Chelonians

Define chelonians.

The most primitive group of living reptiles

List and define the three chelonian terms.

Tortoise: terrestrial, turtle: primarily aquatic, terrapin: semi-aquatic, hard-shelled

Why is species identification critical in chelonians?

Husbandry and nutrition are species-specific

What makes chelonians labor-intensive pets?

Space, temperature, water quality, UV, diet, sanitation

What is the maximum carapace coverage per enclosure floor space?

Less than or equal to 25%

What is the minimum water depth requirement? Why?

At least as deep as shell width. Allows righting if flipped

Why is clean water difficult to maintain?

Turtles eat and defecate in water

What are chelonians thermoregulator?

Ectotherms

What is the Preferred Optimal Temperature Zone (POTZ)?

75-82 degrees F

Why is cold water dangerous?

Called the “death zone”, it leads to immune suppression, lethargy, and death

Why is a haul-out area essential?

Allows basking and thermoregulation

What is the ideal basking temperature?

90s degree F

What is the ideal light placement distance?

12-18 inches

What is the diet type of aquatic turtles?

Mostly omnivorous

What do juveniles need a higher intake of than adults?

Protein

List the common foods for aquatic turtles.

Fish, earthworms, chopped skinned mice, dark leafy greens, commercial diets

What is the ideal housing for terrestrial tortoises when possible?

Outdoor

What is the minimum acceptable temperature for terrestrial tortoises?

More than or at least 65-75 degrees F

What should you place in the enclosure of a terrestrial tortoise for digging precaution?

Wire mesh more than or at least 12 inches underground

Ideal temperature range for indoor tortoise

75-90 degrees F

Indoor tortoise enclosures must have what thermal setup?

Thermal gradient. Basking light and ceramic heater and reflector

List acceptable substrates

Cypress mulch, conifer bark nuggets, alfalfa pellets, newspaper, indoor/outdoor carpet

List unacceptable substrates.

Sand, fine gravel, cat litter, corn cob, walnut shells, pine or cedar shavings

What is the best UV source?

Natural sunlight

Why should you supervise basking in natural sunlight?

To prevent overheating

What causes metabolic bone disease?

Abnormal calcium metabolism

List the signs of metabolic bone disease (NSHP)

Deformed shell and abnormal scutes

List the clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency.

Conjunctivitis, blepharitis, swollen eyelids, nasal discharge, dyspnea, ear abscesses

What is the treatment for vitamin A deficiency?

Correct diet and sometimes vitamin A injections

What is the cause of vitamin A toxicity?

Over-supplementation

List the signs of vitamin A toxicity?

Dry flaky skin, sloughing, secondary infections

What is the treatment for vitamin A toxicity?

Antibiotics and stop supplementation

List the two types of shell rot.

Wet form and dry form

Wet form shell rot causes ___.

Hemorrhagic discharge

Dry form shell rot causes ___.

Dry necrosis

What is the treatment for shell rot?

Topical care and fix husbandry

What is SCUD?

Septicemic cutaneous ulcerative disease

SCUD requires ___.

Systemic antibiotics

What helps treat SCUD?

Sunlight

What is the treatment for trauma?

Clean and debride, delay shell repair, antibiotics then epoxy, healing takes time

What are overgrown beaks related to?

Nutrition

Overgrown beaks require ___.

Regular trimming with or without anesthesia

Why is respiratory hard to clear?

No diaphragm

List the causes of respiratory disease.

Poor diet, wrong temp/humidity, dirty enclosure, bad substrate

List the signs of respiratory disease.

Nasal/ocular discharge, open-mouth breathing, dyspnea, weight loss, buoyancy issues

What diagnostic is performed to diagnose respiratory disease and dystocia?

Radiographs

List the causes of gout.

Kidney disease, dehydration, high-protein diet

What diagnostic is performed to diagnose gout?

Radiographs and cytology

List the signs of dystocia.

Anorexia, lethargy, straining, bloody cloacal discharge

List the causes of dystocia.

Poor environment and metabolic disease

List the causes of penile/cloacal prolapse.

Trauma, infection, breeding

What is the treatment for penile prolapse?

Amputate if necrotic

What is the treatment for cloacal prolapse?

Hypertonic sugar solution to soak and decrease swelling and replace

What is the most common zoonoses?

Salmonella

List the high-risk groups for zoonoses.

Children, elderly, immunocompromised

What is the 1975 ban?

Ban on all baby turtles with carapace length of 4 inches or less

List other zoonotics.

Aeromonas, campylobacter, pseudomonas, mycobacterium

What should be included in the history of the physical exam?

Diet, enclosure, temp/humidity, appetite, weight, defecation, origin (wild vs captive), quarantine status

Describe how the lungs can be auscultated.

By placing a wet towel between the carapace and stethoscope

Describe restraint for chelonians.

Gentle pressure behind mandibles. Never grab dorsoventral. Water can help extend neck. Towels prevent scratches

Why shouldn’t you grab dorsoventral?

Can cause damage to neck and trachea

What are the three minimum views for radiographs?

Lateral, VD, craniocaudal

List all blood collection sites.

Jugular, brachial, subcarapacial, ventral tail, dorsal tail, femoral, occipital sinus, heart (rare)

List all medication routes and where they are given.

IM (pectorals), SQ (inguinal/neck folds), IV (jugular), intracoelomic (prefemoral fossa), oral (limited), IO (rare), cloacal

Bladder stones are common in which kind of chelonian?

Desert tortoises

How are bladder stones removed?

Surgically

Why is it hard to confirm their death?

Hearts beat hours after death