easy to clean/disinfect, no galvanized wire (zinc) or lead
bird can stretch wings
off the ground
no wood chips or corn
box/nest for privacy, enrichment
strategic food/water to prevent contamination
avian perch requirements
not abrasive like cement or sandpaper
toes wrap around 75%
variable diameter
avian balanced nutrition %
70-80% pellets
20% dark green or yellow veggies
5% seeds and nuts
monitor body weight!
new bird exam testing
CBC/chem, protein electrophoresis
gram stain/cytology on feces, direct and float
screen for diseases: chlamydia, beak and feather (circovirus), polyomavirus, bornavirus, aspergillus
radiographs for baseline
don't really vax
things to remember about bird restraint
stabilize first!
protect handlers, owner
use a towel and close the windows
don't compress the keel!!!
hyperthermia, fractures
parrots like to hold something with their feet
1st and 3rd fingers on mandibles, stretch neck up
release bird to bottom of cage so it won't fall
how to tell immature birds
dull colored feathers
shorter, immature feathers
beak color
young psittacines have dark iris, macaws/african greys have white or yellow, amazons have red-orange
sexual dimorphism in birds and chromosomes
most monomorphic or only slightly dimorphic
white cockatoos-dark iris in young, males are dark, females are red.
Cere color - male blue or female red
DICHROMATIC PARROTS - ECLECTUS (males are green, females are red, blue, purple)
Males have a phallus in the vent, just put a finger in there
DNA probe most common way (vessels from shell), male are ZZ, female are ZW
length of exam and length of bird recovering from restraint
5-10min exam, 3 min recovery
avian oral cavity
let them scream at you, use soft tube/gauze to examine. Halitosis can be infection
moist, pink or melanistic normal
shouldn't be plugs or mucus
choana is slit on roof of mouth, has papillae
tongue is muscular and has cartilage and bone
glottis is big hole at base of tongue, no epiglottis
bird beak
smooth and shiny (keratin), must have perfect alignment.
cartilaginous when young, can deviate from syringe-feeding on same side
bird cere and mites
where nostrils are, connection of beak to head.
fleshy, firm, smooth.
brown can be hypertrophy in budgies
irregular texture, holes, honeycomb can be mites (knemidokoptes)
bird eye reflexes
palpebral, PLR, flare, anisocoria
may be too scared to menace
can't see optic disc. Reflective avascular retina. Look for hemorrhage etc.
assessing dehydration in a bird and how to fix it
skin looks wrinkled
basilic/ulnar vein should be turgid and refill promptly when emptied
use warmed fluids and replace acute over 1-4h (chronic 12-24h like mammals)
SHOCK DOSE: 90ml/kg IV
uropygial gland in birds
oil gland at base of tail (birds have no sweat glands, but have mucous and sebaceous glands).
tuft of down feathers wick secretions, not essential for waterproofing but conditions feathers/beak/skin.
antibacterial, precursors to vit D
site of neoplasia or infection
vit A deficiency can cause probs here
some birds don't have one (ostrich and emu and woodpeckers, etc)
trachea in a bird
complete rings
bifurcates at level of heart
syrinx is voice box.
air sacs in birds
bronchi to caudal air sacs to paleopulmo of lungs to (used air) cranial air sacs to trachea out. Should hear almost nothing.
blood feathers
growing feathers that will bleed if cut, plucking may damage follicle
bands on feathers
stress bars, black or white
position of wings over tail
should cross over each other on top of tail
bumblefoot
pododermatitis
abnormal wear and inflammation of plantar part of foot
normal bird droppings contain
feces - dark brown, formed
urates - cream colored, can be chalky or milky
urine - clear, can't concentrate
NO BLADDER, ureters into cloaca, reflux into intestines where H2O resorbed. Stress = immediate defecation = dehydration
signs of avian illness
inattention - should be alert esp at vet. Sleeping is bad!
changes in appetite, feces, decreased energy, yawning, fluffed up feathers, increased RR, change in voice, d/c or sneezing, asymmetry, soiled feathers around vent.
where to give SQ fluids in a bird
thin skin and no SQ tissue
between knee and abdomen (away from abdomen).
DON'T use ptagium of wing.
can't tent skin, use bevel and aspirate, slow injection of WARMED fluids. 1/4 turn of syringe to seal skin over hole.
10-15 mL/kg/site
NEVER intra-coelomic, could drown
intramuscular injections in birds
pectoralis.
NEVER in leg except ratites
IV injections/venipuncture in birds
very superficial BV, no SQ to support hemostasis so hematoma/hemorrhage common. Easy to drown them in blood or fracture.
