Exotic Practice and Zoonosis

Question 1

what animals are classed as exotic pets?

Answer 1

small furries (rabbits and guinea pigs)

birds

reptiles

amphibians

fish

Question 2

what animals must be treated by all veterinary surgeons?

Answer 2

obligation to offer first aid treatment to any animal presented at the surgery

Question 3

what animals are most practices happy to see?

Answer 3

rabbits and guinea pigs

budgies and cockitiels

small rodents

Question 4

what animals may be occasionally seen in exotic practice?

Answer 4

tortoises

ferrets

chinchillas

Question 5

what animals will most practices choose to refer?

Answer 5

lizards and snakes

parrots

birds of prey

fish

Question 6

when can a vet be classed as an exotic specialist?

Answer 6

if they have a diploma or are a recognised fellow

Question 7

what sort of exotic vets are there?

Answer 7

some practices have one vet that is interested in one or more exotic species

specialist exotic practices with 24hr on call specialists and nurses

Question 8

what are the difficulties of having one vet at the practice with exotic interest/experience?

Answer 8

difficulty if out of hours, on call and holidays

Question 9

what is the issue with specialist exotic practices?

Answer 9

expensive

Question 10

how long is needed to perform an adequate exotic consult?

Answer 10

at least 20 mins, preferably 30

Question 11

why do exotic procedures need to be so long?

Answer 11

Thorough history is vital and may be time consuming

Often need to do diagnostic procedures i.e. faecal samples

May need to consult literature

Question 12

what can make an exotic case run more smoothly?

Answer 12

Good management of the exotic case at reception can make things run much more smoothly.

Question 13

what role can reception have in exotic consults?

Answer 13

Find out the species of animal to be seen.

Advise on transport of animal

Request feacal samples

Advise owner to bring in food, supplements and photos of environment.

Pre consult questionnaire

Question 14

how should rabbits and rodents be transported?

Answer 14

secure box or carrier

Question 15

how should reptiles be transported?

Answer 15

secure box or carrier

provide heating (e.g. hot water bottle or plug in heat mat)

Question 16

how will snakes be transported?

Answer 16

pillow case or duvet cover

Question 17

how should birds be transported to the practice?

Answer 17

cage is best, avoid cardboard box as cannot see what the bird is doing and they are difficult to remove

Question 18

how are birds of prey transported?

Answer 18

travel box or on hand

Question 19

how should fish be transported?

Answer 19

double bag in a waterproof box

ensure air in the top to allow gas exchange

bring second bag of water

Question 20

where should birds be housed?

Answer 20

heated tank (30 degrees)

Question 21

where should reptiles be housed?

Answer 21

vivarium or tortoise table that can provide light and heat

Question 22

where should rabbits be housed?

Answer 22

away from predators below 22 degrees

Question 23

what is crucial about all exotic housing?

Answer 23

secure as they are good at escaping

Question 24

what else needs to be included in exotic housing?

Answer 24

water

food

toys

Question 25

what equipment is needed when seeing exotic patients?

Answer 25

* Good Microscope * Crop tubes / stomach tubes * Fine surgical instruments * Ventilator, endoscopy, magnification all useful

Question 26

how should the consult room be set up for exotic

Answer 26

* Secure area. No open doors/windows/air-vents * Containers for examining small animals * Sensitive scales

Question 27

what must happen to rooms after exotic animals have been in?

Answer 27

through disinfection fogging?

Question 28

what disinfectant is best for use after exotics have been on the ward?

Answer 28

QAC

Question 29

when do exotic animals tend to present with illness?

Answer 29

late on when they are already ill

Question 30

how quickly do birds deteriorate?

Answer 30

Birds will deteriorate quickly – any sick bird should be treated as an emergency

Question 31

how long does it take reptiles to deteriorate and recover?

Answer 31

Reptiles deteriorate slowly – but will take long time to recover

Question 32

what is involved in the first aid of exotics?

Answer 32

* ABC – Airway, breathing, circulation. * Stop and haemorrhage * Warmth for Birds (30^oC) and reptiles (POTZ) * Oxygen supplementation if needed (Not reptiles) * Rehydration * Pain relief * Antibiosis

Question 33

why should reptiles not be given oxygen?

Answer 33

may actually stop them from breathing

Question 34

what zoonoses are seen in reptiles?

Answer 34

* *Salmonella* * *Campylobacter* * *?Cryptosporidia* * *Pentastomids*

Question 35

what zoonoses are seen in birds?

Answer 35

* *Chlamydophila* * *Salmonella* * *Mycobacteria* * Avian infuenza

Question 36

what zoonoses are seen in small mammals?

