Reptiles

Question 1

Stomach volume in chelonians is about __% of body weight, or ___ml/kg.

Answer 1

2

20

Question 2

When restaining a snake you should place your index finger and thumb around its _____ and support the body every ___ feet of length.

Answer 2

Mandible

3

Question 3

T/F: Size does not always indicate age in reptiles.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Does a male or female turtle/tortois have a longer tail?

Answer 4

Male

Question 5

Aside from dehydration what can cause hyperalbuminemia in reptiles?

Answer 5

Reproductive activity

Question 6

The tertiary spectacle shields that cover and protect the surface of the corneas of some reptiles are derivative structures that originate from the:

a. skin
b. nasolacrimal duct
c. gingiva
d. iris
e. cilairy body

Answer 6

a. skin

Question 7

Many reptiles have moveable eyelids. Which reptiles lack these structures?

a. turtles, tortoises, terrapins
b. alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gharials
c. snakes and some lizards
d. tuatara
e. frogs and toads

Answer 7

C. Snakes and some lizards

Question 8

Why should you avoid feeding excess shellfish and certain fish to carvivorous reptiles?

Answer 8

Shellfish = Poor Calcium:Phosporous ratio and

Some fish= contain thiaminase

Question 9

For invasive or prolonged procedures, what inhalants are recommened? What should you do for 24 hours post-anesthesia?

Answer 9

Isoflurane

Sevoflurane (maybe faster recovery)

Dry dock (q24 hrs)- keep them out of the water

Question 10

What are the modified scales called that crocodiles and chelonians have?

Answer 10

Scutes (some are osteoderms)

Question 11

Venomous snakes have ___ rows of teeth in the upper arcade, while non-venomous snakes have ___ rows.

Answer 11

2

4

Question 12

What antibiotics are commonly used in reptiles for aerobes? Anaerobes? Broad spectum?

Answer 12

Aerobes: Amikacin (renal toxicity), Ceftazidime, Enrofloxacin (muscle/tissue necrosis- always dilute)

Anaerobes: Metronidazole, Clindamycin, Penicillin

Broad-spec: Chloramphenicol

Question 13

When sexing a female snake, how far should you be able to insert the probe?

a. At least 9-15 subcadals
b. 5 subcaudals
c. At most 1-3 subcaudals
d. Not at all

Answer 13

c. At most 1-3 subcaudals

Question 14

What does sternothermal mean? Eurythermal?

Answer 14

Both are types of ectotherms

Stenothermal: Typically terrestrial species, able to tolerate only a small range of temperature.

Eurythermal: typically aquatic or arboreal species, able to tolerate a wide range of temperatures.

Question 15

What 2 drugs are commonly used for antifungal therapy?

Answer 15

Intraconazole

Fluconazole

Question 16

What is POTR (or POTZ)?

Answer 16

A range of temperature that varies by species- Preferred Optimal Temperature Range/Zone

Question 17

What are the main things you need to ask about when getting a history?

Answer 17

Background (where acquired, length of ownership…)

Environment (temp, humidity, lighting…)

Nutrition (type, amount, frequency…)

Reproductive (breeding, egg-laying)

Current health status (Eating/drinking, feces/urine appearance, past hx, problems…)

Question 18

What is the gold standard site for venipuncture in lizards?

Answer 18

Jugular vein

Question 19

In lizards enclosure dimensions are based on _____, while in snakes it is ______ and in turtles it is ________.

Answer 19

Lizards: Snout-to-tail length

Snakes: Total length

Turtles: Carapace length

Question 20

Why is butorphanol not selected for analgesia in reptiles? What is used instead?

Answer 20

Reptiles have more mu receptors

Pure mu agonsits (morphine, hydro, fentanyl)

Tramadol (weaker)

Meloxicam (NSAID)

Question 21

T/F: Oviducts, which have albumin and shell secreting function, empty directly into the cloaca through the genital papillae.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

Due to the _________ system, injections should only be administered in reptiles in the _____ portion of the body.

Answer 22

Renal portal

Cranial

Question 23

T/F: Venipuncture is often performed with blind technique and always with aseptic sterilization.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

The caudal portion of a reptiles lungs is responsible for _____ while the cranial portion is for ______. Except for snakes, which typically only have a one lung on the _____ side.

Answer 24

Storage

Gas-exchange

Right (note: Boas have vestigial left lugn)

Question 25

Where do you give ICF in lizards? Snakes?

Answer 25

Lizards - Right side of lower abdomen (*to avoid bladder)* Snakes - Lower third of body (*to avoid lung)*

Question 26

Prey for snakes should not be larger than the ____ of the snake.

Answer 26

Girth

Question 27

What must you ensure before NSAID administration? For how many days, at most, can you administer these?

Answer 27

Good renal function 3 days

Question 28

What is the primary nitrogenous waste product in reptiles?

Answer 28

Uric acid (they are uricotelic) ## Footnote *Rather than urea*

Question 29

You notice pyramiding in a tortoise. What are 2 possible causes of this?

