Exotics

Question 1

Nasolacrimal Puncta in Rabbits

Answer 1

• they only have 1!
• it is ventral

Question 2

Ulcerative Pododermatitis in Rabbits

Answer 2

• Ulcerative pododermatitis, or ‘sore hocks’, is a condition in rabbits characterized by ulcerated, infected areas of skin on the caudal aspect of the tarsus and metatarsus (rear limbs).
• It can also occur on the weight bearing surface of the metacarpus (front limb), though this is not as common
• Can be a result of nervous behavior and “thumping”

Question 3

A 4-year old male castrated ferret presents for stranguria. On physical exam there is alopecia over the base of the tail and the ferret is pruritic. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer 3

• Adrenal Disease
• prostatitis/paraprostatic cysts, secondary to adrenal disease. Common signs of adrenal disease include bilaterally symmetric alopecia, pruritus, vulvar enlargement in females, and prostatitis/cystitis in males

Question 4

Which flea adulticide (Tx) is toxic to rabbits?

Answer 4

FIPRONIL

(frontline)

Question 5

What is the most common site of vertebral fracture in rabbits?

Answer 5

• The most common site of fracture is L7
• Fractures in the caudal lumbar region frequently occur when rabbits are not handled properly or are stimulated to jump around excessively.
• Fractures are much more common than luxations, disc extrusions, or emboli

Question 6

What is the causative agent of what is commonly known as “Ich” in fish?

Answer 6

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

a protozoan ectoparasite

• Most of the anti-ich chemicals contain formaldehyde, malachite green, copper sulfate, a combination of formaldehyde and malachite green, or a combination of copper sulfate and malachite green.
• The infected fish can be moved to a quarantine tank in order to avoid treating healthy fish, and less chemical is needed in a smaller tank.
• Other methods, such as adding salt, increasing water temperature, and changing the water are also used by fish hobbyists to treat ich infection in an aquarium.

Question 7

Common tumors of the ferret

(4)

Answer 7

• MCT’s
• Lymphoma
• Insulinoma
• Adrenal Tumor

Question 8

Number of Chambers in a Snakes Heart?

Fish?

Birds?

Answer 8

3!

• All reptiles have 3 chambered hearts except for crocodilians which have 4 chambers.
• Reptiles have 2 atria and a single ventricle with an incomplete septum.
• Fish have 2 chambered hearts.
• Amphibians and reptiles have 3 chambers.
• Birds and mammals have 4 chambered hearts

Question 9

You visit a fish hatchery and need to perform anesthesia on a fish to remove a foreign body. Which of these agents is approved for use in fish and what additional rules apply to its use?

Answer 9

• Tricaine methanesulfonate (MS 222) - There is a 21 day withdrawal period before the fish can be consumed by humans
• Also known as Finquel, tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) is the only FDA approved agent for fish anesthesia.

Question 10

“Snuffles” in Rabbits

Answer 10

• Snuffles is a term used to describe the symptoms of runny eyes, runny nose and sneezing in rabbits.
• The cause of these symptoms is often a chronic bacterial infection in the tear ducts and nasal sinuses
• Pasteurella is a common cause of infectious disease in rabbits and is the causative agent of “snuffles”.
• The upper respiratory syndrome is the most common presentation for Pasteurella in rabbits, but it can affect many other systems and can cause enzootic pneumonia, otitis media/interna, conjunctivitis, meningitis, encephalitis, reproductive tract infections, abscesses, and septicemia

Question 11

Inclusion Body Disease

(IBD)

in Snakes

Answer 11

• Ultimately fatal, inclusion body disease (IBD) is a transmissible and progressive disease first described several decades ago.
• IBD is the most commonly diagnosed disease suspected to originate with a virus in captive boid (boas and pythons) snakes.
• No treatments or vaccines are available
• The exact cause of inclusion body disease is not known, but a retrovirus is strongly suspected.
• Additionally, it seems as though the snake mite, Ophionyssus natricus is associated with the transmission.