Right jug (bigger than left). Featherless tract over jug.
also metatarsal vein (medial leg)
also wing vein = basilic/ulnar vein
NOT from over-clipping a nail. Often fecal contamination.
Intra-osseus if needed (distal ulna, tibia, NOT HUMERUS because communicates with air sac)
Chlamydia psittaci
zoonotic from birds
resp and GI of birds, + hepatitis.
tx with doxy, azithro
Vitamin A deficiency in birds
eyes and epithelium
oral plaques, secondary infections, predispose to gout
Goiter in birds
iodine deficiency! Low intake or plants that interfere with uptake
most common avian thyroid disorder, usu budgies
thyroid dysplasia (enlarges) = clicking and regurg, resp distress, stops talking, gradual starvation. Tx with iodine!
gout in birds
elevated plasma uric acid levels precipitates into urine crystals on visceral surfaces. Rapidly fatal.
in joints causes arthritis, inflammation
in renal parenchyma = obstruction and inflammation
aspergillosis
resp disease, hard to manage. Abscesses/granuloma if chronic.
Asper is deep, candida is superficial.
avian gastric yeast
weight loss in budgies (regurg, seem polyphagic, huge stools with undigested seeds)
In non-budgies causes either sudden death or asymptomatic via weakness, crop stasis, hemorrhage, regurg/diarrhea, polyuria, dyspnea. Chronic can be weight loss, renal failure, edema, ascites, pneumonia.
psittacine beak and feather disease
circovirus, death in 6 months to 2 years
old world and occasionally new world parrots
proventricular dilatation disease
lymphoplasmacystis neuritis - can be GI or neuro
delayed crop emptying with regurg and maldigestion, +/- neuro
bornavirus
Pacheco's disease
viral hepatitis from herpes
acute death, yellow urates and scant feces, diarrhea, sinusitis, conjunctivitis
choose the correct statement:
C. most psittacines originate from tropical locations
True or false:
the recommended diet for many species of psittacines is 30% pelleted food with 70-80% fresh fruits and vegetables
FALSE, opposite (25% veg, 5% seeds)
which is the correct statement:
C. restriction of the movement of a bird's keel during restraint may lead to impaired breathing and distress
Which is the TRUE statement
(psittacines)
A. The color of the iris is a rough indicator of age in some species when birds are young
Question: Which statement describes best the
infraorbital sinus in birds?
B. It has ramifications behind the eye and along the neck
Choose the FALSE statement
D. Birds lack inner ears
Question: what is a blood feather?
B. A growing feather
Question: which statement is CORRECT?
D. Prolapsed tissues at the vent and soiled feathers surrounding the vent are abnormal clinical findings
What is the approximate total daily maintenance fluid
recommendation for a 0.4 kg cockatoo?
B. 30 ml
Question: From which of the following vessels
can a significant amount of blood be collected in a cockatiel?
D. right jugular
What is the most likely cause of iron
storage disease in softbilled birds
D. Lack of intestinal mucosal blockage of iron absorption in combination with high dietary iron levels
Question: Which statement if CORRECT?
D. Disease caused by Aspergillosus spp.is often associated with decreased immune function
Question: which statement regarding Candida is
FALSE?
A. Candida infection causes deep infections of the respiratory system
Question: Select the FALSE statement.
Polyomavirus causes:
C. If feather lesion appear, normal feathers will return with the next molt if initial abnormalities were caused by polyomavirus only
Question: Which statement is CORRECT regarding proventricular dilatation disease (PDD)?
A. Two forms are described myenteric and neurologic
Choose the CORRECT statement: Pacheco disease is:
A. Caused by a herpesvirus and causes acute mortality from severe hepatitis
Question: Which statement is CORRECT?
C. Birds that recover from an infection with Chlamydophila are fully susceptible to re-infection
QUESTION:
Which ONE of the following symptoms is NOT usually seen
in birds infected with Chlamydophila psittaci?
A. Lameness
true or false: ventral midline is the first choice for blood collection in snakes
false
true or false: chameleons are great choices for novice lizard owners and require minimal/simple husbandry
false
ID the species of lizard below:
B. Leopard Gecko
ID the species of lizard below:
B. green iguana
ID the species of lizard below:
C. bearded dragon
ID the species of lizard below:
B. veiled chameleon
What kind of turtle is this?
A. Eastern painted turtle
B. Eastern box turtle
A. Eastern painted turtle
What kind of turtle is this?
