Lizard diseases quiz

1

Which of the following IS NOT considered a clinical sign of MBD (metabolic bone disease)?

	Paralysis of hindlimbs
	Lethargy
	Seizures
	Hardening of bones
	Muscle fasciculations
Please select an option Incorrect! Paralysis of hindlimbs is a clinical sign of MBD. WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease Incorrect! Lethargy is a clinical sign of MBD. WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease Incorrect! Seizures are a clinical sign of MBD. WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease Correct! One of the clinical signs of MBD is softening, swelling and deformities of bones (e.g. soft mandibles), not hardening of bones. The clinical signs of MBD include: lethargy and reluctance to move; difficulty in lifting body off ground; ataxia, paresis and paralysis of hindlimbs; poor appetite to anorexia; weight loss to poor weight gain; softening, swelling and deformities of bones (e.g. soft mandibles); pathological fractures; muscle fasciculations and seizures. WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease Incorrect! Muscle fasciculations are a clinical sign of MBD. WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease

2

A lizard is presented with excessive salivation, anorexia, weight loss and lethargy. A physical examination reveals gingival ulceration with the presence of caseous material. What is a possible diagnosis?

	Endoparasites
	Bloat
	Stomatitis
	Periodontal disease
	Enteritis
Please select an option Incorrect! Clinical signs of endoparasites include anorexia, wasting and dehydration. As the parasite colonizes the animal's organs such as the liver and kidney, it may cause necrosis and abscess formation. WikiVet Article:Lizard Endoparasites . Incorrect! A lizard suffering from bloat would present a gastrointestinal tract grossly distended with gas. WikiVet Article:Lizard Bloat. Correct! Stomatitis (mouth rot) is the most common form of upper alimentary tract disease in reptiles. Clinical signs of stomatitis are excessive salivation, anorexia, weight loss and lethargy. Initial lesions are gingival petechiation which develop to oedema and ulceration with the presence of caseous material. Other associated problems include osteomyelitis around the teeth, haematogenous spread to other parts of the body, lower respiratory tract disease and a distended subspectacular space from blocked nasolacrimal ducts. WikiVet Article: Lizard and Snake Ulcerative Stomatitis. Incorrect! Clinical signs include: facial swelling of the maxillae or mandible, dental tartar, gingivitis, loosening or loss of teeth, dental calculus, hyperplasia, recedence, mouth gaping and anorexia. WikiVet Article:Lizard Periodontal Disease. Incorrect! Clinical signs include vomiting (grave prognosis) and diarrhoea. WikiVet Article:Lizard Enteritis.

3

Which of the following is NOT recommended for use in the treatment of lizard skin mites?

	Pyrethrins and pyrethroids
	Fipronil
	Ivermectin
	Organophosphates
	Water
Please select an option Incorrect! Pyrethrins and pyrethroids may be used on snakes as well as the snake environment in the eradication of mites. WikiVet Article:Lizard Mites. Incorrect! Fipronil is an effective topical acaricide that may last several months with one application. The environment may also be treated. It appears to be safe and effective. WikiVet Article: Lizard Mites. Incorrect! Ivermectin is an effective acaricide by oral, parenteral or topical administration WikiVet Article: Lizard Mites. Correct! Organophosphates (OPs), including trichlorphon and dichlorvos, have been recommended for treating lizard mites infestation. However, due to their possible toxicity for both humans and reptiles, their use should be discouraged. Wikivet Article: Lizard Mites. Incorrect! Steam cleaning of the environment is extremely useful since all stages of mites are susceptible to both drowning and high temperatures. Infested snakes find some relief by soaking themselves. Water can therefore be used as a non-toxic adjunct treatment. Affected snakes, especially those that are severely compromised, can benefit from daily soaks of at least one hour. WikiVet Article:Lizard Mites.

4

A lizard is presenting several clinical signs of MBD: lethargy and reluctance to move, difficulty in lifting body off ground, ataxia, anorexia and weight loss, and swelling of soft mandibles. How do you confirm this diagnosis?

	Blood culture
	Radiography and biochemistry
	Ultrasound
	Kidney biopsy
	Urinalysis
Please select an option Incorrect! Blood culture would not be useful in diagnosing MBD. WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease Correct! Radiographs are very effective in confirming the diagnosis; indeed, radiolucent transverse processes in the caudal vertebrae are pathognomonic of MBD in lizards. Biochemistry: calcium is generally within normal limits but may be low, especially in neurological cases; the calcifediol assay can be done on plasma to determine the status. WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease Incorrect! Ultrasound would not be useful in diagnosing MBD. WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease Incorrect! A kidney biopsy would not be useful in diagnosing MBD. WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease Incorrect! Urinalysis is not useful since urine is modified in the distal colon and cloaca.WikiVet Article:Lizard Metabolic Bone Disease

5

A female prehensile-tailed skink is presented to you for anorexia, but remains bright, alert and responsive. On physical examination you notice that the coelomic cavity appears enlarged and there are palpable round masses. Radiography confirms what you suspect to be dystocia. The owner informs you that oviposition has ceased over 48 hours ago. You decide to: ...

	wait another 48 hours for oviposition to complete naturally.
	euthanize the lizard.
	perform an emergency ovariosalpingectomy.
	inject a dose of calcium gluconate followed by oxytocin.
	perform a percutaneous ovocentesis.
Please select an option Incorrect! Treatment must be considered if oviposition hasn’t completed within 48 hours. WikiVet Article:Lizard and Snake Dystocia Incorrect! Dystocia is usually not an emergency situation if the female is bright, alert and responsive and can be successfully treated even up to a week after parturition begins. Lizards with dystocia should initially receive supportive care, especially maintaining environmental conditions within their POTZ and rehydration. WikiVet Article:Lizard and Snake Dystocia Incorrect! The female is bright, alert and responsive. Surgery should only be considered if all other treatment options have failed, if there is an obstruction, if there is prolapsed devitalised oviduct tissue or if the reptile becomes dehydrated and lethargic. WikiVet Article:Lizard and Snake Dystocia Correct! An injection of calcium gluconate followed by a dose of oxytocin is a possible treatment. A second dose may be given later if no effects are observed after 1-2 hours. WikiVet Article:Lizard and Snake Dystocia Incorrect! Aspiration must be done WITHIN the 48 hours of cessation of laying since the eggs harden making aspiration impossible. WikiVet Article:Lizard and Snake Dystocia

6

Which of the following is not considered a cause of dysecdysis?