Question 12

Proliferative enteritits in Hamsters

Answer 12

• Lawsonia intracellularis is thought to play a key role in this disease, which carries a grave prognosis.
• present with “wet tail”
• lethargy and dehydration
• Proliferative ileitis is a serious infectious disease of hamsters and usually results in high morbidity and mortality.

Question 13

A pet rabbit presents to you for mild dermatitis. On physical exam, you note a scaly dermatosis with areas of thinning on the dorsum. What is the most likely etiology?

Answer 13

• Cheyletiella
• This is the fur mite of rabbits and typically causes clinical signs as described in this question

Question 14

A 3 1/2 year old castrated male ferret presents for episodes of lethargy. He has also been intermittently dragging the pelvic limbs. Which of these choices is a likely cause of these signs in this ferret?

Answer 14

Insulinoma

• This condition is common in ferrets and would cause bouts of lethargy.
• Intermittent pelvic limb weakness is another manifestation of systemic weakness secondary to hypoglycemia

Question 15

Most common neoplasia of female rabbits?

Answer 15

Uterine adenocarcinoma

• up to 80% incidence among intact females of certain species.
• Because of this, all female rabbits that are not breeders should be spayed.
• The most common signs of uterine ACA are hematuria, anorexia, depression, dysuria, and milk production

Question 16

porphyrinuria

Answer 16

normal red or orange pigment in the urine of some rabbits

Question 17

Which of the following drugs is toxic to tortoises and turtles but not necessarily other reptiles?

Answer 17

Ivermectin

Ivermectin is highly toxic in turtles and causes paresis, paralysis, and death at low doses due to an ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Question 18

Ferret Distemper and rabies vax

(3)

Answer 18

• Vaccinate for rabies at 16 weeks of age, booster at one year and then annually.
• Vaccine-induced distemper and death have occurred in domestic ferrets given modified-live canine cell culture multivalent vaccines licensed for use in domestic dogs.
• Vaccinate for canine distemper using a ferret approved vaccine at 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age, booster at one year and then annually.

Question 19

Classic “Red leg syndrome” in frogs is a result of ___________

Answer 19

• Red-leg syndrome is a serious condition in amphibians that is caused by septicaemia.
• The most common causative organism is Aeromonas hydrophila, but infection with other Aeromonas spp. and Gram-negative organisms such as Pseudomonas and Proteus spp. can also result in the disease
• The condition occurs with poor husbandry, trauma, or immunocompromise

Question 20

Use of oral ampicillin in a rabbit is most likely to precipitate which of the following?

Answer 20

Clostridial enterotoxemia

• Because the rabbit GI tract is composed primarily of gram positive bacteria, use of oral antibiotics with a gram positive spectrum disrupt the normal balance of flora and allow for growth of clostridium difficile or clostridium spiroforme which can cause severe, sometimes fatal enterotoxemia

Question 21

What antibiotic is contraindicated for use in guinea pigs?

Answer 21

Streptomycin

• Guinea pigs are particularly sensitive to many antibiotics including penicillin, ampicillin, bacitracin, lincomycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, and clindamycin.
• Streptomycin can be directly toxic and result in death and therefore should never be used in this species.
• In rodents, three of the antibiotics used most commonly are Enrofloxacin, Chloramphenicol and TMS. These antibiotics are the most commonly used because hamsters, guinea pigs, and other rodents are prone to developing enterotoxemia from many other antibiotics that disturb their normal intestinal microflora

Question 22

Corynebacterium kutscheri causes which of the following in rats?

Answer 22

Pseudotuberculosis

• C. kutscheri is a gram positive rod that causes caseous purulent foci in the lungs of rats when stressed.
• The infection is usually subclinical.
• Clinical signs include dyspnea, oculonasal discharge, rough hair coat, and hunched posture.
• In mice, lesions in other organs occur as well.
• Diagnosis is based on impression smears of the lesions showing the characteristic “Chinese character” formation.
• Culture of the bacteria or serology can diagnose the infection as well.

