Urinary system in exotics workshop

A tortoise woke up from hibernation two weeks ago, has not eaten since and is very lethargic. The animals’ joints are swollen, eyes look different and mouth exam is normal.

Make a problem list.

• post hibernation anorexia

• lethargy

• swollen joints

• sunken eyes - presumed dehydration

A tortoise woke up from hibernation two weeks ago, has not eaten since and is very lethargic. The animals’ joints are swollen, eyes look different and mouth exam is normal.

what do we need to ask the owner (broadly)

• info about signalment

• husbandry and set-up, including diet

• preventative healthcare

• hibernation preparation and monitoring

A tortoise woke up from hibernation two weeks ago, has not eaten since and is very lethargic. The animals’ joints are swollen, eyes look different and mouth exam is normal.

The blood results are attached, what do they tell us?

• PCV indicates dehydration

• low glucose due to not eating

• TP high - dehydration and also potentially useage of own muscle

• urea, uric acid, potassium are high indicating renal disease

Is this radiograph normal?

• no - severe bone demineralisation

• deposits in joints

what joint test do we do to confirm presence of gout?

• murexide test - sample mixed with nitric acid and dried over a flame, add a drop of ammonia.

• if mauve = uric acid present = gout

what can we do to assess the a joint in a suspected gout case?

• cytology

• culture and sensitivity

• murexide test

do we joint aspirate frequently for gout diagnosis?

• no, as bloods, history and radiographs are often diagnostic

should we do faecal parasitology after hibernation?-

• yes, especially if not done pre-hibernation

  • Gi parasites can significantly multiply during hibernation and cause clinical disease post-hibernation

what syptom can GI parasites cause but how can we distinguish this from gout?

• anorexia

  • swollen joints help to differentiate

what will we do to try and help with gout?

• try correct dehydration and anorexia, then reassess and repeat bloods to reassess kidney function

how can we aid rehydration and anorexia in this tortoise?

• gavage feed tubes

• oesophagostomy tube

what can we do to aid rehydration post hibernation in tortoises?

• bathing and we can add reptoboost

how can we try to reduce the risk of kidney disease in tortoises?

• correct husbandry

• feed correct, balanced diet

• correct Ca:P balance, vit A and D levels and avoid over supplementing

• pre-hibernation check/health check annually

• keep hydrated

A terrapin presents with this - history reveals lethargy, not much swimming, just baskng. Hasn’t eaten for a few days but has been slowly going off food for a couple weeks now.

What are pink shell lesions a common sign of?

• septicaemia in aquatic species

A terrapin presents with this - history reveals lethargy, not much swimming, just baskng. Hasn’t eaten for a few days but has been slowly going off food for a couple weeks now.

What test do you immediately want to do?

• biochemistry and haematology

A terrapin presents with this - history reveals lethargy, not much swimming, just baskng. Hasn’t eaten for a few days but has been slowly going off food for a couple weeks now.

Haematology wbc finding supports septicaemia theory and moderate dehydration, but not organ failure.

we often can’t do on-site bloods for reptiles, what can we do?

• blood smears

• PCV

what routes of drug and fluid administration do we have in chelonia?

• PO - gavage, O-tube

• IM - forelimbs, pectorals if larger species

• SC - ventral neck fold

• IV - jugular, dorsal tail vein, subcarapacial space

• epicoelomic

• IO

• intracoelomic

what pH should the water be for a terrapin?

• 6-8pH

what should ammonia, nitrite and nitrate measure in a terrapin habitat?

• 0 or as close to as possible

what can we use to test terrapin habitat?

• water testing kits - sold at fish stores

why may we chose to change a terrapin from a gavage to an oesophageal tube?

• to send home so owner can manage - they’re feisty animals and you don’t want to risk owner injury

what should an owner do to their terrapin enclosure to prevent septicaemia?

• keep enclosure clean

• clean water thoroughly every 2-3 weeks, replace some water each week

• test water quality regularly - liquid drops not strips

• remove injury risks

• keep water, basking and ambient temperatures correct

• balanced diet

• reduce stress

what parasite can present initially with signs of renal disease?

• E.cuniculi

what are the clinical symptoms of E.cuniculi normally?

• neurlogical presenation of head tilt

• signs of renal disease

• hypercalcaemia

• anorexia + quiet gut sounds

how is E.cuniculi transmitted?

• ingestion of spores shed in urine/food/water

• transplacentally

• clinically healthy carrier status is common