
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30
Q

What are 4 important observations of physical exam of the cloaca of reptiles?

A
  1. tone
  2. caked urates
  3. MM color
  4. prolapse - need to figure out tissue, if it’s viable, and why it prolapsed
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31
Q

How can body condition be observed in reptiles?

A

palpate limbs and spine

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32
Q

What are common signs of metabolic bone disease seen when evaluating the musculoskeletal system?

A
  • unable to support weight
  • jaw left open (rubber jaw)
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33
Q

What are the 2 major ways of determining sex in lizards?

A
  1. hemipenal bulge at the base of MALE’S tail (do NOT probe it!)
  2. femoral pore size - larger/prominent in MALES
34
Q

What piece of equipment is used for sex determination in snakes?

A

snake probes

  • FEMALES: goes down 3-4 caudal scales and reaches a blind pouch
  • MALES: goes down 7-12 caudal scales, goes into hemipene pocket
35
Q

What are 3 sexual differences in male and female chelonians?

A

MALES - cloaca near the end of tail, concave plastron for mounting, long front nails in aquatic species

FEMALES - cloaca near the base of tail, flat plastron, short front nail in aquatic species

36
Q

What is a difference in sexual characteristics of male aquatic chelonians?

A

do not have a concave plastron

37
Q

Male vs. female chelonian shells:

A
  • MALE = concave
  • FEMALE = flat
38
Q

What is a major way of sex-determining Box Turtles?

A
  • MALES = bright red iris
  • FEMALES = brown iris
39
Q

How is a Doppler blood flow transducer used for determining HR and rhythm in reptiles?

A

Doppler flow transducer

  • directly over heart - snakes, lizards
  • carotid artery
  • optic artery - over the eyelid
40
Q

How can an ECG be used on reptiles?

A

attached to needles and passed through skin

41
Q

What can interfere with pulse oximetry in reptiles? What placements are preferred?

A

skin thickness and pigmentation

  • in esophagus
  • on cloaca
42
Q

How much blood can be safely taken from a (healthy) reptile?

A

1% of BW (in grams) = mLs

43
Q

Why can’t normal analyzers be used for red blood cell counts of reptiles? What is required for chemistry analysis?

A

reptiles have nucleated RBCs

avian/reptile rotors —> unique chemistry profiles!

44
Q

What tubes are preferred for blood draws in reptiles? How should scales be approached?

A

pre-heparinized syringe/tube

enter between them - be patient, slow bleeders!

45
Q

What happens if reptile blood is not placed in a heparinized microtainer? What should be done immediately after blood is taken?

A

plasma will result

make a blood smear ASAP - lymph contamination is common!

46
Q

What are 3 options for snake blood draws?

A
  1. ventral coccygeal vein - directly on midline
  2. heart
  3. palatine vein - boas, pythons
47
Q

What needs to be avoided when drawing blood from a snake’s ventral coccygeal vein?

A

larger part of vessel proximally —> musk glands and hemipenes are found here

48
Q

What are 3 options for blood draws in lizards?

A
  1. ventral coccygeal veins
  2. ventral abdominal vein
  3. jugular vein - follow temporal scales
49
Q

What 2 types of restraint are preferred for ventral coccygeal blood draws in lizards?

A
  1. lateral - laterally compressed tails
  2. ventral midline - DV compressed or round tails
50
Q

What are 4 options for blood collection sites in chelonians?

A
  1. subcarapacial sinus - between nuchal ligaments, lymph contamination common!
  2. brachial plexus
  3. tail vein
  4. jugular vein
51
Q

What are 2 preferred sites for blood collection in crocodilians?

A
  1. ventral coccygeal vein
  2. post-occipital sinus (shallow)
52
Q

What are the 2 fluids of choice for reptiles? How should the fluid be prepared?

A
  1. Normosol R
  2. Reptile Ringer Solution - 2 parts NaCl/dextrose to 1 part LRS

warm them up to body temperature prior to administration

53
Q

What are possible routes of administration of fluids in reptiles?

A
  • SQ
  • oral
  • intracoelomic
  • IV
  • intraosseous - tibia, femur, humerus
54
Q

What are the preferred sites for intracoelomic and IM injections in reptiles?

A

right caudal quadrant

forelimbs, epaxials (careful of renal-portal system!)

55
Q

What are the 3 preferred sites for SQ injections in reptiles?

A
  1. lateral folds - axillary region
  2. skin near limbs - chelonians
  3. dorsum
56
Q

What are 4 options for acceptable techniques for euthanasia in reptiles?

A
  1. intraorgan, IO, ICe, IM administration in a completely unconscious animal
  2. sedation and placement of an IV catheter, followed by IV euthanasia solution (venous access difficult!)
  3. intracardiac administration in snakes
  4. overdoses of injectable anesthetics in any species
57
Q

What are 4 ways to confirm death following euthanasia of reptiles?