Question 23

Which hormones are elevated in ferret hyperadrenocorticism ?

Answer 23

• Hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets is caused by excessive secretion of the sex hormones progesterone, testosterone (in the form of androstenedione), and estrogen by the zona reticularis of the adrenal gland.
• Medical and surgical treatments exist. Surgical removal of the adrenal gland(s) is more likely to be curative than medical management, but there is still a recurrence rate of ~40% after surgery.
  
  • ​Treatment of choice is adrenelectomy. Other treatment options include leuprolide acetate (long acting gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist) and deslorelin acetate (GnRH analog).
  • Medical management of hyperadrenocorticism is aimed at reducing the clinical signs but does not affect the adrenal tumor itself. Leuprolide acetate is the most common drug used. The mechanism is not completely understood but is probably related to down-regulation of peripheral hormone receptors. Leuprolide is a repositol formulation of a GnRH agonist that is formulated in 1-mo (100–400 mcg, IM) and 4-mo (2–4 mg, IM) preparations. Owners should be advised that this is a lifelong treatment to control the clinical signs of the disease.
  • Deslorelin acetate, a similar GnRH agonist, is also available. This is a longer-acting implant that lasts 10–17 mo. This drug is well tolerated by ferrets
• Genetic factors, early sterilization, and prolonged photoperiod from indoor housing likely contribute to the high incidence.

Question 24

A turtle presents with a history of lethargy, anorexia, and swelling of the ears. What is the treatment of choice?

Answer 24

• Lance tympanic membranes to drain material and begin supplementation of vitamin A
• Accumulations in the ear due to squamous metaplasia and secondary infection can result from vitamin A deficiency.
• The best thing to do is start systemic antibiotics, drain the ears, and provide appropriate nutrition
• Turtles that are fed iceberg lettuce, an all-meat diet, or a poor-quality commercial diet are most likely to develop hypovitaminosis A.

Question 25

Entamoeba spp

Answer 25

* **Entamoeba invadens** is a protozoal organism that causes severe **gastrointestinal signs and death in snakes**. * Turtles act as carriers for the protozoa but are clinically unaffected. * Diagnosis is based on identification of trophozoites or cysts in fecal smears or histologic sections. * **Metronidazole** is the treatment of choice. * Turtles and snakes should not be housed together

Question 26

Dromedary

Answer 26

Somali Camel

Question 27

Trypanosoma evansi

Answer 27

* causes a **slow wasting disease** in camels * Trypanosoma evansi may have originated in Africa, evolving from brucei when camels entered the tsetse belt south of the Sahara, and the disease spread through camel herds as a result of transmission by biting flies. * Trypanosoma evansi is transmitted mechanically by haematophagous biting flies

Question 28

Medical Management of Insulinomas in Ferrets

Answer 28

* Medical management consists of **prednisone** and **diazoxide (treat persistently low blood sugar levels​)** alone or in combination. * Dietary management with a **high protein and low carbohydrate** diet is also important. Surgical removal of the tumor is also an option in otherwise healthy ferrets.

Question 29

Infectious Stomatitis in reptiles

Answer 29

* **Infectious stomatitis** occurs commonly in **lizards, turtles, and snakes**. * ***Aeromonas and Pseudomonas spp*** are commonly isolated from the lesions. * Clinical signs include petechiation and caseous material build up within the mouth. * Treatment is aimed at debridement and antibiotics.

Question 30

**What is the most common bacterial pathogen of fish worldwide?** This organism is responsible for furunculosis of salmonids, goldfish ulcer disease, carp erythrodermatitis, and trout ulcer disease.

