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Lizard and Snake Specimen Collection and Evaluation (view source)
Revision as of 21:05, 6 May 2010
, 21:05, 6 May 2010no edit summary
==Transtracheal wash==
==Transtracheal wash==
Respiratory disease is common in reptiles and sample collection from the respiratory tract may be essential for diagnosis and treatment. Transtracheal washes should therefore be a routine procedure for all lizards and snakes with respiratory disease. They may be collected in physically restrained snakes but chemical restraint is usually required.
Respiratory disease is common in reptiles and sample collection from the respiratory tract may be essential for diagnosis and treatment. Transtracheal washes should therefore be a routine procedure for all lizards and snakes with respiratory disease. They may be collected in physically restrained snakes but chemical restraint is usually required.
[[Image:Glottis.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Copyright © RVC)]]
[[Image:Glottis.jpg|250px|thumb|right|(Copyright © RVC)]]
*Collection
*Collection
The patient is positioned with the head slightly elevated. Identify the position of the heart. The jaws are opened and the glottis identified. Upon inspiration a sterile catheter is introduced to the appropriate level. The lung field is caudal to the heart in boids and colubrids. Sterile saline equal to 0.5-1% bodyweight is injected. The head is then lowered and the fluid aspirated. Occasionally more is aspirated than injected and this usually indicates respiratory disease. Any fluid left in the lungs is absorbed. Use of endoscopy allows visualisation as well as sampling. Samples of low cellularity can be concentrated using centrifugation.
The patient is positioned with the head slightly elevated. Identify the position of the heart. The jaws are opened and the glottis identified. Upon inspiration a sterile catheter is introduced to the appropriate level. The lung field is caudal to the heart in boids and colubrids. Sterile saline equal to 0.5-1% bodyweight is injected. The head is then lowered and the fluid aspirated. Occasionally more is aspirated than injected and this usually indicates respiratory disease. Any fluid left in the lungs is absorbed. Use of endoscopy allows visualisation as well as sampling. Samples of low cellularity can be concentrated using centrifugation.