Exotics

Question 1

Should a cuffed or uncuffed ETT be used in birds?

Answer 1

Uncuffed. Birds have complete tracheal rings and the trachea lacks distensibility

Question 2

What resuscitation drug may not be effective in rabbits?

Answer 2

Atropine. 30-50% of rabbits have endogenous atropinase enzymes, which block the effectiveness of injectable atropine

Question 3

True or false: rabbits are nasal obligate breathers

Answer 3

True

Question 4

True or false: rabbits can vomit

Answer 4

False

Question 5

What microorganisms causes “snuffles” in rabbits?

Answer 5

Pasteurella multocida

Question 6

What is the most common neoplastic disease seen in adult female rabbits?

Answer 6

Uterine adenocarcinoma

Question 7

Rabbit abscesses

Answer 7

• Rabbits produce unique granuloatous abscesses that are typically impenetrable to most antimicrobials and require surgical excision with clean margins
• Can try enro, TMS

Question 8

What is the most common cause of neurological disease in rabbits?

Answer 8

The protozoal parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi, spread through contaminated urine

Question 9

What are the two most common cause of bacterial enteritis in rabbits?

Answer 9

Enterotoxemia (clostridial bacteria) & colibacillosis (pathogenic E. coli)

Question 10

What is the blood volume of a rabbit?

Answer 10

50-60ml/kg, similar to cat

Question 11

What two animals produce cecotrophs?

Answer 11

Rabbits and guinea pigs

Question 12

Guinea pigs require an outside source of which vitamin?

Answer 12

C

Question 13

What is the minimum daily vitamin C requirement for g pigs?

Answer 13

10-30mg

Question 14

Why are gpigs prone to dystocia?

Answer 14

• Pelvic symphysis fuses if not bred by 6 months
• If bred for the first time between 6-9 months, dystocia occurs due to the inability of pelvic symphysis to widen for parturition due to hardening of the 2 halves

Question 15

What microorganism is the main pathogen for enterotoxemia in gpigs?

Answer 15

Clostridium

Question 16

What is the most common cause of urinary calculi in rabbits and gpigs?

Answer 16

Excessive dietary Vit C

Question 17

Can chinchillas vomit?

Answer 17

No

Question 18

What happens in esophageal choke & bloat?

Answer 18

• Food becomes lodged in esophagus
• If esophagus is obstructed, gas can’t be released orally and gastric distension will occur
• Excess carbs will cause an overproductionn of gas, leading to gastric distension

Question 19

What is fur ring?

Answer 19

• When excess skin collects around the base of the chinchillas penis. Fur wraps around penis and forms a tight ring

Question 20

Are chinchillas better suited for hot or cooler temperature?

Answer 20

Cooler - they do not experience temp >80 in the wild

Question 21

Can gerbils be lifted by the tail?

Answer 21

No - may deglove
Mice yes, rats temporarily at base of tail

Question 22

What is Tyzzer’s disease, and in what animal is it often seen in?

Answer 22

• Hamster and gerbils most affected
• An infectious disease affecting the GIT caused by Clostridium pilforme
• Mortality high even if treated
• Tetracycline

Question 23

What is proliferative ileitis/wet tail?

Answer 23

• The most serious hamster GIT dz caused by bacteria Lawsonia intracellularis
• Prognosis guarded

Question 24

Gerbil epilepsy

Answer 24

• Gerbils have a unique form of hereditary epilepsy triggered by strange environments or stressful situations
• Severity increases with age until ~ 7 months

Question 25

True or false: rodents are nasal obligate breathers

Answer 25

True

Question 26

What microorganisms usually cause respiratory conditions in rodents?

Answer 26

- Sendai viruses & mycoplasma pulmonis

Question 27

What are "red tears"?

Answer 27

- Chromodacryorrhea - Occurs because of porphyrin pigments secreted by Harderian/Harder's gland - Irritant but not blood

Question 28

Where is an IO catheter usually placed in ferrets?

Answer 28

Proximal femur

Question 29

What do ferrets have difficult digesting?

Answer 29

Fiber. Obligate carnivores

Question 30

What diseases are ferrets prone to?

Answer 30

- Helicobacter mustelae - almost 100% are carriers - Canine distemper - rare thanks for vaccine - Human influenza - zoonotic human to ferret

Question 31

What is the most common cardiovascular disease in ferrets?

Answer 31

- DCM

Question 32

What are the most common neoplasias in ferrets?

Answer 32

1. Insulinoma 2. Adrenal neoplasia 3. Lymphoma

Question 33

What is a normal BG in a ferret and what level is diagnostic for insulinoma?

Answer 33

Normal >80 Diagnostic for insulinoma <60 Signs seen at 20-40

Question 34

What is "green slime disease"?

Answer 34

Coronaviral diarrhea syndrome

Question 35

Why are ferrets susceptible to heat stroke?

Answer 35

Lack of sweat glands. Struggle to tolerate heat >30C

Question 36

What type of vaccine hypersensitivity can be seen in ferrets?

Answer 36

Type 1

Question 37

What is the most common hepatic tumor in ferrets?

Answer 37

Lymphoma

Question 38

What types of uroliths are most common in ferrets?

Answer 38

Cystine

Question 39

What is ferret estrogen toxicity?

Answer 39

Occurs in intact females due to prolonged estrus, leading to bone marrow suppression and life threatening anemia

Question 40

In what other exotic species can insulinomas occur?

Answer 40

G.pigs

Question 41

What can an elevated BGL in a rabbit indicate?

Answer 41

Intestinal obstruction

Question 42

What microorganisms commonly cause bacterial pneumonia in gpigs?

Answer 42

- Bordetella bronchiectasis - Streptococcus pneumoniae

Question 43

What is the metabolic rate of sugar gliders?

Answer 43

30% lower than similar sized placental mammals

Question 44

What are some common gpig toxicoses?

Answer 44

High carb items, avocado, chocolate, oxalate-containing plants

Question 45

What is the approximate BV of a bird?

Answer 45

10% of BW

Question 46

How much blood can safely be taken from a bird?

Answer 46

Up to 1% of BW = 1ml/100g

Question 47

Where should IO catheters never be placed in a bird?

Answer 47

Humerus and femur - pneumatic - communciate directly with air sacs

Question 48

Where should drugs be administered?

Answer 48

Cranial to kidney because of the renal portal system

Question 49

What are some common toxicants in birds?

Answer 49

Avocado, chocolate, Allium species

Question 50

Why are birds sensitive to inhaled toxins?

Answer 50

Their unique physiology - their respiratory system allows for 2 passes of air through respiratory tract with each breath

Question 51

In what bird is hypocalcemia common?

Answer 51

African greys

Question 52

Why can PLR be absent in reptiles?

Answer 52

The pupil is striated skeletal muscle and the animal has voluntary control over it

Question 53

What kind of RBCs do reptiles have?

Answer 53

Nucleated

Question 54

Does iso or sevo work best in reptiles?

Answer 54

Iso

Question 55

What clinical sign can be seen in iguanas in vit B/mineral deficiency?

Answer 55

Rear leg paralysis

Question 56

What effect can >50% oxygen cause in reptiles and amphibians?

Answer 56

Respiratory suppression

Question 57

What does opisthotonus in a snake look like?

Answer 57

"Stargazing" - the cervical area arches backwards