A. Eastern painted turtle
B. Eastern box turtle
B. Eastern Box turtle
males have red eyes and females have yellow
Talk to me about this
How to sex a snake! lubricate the probe and count # of scales. Males have a bigger pouch because it's a hemi-penile sac
Talk to me about this
How to sex a lizard--males have pre-anal pores. Females have them but hard to see
males also have hemi-penal bulges
abdominal incisions in reptiles should be _______
OFF midline, because of the huge ventral abdominal vein
renal-portal system of reptiles
venous blood goes from tail, hind limbs and pelvis to KIDNEY before rest of circulation, so injections to caudal body have higher excretion and higher toxicity
ecdysis
skin-shedding of reptiles.
intermediate cells make new epidermis, lymph floods in between (visible behind spectacle because translucent), enzymes, shed
lizards in pieces, snakes in one big piece usu
crocodiles and turtles continuously, squamates (snake, lizards) periodically
spectacle
fused eyelid of snakes, sheds with skin
how to ventilate a turtle
move its legs!! No diaphragm, so ribs cause breathing.
POTZ
preferred optimal temperature zone (different reptiles like different temps at different times of day
primary heat source set to low point POTZ, then add basking spot on one side (NOT HOT ROCKS)
UV-B and reptiles
they need it. Sunlight is best, helps produce vitamin D.
gut loading in insectivore reptiles
insects are high in P, so dust with Ca or make them eat leafy greens to get enough Ca (also need UV-B)
turtle skeleton
carapace
plastron
bridge
turtle restraint
hold shell, prob near tail
yogurt cup = muzzle
can tape head and/or feet in shell, or prop on a roll of tape
DO NOT HOLD IN DORSAL - organs press on lungs and they suffocate
you could get your fingers trapped in the shell or lose a nail
reptile mm color
always pale, lower PCV with bigger RBC
auscultation of reptiles
difficult. Use a doppler at base of neck
palpation of reptiles
shell should be hard, round, smooth-ish (no pyramiding)
coelomic palpation through pre-femoral fossa
safe blood volume to pull from healthy reptile (and tube for sample)
use GRAMS/mLs, can take 0.5-0.8% of body weight
so 1kg lizard = 1000g = 5-8mL of blood. (blood is 5-8% of weight, can take 10%)
use HEPARIN for CBC/chem in chelonians, EDTA lyses cells
venipuncture on turtles
right jugular: bigger than left, straight line between head and neck, can hold off and SEE (only one)
dorsal cervical/vertebral sinus: between neck and shell, where skin attaches to carapace. Next to lymph sinus so may contaminate
brachial sinus: blind stick at elbow
dorsal (tail) vein: SMALL samples
reptile fluid therapy
PO, SQ, IV, IO, intracoelomic, "cloacal" (= soaking), usu SQ (cranial thigh or skin folds around front legs) and ICe (needle cranial to thigh, aim down or could drown)
15 mL/kg/day
REPTILE RINGERS: I part LRS, 2 parts 2.5 dex in half saline.
IM drugs in cranial half of body (renal-portal)
gavage feeding reptiles
hepatic lipidosis common
0.5-2% body weight in kg is the volume of the stomach
ball-tipped feeding tubes with luer lock in corner of mouth with a gag to protect tube/beak. Hold up to prevent regurg
common diseases of chelonians (8)
metabolic bone dz
URT diseases
pneumonia
vitamin A deficiency
aural abscesses
shell disease
cloacal/phallus prolapse
egg binding
tail autonomy
iguanas, geckos
if caught by tail it will pop off and keep twitching while they run away. Some grow back and some don't. There are fracture lines.
to amputate, cut skin 2 vertebrae up from a fracture line, snap and leave open
blindfolding a lizard
gentle pressure on eyeballs = vagal, decreases heartrate and calms
cloacal palpation on lizards
kidneys around rectum, CKD can cause constipation!
venipuncture on lizards (3)
tail vein (ventral or lateral approach, same vein)
ventral abdominal vein
jugular vein
lizard fluids
SQ, intracoelomic (lateral flank, craniodorsal), IV in tail or ventral midline vein or cephalic (cut down), IO in prox tibia or distal femur
common diseases of lizards (7)
metabolic bone disease
renal disease (iguanas)
tail trama/autonomy
dysecdysis
trama/bite wounds
burns
egg binding
snake mites
in skin between mandibles (under chin)
snake venipuncture
cardiocentesis: find with doppler, hold in front and behind (WILL MOVE!)
ventral tail vein: in large species
Fluids in snakes
SQ (dorsal), intraceolomic (cd coelom to avoid lungs/air sac), IV HARD
dx of lung disease in a snake
tracheal or lung wash
infuse 025-1mL/kg sterile saline
can't cough, so move head back and forth aiming down to collect. Parasites! cytology, etc.
common diseases of snakes (11)
dysecdysis
retained spectacles
stomatitis
pneumonia
trauma/bite wounds
burns
mites
inclusion body disease
cryptosporidium
egg binding
constipation
Define wildlife medicine
A subset of zoo medicine specialty that sees non-domestic animals.
