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Hypovitaminosis C - Reptiles (view source)
Revision as of 12:44, 14 September 2011
, 12:44, 14 September 2011Created page with "==Introduction== '''Hypovitaminosis C''' is a rare condition that occurs in the '''snake'''. It is normally a consequence of an '''inappropriate diet'''...."
==Introduction==
'''Hypovitaminosis C''' is a rare condition that occurs in the '''[[Snake|snake]]'''. It is normally a consequence of an '''inappropriate [[Snake Diet|diet]]'''.
Snakes are able to '''synthesize''' vitamin C, but not necessarily in large enough quantities. To remedy this, snakes have adopted [[Snake Feeding and Digestion|feeding habits]] that allow them to make up this '''deficit''':
In the wild, snake select '''healthy prey''' so that they consume the normal content of that animals alimentary system (including vitamins) when the eat them. In the case of rodent prey, '''vitamin C synthesis occurs in the gut'''. So for vitamin C to be present in the rodents gut, and therefore absorbed by the snake, the '''rodent''' must have '''recently eaten'''.
==Clinical Signs==
The snake will normally present with '''skin lacerations'''. These occur '''spontaneously''' when the skin of the snake is '''stretched''' (ie when it is swallowing prey).
==Treatment==
Any skin '''wounds''' should be '''cleaned, debrided and sutured closed'''. '''Vitamin C injections''' are also required daily until levels return to normal.
==Prevention==
Vitamin C deficiency can be prevented by ensuring any '''live/recently killed rodent prey have been fed before feeding them to the snake'''.
If '''dead/defrosted rodents''' are fed to the snake then these carcasses should be '''supplemented with vitamin C'''. This is achieved by injecting the carcass with '''sodium ascorbate''', or by placing part of a '''vitamin C tablet''' into the carcass before feeding to the snake.
{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Reptiles and Amphibians Q&A 15]]
}}
==References==
Frye, FL & Williams, DL (1995) '''Self-Assessment Colour Review - Reptiles & Amphibians''' ''Manson''
[[Category: To Do - Siobhan Brade]]
[[Category:To Do - Manson review]]
'''Hypovitaminosis C''' is a rare condition that occurs in the '''[[Snake|snake]]'''. It is normally a consequence of an '''inappropriate [[Snake Diet|diet]]'''.
Snakes are able to '''synthesize''' vitamin C, but not necessarily in large enough quantities. To remedy this, snakes have adopted [[Snake Feeding and Digestion|feeding habits]] that allow them to make up this '''deficit''':
In the wild, snake select '''healthy prey''' so that they consume the normal content of that animals alimentary system (including vitamins) when the eat them. In the case of rodent prey, '''vitamin C synthesis occurs in the gut'''. So for vitamin C to be present in the rodents gut, and therefore absorbed by the snake, the '''rodent''' must have '''recently eaten'''.
==Clinical Signs==
The snake will normally present with '''skin lacerations'''. These occur '''spontaneously''' when the skin of the snake is '''stretched''' (ie when it is swallowing prey).
==Treatment==
Any skin '''wounds''' should be '''cleaned, debrided and sutured closed'''. '''Vitamin C injections''' are also required daily until levels return to normal.
==Prevention==
Vitamin C deficiency can be prevented by ensuring any '''live/recently killed rodent prey have been fed before feeding them to the snake'''.
If '''dead/defrosted rodents''' are fed to the snake then these carcasses should be '''supplemented with vitamin C'''. This is achieved by injecting the carcass with '''sodium ascorbate''', or by placing part of a '''vitamin C tablet''' into the carcass before feeding to the snake.
{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Reptiles and Amphibians Q&A 15]]
}}
==References==
Frye, FL & Williams, DL (1995) '''Self-Assessment Colour Review - Reptiles & Amphibians''' ''Manson''
[[Category: To Do - Siobhan Brade]]
[[Category:To Do - Manson review]]