Exotics Flashcards
1
Q
Risks of rabbit venipuncture
A
Spinal fractures, respiratory disease and stress
2
Q
How do you calculate a safe blood volume to take from small mammals?
A
1% bodyweight or 10% circulating volume
3
Q
Does rabbit blood clot quickly or slowly?
A
Quickly
4
Q
Blood samples to take from a rabbit
A
EDTA for haematology
Lithium heparin for biochemistry
Fluoride oxalate for glucose
Two fresh blood smears
Glucometer reading
5
Q
Blood tube for biochemistry in all exotic animals
A
Serum
Lithium heparin if restricted on volume
6
Q
What should you do to venipuncture site in rabbits ~30m before sample is taken?
A
Emla cream for local anaesthetic
7
Q
Venipunture sites in a rabbit
A
Marginal ear vein
Jugular
Cephalic and saphenous veins
8
Q
Location for guinea pig blood samples
A
Cephalic vein
Cranial vena cava (large blood draws)
9
Q
Location for small rodent venipuncture
A
Lateral tail vein (warm tail first)
Lateral saphenous vein (under GA)
Cranial vena cava
10
Q
Ferret venipuncture sites
A
Jugular vein
Cranial vena cava
11
Q
Does GA increase or decrease PCV in a ferret?
A
Decrease
12
Q
Hedgehog venipuncture sites considering their thick skin
A
Femoral vein (easiest)
Cranial vena cava
Jugular vein (hard to visualise with thick skin)
13
Q
Which venipuncture sites are likely to require GA in a hedgehog?
A
All of them
14
Q
Technique for cranial vena cava blood sample
A
GA
Patient in dorsal recumbency, head extended
Needle placed at notch where first rib meets manubrium (uppermost sternum)
Advance towards contra-lateral hindlimb
30 degree angle until blood flush
15
Q
Lymphatics in reptiles are closely linked to blood vessels, what is the problem with contamination of blood samples?
A
Affects PCV and some biochemistries
16
Q
Is blood pressure in reptiles high or low?
A
Low, blood draws slowly
17
Q
What must you always do when blood sampling from reptiles?
A
Take a fresh blood smear
18
Q
Most suitable site for lizard venipuncture
A
Ventral coccygeal vein (1/3rd down tail to avoid hemipenes and anal glands, ventral or lateral approach)
19
Q
In which size of snakes is it difficult to obtain a blood sample from the ventral coccygeal vein?
A
Small snakes
20
Q
Sites for obtaining a blood sample in snakes
A
Ventral coccygeal vein
Heart (large volume)
Palatine (prone to haematoma)
21
Q
Tortoise blood sampling sites
A
Jugular vein
Sub-carapacial vein
Dorsal coccygeal vein
22
Q
Which tortoise venipuncture method doesn’t require GA or sedation as the neck can be extended or retracted?
A
Sub-carapacial vein
23
Q
How do you calculate a safe volume of blood to collect from a reptile?
A
5-8% of bodyweight or 10% blood volume (but usually presented as anaemic so take half this volume to be safe)
24
Q
What is the problem with EDTA for reptiles?
A
Haemolyses red blood cells
25
What is the anticoagulant of choice in exotic species?
Lithium heparin
26
What should you always do when taking blood samples for exotic species?
Make two fresh blood smears
27
Why is thorough skin preparation for venipuncture important in exotic species?
Skin is often heavily contaminated
28
Is anisocytosis and polychromasia a normal or abnormal finding in a rabbit? Why?
Normal and common due to short erythrocyte life span (57-67 days)
29
Lymphoid cell differences in rabbit blood compared to dog/cat blood
Heterophils (neutrophils) have granular cytoplasm
Basophils common
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ration 1:1
30
What cell is this in rabbit blood?
Heterophil (neutrophil)
31
What cell is produced by thymus under oestrogen stimulation in guinea pigs which is found in the blood?
Kurloff cell
32
Most abundant cell in guinea pig blood
Neutrophil
33
Do ferrets have blood groups?
No
34
Are ferret HCT, HB and RBC counts usually higher or lower than dogs/cats?
Higher
35
What is the difference between eosinophils and neutrophils in ferret blood?
Neutrophil: small, pale-red granules
Eosinophil: granules rounded and bright red
36
Which cells are nucleated in reptiles that aren't in other species?
