Avian Anatomy Aids Endoscopic ProceduresApril 17, 2009 Birds' unique anatomy and physiology make them perfect candidates for endoscopy. They have air sacs in addition to lungs but they don't have diaphragms. Mammals must have carbon dioxide pumped into their peritoneal cavities in order to more easily identify organs through endoscopy. This is not required, nor advised, in avian species, because of the natural inflation of the air sacs. Equipment and Care Many types of equipment are used to visualize birds' internal organs. Otoscopes with small cones designed for canine and feline ear canals have been employed; however, these provide a low level of light, poor magnification and are not recommended. A tubular endoscope that utilizes an otoscope/ophthalmoscope base may be upgraded with a halogen light source. Endoscopes designed for human medicine have played a role in avian medicine. However, the best systems have been designed specifically for the needs of avian and exotic animal veterinarians. For most general practices, a 2.7 mm rigid endoscope between 170 and 190 mm long is probably the most useful. This telescope can be used for birds weighing between 55 and 4,000 grams. A 1.9 mm diameter telescope is the smallest device used in small birds (less than …
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Fluorescent Feathers Critical To Budgie MatingApril 17, 2009 Kathryn Arnold of the University of Glasgow led a research team that found the fluorescent yellow feathers on budgies' heads play a vital role in attracting mates. The team found male and female budgerigars preferred brighter plumage when choosing a mate, after using odorless sunscreen to dim fluorescent feathers' on some of the birds that were studied. When the birds were exposed to the same sex, the level of fluorescence did not distract from social interaction. The researchers concluded that fluorescence contributes to attracting sexual partners. Arnold's findings may apply to other birds, as she has examined more than 60 species and discovered most of the feathers that were found to be fluorescent are used in courtship displays. Arnold's findings were published in the January 4 issue of Science.
When To Intervene In Reptile ParturitionApril 17, 2009 With the continued popularity of green iguanas (Iguana iguana), bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) and water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus), as well as interest in the smaller lizards, such as geckos and anoles, veterinarians are being called upon more often to provide accurate husbandry, nutrition and behavioral information to clients. As veterinarians, we should be able to perform a complete physical examination, appropriate diagnostic tests and advise owners about correct care, as well as be knowledgeable about their medical conditions. It is heartening to know so many owners are taking good care of their pet lizards. While this is very good news for the reptiles, it does create a whole new set of medical issues for both herp veterinarians and owners. Healthy adult lizards may become reproductively active, even without the presence of a conspecific male. This seems to be the biggest problem in mature, female green iguanas, although any healthy lizard may go through a reproductive cycle under the right conditions. One of the most common reptile reproductive problems is dystocia. Reptile Sexual Maturity Lizards reach sexual maturity based on size, more than chronological age. Factors such as nutrition, preventative veterinary care and physiological stress will …
Dentistry Quarterly: Challenges In Pocket Pet DentistyApril 17, 2009 When dealing with oral cavities in a typical small animal clinic, most practitioners handle dogs and cats with fairly similar problems. Add other small mammals to that mix, and the difference in the structure and function of the pocket pets' oral cavity and teeth brings new challenges. Functions of Dentition With dogs and cats, both modified carnivores, the oral cavity has a wide opening and the teeth are brachyodont, with short crowns, distinct roots that mature with root closure and a set length. In herbivores, including many small mammals, the oral cavity has a small oral opening, helpful in keeping the vegetation in the mouth during chewing and grinding. To compensate for the regular attrition of the teeth caused by chewing roughage, the teeth must continue to erupt, in order to maintain a constant height in the mouth. In horses, the constant wear is offset by a continued eruption of the tooth. Since the roots of equine teeth close like those of dogs and cats, the remainder of the tooth is considered to be a long crown; some of it "submerged" under the gumline, and the rest is exposed crown. This radicular hypsodont structure results in a …
Fireflies Toxic To Exotic PetsApril 17, 2009 Fireflies might prove a fatal snack to exotic reptiles, according to a health alert released by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). Veterinarians should alert pet owners and advise them to take steps to prevent both the intentional or accidental ingestion of these common insects, the center reported. Based on a handful of reports from reptile owners, symptoms of poisoning quickly follow a lizard's ingestion of fireflies. These symptoms include head shaking, oral gaping, unsuccessful attempts at regurgitation and a darkening in color. The symptoms usually appear within 30 minutes of ingestion, and death might follow within the hour. Death is thought to be a result of heart malfunction. "A single firefly would have a very high probability of resulting in death," says Dr. Steve Hansen, board-certified veterinary toxicologist and director of the APCC. The warning is being issued to amphibian and bird owners as well. In addition to the lizard cases, fatal poisonings in tree frogs have been documented. In another instance, a bird that ingested a firefly regurgitated it but did not die, says Hansen. The health alert is based on about a half-dozen …
Nutritional Problems In ReptilesApril 17, 2009 Without a doubt, health problems arising from an inadequate diet are one of the major concerns in herpetological medicine. The key to managing nutritionally related diseases is to be familiar with the natural history of specific species. In ectothermic animals the metabolic processes governing digestion are dependent on environmental factors, mainly temperature. If these environmental factors are not optimal, even a perfectly balanced meal could go to waste because of inadequate digestion. The class reptilia can roughly be divided into three nutritional groups: herbivores, omnivores and carnivores. Each of the groups has their own set of typical problems with different manifestations. Knowing to which nutritional category the affected species belongs, will help establish the differential diagnosis. Discussion of the following diseases will be organized according to the nutritional group of reptiles in which the disease is most likely to be seen. However, any disease may be found in nearly any species. Generally, the diseases related to nutrition can be roughly divided into two groups: either caused by a deficiency or a toxic overdose of a certain nutrient. Anorexia, Starvation Anorexia is probably one of the most common presentations of an affected reptile to the clinician. In …
