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Flashcards in exotics and birds Deck (75)
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1
Q

rodents

A

mice, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas and guinea pigs. Nocturnal (active at night)

2
Q

murine

A

mice and rats

3
Q

small mammals not allowed

A

free run, can be fatal to them. Cages must be escape proof.

4
Q

lifespan for small animals

A

most are 2-4yrs

5
Q

guinea pigs (cavy)

A

lifespan 4-5yrs, seldom bite. Sow-female, boar-male. vocal, often the greet people entering their area.

6
Q

hamsters

A

lifespan 1.5-2yrs. Readily tamed but often bite if startled

7
Q

mice and rats

A

most common lab animal, young ones are called pups

8
Q

breeding rodents

A

bred for specific characteristics or susceptibility of disease

9
Q

random breed (outbred)

A

descended from unrelated parents

10
Q

inbred

A

descended from parents who were siblings or close relatives

11
Q

housing

A

must be escape proof, shoebox style, aquariums with screen top, easy to clean

12
Q

important for housing

A

appropriate for animal size, located away from sunlight, cage toys for stimulation, bedding

13
Q

handling a hamster

A

scoop them or grasp the loose skin across the shoulders, do not startle them

14
Q

handling a gerbil

A

cup both hands under it and lift it from its cage, do not pull the tail

15
Q

handling a guinea pig

A

place one hand under the thorax to support the body and other hand supports the hind quarters

16
Q

handling a rat

A

become tame when handled gently, can be picked up by the base of its tail for short periods of time

17
Q

types of eaters

A

rat and mouse are omnivores. guinea pig, rabbit, chinchilla and gerbil are herbivores (diet specific to species)

18
Q

mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters eat

A

block-type pellets help keep the incisor teeth worn down

19
Q

guinea pigs eat

A

smaller pellets are more easily eaten by guinea pigs and also need vitamin C

20
Q

rabbits

A

2 forms, feral and domestic, 1-7kg, lifespan 5-6yrs+

21
Q

names for rabbit ages

A

buck-male, doe-female,kit or bunny-young, kindling-act of giving birth

22
Q

wild rabbits

A

naturally nocturnal

23
Q

rabbit housing

A

appropriate for conditions, can be trained to use litter box

24
Q

handling a rabbit

A

if handled incorrectly it can be injured or bite the handler, never pick up from ears, hold it by its rump

25
Q

rabbits diet

A

fresh, balanced diet, can easily become overweight, hairballs are a problem as they cannot vomit

26
Q

rabbits eat

A

herbivores, smaller pelleted foods, high fiber diets, small amounts of grass, veggies, fruit

27
Q

study of amphibians and reptiles

A

herpetology. cold blooded, more then 4900 living species. Smooth, permeable ans scaleless skin

28
Q

importance of water for amphibians

A

water evaporates quickly from the skin. Do not have access to water they will dehydrate and die within hours. Needs a moist env’t

29
Q

frogs vs toads

A

F- long limbs that move by jumping and swimming. T-short limbs that move by hopping or walking

30
Q

housing amphibians

A

should mimic natural env’t as much as possible

31
Q

feeding amphibians

A

frequent water changes, diet according to species

32
Q

handling and restraint of amphibians

A

only handle when necessary, wear non powder gloves, place one hand behind the neck/ pectoral region and supporting the body near pelvis

33
Q

common diseases and conditions

A

foreign body obstruction, parasitic infestations, poor husbandry and diet, respiratory obstruction, thermal burns, toxin exposure, trauma

34
Q

reptiles

A

increasing popular pets (snakes, lizards and turtles)

35
Q

housing snakes

A

appropriate heating and lighting

36
Q

feeding snakes

A

carnivores and feed on whole prey items, never feed meat from store

37
Q

handling and restraint snakes

A

nonaggressive ones can simply be picked up, aggressive may require leather gloves and towel