Free-ranging (population Med) and captive (individual)
describe what we have at Cornell for wildlife medicine
Individual researchers
structured programs (raptor, NYS DEC, Wildlife health center)
Highlight some of the challenges(6) and most common conditions (6) in wildlife medicine
Orphans
HBC
Cat attacks
gunshot
toxicities: lead, rodenticide
infectious diseases: Mycoplasma gallisepticum, avipoxviruses, west Nile, rabies
Challenges: wide variety of species, little published info, no owners, no/minimal history, emergencies, advanced stages of disease or severe injury
Give examples of how you can participate in wildlife medicine
Like dogs. new ferret brings it in, 10-14d. Worse in older (diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss. Bird seed droppings). Supportive care, quarantine new ferrets
Coronavirus type 2 in ferrets
like dry FIP. Affects young.
fever, lymphadenopathy (often ONE node), peritonitis, anorexia, lethargy
Tx is supportive + steroids/immunomodulants. Pretty much fatal.
Adrenal disease in ferrets
Zona reticularis = overproduction of sex hormones (dogs are glomerulosa, cortisol).
3-4y old average
signs: hair loss, enlarged vulva, pruritus, aggression, dysuria in males from prostatic enlargement.
can PALPATE adrenals normally, so can feel it, or ultrasound.
sx best (remove the big one and half the other if bilateral, unilateral, 40% chance 2nd one will go in 3y), but medical possible (GnRH agonists, Lipton or deslorelin)
Could remove large mass or part of pancreas (best chance for normal), but WHOLE pancreas affected so not curative
Prednisone to include glc or diazoxide to bind insulin receptors.
heart disease in ferrets
DCM most often
coughing, lethargy, dyspnea, ascites
rads and ECG
benazapril,pimobendan, digoxin, lasix
coronaviurs in ferrets like dogs, cats
type 1 like dog, enteric
type 2 like dry FIP
How is ferret dz different than dog?
Zona reticularis rather than glomerulosa
What is role of Helicobacterin ferret GI?
Commensal/opportunistic
metro will kill it and pepto stops them from latching on to ulcer
Rabbit basic info, food and feces
Little horses that hop.
Lagomorphs because of peg teeth
hind-gut fermenters,not enough intestine so re-eat night feces. Day feces has lots of fiber to keep GI tract moving. Also need roughage for dental wear, teeth never stop growing. NOT DIARRHEA, just night feces.
STRESS so keep familiar smells, quiet esp after anesthesia. Analgesia.
Rabbit repro
males - bucks, females -does, young - kits.
copulation30-40s, 30d gestation. Anogenital distance same, slit-like vs round opening. Testicles descend at 3 months.
altricial young, nurse only BID, wean 4-5wks
Housing for rabbits
No foot pads so wire bottom = pododermatitis
social, need 2 (females territorial, m/f pair best)
need exercise min 4h
rabbit diet
Pellets 20% or less (Timothy based for adult)
grazing 50% of diet (hay, little/no alfalfa, fresh untreated grass
30% veggies
Rabbit restraint
Spinal injury from kicking--just set them down if kicking, keep non-slip surfaces. Cover eyes if stressed (hold like a football with full-body scruff.
Don't "hypnotize" on back by rubbing belly, cortisol spikes and they panic.
Rabbit PE
No menace, no tapetum. Tympanum easily ruptured and straight canal, flush GENTLY.
Dewlap in females to pluck hair and line nest.
Oral - DENTAL ISSUES. Peg teeth behind, 2 upper and 1 lower incisor. Oral speculum or otoscope cone for cheek teeth. Palpate for elongated roots in cheek teeth.
Loud lung sounds, can listen to heart on sternum. Huge heart, murmurs heard everywhere
stomach should always be full
black waxy material in inguinal scent glands.
