Exotics 1 Flashcards
What are 6 differences between reptile and mammal eyes
- Straited muscles of the iris, not smooth ○ Conscious control over pupil size ○ Need to use different drugs - Cartilaginous septum between eyes - Conus papillaris - Pupil shape variations - Parietal eye - Harderian gland (in all reptiles)
Lizard eyes what are the 2 different structures can have, function and 2 other structures in the eye
- The spectacle (eye cap, skin or scale that covers the eyes - fused eyelids) in most geckos
§ Sheds with the skin - important
§ Protects the cornea - Upper eyelids immobile and short, lower eyelids close the eye (in those that have eyelids)
- Rigid third eyelid
- Scleral ossicles
Snake eye what structure present, function, shedding, is there a lacrimal gland
- Spectacle
○ The glands excrete into the space between the cornea and the spectacle and fluid drains down through nasolacrimal ducts
○ It becomes cloudy just before ecdysis (shedding of the skin in reptiles) (Harderian gland) - no lacrimal glands - don’t need as have a spectacle
What are 9 important environmental considerations for skin in reptiles
- Sharp or abrasive furnishings and substrates
- Water quality
- Humidity
- Companions
- UVB
- Mites
- Escape attempts
- Hygiene
- Biosecurity
List 8 specific clinical signs for eye issues in reptiles
- Swelling of eyelids
- Blepharitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Ocular discharges
- Discolouration of globe
- Epiphora
- Nasal discharge
- Eyelids can’t open - may need to bathe in warm water - DO NOT FORCE OPEN
List 6 non-specific clinical signs for eye issues in reptiles
- Light sensitive
- Rubbing at face
- Can’t target food items
- Reluctant to eat
- Reluctant to move
- Hiding
List 9 causes for swelling of reptile eyelids
- Hypovitaminosis A in chelonians
○ Hyperkeratosis, swollen eyes, digestive issues - Blepharitis and conjunctivitis
○ Usually hygiene and foreign body related - Foreign material/trauma
- Viral (pox/herpes)
- Bacterial (primary/secondary to sepsis)
- Periocular masses
○ Unilateral - Neoplasia
- parasitic
- caseous abscess formation (tend to be harder than mammalian)
What are 6 main causes of ocular discharge
- Dacryocystitis
- Hypovitaminosis A
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Foreign bodies - common
- Epiphora due to blocked duct or irritated conjunctiva
- Corneal ulceration - IF DON’T HAVE A SPECTACLE
○ Stain with fluorescein
○ Infection
○ Trauma
○ Lipid deposits
What are 6 main issues that can arise of the spectacle
- Opacity prior to ecdysis (shedding)
- Retained spectacle due to dysecdysis (when haven’t shed properly -> lack of humidity or lack of abrasive items to rub against)
- Bullous spectaculopathy -> accumulation of clear fluid in Subspectacular space that presents as a bulging of spectacle
○ Aspirate to determine the cause but give pain relief as well - Subspectacular abscess
- Retrobulbar abscess
- Trauma
What are 5 main opthalmic disorders of reptiles and 5 main systemic diseases that can lead to this
Other ophthalmic disorders 1. Uveitis 2. Hypopyon 3. Cataracts 4. Glaucoma difficult to determine 5. Anopthalmus/micropt halmus Systemic diseases contributing to ophthalmic pathology 1. Stomatitis - inflammation in the mouth 2. Rhinitis - respiratory disease 3. Malnutrition 4. Septicaemia 5. Any diseases causing dehydration or reduced healing
What is important to consider with reptile eye/skin treatment and list 7 general things to do
- Be gentle, need to be in optimal temperature to heal
1. Topical - Wet swabs over the surface of the eyes
2. Surgical
3. Systemic
4. Flushing
5. Warm wet compresses to open eyelids
6. Soaking/bathing/humidity increase -> for retained spectacles
7. Husbandry can always be improved
What is turtle shell made of and what important to remember and reptile connective tissue how much elastin
- Osteoderm/dermal bone - in turtles