A
  1. incubate body for 1-2 hours and outline - assess for movement (warming increases metabolism)
  2. loss of reflexes, fixed dilated pupils, no norneal reflex + Doppler placement
  3. pithing (captive bolt)
  4. decapitation
58
Q

What are 2 major pre-anesthetic consideration for reptiles prior to anesthesia?

A
  1. fasting for 24-72 hours
  2. provide supplemental heat before, during, and after procedure
59
Q

What are 3 options for induction drug administration in reptiles?

A
  1. IV
  2. IM
  3. inhalation —> stressful, cardiac shunt makes less effective
60
Q

What are 3 pros and 1 con to using Ketamine for induction in reptiles?

A

PROS:
- safe and easy to administer IV or IM
- some analgesia
- can be combined with alpha-2 agonists or BZD

CON = not reversible (SLOW metabolism)

61
Q

What are 2 pros and 1 con to using Telazol for induction in reptiles?

A

PROS = easy to administer IV or IM, partial reversal available (Flumazenil)

CON = prolonged recovery

62
Q

What is 1 pro and 4 cons to using Propfol for induction in reptiles?

A

PRO = rapid effect lasts 15-45 mins

CON
- can only administer IV or IO
- no analgesia
- CV/respiratory depression
- not reversible

63
Q

What are 4 pros and 3 cons to using Alfaxalone for induction in reptiles?

A

PROS
- rapid effect lasts 30-45 mins
- can be administered IV, IO, or IM
- good muscle relaxation
- can be used in combination with Ketamine or Medetomidine

CONS
- no analgesia
- CV/respiratory depression (< Propofol)
- not reversible

64
Q

What is the most common anesthetic maintenance in reptiles? What else can be used?

A

inhalants - Iso or Sevo; face mask vs. intubation

  • Propofol: bolus to effect
  • repeat injections of Ketamine, Medetomidine, or Alfaxalone
65
Q

What rate is recommended for IV and SQ fluids in reptiles under anesthesia?

A

IV = 10 mL/kg/hr

SQ = 20-30 mL/kg

66
Q

What kind of tube is preferred for intubating reptiles? How does placement differ in chelonians?

A

non-cuffed

turtle tracheas bifurcate early, so they are not placed as far

67
Q

How is apnea avoided in reptiles under anesthesia? What tidal volume, breaths/min, and pressure should be maintained?

A

intermittent PPV

  • 10 mL/kg
  • 2-4 bpm
  • 10-15 cm H2O
68
Q

What are 4 ways anesthetic depth is assessed in reptiles?

A
  1. response to stimuli - movement or increased HR
  2. muscle tone - relaxation of snakes head to tail
  3. loss of righting reflex
  4. loss of palpebral (not seen in snakes!)
69
Q

What anesthetic monitoring is commonly performed during procedures in reptiles?

A
  • Doppler
  • capnograph
  • ECG
  • BP
70
Q

How can recovery be sped up in reptiles?

A
  • ventilate with room air —> ventilation driven by hypoxia!
  • stimulation - flip
71
Q

How do snakes typically recover?

A

opposite of how they went down

  • tail —> nose
72
Q

What timing of analgesia is preferred? Approach?

A

pre-emptive > reactive

multimodal - local analgesics, opioids for cute pain, NSAIDs for chronic pain

73
Q

What are the 2 most common local analgesics used in reptiles?

A
  1. Lidocaine - rapid, short-acting
  2. Bupivicaine - delayed, long-acting
74
Q

What species difference in response to Butorphanol has been noted?

A
  • TURTLES - minimal analgesia
  • BEARDED DRAGONS - no analgesia
  • CORN SNAKE - analgesia in 8 hrs
75
Q

What species difference in response to Morphine has been noted?

A
  • TURTLES = low dose provides analgesia and resp depression; high dose provides analgesia and profound respiratory depression
  • BEARDED DRAGONS = high doses provide analgesia for 8 hrs
  • SNAKES = no effect
76
Q

What opioid seems to have no effect on reptiles?

A

Buprenorphine

77
Q

What are 3 additional modes of analgesia that can be used in reptiles?

A
  1. NSAIDs - Meloxicam, Ketoprofen
  2. Gabapentin - neurologic pain
  3. acupuncture - chronic pain
78
Q

What are the most common surgical procedures performed in reptiles?

A
  • celiotomy - follicular stasis, egg retention, dystocia, FB, coelomic mass
  • abscesses - caseous, lancing is not common
  • amputations
  • pharyngostomy tube in anorexic patients
79
Q

What patterns are preferred for closing after celiotomies? What is the holding layer?

A

everting —> inverting would cause scales to point inward

dermis (skin)

80
Q

How long do closures of celiotomies take to heal?

A

4-6 weeks

  • re-check after next shed
81
Q

How is the coelomic cavity approached in turtles?

A

requires a plastronotomy

Exotics & Lab Animal Medicine (20 decks)

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