Erythrocytes and thrombocytes
37
Why shouldn't you take blood samples too regularly in reptiles?
Takes 4 months to replenish
38
What cell type is this in a reptile blood sample? (Predominant cell type in reptiles)
Heterophil (equivalent to a neutrophil)
39
What time of year are lymphocyte levels lowest in reptiles?
Winter
40
What time of year are eosinophil levels lowest in reptiles? (Picture also shows two heterophils)
Summer
41
Do basophil levels in reptiles vary through seasons?
No
42
What cell in blood is unique to reptiles?
Azurophils, more common in snakes
43
When do monocytosis and azurophilia occur in reptiles?
Inflammation
Granulomatous disease
44
What cell is this in a reptile blood smear?
Monocyte
45
Primary lymphoid organs in birds
Bursa of Fabricius and thymus
46
Secondary lymphoid organs in birds
Spleen, intestinal lymphoid tissue, bone marrow
47
What cells develop in the thymus?
T-lymphocytes
48
Where are T and B-lymphocyte precursors produced in birds?
Embryonic yolk sac and bone marrow
49
What cell type is developed in the bursa of fabricius?
B-lymphocytes
50
How is a spleen in a bird different to a mammal?
Not a blood reservoir (smaller)
51
Spleen function in bird
Lymphopoiesis and antibody production
52
What cell type is the arrow pointing to in this avian blood smear?
Erythrocyte
53
What cell type is the arrow pointing to in this avian blood smear?
Thrombocyte
54
How quickly is blood loss replenished in birds?
Days
55
Are immature red blood cells a normal or abnormal finding in birds?
Normal (mild polychromasia/anisocytosis)
56
How are avian thrombocytes different to mammalian thrombocytes?
Phagocytic functions
Weaker clotting function
Originate from stem cells not megakaryocytes
57
Do birds have heterophils or neutrophils?
Heterophils (round cells, lobed basophilic nucleus, oval cytoplasmic granules, colourless cytoplasm)
58
Functions of heterophils in birds
Phagocytosis, bacteriocidal, acute inflammation
59
What cell type is labelled E in this avian blood smear?
Eosinophil
60
What cell type is labelled B in this avian blood smear?
Basophil
61
What are the lymphocytic bird species? (70% lymphocytes)
Amazon parrots and canaries
62
What is the largest leukocyte in an avian blood smear (but rare in the healthy bird)?
Monocyte
63
What is the problem with EDTA in birds?
Can haemolyse red blood cells in some species
64
Blood tube for haematology and biochemistry in avian species
Lithium heparin
65
Is sedation/GA with gas or physical restraint lower risk in birds for blood sampling?
Sedation/GA
66
Vein that can be used in all avian species
Jugular vein
67
Vein that can be useful for a small blood sample in larger birds
Ulnar/basilic
68
Problems with ulnar/basilic vein for blood sampling in bird
May fracture wing
Haematomas common
69
Useful vein for blood sampling in poultry and waterfowl
Medial metatarsal (may need to pluck feathers)
70
Safe blood volume to sample in birds that are healthy
6-12ml/kg
71
Best way to take a blood sample from a fish
Tail vein (similar technique to lizards)
72
How do you GA a fish to take a blood sample?
Bowl of anaesthetic (MS-222/Aqua-Sed)
Bowl of dechlorinated (fresh) water for recovery
73
How do you safely obtain a blood sample from a tarantula?
GA
Vein on dorsal midline of opisthosoma (abdomen)
Apply tissue glue if there is leakage
74
What is the substance you are sampling when you obtain a 'blood' sample from a tarantula and what is its appearance?
Haemolymph, clear/blue
75
What does a 'tail bob' suggest in a perched bird?
Respiratory difficulty
76
What is A and C in this bird radiograph
Lungs
77
What is B in this bird radiograph?
Heart
78
What is A in this bird radiograph?
Lungs
79
What is B in this bird radiograph?
Proventriculus
80
What is 4/the purple structure in this bird radiograph?
Ventriculus
81
What is 3/the yellow structure in this bird radiograph?
Liver (proventriculus underneath)
82
What is 5 (green structure) in this bird radiograph?
Intestinal loops
83
Where is the kidney in this bird radiograph?
8/yellow
84
What does this faecal microscopy from a bird show?