○ Shell -> active live skin with bone -> DON’T DRILL THE BONE - Connective tissue (variable elastin)
○ Scales aren’t very elastic but the skin between the scales are
Reptile skin anatomy what are 7 important factors/structures/functions
- Barrier to abrasion, desiccation, UV, damage, impermeable to pathogens
- Variable water permeability - generally better than mammals
- Glands - scent, lipid
- Locomotion - gastropeds -> the scales on the dorsum that help to move in snakes
- Horns, bristles - sensory and defense
- heat sensing pits
- Mite pockets
ecdysis what is it, how works, what is important while occuring
- New layer grows under old ones
- Inner layer of old skin dissolved and lymph infiltrates to separate the old from the new
- More sensitive to toxins and damage while shedding
- Spectacle needs to shed at the same time
What are 14 important things to ask for with history for reptiles
- Temperature
- Relative humidity
- Substrate - too wet or abrasive
- Furnishings
- Burrows
- Hygiene
- Water quality
- Filtration - ventilation equivalent for aquariums
- UV type and strength
- New introductions
- Visits by friends
- Feeding of live prey
- Diet
Supplements
What is important to consider with feeding of live prey and what clinical signs can you see with turtles
- if sick or don’t want to eat the live prey can eat the predator
• Even with turtles -> feeder fish too big for turtle -> generally lose toes in this case
What are the 4 main types of clinical signs for reptile skin disorders
- Degenerative (ulcers, slipping skin, fissures, thinning)
- Proliferative (papillomatous, hyperkeratotic, neoplastic)
- Colour and textural changes
- Writhing, skin, rubbing, scratching, bathing, basking
What is involved with the examination and diagnosis of skin conditions in reptiles
- History before handling
○ Trying to push through vents, basking more or less, sitting in water bowl for snakes -> might have mites - Examine from a distance
- Pruritis, eyes closed limbs abducted, breathing noises - Photographic documentation and magnification
- Periphery of tails, digits, scutes
- Wet swabs and smear
- Scrape, aspirate, culture, biopsy
- Blood tests, xrays
What are 7 common non-infectious skin conditions of reptiles
1. Trauma ○ Bites (prey/companion) ○ Substrate/furniture ○ Abrasions ○ Escape attempts ○ Baytril injections -> dilution as can cause ulcers § Not the only antibiotics 2. Burns - heat/chemical 3. Neoplasia 4. Diet ○ Ca/vitD/UVB/Temp ○ hyperVit D ○ Gout 5. Water quality 6. Blisters/bullae ○ Excessive humidity ○ Wet substrate 7. Excessive UV exposure
What are 7 common skin infectious conditions
1. Abscesses ○ Fibrous and caseous - hard ○ Mycobacterium ○ Opportunists 2. Dermatitis (scale rot) ○ Bacterial, fungal, ectoparasitic 3. Viral 4. Ulcerative ○ Bacterial/fungal 5. Sepsis resulting in skin lesions 6. Cellulitis/sinuses 7. Extension of stomatitis ○ Common in lizards and turtles ○ LOOK IN THE MOUTH
What are 5 common skin conditions of pythons
1. Mites ○ Ophinoyssus natricis 2. Trauma ○ Burns, bites from prey, escape attempts, co-feeding, handling 3. Scale rot ○ Ventral dermatitis 4. Blister disease ○ Humidity too high/wet substrate ○ Burns ○ Migrating nematodes 5. Dysecdysis ○ Systemic disease ○ Vivarium set up ○ Overhandling
What are the 6 main common skin conditions of lizards
1. Trauma ○ Bites/burns 2. Dermatitis secondary to poor husbandry 3. Dysecdysis ○ Humidity too low ○ Systemic disease, scars 4. Ticks 5. Malnutrition ○ Vitamin D deficiency 6. Fungal infections ○ Yellow fungal infection - crysosporium anamorph of nanizziopsis varesii (CANV)
What are the 4 main skin conditions of turtles
1. Shell rot ○ Water quality/diet/UV 2. Oedema 3. Scale and carapace deformities ○ Malnutrition/injuries 4. Trauma ○ Co-inhabitants ○ Tank design ○ Gardening injuries
What are the 4 main areas of treatment for reptile skin and examples within
