FA3 Multi-Species > Lecture 12 > Flashcards

Lecture 12 Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the 5 orders of reptiles?

A

-oophidia (snakes)
-chelonia (tortoises/turtles)
-sauria (lizards)
-crocodilians (crocodiles/alligators)
-sphenodontia (tuatara)

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2
Q

What are the characteristics of reptile integument?

A

-protective layer of dry skin
-few glands
-keratinized to form scutes or scales
-underlying lipid layer to conserve water

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3
Q

Why are everting suture patterns done on reptiles?

A

to bring the tissue that will actually heal together; the scales will not heal with end-on-end apposition

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4
Q

Why is it important that reptiles have thick, keratinized skin?

A

less sensitive to stimuli and therefore more prone to contact burns

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5
Q

What are the normal shed/ecdysis types for different reptiles?

A

-one piece in snakes
-multiple pieces in lizards and chelonia

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6
Q

What are the characteristics of ecdysis?

A

-formation of a completely new 3 layer epidermis
-lymph diffuses into space between old and new
-skin is more permeable; vulnerable to parasites and infection
-lymph build up in spectacles (snakes) can cause blindness and lead to animal striking more

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7
Q

What are the characteristics of dysecdysis or abnormal shedding?

A

-malnourished/hypoproteinemic animals may not produce enzymes to cleave shed appropriately
-can occur with inappropriate husbandry/animals being too dry
-may retain spectacles/eye caps
-want to increase humidity and apply lube to assist shedding

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8
Q

What are the characteristics of color in reptiles?

A

-used for camouflage, sexual display, and/or thermoregulation
-produced by chromatophore cells
-can see iridescence in some species

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9
Q

What are the characteristics of the reptilian skull?

A

-kinetic skull; lack of ossification, presence of elastic cartilage
-allows for wide gape of mouth
-quadrate bone that articulates upper and lower jaw is free moving
-mostly seen in snakes and lizards

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10
Q

What are the characteristics of the reptilian spine?

A

-does not need to be as rigid as in other animals
-flexibility is important
-divided into presacral, sacral, and caudal since there is no diaphragm

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11
Q

What are the 3 chambers of the reptilian heart?

A

-2 atria
-1 ventricle

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12
Q

What is the importance of the 3-chambered heart in reptiles?

A

allows shunting of blood to or away from the lungs (esp. in diving animals)

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13
Q

Where does deoxygenated blood return to in the heart?

A

sinus venosus

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14
Q

How many aortae does the reptilian heart have?

A

2 (left and right)

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15
Q

What are the three “chambers” within the singular ventricle?

A

-cavum venosum
-cavum ateriosum
-cavum pulmonale

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16
Q

How does the reptilian heart limit the mix of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood despite having a single ventricle?

A

-pressure differential
-timing of contractions

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17
Q

What is the pathway of blood through the reptilian heart?

A

-deoxygenated blood flows from right atrium to cavum venosum
-oxygenated blood flows from left atrium to cavum arteriosum
-contraction of atria causes AV valves to hinge and direct flow of deoxygneated blood from cavum venosum to cavum pulmonale
-contraction of ventricle forces blood into pulmonary artery
-valves close; oxygenated blood flows into cavum venosum and aortae
-muscular ridge prevents mixing

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18
Q

What are the characteristics of circulatory shunting?

A

-depends on pulmonary resistance
-pulmonary resistance is low during peak respiration to allow deoxygenated blood flow to lungs
-pressure increases due to vasoconstriction during oxygen starvation; alters AV valves and MR to divert blood away from lungs
-right to left shunting

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19
Q

What are the outcomes of circulatory shunting?

A

-can cause gas anesthesia to be less effective
-animals with lung disease may shunt blood away from the lungs as needed

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20
Q

What are the characteristics of reptilian erythrocytes?

A

-nucleated
-longer lifespan than mammals

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21
Q

What are the characteristics of reptilian WBCs?

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A

-heterophils are the equivalent of neutrophils
-azurophils are unique to reptiles and are similar to monocytes
-have eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes similar to mammals

22
Q

What are the characteristics of the reptilian lymphatic system?

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A

-well developed in reptiles with large reservoirs
-lack lymph nodes
-have lymph hearts that pump lymph around body
-lymph dilution of blood samples is common; lymph vessels run parallel to blood vessels

23
Q

What are the characteristics of the respiratory system?

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A

-rostral glottis makes intubation easier
-lungs allow for gaseous exchange, buoyancy, display, and vocalization
-have faveoli for gas exchange; honeycomb-like structure
-smooth muscle in lung lining to facilitate inspiration and expiration

24
Q

What are the three lung types in reptiles?