Eimeria oocysts, Caryospora spp. (coccidiosis)
85
What noises do you hear when doing chest auscultation on a rabbit?
Referred upper respiratory tract noises
86
In rabbits is the thoracic cavity small or large in comparison with the abdominal cavity? What are the consequences of this?
Small (heart appears large)
Minor lung pathology = big clinical consequences
Must tilt head to prevent compression of the diaphragm by guts
87
What are the two most important things to consider when an animal has a dermatology issue?
Husbandry and diet
88
What is the most likely diagnosis for this lesion in a rabbit ear?
Mites (Psoroptes cuniculi)
89
Which small mammal commonly suffers from mast cells?
Ferrets
90
Most common skin tumour in small mammals
Trichofolliculomas
91
Top two causes of alopecia in small mammals
Cystic ovaries
Hyperadrenocorticism
92
Why do reptiles commonly suffer from skin burns?
Don't have same sensation as mammals so stay too close to hot lamp
93
Which mites is an acetate tape strip useful for?
Psoroptes (not Sarcoptes, too deep)
94
How do you do a 'skin scrape' in a bird with their thin skin?
Thin skin, be gentle or use a cotton bud
95
Diagnostic test for Parrot Beak and Feather Disease (virus)
PCR
96
Clinical signs of dermatological disease in exotics
Alopecia
Erythema of skin
Desquamation
Broken/chewed hairs/feathers
Mass
Deformed beak/claws/shell
Pruritis
Old shed skin
Hyperkeratosis
Exudative lesions
Haematoma/petechiae
Ulcers/wounds
97
Clinical signs of mites in small mammals
Desquamation
Erythema
Alopecia
Pruritis
Casts
98
This lesion is caused by mites but was is another differential?
Dermatophytosis
99
What is the cause of Cheyletiellosis in rabbits?
Rabbit not cleaning itself properly
(Arthritis, overweight, disease making animal weak/lethargic, dental issues)
100
Clinical signs of mast cell tumour in ferrets
Small epidermal mass, dark
Benign but pruritic (remove for comfort)
Ulcerated
101
Are there systemic signs with trichofolliculomas?
No, its benign
102
Top differentials for beak and leg hyperkeratosis in a bird
Mites (Knemidocoptes) caused by stress
Hypovitaminosis A caused by deficiency in diet
103
Problem with feather cyst in birds
Benign but prevents flight
104
What is dysecdysis?
Abnormal shedding
105
What can be a big problem with feeding reptiles live food?
Traumatic wounds from bites
106
What dermatologic issue can develop for animals that live in water that isn't appropriately filtered?
Dermatitis/skin ulcers
107
Good topical treatment for skin disease in exotics
F10, a topical antifungal
108
Treatment for mites in small mammals and birds
Ivermectin, Selamectin
109
What treatment for mites can be used in ferrets but no other species?
Imidacloprid (Advocate)
110
Treatment and prognosis for mast cell tumours and trichofolliculomas
Surgical excision, good prognosis
111
Treatment for abscess in small mammals
Usually surgical
Topical
Antibiotics (C&S, must penetrate capsule)
112
Treatment for myiasis in small mammals
Ivermectin/selamectin
Surgical debridement
Topical treatment
113
Treatment for dermatophytosis in small mammals
Topical antifungal (F10), systemic antifungal (side effects)
114
Systemic antifungals available for small mammals
Itraconazole, ketoconazole, terbinafine
115
Two steps in treatment of dermatological disease in exotic species
Treat skin disease
Correct underlying cause
116
Treatment of pododermatitis in birds
NSAID
Antibiotic (C&S)
Surgical debridement
Topical treatment
117
What is a method of differentiating between feather loss and feather destructive behaviour?
If it is self inflicted the head will still be feathered (can't pluck from head) although may have both concurrently
118
What should the dietary Ca:P ratio be in birds and reptiles?
1-2:1
119
Why might increasing dietary calcium not increase blood calcium levels?
Vitamin D is needed to absorb dietary calcium (Vitamin D2 found in plants, need UV-B and heat to convert to active D3)
120
What 3 things do bearded dragons need for calcium metabolism?
UV-B light
Heat
Correct diet and supplements
121
Which reptiles require dietary supplementation of calcium?
