General Exotics Questions
Which species have elodont incisors?
BONUS: What is elodont?
chinchilla, guinea pig, hamster
BONUS: teeth that grow continuously
What species should rabbits not be housed with? Why?
guinea pigs because rabbits can transmit Bordetella bronchiseptica to them
male is i-shaped, female is y-shaped
Psittaciformes (psittacines) refers to ____ and passeriformes (passerines) refers to _____.
parrots; perching birds (finches, canaries)
Why are ferrets prone to heat stress/stroke?
inability to sweat or pant effectively
Mandibular tooth spurs form on _____ aspect of teeth.
BONUS: Maxillary tooth spurs form on ____ aspect of teeth.
lingual
BONUS: buccal
If mishandled, a rabbit may kick and lead to what?
spinal fracture at 7th lumbar vertebrae
What additional nutrition is obtained via coprophagy in guinea pigs?
vitamin B, protein
What muscle is good for IM injections in birds?
pectoral muscles
This condition is typically seen in ferrets older than 4-5 years old. The patient will have hypoglycemia, and this disease starts subclinical, but progresses to seizures. The patient may paw at the mouth, and hindlimb paresis is present. What is the likely diagnosis?
insulinoma
What is an important aspect of a herbivores diet?
course diet, high in fiber, low in simple carbohydrates
A 3 YO MN Rabbit presents to clinic with ileus and uncomfortable stomach on palpation. Owner reveals he is fed a high-carb, low fat diet. An x-ray reveals gas within stomach and intestines. What is occurring?
BONUS: How does this occur?
Bloat
BONUS: Rabbits cannot eructate so when GI stasis occurs, gas builds up in stomach and GI tract.
A 2 yo FS guinea pig presents with loose teeth, teeth grinding, swollen joints, and a rough hair coat. What is the diagnosis?
vitamin C deficient diet --> scurvy
Primary feathers attach to the:
metacarpals
A 4 YO MN ferret presents for alopecia, pruritus, dysuria, and breeding behavior, despite being neutered. A physical exam reveals an enlarged prostate.
adrenocortical disease (ACD)
What species ovulation is induced?
ferrets, rabbits, hedgehogs
What is a unique feature of rabbits GIT, related to their feces?
cecotrophy after fermentation (they eat their feces)
A 6 month old M guinea pig is presented to your clinic for weight loss and diarrhea. The owner has recently moved and gotten a dog that lives in a different part of the house, but can still be heard by the guinea pig. It has been a while since the owner has cleaned her cage. PE reveals dehydration. What is the most likely diagnosis?
BONUS: What do you treat with?
coccidiosis (Eimeria caviae)
BONUS: sulfonamides or toltrazuril
(moving & dog = stress, which can lead to this)
What bones are pneumatic in birds?
humerus, coracoid, pelvis, keel, vertebrae
A 2 YO FS ferret presents with weakness and dysphagia, which then progresses to flaccid paralysis. While doing your exam, you notice signs of respiratory failure. The owner reveals she did get into some spoiled food earlier in the day. What is the most likely diagnosis?
What species have precocial offspring?
chinchilla, guinea pigs, degu
A 4 YO MN rabbit presents for 1 week long progressive hypersalivation. Appetite is reduced. He shows interest in food when it is offered but then walks away. PE reveals unremarkable incisors. Ulcers are found on the tongue. What is most likely occurring?
cheek tooth spur
A guinea pig presents for a mass on the underside of her jaw. It was in a breeding mill situation where things were not very clean. What bacteria likely caused this? What is the disease name?
Streptococcus zooepidemicus
cervical lymphadenitis ("lumps")
How do you temporary deflight a bird?
bilateral clipping of primary remiges
do NOT cut secondaries
This is a chronic parvovirus infection causing immune complex-mediated vasculitis in ferrets. Clinica signs include posterior paresis, melena, and hypergammaglobulinemia.
Aleutian disease