Answer 29

Lack of humidity (\<25%) Incorrect diet

Question 30

What is the vemeronasal organ that opens into the mouth which is innervated by the olfactory nerve in snakes?

Answer 30

Jacobson's organ (*Found in many animals)*

Question 31

What are the routine views for chelonian rads?

Answer 31

DV Lateral Craniocaudal/AP (*for lung fields)*

Question 32

Concerning reptiles, which statement is most accurate? a. Most boids have 2 lungs b. Most viperids have 2 lungs c. Like birds, most snakes have a single ovary d. Anatomically, if not functinally, snakes have a pelvic dirdle e. All snakes have a mandibular sympthysis

Answer 32

a. Most boids have 2 lungs

Question 33

How much blood can you take from a reptile?

Answer 33

**0.5ml/100g** (10% of blood volume) in a **healthy** animal

Question 34

What 3 areas should you place thermometers in an enclosure?

Answer 34

Basking spot Temperate zone Cool area

Question 35

Which of these is the correct order in the cloaca? Urodeum- Coprodeum - Proctodeum- Vent Coprodeum-Proctodeum-Urodeum-Vent Coprodeum- Urodeum- Proctodeum- Vent

Answer 35

Coprodeum- Urodeum- Proctodeum- Vent (***C-U-P****)*

Question 36

What is ecdysis? What stimulates it in reptiles?

Answer 36

Regular shedding of skin Thyroid gland/hormones *No shedding= Dysecdysis*

Question 37

Snakes and some species of lizard have fused eyelids which form a transparent membrane over the globe. What is this called?

Answer 37

Brille / Spectacle ## Footnote *(Pic shows just before shedding)*

Question 38

A young turtle presents to you with bilateral blepharoedema, discharge from the nares and eyes, weight-loss, and overall ADR. What are you thinking and how can you confirm your suspicions?

Answer 38

Hypovitaminosis A Vit A assay of liver or Vit A level in blood

Question 39

What is the preferred mode of administration for vit A supplementation?

Answer 39

Oral (e.g. feed small pieces of liver)

Question 40

What are these?

Answer 40

Esophageal papillae (sea turtle)

Question 41

Which antiparasitic drug is sometimes counterindicated because it causes bone marrow suppression?

Answer 41

Fenbendazole

Question 42

Why should an aquatic reptile be positioned vertically in the water column when you are handling them in the water?

Answer 42

To prevent them from biting To prevent them from swimming (take them out of their normal element)

Question 43

What part of the physical exam can when combined with body weight help in identifying nutritional problems?

Answer 43

Morphometric measurements

Question 44

What can you do instead of general anesthesia to take rads of lizards?

Answer 44

**Vasovagal response**- tape cotton balls over the eyes to apply pressure ## Footnote *(Gives you about 30min)*

Question 45

What do you use to get heart rate and rhythm in reptiles? How many chambers does a raptile heart have? What is the exception?

Answer 45

Doppler (NOT a stethoscope) 3 chambers - common ventricle + 2 atria Crocodiles

Question 46

How could you easily remove excessive epibiota from a saltwater turtle?

Answer 46

Place it in freshwater

Question 47

Why must you provide both UVA and UVB light? Why should the bulb NOT shine through glass?

Answer 47

UVA for behavioral reasons UVB for Calcium ansorption, vitamin D production in skin (prevent bone disease) Glass deflects UVB light

Question 48

What do reptiles have instead of neutrophils?

Answer 48

Heterophils

Question 49

What is the most common site for venipuncture in small to medium crocodilians? In larger ones?

Answer 49

Caudal (ventral tail) vein Supravertebral sinus

Question 50

What are the properties of honey that make it such good wound dressing?

Answer 50

**Hyperosmotic** *(kills bacteria and fungi by dessication)* **Acidic** *(pH=4 inhibits bacterial growth)* **Produces hydrogen peroxide** *(kills bacteria)*

Question 51

What are the diagnostic you would perform following a physical exam?

Answer 51

CBC Plasma biochemistry panel Rads Fecal Other specialized diagnostics as needed

Question 52

Why do you not get a consensual PLR in reptiles?

Answer 52

Iris is controlled by skeletal muscle

Question 53

What are the only reptiles that have a pseudodiaphgram?

Answer 53

Crocodilians (all other have NO diaphragm)

Question 54

What can occur if you only feed crickets rather than a variety of insects and grubs?

Answer 54

Chitin impaction

Question 55

What is the normal calcium to phosphorous ratio? What if the reptile has renal disease?

Answer 55

1. 5-2 : 1 1: 1.5-2 (inverse)

Question 56

How many mLs of blood can safely been drawn from a reptile weighing 800grams?

Answer 56

4mL

Question 57

Why should you chop up the variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers that you are feeding your lizard?

Answer 57

So they cannot preferentially eat one type of food (maintain balanced diet)

Question 58

Which disorder results in the deposition of uric acid and urate salts within visceral tissues and on articular surfaces? What is the typical history of affected animals?

Answer 58

Nutritional **Gout** Adults reptile, water deprived, high protein diet

Question 59

What disorder, most common in lizards and aquatic turtles, is caused by an imbalance of Ca:P ratio (excess P), and inadequate UV light exposure, presents with muscle tremors and skeletal changes?