Herbivorous (tortoise)
Insectivorous (bearded dragons, captive raised insects have inverse Ca:P)
Carnivorous (snakes, if not fed whole prey)
122
Which birds require calcium supplementation?
Laying birds (multiple clutches)
Insectivorous
Carnivorous (unless fed whole prey)
123
How is calcium metabolism different in rabbits and guinea pigs to other species?
Can absorb dietary calcium using active (D2 to D3 in kidney by PTH) and passive methods (vitamin D not required, no feedback)
124
How is excess calcium excreted in rabbits and guinea pigs?
Kidneys
125
Clinical signs of pancreatic ademona (ferrets, hypoglycaemic)
Dysuria, pollakiuria, haematuria, thick/beige-brown urine, urine staining, abdominal pain
126
What endocrine disease do you expect if ferrets have a swollen vulva and symmetrical hair loss?
HAC
127
Which species commonly suffer from cystic ovaries (palpable, may also se hair loss)?
Guinea pigs
128
What is a complication of persistent oestrus in the ferret?
Anaemia
129
Clinical signs of metabolic bone disease
Anorexia
Lethargy/weakness
Abnormal gait
Bone deformities/swellings (mandible, long bones)
Constipation/egg binding/cloacal prolapse (lack of calcium = poor contractions)
Dysecdysis
Muscle tremors/fasciculationis/tetany
130
If a bird had dyspnoea, regurgitation, dysphagia and thyroid goitres what disease would you suspect?
Hyperthyroidism
131
What is a common consequence of space occupying disease in birds?
Dyspnoea
132
Top 3 endocrine diseases in ferrets
Hyperadrenocorticism
Insulinoma
Persistent oestrus
133
True or false, diabetes mellitus is diagnosed and treated the same way in ferrets as other species?
True
134
What clinical signs would be seen with hypothyroidism in ferrets? (Rare)
Obesity and lethargy
135
What causes adrenaline release and affects the cardiovascular system in ferrets in the same way as dogs/cats?
Phaeochromocytoma
136
What is an important consequence of hypercalcaemia in guinea pigs?
Urolithiasis
137
Reasons for bladder sludge/hypercalcaemia in rabbits?
Excess in diet
Dehydration
Not fully voiding bladder (partial obstruction, spondylosis, abdominal pain, reduced movement affecting stance e.g. arthritis/obesity)
138
Causes of hypocalcaemia in reptiles
Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
Renal secondary hyperparathyroidism
139
Consequences of hypercalcaemia in birds and reptiles
Soft tissue mineralisation
Nephrocalcinosis (visceral and articular gout)
140
Which reptile has a bladder and commonly suffers from uroliths?
Tortoises (consist of uric acid, not calcium as in rabbits/guinea pigs)
141
What is hyperostosis?
Calcium storage in medullary bone changes the pneumatic appearance to solid and dense material
142
What is a dietary cause of thyroid hyperplasia (goiter) in birds?
Iodine deficiency
143
Do birds or reptiles suffer from medullary hyperostosis?
Birds
144
In which exotic species is urinalysis useful to assess urinary function?
Rabbits and guinea pigs
145
What is the risk of cystocentesis in hind gut fermenters?
Peritonitis
146
Which form of calcium should be measured in birds and reptiles?
Ionised
147
What is this radiographic abnormality?
Bladder sludge
148
Treatment options for ferret insulinoma
Prednisolone +/- drugs that inhibit insulin secretion (e.g. diazoxide or somatostatin analogue)
Surgery (partial pancreatectomy)
Diet changes (high protein and fat, low carbohydrate, small/frequent meals)
149
Medical treatment for metabolic bone disease
Give calcium (oral, IV or slow IM)
Cage rest and analgesia
Apply splints to recent/unstable fractures
Diazepam +/- anaesthesia (seizuring birds)
Deslorelin implant (egg laying birds)
Euthanasia if severe
150
Is surgical treatment for fractures indicated or contraindicated for metabolic bone disease?
Contraindicated as bones too weak
151
Parasite responsible for this condition
Knemidocoptes
152
Treatment of cryptosporidium if other reptiles
Euthanasia
153
What are 1, 2 and 3 in this bone marrow smear? (Not exotic, in wrong set!)
1: Neutrophil
2: Normoblast
3: Monocyte
154
Why is PUPD uncommon