Answer 30

**Aeromonas salmonicida**

Question 31

Ecdysis

Answer 31

* the process of shedding the old skin (in reptiles) or casting off the outer cuticle (in insects and other arthropods) * particularly in climates with very low ambient humidity, reptiles kept in an improper humidity range will often have difficulties with normal ecdysis. * Owners may need to provide a "humidity box" to give these animals an area with increased humidity to help with shedding.

Question 32

You diagnose a colony of mice with **lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM)**. What is your next step?

Answer 32

**Euthanize the colony** * LCM is caused by an **RNA arenavirus**. * The disease is a zoonotic concern, so euthanasia is recommended for animals affected with the disease.

Question 33

What is the treatment for **proliferative bowel disease** in ferrets?

Answer 33

**Antibiotics!** **LAWSONIA INTRACELLULARIS** * Proliferative bowel disease in ferrets is caused by **Lawsonia**, an intracellular bacterium. * The organism is very susceptible to **chloramphenicol** and has a variable susceptibility to other antibiotics.

Question 34

**Pinworm infections** in Mice

Answer 34

* **heavy parasite loads may lead to rectal prolapse**. * Pinworms (Syphacia obvelata and Aspicularis tetraptera) in mice **inhabit the cecum**. * Most infections are subclinical and treatment involves administration of **piperazine sulfate**. * **Ivermectin** may be used as well.

Question 35

Most common cause of D+ in adult camels in the USA?

Answer 35

**WHIPWORM** * Ivermectin, which is so commonly used, is not typically effective against whipworms which have developed a resistance over time. * **Panacur is the most effective and safe dewormer for whipworms in camels**

Question 36

Bordatella in Guinea Pigs

Answer 36

* **Bordetella bronchiseptica** causes **severe respiratory disease in guinea pigs and it has been associated with stillbirths, abortions, infertility** and **infections of the reproductive system and tympanic bullae**. * Infected pet guinea pigs can eliminate the bacteria, become asymptomatic carriers or develop the disease * dont house with rabbits: **Risk of transmission of Bordetella from rabbits to guinea pigs**

Question 37

Septicemic Cutaneous Ulcerative Disease of Chelonians (SCUD)

Answer 37

* The original causative agent was identified as the bacterium **Escherichia freundii** and the disease was referred to as Escherichiosis * SCUD in turtles **causes pitted scutes that slough with underlying purulent exudate**. * **Petechia on the skin and liver necrosis also commonly occur.** * Prevention is aimed at good husbandry, and **_chloramphenicol_ is the treatment of choice**. * This syndrome, which most often affects turtles in the families Trionychidae and Emydidae, is no longer attributed to a single bacterial species. T * oday, SCUD is viewed more as a syndrome with many bacteria such as **Citrobacterfreundii, Serratiaanolium, Beneckeachitonovora and other gram negative bacteria** acting together with **poor husbandry, poor water quality, abrasions and invertebrate predation to culminate in SCUD.** * This infection develops into **irregular, caseated, crateriform ulcers on the plastron, carapace and skin**. * From this stage, the infection can become septicemic, causing multifocal hepatic and other visceral organ necrosis, hemolysis, limb paralysis, loss of digits or claws, cutaneousvasodilation and hemorrhage. * The animal presents with signs of lethargy, anorexia, reduced muscle tone, cutaneous ulcerations or death. Erythrocytes may be vacuolated and contain numerous bacteria

Question 38

Rabbit Syphilis

Answer 38

* **Rabbit “Syphilis”** is caused by a bacterium called ***Treponema Cuniculi***. * This bacteria adheres to the rabbit skin cells particularly around the face, nose (most commonly around the nose rather than the corner of the lip) and genital area

Question 39

Trichobezoar in Rabbits

Answer 39

**Hairball** * may lead to **weight loss** * Trichobezoars (hair balls) get stuck in the stomach of rabbits and cause anorexia, weight loss, and scant stool production. * **_Rabbits cannot vomit._** * Trichobezoars can be treated medically with supportive care and syringe feeding of a high-fiber food. Ideally, you want these to pass without surgery.