- Surgical
○ Excise, debride or repair lesion if possible
○ Epoxy resin/wires/plates/ for dermal bone - Systemic
○ Antibiotics/pain relief - Topical
○ Flushing wounds
○ Antiparasitics (care, all can be toxic. No IVERMECTINS in turtles)
○ Dressings
Few products registered for use in reptiles - Environmental
○ Remove the cause
○ Parasite control
Review husbandry
What are important factors in prevention of reptile skin conditions
○ Correct POTZ range ○ Appropriate heat source and UVB type for species ○ Furnishings to assist ecdysis ○ Safe stocking rates ○ Dedicated hygiene § Cleaning substrate § Ventilation § Filtration ○ Quarantine and mite prevention ○ Balanced diet and supplements appropriate to species
How many mammary gland paris are present in rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, rats and mice
Rabbits -> 4 Ferrets -> 4 Guinea pigs -> 1 Rats -> 6 mice -> 5
Rabbits what is special about skin
- Fastidious and mutual groomers
- Seasonal moult
- Females line nest with hair
- Glands under chin and inguinal pockets
- Haired pinnae
- Two areas in ears to examine
- No foot pads
Ferrets what is special about their skin
- Very thick skin!
- Seasonal alopecia
- Haired pinnae
- +++ sebaceous glands
- 2x perianal scent glands
Guinea pigs what is special about their skin
- Short, long, whorled hair
- Glands over the rump and around the anus
- Non-haired pinnae
- Need dietary vitamin C
Rabbit what are the 4 main ectoparasites, clinical signs and diagnosis/treatment for all
1) Fur mite – Cheyletiella parasitovorax - waling dandruff, mild pruritis and alopecia
2) Fur mite – Leporacarus gibbus - salt and pepper look
3) Ear mite – Psoroptes cuniculi - crusty exudate in ear, intensely pruritic and painful
4) Rabbit fleas (and cat and dog fleas) - pruritis
Dx -> sticky tape prep
Tx -> selamcentin (revolution) - advantage for flea
NO FIBRONIL IN RABBITS
Guinea pigs what are the 2 main ectoparasites, clinical signs, diganosis and treatment
1) fleas - pruritis, dull coat, patchy alopecia Dx - visualisation, flea dirt 2) scabies - pruritis and alopecia Dx - deep skin scrap, clinical signs Tx -> both selamectin (revolution)
Ferrets what are the 3 main ectoparasites, clinical signs, diagnosis/treatment
1) Sarcoptic Mange “Foot rot” - alopecia, intense pruritus, pain, nails can slough Dx - deep skin scrap Tx - ivermectin 2) Ear mite – Otodectes cyanotis - head shake, scratch, pruritis Dx - smear Tx - adovate (moxidectin) 3) Fleas (Dog & Cat) Dx - visualisation Tx - advantage (imidacloprid)
Mice and rats what are the 3 main ectoparasites, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment
1) Fur mites (multiple species) - greasy pruritic dermatitis, ulceration
Dx - sticky tape prep
Tx - ivermectin
2) Fleas (Dog, Cat, Wild rodent fleas) - dull coat
Dx - visualisation
Tx - frontline (fibronil)
3) Lice (Pediculosis) - weight loss, alopecia
Dx - exclusion and treatment trail
Tx - ivermectin
Bacterial dermatitis/pyoderma in rabbits location, bacterial, clinical signs and treatment
- Common in areas where moisture can build up
- S. aureus mostly, but can be variety of bacterial aetiologies
Clinical signs - Moist, exudative lesions
- Ulcerative lesions
- Folliculitis
- Secondary ileus (reduced or absent gut sounds)
Treatment - Clip and clean through to surgical debridement
- Barrier creams and topical antibiotic creams through to systemic antibiosis and analgesia
○ Beware of secondary dysbiosis
Avoid corticosteroid based preparations - NEVER
Bacterial dermatitis/pyoderma in ferrets/guinea pigs/ rats and mice how generally ocurr, bacteria, clinical signs, treatment
- Usually secondary to skin trauma (bite/fight/selfinflected)
- Staphs and streps usually, but can be a number or bacterial aetiologies
Clinical signs - Superficial exudates and crusting
- Ulcerative lesions
- Folliculitis
- Furunculosis
- Anorexia and lethargy depending on severity of disease
