Exotic 2

Question 1

What may cause elevations of eosinophils in birds?

Answer 1

Tissue damage, parasitic disease, possibly some viral infections

Question 2

Describe the basophils of birds

Answer 2

• Slightly smaller than heterophils
• Clear cytoplasm
• Intensely basophilic granules
• Nucleus non-lobed round to oval, often obscured by cytoplasmic granules

Question 3

Outline the function of basophils in birds

Answer 3

Function unknown, possibly involved in acute inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions

Question 4

Describe the lymphocytes of birds

Answer 4

• Similar morphology to mammals
• Basophilic cytoplasm
• Can be confused with thrombocytes

Question 5

Which species of bird are lymphocytic?

Answer 5

Amazon parrots and canaries (up to 70% lymphocytes)

Question 6

What do the following indicate in birds?

a: lymphocytosis
b: lymphopaenia

Answer 6

a: lymphocytosis: excitement, leukaemia
b: lymphopaenia: chronic stress

Question 7

Describe the monocytes of birds

Answer 7

• Rare in healthy birds
• Similar morphology to mammals
• Largest leukocyte in a normal blood smear

Question 8

What does monocytosis indicate in birds?

Answer 8

• Chronic inflammatory/infectious conditions e.g. Psittacosis, tuberculosis, aspergillosis, egg coelomitis
• Presence raises suspicion and further tests required

Question 9

Discuss the finding of parasites on avian haematology

Answer 9

• Relatively frequent finding esp. in wild and some captive raptors
• Most common in juveniles
• Significance varies from incidental finding to life-threatening
• Often seem inconsequential
• Wrong parasite in wrong bird e.g. parrot with Uk parasite can cause significant problem

Question 10

Name common blood parasite birds and birds that are over represented in blood parasites that cause problems

Answer 10

• Parasites: Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leukocytozoon

- Species: snowy owls, Harris hawks, penguins

Question 11

Describe the haematology of camelids

Answer 11

• RBCs small and thin, elliptical, increased relative surface area
• HIgh RBC with relative low PCV
• Neutrophils much larger than RBCs

Question 12

Which sites can be used for blood sampling in camelids?

Answer 12

• Jugular
• Saphenous
• Coccygeal

Question 13

List the important differentials for anaemia in camelids

Answer 13

• GI parasites
• M haemolamae
• Blood loss
• Chronic disease e.g TB

Question 14

Describe the method for blood sampling from a fish

Answer 14

• General anaesthesia required, mS-222

- Tail vein most useful, use lateral (landmark is lateral line) or ventral approach similar to lizards

Question 15

Which blood tubes are generally used for fish?

Answer 15

EDTA or heparin

Question 16

Describe the appearance of blood samples in invertebrates

Answer 16

Haemolymph clear/blue

Question 17

Describe blood sampling from tarantulas

Answer 17

• Max sample size 0.7% bodyweight
• GA required
• Small samples = ventral joint of limb
• Large samples = dorsal opisthosoma
• Apply tissue glue if leakage

Question 18

List your differentials for a female ferret presented with tachycardia, lethargy, anorexia, tarry black perianal faecal staining, depressed, pale mucous membranes and a prominent vulva

Answer 18

Differentials for anaemia in ferret:

• Aplastic oestrus induced anaemia
• Gastric ulcers
• Chronic inflammation
• Neoplasia incl. GI and lymphoma
• Adrenocortical neoplasia may lead to oestrogen anaemia
• Insulinoma

Question 19

Explain how aplastic oestrus induced anaemia develops

Answer 19

• Oestrogen suppresses bone marrow leading to pancytopaenia
• Haemosiderosis of spleen and lymph nodes leads to haemoglobin
• Reduced/absent medullar haematopoiesis in the spleen
• Oestrogen high due to being in oestrus, will stay like this until mating

Question 20

Ouline the prognosis for a case of aplastic oestrus induced anaemia in a ferret

Answer 20

• Short term guarded (depending on PCV at presentation)

- Long term fairly good, once anaemia is over come

Question 21

Describe the reatment for aplastic oestrus induced anaemia in a ferret

Answer 21

• RBCs too low for surgery
• Hospitalisation
• Proligestone injection to bring out of oestrus
• Blood transfusions
• Once recovered, either need to spay or inject every year

Question 22

What are the main risks regarding spaying a ferret as an immediate treatment for asplastic oestrus induced anaemia?

Answer 22

• Need to resolve anaemia first
• If have bone marrow suppression may haemorrhage after (no platelets)
• If in oestrus then blood supply to ovaries is increased

Question 23

Discuss the options for the prevention of oestrus induced aplastic anaemia in ferres

Answer 23

• Vasectomised hob: may be difficult to integrate into group if not already present, 50% of females will get the condition anyway
• Spay: one time fee, less traumatic than regular injections, life long protection, need to ensure all of ovary is removed
• Injection: only advantages is potential to breed from jill in he future, proligestone/delvosterone can be used