Misc Animals (GPs, Rabbits, Reptiles, etc.)

Question 1

How long do you leave skin sutures in for reptiles? What type of suture should you avoid? SO what would be ideal?

Answer 1

Leave the sutures in for 4-6 weeks, take longer to heal

** ensure no inverting sutures because of ecdysis– do not want skin inverted to have further sheds and therefore build up of abnormal sheds internally from inverted suturing

** Horizontal mattress sutures to slightly evert

Question 2

Parts of the reptile eye? Glands?

Answer 2

scleral ossicles- hold the structure of the globe

Conus papillarus- irridescent

Question 3

Chelonians vision? Drainage?

Answer 3

* NL gland for salt regulation– no nasolacrimal duct– tears will NORMALLY overflow and are lost via evaporation

** colour vision, third eyelid

Question 4

Lizard eyes

Answer 4

* colour vision, eyelids (not present in geckos), Third eyelid

* some have fused eyelides (spectacle) as per snake

Question 5

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Question 6

Snake eyes

Answer 6

Question 7

Answer 7

Typical problem with dysecdysis often husbandry problem e.g. humidity, something to rub against

Question 8

Answer 8

Question 9

Answer 9

Cut a wedge in the spectacle and drain the fluid

** can have retained spectacles from shedding

Question 11

What is the picture? Other common eye problems of reptiles?

Answer 11

Question 12

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Question 13

Reptile Skin

Answer 13

Question 14

What are the 3 layers of the epidermis in a reptile? What fuses to form the shell in chelonians? What are osteoderms?

Answer 14

* Dermis fuses to form the shell in chelonians

* Osteoderms- bony plates in some species

Question 15

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Question 16

One method of speciating chelonians

Answer 16

Question 17

What is the problem when humidity is too low with ecdysis? What is endysis?

Answer 17

* Lymph dries out and therefore dysecdysis

Question 18

Main causes of dysecdysis? Treatment?

Answer 18

* Getting rid of the shed- warm water baths, patience

* Correct underlying issues

Question 19

What is the most common reptile mite?

Answer 19

Question 20

Reptile mite diagnosis

Answer 20

Question 21

Mite treatment

Answer 21

Question 22

General principles with treating reptiles

Answer 22

** don’t put straight back into its enclosure can cause toxicity if allowed to build up

Question 23

Common causes of skin infections in reptiles? Treatment?

Answer 23

Question 24

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Question 25

Treatment?

Answer 25

Question 26

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Question 27

Answer 27

\* histopath evidence of intralesional hyphae \* culture difficult \* contagious \* Poor husbandry- pre-existing wounds \* Treatment often unrewarding- itraconazole, surgical debridement

Question 28

Petechial haemorrhages in the inguinal or shoulder area?

Answer 28

Septicaemia

Question 29

Rabbit eyes

Answer 29

Question 30

GP eyes

Answer 30

Question 31

Rat eyes

Answer 31

\* Poor nocturnal vision \* Large Harderian gland \* Secrete lipids and red porphyrin- chromodacryorrhea= red tears (this does mean we have a stressed rat)

Question 32

Ferret eyes

Answer 32

\* well developed nictitating membrane \* adapted for nocturnal life \* cataracts common in aged ferrets

Question 33

Rabbit eye conditions

Answer 33

\* Conjunctivitis \* dental disease as a contributing factor \* Nasolacrimal duct \* Encephalitozoon cuniculi

Question 34

Answer 34

Question 35

Nasolacrimal system in a rabbit

Answer 35

Chronic dental problems, the inflammation, can block the NLD

Question 36

What is this in a rabbit?

Answer 36

Dacryocystitis

Question 37

If you see mucopurulent discharge, tx?

Answer 37

\* irrigation of NLD and dental workup

Question 38

With sudden head tilt, what is it likely? Diagnosis and treatment?

Answer 38

\* many will become infected in utero \* may rupture the lens \*\* Diagnosis and Tx: test for EC, surgical removal of lens, Fenbendazole (can be toxic, but some still use as a preventive measure in some clinics)...if the eye is not painful may not do anything... could remove the eye if severe... ophthamologist can use ultrasound, break it down, and suck it out \*\* DDX without head tilt-- abscess, uveitis from other causes

Question 39

Common rabbit eye problems

Answer 39

\* myxomatosis- swollen eyelids (chemosis- swelling of the conjunctiva)

Question 40

GP common eye problems

Answer 40

Dermoid cyst- can just shave it off

Question 41

Ferret common eye problems

Answer 41

\* Cataract- common \* retinal degeneration

Question 42

Answer 42

Chromodacryorrhoea in a rodent

Question 43

Considerations with enucleation in rabbits

Answer 43

\* close to the eyelids in the rabbit- venous plexus/ sinus.... just a bit of pressure, rabbit blood clots rapidly

Question 44

Answer 44

Normal moult in a rabbit (particularly wild rabbit)

Question 45

Answer 45

\* barbering- cage mate will groom, dominance

Question 46

Two kinds of mites on rabbits? What do they often mean?

Answer 46

Cheyletiella parasitovorax = main culprit • Leporacus gibbus may also be present: • usually asymptomatic. • clings to hair shaft • May be commensals? • Look for underlying cause/illness

Question 47

Answer 47

Question 48

Tx and control?

Answer 48

\* Selamectin, Ivermectin, Pain relief (Meloxicam), Avoid ear solutions/ cleaning until inflammation/ pain settled, hygiene and quarantine

Question 49

Concern with fleas on rabbits? Tx?

Answer 49

\* Selamectin (Revolution), Imidacloprid (Advantage) \*\* Do not use Fipronil (Frontline) - toxic to rabbits \* Environmental cleaning, treat all animals in the household

Question 50

Answer 50

\* look for underlying cause (e.g. inadequate fiber intake) \* Supportive care, clean/clip fur (sedate) \* Analgesia, AMs \*\* Avoid cortisone based creams (immune system crash)

Question 51

What can occur with Cylap? How do you avoid?

Answer 51

Question 52

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Question 53

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Question 54

Physiological hair loss in GPs

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Question 55

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Question 56

GP presenting with enlarged lymph nodes

Answer 56

Remove LNs affected

Question 57

Why do we recommend desexing female GPs?

Answer 57

\* can look potbellied

Question 58

In a GP

Answer 58

Question 59

Lice on GPs indicates what?

Answer 59

Poor husbandry

Question 60

In a GP

Answer 60

\* might think the GP is epileptic, but it could be pruritis \*\* think of commensal?? Old GP \*\* Or introduction/ purchase of new pet \*\* Consider vitamin C status \*\* TX: Selamectin, Shampoos, Pain relief? AMs?

Question 61

Answer 61

Sedate and bathe, selamectin, ivermectin, pain relief, AMs

Question 62

Common ferret lumps

Answer 62

Question 63

Should you remove anal glands in ferrets?

Answer 63

No just desex

Question 64

What would you see with Distemper or Adrenal Gland disease in ferrets?

Answer 64

Question 65

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Question 66

Common neoplasms in rats and mice?

Answer 66

\* Mammary tumours \*\* Desex!! ovariectomy \* Tx: do nothing, wait for ulceration/ self trauma, surgery- rats

Question 67

Other than mammary tumours, other skin masses in rats and mice?

Answer 67