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A

-unicameral; simple sac
-paucicameral; few dilations and air sac dilations
-multicameral; multi-chambered

25
What are the characteristics of the reptile body cavity in terms of the respiratory system?
-no diaphragm; body cavity is called a coelom -some more advanced species have a septum -negative pressure breathing created by body musculature
26
What are the accessory respiratory methods seen in reptiles?
-skin in soft-shelled aquatic turtles -buccal-pharyngeal mucosa in lizards -tracheal lung in snakes -cloacal bursae in some freshwater turtles
27
What are the characteristics of respiratory rate/oxygen exchange in reptiles?
-anaerobic metabolism can occur -overall tolerant of hypoxia -respiration rate driven by temperature -high PO2 depresses respiration; want them on room air quickly following anesthesia
28
What are the types of teeth seen reptiles?
*acrodont -some lizards -attached to crest -do not regrow once adults *pleurodont -snakes and some lizards -attached to inner wall *thecodont -crocodiles -bony socket -can grow new teeth throughout life
29
Which mechanisms allow for reptiles to perform less mastication than mammals?
-oral secretory glands to increase lubrication -venom glands in some snakes to immobilize prey -chitinolytic enzyme production in most insectivores
30
What are the types of digestive systems seen in different reptiles?
*carnivores: -simple digestive tract *herbivores: -larger colon and cecum -longer GI transit time -slowed down when sick or low temperature
31
Why are injectable medications better in reptiles than oral medications?
illness can slow the GI tract and cause a build up of medications in the stomach
32
What are the portions of the cloaca?
-coprodeum: collects feces -urodeum: ureter and repro. tract entrance -proctodeum: mixing chamber
33
What are the characteristics of the urinary system in reptiles?
-the kidneys have no loop of Henle -tortoises and some lizards have bladders -species without bladders simply have urine collection in cloaca; makes urine non-sterile
34
What are the characteristics of the renal portal system?
-reptilian kidneys have dual afferent blood supply from renal arteries and renal portal vein -renal portal vein enters kidney at the tubules -allows kidney perfusion in the face of GFR reduction to prevent necrosis -valve system allows blood to bypass the kidney
35
What are the characteristics of caudal drug administration in reptiles?
-uncertain if there is a risk -may lead to greater excretion -may be more nephrotoxic -cranial administration best to eliminate any potential adverse effects
36
What are the characteristics of the male repro. system?
-two testicles -right gonad closely associated with vena cava -left gonad closely associated with adrenal gland -lizards and snakes have two extracloacal hemipenes -chelonia and crocs have a ventral proctodeum that develops into a phallus
37
What are the characteristics of the female repro. system?
-two ovaries -right gonad closely associated with vena cava -left gonad closely associated with adrenal gland -tract includes infundibulum, uterine tube, isthmus, uterus, and vagina
38
What are the two birth types seen in reptiles?
*oviparous: -lay eggs with a soft leathery shell -water resistant but allow for gas exchange *viviparous: -live birth -one birth event per year
39
What are the characteristics of heat sensing in snakes?
-IR receptor "pits" -sense warm prey to allow for hunting in the dark -rich innervation via ophthalmic, mandibular, and maxillary branches -detect temperature variations as small as 0.003 degrees C
40
What are the characteristics of the reptilian metabolism?
-1/5 the rate of mammals -affected by temp., species, diet, and predation behavior
41
What are the characteristics of anaerobic metabolism in reptiles?
-switch to this for vigorous activity; much higher drain on energy resources than aerobic -lactate slow to be eliminated; only short bursts possible -lactate decreased blood pH and decreases O2 affinity for hemoglobin
42
What are the characteristics of thermoregulation in reptiles?
-ectothermic; unable to generate own body heat -lower energy demands than mammals since energy is not wasted in maintaining body temp -activity is limited by ambient temperature -controlled by hypothalamus
43
What are the characteristics of the preferred optimum temp. zone (POTZ)?
-usually 20 to 38 degrees C -species have a preferred body temp. within the range -varies with current metabolic function, season, and age -must supply a temp. gradient in captivity to meet animal's changing needs
44
What is heliothermy?
-obtaining radiant heat by basking -seen in diurnal animals
45
What is thigmothermy?
-acquiring thermal energy via conduction -seen in nocturnal animals
46
What are the characteristics of osmoregulation in reptiles?
-water intake via food and drinking -water loss via evaporation, respiration, urine, feces, and shedding -body mass is ~ 70% water -lack of loop of Henle means urine cannot concentrate beyond osmotic value of blood plasma
47
What are the characteristics of uric acid?
-precipitates to a pasty, white substance -excreted with minimal water loss -excreted through kidney tubules -not stopped by dehydration -build up in the blood can cause gout
48
What are methods to prevent excess water loss in reptiles?
-cloacal/colonic/bladder resorption of water -reduced GFR in response to dehydration -salt glands that excrete salts without water
49
What are the characteristics of reptilian UV requirements?
-unfiltered sunlight is the best source -UVA affects behavior and reproduction -UVB is required for utilization of vitamin D and absorption of calcium -lack of UVB leads to bone dz -UVB most likely to be lacking in captivity
50
What are the characteristics of calcium homeostasis?
-long term lack of calcium can lead to metabolic bone dz -Ca:P ratio should be 2:1 -insects and meat have an inverse of the normal Ca:P ratio -herbivorous diets are often low in calcium -snakes acquire calcium by eating the bones of their prey -want to ensure UV exposure, dietary supplementation, and whole prey when possible
51
What are the characteristics of hibernation in reptiles?
-seen in species in temperate climates and high altitudes -done to survive dropping temperatures -triggered by lower temperature -appetite is inhibited by lower temp. -seek hibernaculum; moisture and freezing resistant -metabolism slows; main energy source switches to stored lipid -emergence triggered by rising temp.
52
What are the key points for owners regarding hibernation?
-important to do since it is a natural part of the animal's life -want to do a pre-hibernation appointment and take radiographs -tortoises should not lose more than 10% body weight; weigh frequently -should not hibernate with anything in GI tract -should not hibernate with any diseases
FA3 Multi-Species
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