Treatment - Topicals (inc shampoos) for milder cases
- Systemic antibiosis for more severe cases
Beware of secondary dysbiosis in Guinea Pigs
Abscesses in small mammals what result from, where located, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment
- Usually the result of fight wounds, trauma, injection sites, surgical incisions, sometimes haematogenous or lymphatic spread
- If around the face, consider dental disease in all species
Clinical signs - soft swelling +/- discharging sinus
- Can be pyrexia, anorexia and depression
- Rabbit pus is very thick and caseous
Diagnosis - Via FNA could also culture
Treatment - Surgical excision as complete mass
- Alternative, lancing, debridement, +/- drain placement and antibiotic impregnated gel or beads into abscess site
- Cover with broad spectrum antibiotics initially
- Analgesia
Fungal dermatopathies what mammals susceptible, causes, importance, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment
- All species are susceptible, though less common in indoor pets
- Is usually a Microsporum or Trichophyton
○ Microsporum fluoresces under sustained UV light - Have zoonotic potential
Clinical signs - Circular crusting lesions with central alopecia
- +/- pruritis
- Can be anywhere on the body
Diagnosis - Woods lamp test (only useful if Microsporum)
- Fungal culture
Treatment - Localised spots can be treated with topicals (ie, Canesten creams)
- Systemic antifungals – check texts for appropriate options
Neoplasia what type common in rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and rodents
- Rabbits – none specifically more common
- Ferrets – mast cell tumours common
- Guinea pigs – trichofolliculoma
○ Benign basal cell epithelioma, surgical excision usually curative though not always needed as not likely to metastasise and rarely locally invasive - Rodents – Mammary neoplasia
○ Mice = malignant (usually) - not a good prognosis
○ Rats = benign
○ Both sexes can be affected
○ Vast distribution of mammary tissue means they can be almost anywhere on the body
injection site reaction what vaccine must susceptible, clinical signs, treatment and prevention
- Cylap RCD intradermally - rabbit calicivirus Clinical signs - Hair loss - Ulceration - Abscess Treatment– supportive Prevention - Use new needle to give - Ensure is SQ - Massage! • OHS – do not inject yourself. If you do seek medical attention immediately.
Rabbit diseases otitis externa what generally secondary to, results in and clinical signs
- Mite driven -> secondary to Psoroptes cuniculi (ear bites)
- Purulent discharge and wax found in the ears of many bunnies without overt clinical signs - differentaite wax and pus with cytology
- Otitis media with a ruptured tympanic membrane can result in pus in the external canal
Clinical signs - Pruritus, head shaking, ear scratching
- visible pus on otoscopic examination
- Vestibular signs if middle ear affected
- Can be concurrent ear mite infestation
Otitis externa for rabbits diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis
- Based on c/s and cytological evidence of infection - see the mites
- Imaging to assess for concurrent middle ear disease
Treatment
- ANALGESIA!
○ Avoid corticosteroid based therapies
- If electing topicals, need to clean out ear canal under GA first, as wax will impede activity of medications
○ If tympanic membrane is ruptured, avoid topicals and start empirical therapy with penicillin SQ
- With concurrent middle ear disease, base ongoing therapy on C&S
- Surgery possibly an option
Ulcerative pododermatitis in rabbits what is it, clinical signs and diagnosis
- Severe condition of the hocks, predisposed by inappropriate cage substrates
- Is a pressure sore (avascular necrosis) of the hock and associated structures.
Clinical signs - Ulcerative lump on foot
Diagnosis - via clinical signs and imaging (to see if the bone is involved)
