Reptiles and Euthanasia

a thorough history is vital when caring for reptiles as many issues arise from poor _____

husbandry

Tortoises should have ___ depth enclosures but a ____ base

short depth enclosure but a large base

_____ species like chameleons need vertical accessibility

arboreal

____ should have locking lids/doors as they are common to escape

snakes

what is a concern about substrate material for bearded dragons and leopard geckos

sand because it could cause sand impaction

____ is a poor insulator therefore losses heat easily

glass

_____ could cause stress for animals because it is transparent

glass

____ enclosures are difficult to sanitize

wood

semi-aquatic reptiles like turtles should be provided areas for docking to allow for _____

basking

What is the minimum amount of thermometers a tank should have

2

goal should be that the reptile is living in the ___ ____ ___ ___

preferred optimal temperature zone (POTZ)

Heat sources aid in _______

digestion

what is photoperoids

utilizing non-llight emitting heat sources to stimulate night

T/F heating pad should not be in direct contact with the reptiles

T

T/F there should be a temperature gradient in the tank

T

Humidity aids in ____

ecdysis (shedding)

What can help control humidity to stop overgrowth of microorganisms

humidity chamber

what is the tool that assess humidity level

hygrometer

purposes of lighting

appropriate circadian rhythm and heat source

UV-B lighting for Vit _ transformation

D

UV B spectrum lighting is essential for ____ lizard and turtles

dinural

T/F nothing compares to natural sunlight for UV expsoures

T

What tool can monitor light quality in a basking location

solar meter

UV emission _____ (decreases/increases) as the bulb ages, so do not wait for the bulb to burn out to replace

decreases

replace bulb every ___ months unless solar meter still has appropriate reading

6-9 months

geckos, chameleons, and anoles are examples of what type of diets

insectivore

for insectivores, _____ is supplemented with dusting the insects or gut loading the insects

calcium

____ _____ is the process of feeding the insects a diet that secondarily benefits the reptile

gut loading

nutritionally, insects are low in ___ and high in ___

low in Ca and high in P

We want the Ca:P ratio to be what?

2:1

Do not feed insects that are bigger than the distance between the ….

reptile’s eyes

lizards, skinks, snakes, and terrapins are examples of what type of diet

carnivores

for carnivore reptiles, what should you be cautious with handling?

food-born disease with handling raw products (Salmonella)

why should you feed carnivorous reptile so that there is no chance of trauma from rodents?

frozen thawed prey

why should you feed snakes in a separate location from their enclosure?

because they can think that everything is food and bite your hand

nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidisim is also known as…

metabolic bone disease

NSHP could be associated with what two things

lighting or diet

poor ____ can lead to malabsorption of dietary calcium

lighting

NSHP secondarily leads to osteoclastic acitivity and skeletal______

destruction and malformation

NSHP reptiles are prone to pathological _____

fractures

T/F skeletal malformations changes are irreversible

T

Treatment for NSHP

calcium supplementation with calcium glubionate

Gout is a nutritional disease typically associated with ____ protein intake, but could be connected to _____ hydration

high protein intake, poor hydration

unlike mammals, reptiles excrete nitrogenous waste from metabolism of proteins in the form of ___ ___

uric acid

when this uric acid is not removed effectively, uric acid crystals can form in the ___ or around ____ organs

joints or around internal organs

diagnosis of gout

finding uric acid crystals on arthrocentesis (joint tap)

uric acid crystals are not detectable on xray, why?

urate is radiopaque

treatment for gout

• crystals cannot be removed from the body

• long term pain management

• allopurinol for intervention

allopurinol can be used to treat gout by doing what?

decreasing the amount of uric acid produced

What is humane euthanasia

intentional ending of life to eliminate pain and suffering

What are the four different types of humane euthanasia

• QOL

• Behavioral

• Convenience

• Disease control/population medicine

The doctor is the _____ for their patient

advocate

What are the three questions for life quality evaluation

• does the pet still enjoy favorite activities?

• Does the pet still have an appetite?

• Is the pet comfortable?

What is one of the most difficult types of euthanasia?

Behavioral Euthanasia

What euthanasia occurs when the severity of the patient’s behavior negatively impacts their QOL, their owners, and/or the public

Behavioral Euthanasia

Bite history can be a factor in what type of euthanasia?

Behavioral euthanasia

Must submit rabies sample if patient has bitten anyone ___ days before euthanasia

10

progression of aggression could be a concern for what type of euthanasia

behavioral

What is the euthanasia of a physically healthy animal

convenience

convivence euthanasia is requested by owner due to what two types of inconvenience

unable to physically care for the pet, and unable to financially care for the pet

T/F the veterinarian has the right to refuse for convenience euthanasia

T

What is the euthanasia that is performed due to risk to large population of pets

disease control/population euthanasia

What is the goal of disease control/population euthanasia

to protect healthy population from infectious population

T/F there may be times when certain religions do not believe in euthanasia and that must be respected

T

What is the first step in the pet euthanasia process?

Always recommend sedating first

what are the three sedation options

• telazol

• acepromazine

• propofol

Why is sedation good

allows patient relax peacefully and comfortably

__ ______ may be placed for easy access

IV catheter

Euthanasia solution name

Pentobarbital

Pentobarbital is an overdose of anesthetic that …

stops the breathing and stops the heart

what is the preferred euthanasia route that is preferred

IV

What are the other routes for euthanasia solution that can be given through

Intracardiac, Intraperitoneal

What route of euthanasia MUST be sedated first

Intracardiac IC

T/F owners can be present if they want

T

T/F you should describe the process to owners to set expectations

T

What should you warn owners about the process

agonal breathing, muscle twitching, dysphoria, urinations/defecations, not closing the eyes

What are the two types of memorial pieces

fur clippings and pawprints

What must be done before disposal of animal remains

confirmation of death

what are the types of confirmation of death

• Absence of respirations or heart sounds

• fixed, dilated pupils

• no corneal reflex

• graying of mucous membranes

• rigor mortis

What is the only sign that alone confirms death

rigor mortis

What extra staff member can be at some hospital to provide emotional support to your clients

Veterinary social worker

T/F you should respect your staff and be supportive to yourself

T

Options for remains

• owner responsible

• common cremation

• private cremation

what is common cremation

• animals cremated together

• no ashes returned

what is private cremation

• animal cremated individually

• ashes returned