Answer 36

* Lymphocytic choriomeningitis * *Salmonella* * *Streptobacillus* *moniliformis –* rat bite fever * Dermatophytosis (ringworm) * *Encephalitozoon Cuniculi*

Question 37

what zoonosis are seen in fish?

Answer 37

* *Mycobacterium marinum*

Question 38

what species carry salmonella?

Answer 38

potentially carried by a range but reptiles are of particular concern

Question 39

what does salmonella cause in humans?

Answer 39

GI upsets but can lead to septecemia

Question 40

how is salmonella transmitted to humans?

Answer 40

shed in faeces - only stopped by antibiotics for a short period

Question 41

what sort of bacteria is Chlamydophila ?

Answer 41

intracellular

Question 42

what animals is Chlamydophila carried by?

Answer 42

a range of bird especially pigeons and small parrots

Question 43

how is Chlamydophila transmitted?

Answer 43

bodily secretions, faeces, feather dust, sneezing.

Question 44

what will Chlamydophila affected birds present with?

Answer 44

systemic disease signs: lethargy, anorexia, and ruffled feathers Other symptoms include ocular or nasal discharge, diarrhoea, and excretion of green urates (liver disease) can be symptomless carrier and shed periodically

Question 45

what does Chlamydophila cause in humans?

Answer 45

severe flu like symptoms (Fever, muscle and joint pains, non- productive cough, tight chest). If left untreated may be fatal. can be treated with antibiotics

Question 46

how is Chlamydophila tested for?

Answer 46

* Pooled Feacal sample or Swab (Conjunctiva, choana (top of mouth) and cloaca) for DNA PCR, * Antibody blood test.

Question 47

how can Chlamydophila be treated?

Answer 47

antibiotics in birds (doxycycline) and humans but infection difficult to clear in birds

Question 48

how can Chlamydophila be prevented from passing to humans?

Answer 48

* Wash hands well after handling, don’t kiss/ take food from bird’s mouth. * Don’t eat with the bird present. * Quarantine new birds, testing does not guarantee disease free. * May be advisable to wear masks when handling an infected bird.

Question 49

what is fish tuberculosis known as?

Answer 49

Mycobacterium spp

Question 50

what are the symptoms of Mycobacterium spp?

Answer 50

* Local non healing ulcers * Reduced appetite, weight loss, body deformities

Question 51

what does Mycobacterium spp cause in humans?

Answer 51

Cause localised lesions

Question 52

how can Mycobacterium spp be prevented in humans?

Answer 52

* If open wounds - then cover with a waterproof bandage and gloves * Wash hands well * Do not wash nets and equipment in sinks intended for human use

Question 53

what type of infection is Dermatophytosis (ringworm)?

Answer 53

fungal infection

Question 54

how is Dermatophytosis (ringworm) spread?

Answer 54

contact

Question 55

how can Dermatophytosis (ringworm) be prevented?

Answer 55

* Wear gloves if suspected. * Wash hands well after handling (Especially Hedgehogs)

Question 56

what does Dermatophytosis (ringworm) cause?

Answer 56

Causes scaly itchy patches often but not always circular in appearance

Question 57

how is euthanasia of most exotic species performed?

Answer 57

gaseous anaesthesia and then injection

Question 58

how is euthanasia performed in exotic mammals?

Answer 58

IV or into liver/kidney

Question 59

how is euthanasia performed in rabbits?

Answer 59

ear vein

Question 60

how is euthanasia performed in rodents and ferrets?

Answer 60

cranial vena cava

Question 61

how is euthanasia performed in reptiles?

Answer 61

IV and then pith (damage brain with probe /needle)

Question 62

how is euthanasia performed in snakes?

Answer 62

intracardiac or into liver

Question 63

how is euthanasia performed in lizards?

Answer 63

tail vein or cranial vena cava in small species

Question 64

how is euthanasia performed in chelonia?

Answer 64

jugular or subcarapacial sinus

Question 65

how is euthanasia performed in birds?

Answer 65

Gaseous anaesthesia then intravenous jugular or tibiotarsal vein in larger birds. Can inject into liver.

Question 66

how is euthanasia performed in fish?

Answer 66

Anaesthesia (MS222 or phenoxyethanol) followed by pentobarbitone injection or severing spinal cord behind gill cover. Owner can use oil of cloves to anesthetise if needed at home.

Question 67

what is a zoonosis?

Answer 67

infectious disease which has jumped form non human animal to humans, may be bacterial, viral or parasitic

Question 68

what are the symptoms of salmonella in animals?

Answer 68

Don't usually cause illness

Question 69

What are the symptoms of salmonella in humans?

Answer 69

Diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever Can lead to fatal illness if young or immuno compromised

Question 70

how is Chlamydophila transmitted to humans?

Answer 70

Inhaling of respiratory secretions or contaminated dust from the droppings or feathers of infected birds.