Answer 59

Secondary Nutritional **Hyperparathyroidism** ## Footnote *Excess P can be caused by diet high in shrimp*

Question 60

Why should you avoid feeding parsley, spinach, chives and alfalfa to herbivorous reptiles? Why should you also avoid brussels sprouts, bronccoli, cauliflower, kale, radish and watercress? (what are they rich and and what does this cause)

Answer 60

Parsley etc. are rich in **oxalic acid** which **binds calcium and reduces absorption** Brussels sprouts etc. **bind iodine** (are **glucosinolates**) which leads to **goiter formation**

Question 61

Signatory nations to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wilf Fauna and Flora (CITES) have agreed that animals listed in Appendix 1 of that treaty: a. may not be exported from their native countries for any reason b. are a cause of concern, but trade between cooperating nations may be approved for commercial purposes c. may not be exported for commercial purposes, but limited trade between zoos and educational institutions may occur d. are not in immediate danger of extinction, but will become so if trade is not controlled e. can be freely traded for any purpose as long as permits are obtained by the exporting nation

Answer 61

**c.** may not be exported for commercial purposes, but limited trade between zoos and educational institutions may occur

Question 62

What are the gold standard venipuncture sites in turtles, tortoises and terrapins?

Answer 62

Jugular vein - all (*alternative= Brachial)* Dorsal cervical sinus - sea turtles (hard shell) Interdigital- Leatherbacks

Question 63

What is the most common site for venipuncture in snakes and where is it located? What is the alternative location?

Answer 63

Caudal (ventral tail) vein Caudal to cloaca, 25-50% down tail, 45-60deg angle on ventral midline Alternative: Heart (under sedation)

Question 64

How long do boids (like boas and python) have to be quarantines? What about tortoises during hybernation?

Answer 64

6 months 4-6 weeks following hibernation ***Other reptiles at least _90 days_***

Question 65

Which 2 species have complete trachea rings? Which have incomplete rings?

Answer 65

**_C_**omplete: **_C_**rocs, **_C_**helonians Incomplete: Lizards, Snakes

Question 66

Never use ______ in chelonians!!

Answer 66

**IVERMECTIN**

Question 67

Why is inhalant anesthesia difficult in some reptiles?

Answer 67

Can hold breath for long time (5 hours)

Question 68

What disorder are you thinking if you see lytic lesions near joints? How is it treated?

Answer 68

Gout Correct husbandry (low purine diet, high moisture good, mist and regualr water access) Drugs: **Probenecid** (increase secretion), **Allopurinol** (reduce hepatic production), **Corticoteroids** (inflammation) IVF as needed +/- Surgery

Question 69

What nutritional deficiency causes neurological signs due to necrotizing encephalopathy and peripheral neuritis? How do you treat it?

Answer 69

Thiamine Vit B-1 (thiamine) IM

Question 70

What foreign body may you find in the urinary bladder in oviparous or oviviparious( female) reptiles?

Answer 70

Egg(s)

Question 71

What methods of fluid administration are indicated in severely compromised chelonians?

Answer 71

IV IO (*Also the route for blood, colloids,a nd fluids w\>5% dextrose)*

Question 72

What is CITES?

Answer 72

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (*Appendix 1-3)*

Question 73

What are the anticoagulants of choice for reptiles and why?

Answer 73

Lithium and Sodium Heparin Because EDTA causes RBC lysis in chelonians *Make sure you dont let Na-Hep tube sit too long because it will increase Na value*

Question 74

T/F: Some, but not all, species of lizard can regrow their tail after they have dropped it, usually due to stress.

Answer 74

True

Question 75

What can a frozen fish diet cause in reptiles?

Answer 75

Thiamine deficiency

Question 76

What 3 fluid types are comonly used in reptiles?

Answer 76

Normasol-R LRS "Reptile Ringers Solition" *(LRS + Dextrose + NaCl)*

Question 77

What percent of body weight do reptiles need to eat daily?

Answer 77

7%

Question 78

What must you be careful to avoid if administering fluids intracelomically in chelonians as you are accessing this cavity via the inguinal fossa?

Answer 78

Bladder Kidney Gonads

Question 79

Lizards and crocodilians usually have an _____ ear while snakes only have an _____ ear. Chelonians and some species of lizards have an external \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 79

External Inner Tympanum

Question 80

Excess moisture in the envrionment can lead to \_\_\_\_\_, while inadequate moistue leads to _______ and \_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 80

Dermatitis Dessication, Dysecdysis

Question 81

What is the maintenance fluid rate in reptiles?

Answer 81

15 ml/kg/day | (up 20 ml/kg/day)

Question 82

For short, non-invasive surgical procedures or for induction what drugs can you use?

Answer 82

**Dexmedetomidine (or Medetomidine) +/- Ketamine** * (low dose ketamin is synergistic w/(dex)medetomidine)* * (Dex)medetomidine can be reversed with atipamazole* **Propol** + saline (1:2 dilution) **Alfaxalone + Midazolam**