38
Q

snake visit to vet

A

most common reason is poor husbandry and diet, commonly brought in a pillowcase

39
Q

science of birds

A

orinthology aviculture, refers to the hobby of raising and caring for birds

40
Q

birds

A

approx 9000 bird species

41
Q

passeriformes

A

half the bird species, larks, swallows, finches, canaries, sparrows and crows

42
Q

parrots

A

psittacines or parrots make up the majority of avian patients

43
Q

common parrots

A

parakeets, lovebirds, cockatiels, lorikeets, cockatoos, amazon parrots, conures, rosellas, macaws

44
Q

basic parrot looks

A

2 toes pointing forward 2 pointed backward, short blunt beak with downward curved upper beak

45
Q

external appearance of birds

A

vary in size, basically similar. Feathers 1. flight 2. protecting skin from exposure 3. assisting in thermoregulation, camoflauge and communication

46
Q

contour feathers

A

visible feathers that determine the birds silhouette and contours of the wings, body and tail

47
Q

flight feather

A

strong feathers on the wings and tails of birds used in flight

48
Q

converts (feathers)

A

small feathers covering the bases of the longer feathers of a birds wings or tail

49
Q

retrices (feathers)

A

stiff main feathers of a birds tail used to control the direction of flight

50
Q

down feathers

A

fine, soft, fluffy feathers forming the first plumage of young birds and underlaying the contour feathers in certain adult birds

51
Q

fledgling

A

young bird that is not fully feathered

52
Q

cycle of feathers

A

molting (periodic shedding), pinioning (permanently prevents flying)

53
Q

bird skin

A

delicate and dry with slightly wrinkled appearance, sweat glands are absent.

54
Q

bird beak

A

called a bill, food gathering, recommended regular trimming

55
Q

bird claws

A

used like hands, capture prey, trmming

56
Q

bird digestive system

A

high metabolism, do not have teeth, digestive tract similar to other mammals- gullet-esophagus

57
Q

bird urinary system

A

“white” droppings, do not have bladders

58
Q

bird reproductive system

A

all lay eggs, males have testes, females have ovaries (only the left side develops fully). Eggs must be maintained in correct temperature

59
Q

bird- brood

A

a group of birds hatched at one time and cared for by the same parent. Ovulation to egg laying takes approx 15hrs

60
Q

companion animals

A

hundreds of years, far from domestic. Highly intelligent. Most behavioural problems are related to instinctual reactions to captivity.

61
Q

happy and relaxed bird

A

wags tail back and forth, grinds beak when comfortable and ready to fall asleep

62
Q

bird fear

A

fling itself around the cage, struggle violently, flap its wings, scream loudly, take flight, bite

63
Q

bird biting

A

exhibit dominance, express fear, exhibit jealousy, hormonal fluctuations

64
Q

bird stress

A

plucks its feathers or self mutilate

65
Q

bird enclosures

A

spacious, easy to clean, draft free area, out of direct sunlight, in social area of home..perches, food, water and mirrors without crowding

66
Q

bird nutrition

A

fresh water at all times, 70% pellets, 30% fruit and veggies- No human food

67
Q

avian care

A

beak, nail, and wing trimming (flight feathers) are important for the overall health, Microchip

68
Q

avian physical exam

A

3 steps- history, visual, hands on. Many conditions related to poor husbandry and poor diet

69
Q

bird capture and restraint

A

behaviour and physical appearance are observed first. towels are useful.

70
Q

bird in distress

A

bob its tail or breathe through and open beak

71
Q

performing the exam

A

systematic and timely manner, examine the eyes, ears, nares, beak and oral cavity. body palpated, feather quality evaluated-preen gland checked, heart, air sacs, lungs and sinuses are auscultated. Open beak to perform exam, check hydration and weight of bird.

72
Q

birds symptoms

A

don’t like to show weakness, may be in advance stages by the time it’s noticed

73
Q

general avian emergencies

A

gasping for air, bleeding, weakness, depression, trauma, trouble perching, vomiting, no appetite

74
Q

avian bleeding emergencies

A

broken blood feathers, broken toe nails, wounds, open fractures

75
Q

toxic plants

A

avocado, clematis, foxglove. lily-of-the-valley, oak, philodendron, poinsetta, yew