Temp should be >100, below is shock! Therm DORSAL
Bunny venipuncture
Small samples: marginal ear vein (poke and let drip, catheter), cephalic vein (good for cath, only straight one in body)
lg samples: lateral saph (cath), jug vein (don't lift head too high)
bunny fluids
SQ warmed isotonic along shoulders/back/laterally
bunny urine
Lots of mucus, Calcium like a bunny. Also porphyrins-orange-pink color (normal from chlorophyll). Stress? Not sure why it happens. Alkaline urine.
Daily exercise necessary because LOTS of sediment, needs to move to come out.
How is rabbit GI like a horse, and how not?
Hind-gut fermenters (except make night feces)
rabbit dentition
Not enough fiber = small cheek teeth chewing, need more to avoid points
can't prehend/drop food
ulcers as the teeth grow into other tissues. Can trim teeth - low speed to avoid HEATING teeth up.
As teeth grow up, too much pressure will make them grow DOWN = abscesses (anaerobic). Debride and pack, open and marsupialize, etc.
Gastric stasis in rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla
indicates DRIED OUT material in stomach--decreased consumption, low fiber, high carbs (hair is normal, but hairballs)
USU BAR but hx of anorexia, small hard feces or no feces, doughy mass in cranial abdomen (halo in rads pathognomonic)
tx: rehydration of P, rehydration of stomach contents, increase motility. Fluids, force-feed high fiber or critical care or pumpkin, metoclopramide or cisapride, fresh veggies and hay, respond in 2-4d
Goals in GI stasis of rabbits
rehydrate P
rehydrate stomach contents
increase gastric motility
gastric obstruction in rabbits
Hairball, FB, pyloric disease, rabbit seems SICK, often hypothermic. Stomach taut, full, fluid or gas. No halo on rads. Emergency!
tx metabolic (acid/base) and stomach distension (pushing on diaphragm, can't breathe!). = fluids, heat, gastric lavage, sx with FB.
Metaclopramide and small food q2h
guarded prognosis
Dysbiosis in rabbits
Unbalanced flora. Caused by some abx - penicillins, macrolides and cephalosporins PO
diarrhea in rabbits
Older: Often just uneaten cecotropes
low fiber, high carbs, stress, oral abx and bacterial enteritis (clostridium, usually secondary).
Young: unestablished GI flora. Coccidia, corona or rotavirus, bacterial (clostridium, salmonella, pseudomonas, campylobacter, E. coli, C. Piliforme
Ca sludge in bladder, stones common (bladder, ureter, kidney). Bladder feels like hacky-sack, urinate sludge. Rads.
Remove when possible, or potassium/sodium citrate to reduce size and preventative.
torticollis/wry neck in rabbits
peripheral vestibular disease: bacterial infection of bulla through eustacian tube, bulla osteotomuy(+/-TECA), long-term abs
Central vestibular disease: encephalitizoan cuniculi, or other CNS stuff. Tx with meloxicam and albendazole/fenbendazole. Headtilt may never go away, roll
Guinea pig life span
5-7y
How to tell a guinea pig is dehydrated
Sunken eyes
guinea pig head butt response
touch forehead and they push off--otherwise depressed
guinea pig auscultation
Heart cranial, over sternum, LOUD lung sounds like rabbit
abdominal palpation in guinea pig
stomach often empty (2h), can palpate kidneys, third kidney is likely an enlarged ovary (>3y very common)
chinchilla restraint
support body
hold base of tail - jumpers!
Don't grab fur--fur slip!
Chinchilla PE
Palpate jaw line for root elongation
familiar heart murmurs normal, loud lung sounds.
Sex via anogenital distance.
Guinea pig diet
need vitamin C so FRESH pellets
high fiber diets
Timothy or grass hay 50% diet. Fresh veggies up to 30%. Won't try new foods when older
dirty, need sipper bottle
chinchilla diet
Commercial pellets <40% of diet with free choice Timothy or grass hay, 10-25% veggies, sugars and treats <5% of diet
Chinchilla/guinea pig venipuncture, fluids
cranial vena cava
jug (more lateral than expected), don't tilt head too far (asphyxiate)
catheter in cephalic or lat saph
60-100ml/kg/day
dorsal to scapula, not much space so many pockets or frequent
IM in small volumes in caudal thigh, no epaxials in chinchilla
Guinea pig, chinchilla dental disease
Lingual entrapment: teeth grow over tongue, can't swallow
abscesses less common than rabbits
dystocia in guinea pigs
moms >7mo old. OK to breed first time before 6mo (pelvic symphysis closes).
tx with oxytocin if going to fit, C-section if not (not a good prognosis)