Lab Animal Histories & PE

Exotic animals include?

Wildlife, research pets, animals native to various regions of the world, any animal not including - dog, cat, horse, or cow

Common avian species seen in practice

Cockatoo, macaw, amazon parrot, rainbow conure, cockatiel, parakeet, finch parrot

What important signalment question should be asked for birds?

How old is the bird?

Why should you ask where the bird was acquired?

To determine if it came from a breeder, pet store, or bird fair, which may affect disease risk

What infectious diseases should birds be tested for?

Chlamydiosis and psittacine beak and feather disease

What vaccine history is important in birds?

Polyomavirus vaccination status

What behavioral or physical changes should owners report in birds?

Voice change, attitude change, weight change, or droppings changes

Why ask when the bird’s last molt occurred?

Molting abnormalities can indicate illness or stress

What medication-related questions should be asked in avian history?

Any supplements or medications being given

What dietary question is critical for birds?

What is the bird fed and what does it actually eat?

Why is cage material important in avian history?

Lead or zinc toxicity can occur from cage materials

What should be asked about avian substrate?

Type used, cleaning frequency, and cleaning products

Why ask if a bird spends time outdoors?

Outdoor exposure affects environmental and disease risks

What environmental factors should be evaluated in birds?

Temperature, drafts, enrichment, toys, and sleep

How much sleep should birds ideally receive?

At least 12 hours

Why do owners cover bird cages at night?

To ensure proper sleep

How is the avian physical exam typically performed?

From break to vent

What eye abnormalities are checked during avian exams?

Discharge, lens opacity, blood, and anatomical disruption

What feather change may indicate eye or nasal discharge in birds?

Matted feathers

What should be assessed in avian nares?

Symmetry, discharge, swelling, bruising, and fractures

How is hydration assessed in birds?

By corneal moisture and globe position

What does a sunken globe indicate in birds?

Dehydration

Why are avian ears examined?

Even though infections are uncommon, abnormalities may still occur

What tool may be used to examine the avian oral cavity?

An avian speculum

What is the choanal slit?

A V-shaped opening on the roof of the bird’s mouth

Why must avian speculums be used carefully?

Improper use can cause trauma

What vitamin deficiency causes blunted or absent choanal papillae?

Vitamin A deficiency

What should be checked in the avian oral cavity?

Abscesses and excessive moisture

What abnormalities are checked when palpating the crop?

Foreign objects, burns, distension, and crop stasis

How can crop movement be monitored?

Move feathers aside and observe movement

What is normal crop motility?

At least one wave per minute

What body condition scoring system is used in birds?

1-5 scale

What does a BCS of 1 indicate in birds?

Emaciation

What does a BCS of 5 indicate in birds?

Obesity

What feather appearance is considered healthy?

Bright and iridescent

Why are wings and legs extended during avian exams?

To evaluate joint function

What can improper perches or vitamin A deficiency cause?

Bumblefoot

What foot abnormalities should be checked in birds?

Necrosis, swelling, abscesses, gout, and erosion

What is examined at the bird’s vent/cloaca?

Masses, irritation, prolapse, and matted fecal matter

What organs are auscultated during avian exams?

Heart and lungs

What type of stethoscope is recommended for birds?

Pediatric stethoscope

What type of scale should be used for birds?

Digital gram scale

What reptile species are commonly seen in practice?

Bearded dragons, chameleons, geckos, and iguanas

What is the first question to ask reptile owners?

What species is the reptile?

What progression question should be asked about reptile illness?

How quickly did the problem progress?

What husbandry factors are important in reptile history?

Housing, lighting, temperature, humidity, substrate, and cage cleaning

Why ask if reptiles free-roam?

To assess environmental exposure and injury risk

What environmental hazards should be discussed for reptiles?

Cleaning chemicals, cigarette smoke, fuel exhaust, and ventilation fluctuations

What nutritional details are important for reptiles?

Exact food type, source, feeding frequency, amount eaten, and supplements

What should be done before touching a reptile during the exam?

