MSK disease in small mammals and exotic species

Question 1

List some possible clinical signs of MSK disease in small mammals

Answer 1

gut stasis
not eating caecotrophs
hunched stance
urine standing
bruxism
aggression or being bullied
weakness

Question 2

List the possible clinical signs of MSK disease in reptiles

Answer 2

can be subtle even with severe fractures
abnormal stance and gait
often just seem more lethargic
swollen joints

Question 3

List the clinical signs seen with MSK problems in birds

Answer 3

abnormal or wide stance
may use beak or ipsilateral wing for support
affected leg may feel warmer
bumblefoot on contralateral limb

Question 4

what is the first line diagnostics for MSK problems in exotics

Answer 4

radiographs
ultrasound
biochem- looking for underlying cause (ionised calcium)
haem- dehydration, infection or blood loss
joint fluid analysis- infection or gout

Question 5

List 8 common primary MSK problems in rabbits

Answer 5

pododermatitis/ bumblefoot
degenerative joint disease
spinal deformities and injuries
fractures
osteomyelitis
luxation
primary neoplasia
splay leg

Question 6

List 5 common secondary MSK problems in rabbits

Answer 6

abscesses
metastatic neolasia - e.g. uterine adenocarcinoma
nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
renal failure
encephalitozoon cuniculi (parasitic)–> hindlimb paresis

Question 7

how does renal failure in rabbits lead to MSK problems

Answer 7

renal failure –> hypercalcaemia —> soft tissue calcification and bone hypercalcification

Question 8

List 2 risk factors of spinal deformities in rabbits

Answer 8

small cages
lack of exercise

Question 9

List some possible consequences of spinal deformities

Answer 9

faecal soiling
urine scald
unkempt coat
chayletiella
facial dermatitis
gut stasis due to pain

Question 10

List 4 common MSK problems that affect rodents

Answer 10

pododermatitis
overgrown claws and keratin horns - guinea pigs
metastatic calcification –> degenerative joint disease in guinea pigs
fractures

Question 11

List 4 common MSK problems in ferrets

Answer 11

hindlimb paresis
trauma
luxation
abscessation of the spine

Question 12

describe how hindlimb paresis can occur in ferrets

Answer 12

often due to non-msk disease e.g. hypoglycaemia or cardiomyopathy

Question 13

List 7 common MSK problems in birds

Answer 13

fractures
pododermatitis
nutritonal secondary hyperparathyroidism
osteomyelitis and septic arthritis
osteoarthritis
tenosynovitis and tendon injury
growth deformities

Question 14

List 4 common secondary MSK problems

Answer 14

Kidney disease and gout
viral e.g. mareks disease in chickens
egg binding
lead poisoning

Question 15

Describe pododermatitis in birds and small mammals

Answer 15

Pressure-sore on the plantar surface of foot often due to poor blood circulation.
can allow entry of infection

Question 16

List some possible causes of pododermatitis

Answer 16

poor perching surfaces or substrates/ flooring
trauma
poor hygiene
obesity
hypo vitamin A

Question 17

List 4 common primary MSK problems in reptiles

Answer 17

luxation
tendon/ ligament injury or infection
spinal injury
septic arthritis/ osteomyelitis

Question 18

List 4 common secondary MSK problems in reptiles

Answer 18

fractures due to MBD
gout
pre and post-ovulatory oostasis
urolithiasis ( if they have bladders e.g. tortoises)

Question 19

escribe gout in birds and reptiles

Answer 19

Renal dysfunction decreases the clearance of uric acid from the blood —> hyperuricemia

Hyperuricemia —> precipitation of insoluble products within the body (urate deposition or urolithiasis).

Question 20

List the 2 types of gout

Answer 20

visceral urate deposition
articular urate deposition

Question 21

what is visceral urate deposition

Answer 21

urate deposits in soft tissues

Question 22

what is articular urate deposition

Answer 22

urate deposits on synovial membranes
—> chronic granulomatous reaction
—> lameness

Question 23

Describe how to treat MBD (nutritional/ renal secondary hyperparathyroidism)

Answer 23

Surgical fixation contraindicated with NSHP
cage rest
analgesia
supplement calcium and vitamin D
provide UV-B
start correct diet- but do this slow

Question 24

Describe the general principles of treating MSK disease in exotics

Answer 24

clean dry bedding
clean wounds and perineum (rabbits)
surgical fixation- fractures - except in MBD
ABs e.g. open wounds, joint infection

Question 25

List 4 fracture repair methods in exotics

Answer 25

cage rest only - pelvis or clavicle
external stabilisation
internal fixation
‘hybrid’ fixation

Question 26

List some fracture considerations in small mammals

Answer 26

rabbit bone has thin cortices–> shatters easily
fractures heal quickly with appropraite fixation
casts/ splints generally contraindicated
external fixation is useful for most fractures

Question 27

what does hindlimb amputation increase risk of in exotics

Answer 27

contralateral pododermatitis

Question 28

what does forelimb amputation increase the risk of in exotics

Answer 28

ipsilateral otitis

Question 29

List some fracture considerations for birds

Answer 29

main aim to restore function ASAP
higher bone mineral content, so high risk of open, comminuted fractures
avian bones heal very fast- 3-4 weeks
external skeletal fixator + IM pin most useful

Question 30

When should consider euthanasia regarding bird fractures

Answer 30

Fractures which are compound and/or close to joints carry a poor prognosis for return to normal function/release.

Ocular damage occurs in 80% of impact injuries.

Question 31

Describe how to treat grade 1-3 pododermatitis

Answer 31

non-surgical
husbandry changes
topical or systemic ABs if needed
pain relief such as NSAID

Question 32

Describe how to treat grade 4-5 pododermatitis

Answer 32

surgery - debride, remove core and flush
radiographs to assess bone involvement
pain relief such as opiods

Question 33

List 6 causes of trauma injuries in exotics

Answer 33

incorrect environment
incorrect handling
tethering
poor protection from other animals
unbalanced fight
escaping an enclosure

Question 34

List 3 causes of metabolic bone disease

Answer 34

incorrect diet +/- supplements
low environmental temps
lack of UV-B light