Observe first

What behaviors are assessed when observing reptiles?

Lethargy, aggression, posture, alertness, and tracking

What body areas show weight loss first in sick lizards?

Dorsal tail, dorsal pelvis, and dorsolateral scapular region

What indicates dehydration in reptiles?

Sunken or recessed eyes

What skin abnormalities are checked in reptiles?

Missing scales, abnormal color, crusts, dysecdysis, swelling, ticks, and mites

What is dysecdysis?

Retained old shed

What signs of trauma are checked in reptiles?

Rostral abrasions, missing toes, tail damage, bite wounds, and burns

What appearance do thermal or chemical burns have in reptiles?

Erythema or tissue necrosis

What is unusual about chameleon toes?

Five toes fused into two gripping bundles

What can open-mouth breathing indicate in reptiles?

Respiratory disease, overheating, stress, or defensive posture

How is thoracic auscultation improved in reptiles?

Place a moistened paper towel between scales and stethoscope

What tool can gently open a reptile’s mouth?

Rubber spatula

What oral structures are observed in reptiles?

Choanae, dentition, glottis, and mucous membranes

What does a compressible reptile jaw suggest?

Metabolic bone disease

What should the reptile oral cavity look like?

Symmetrical

What abnormalities are checked at the reptile vent?

Trauma, swelling, exudates, crusts, and prolapse

What body systems can abdominal palpation assess in reptiles?

GI, reproductive, and urinary systems

Why must reptile palpation be gentle?

Fragile organs can be damaged

What are uroliths?

Urinary stones

What are fat bodies often mistaken for in reptiles?

Kidneys or masses

What is the term for egg-carrying lizards?

Gravid

What is the term for embryo-carrying viviparous lizards?

Pregnant

Why is proper husbandry critical in snakes?

Poor husbandry is a leading cause of death

What housing details should be asked about snakes?

Cage dimensions, substrate, furnishings, and arboreal vs terrestrial design

What lighting questions are important for snakes?

Day/night cycle and light sources

What heating questions are important for snakes?

Temperature range and heat sources

What humidity questions should be asked for snakes?

Humidity level and devices used to maintain it

What feeding questions are important in snake history?

Prey type, feeding schedule, prey storage, and prey source

What quarantine question should be asked about snakes?

Whether new pets are quarantined properly

Why should venomous snakes only be handled by professionals?

Due to safety risks

What should be done first in a snake exam?

Weigh the snake and observe behavior

What integument abnormalities are checked in snakes?

Parasites, burns, trauma, dysecdysis, and infections

What lung do most snakes possess?

Right lung only

Which snakes are exceptions and may have a left lung?

Boids

What should be checked when a snake opens its glottis?

Swelling, mucus, or foreign material in the trachea

Where is the snake heart generally located?

About one-third down the body from the snout

What can be used to improve snake heart auscultation?

Damp cloth or gauze

What neurological abnormalities are checked in snakes?

Jerking, poor righting reflex, and inability to strike prey

Why is retained spectacle important in snakes?

Retained shed over the eye can impair health and vision

How can retained spectacle be removed?

Damp cotton-tipped applicator

Why is the snake oral exam usually done last?

It is stressful

What should normal snake oral mucosa look like?

Moist with no stringy mucus

What factors commonly contribute to chelonian illness?

Improper diet, enclosure, temperature, and humidity

What is most of the chelonian physical exam based on?

Visual examination

What shell structures are evaluated in turtles?

Plastron and carapace

How are turtle lungs auscultated?

Wet cloth between shell and stethoscope

What GI signs should be asked about in ferrets?

C/S/V/D (coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea)

What urinary signs should be asked about in ferrets?

Excessive drinking, increased urination, and straining

What oral diseases or common in ferrets?

Tartar and ginigivitis

How can a ferret be encouraged to open its mouth?

Scruffing may trigger a yawn

What coat changes may be normal in ferrets?

Seasonal molting