Changes

 

Diagnostic aids that are used routinely with more familiar domestic animals are also applicable to lizards and snakes. Those commonly available in veterinary practice include faecal examination, microbiology, cytology, [[Lizard and Snake Haematology|haematology]] and [[Lizard and Snake Biochemistry|biochemistry]], [[Lizard and Snake Imaging|radiography]] and biopsy.  This section will cover specimen collection and interpretation.

Diagnostic aids that are used routinely with more familiar domestic animals are also applicable to lizards and snakes. Those commonly available in veterinary practice include faecal examination, microbiology, cytology, [[Lizard and Snake Haematology|haematology]] and [[Lizard and Snake Biochemistry|biochemistry]], [[Lizard and Snake Imaging|radiography]] and biopsy.  This section will cover specimen collection and interpretation.

 

==Colonic wash==

==Colonic wash==

A lubricated catheter with an attached syringe is gently inserted through the vent. The catheter should pass easily into the colon and if resistance is met it is pushing against the dorsal wall of the cloaca. Up to approximately 10ml/kg of sterile saline is injected into the colon. The fluid is massaged prior to aspiration.  Learn about digestion in [[Lizard Gastrointestinal System|lizards]] and [[Snake Digestive System|snakes]].

A lubricated catheter with an attached syringe is gently inserted through the vent. The catheter should pass easily into the colon and if resistance is met it is pushing against the dorsal wall of the cloaca. Up to approximately 10ml/kg of sterile saline is injected into the colon. The fluid is massaged prior to aspiration.

==Faecal evaluation==

==Faecal evaluation==

*''Tissue for virus isolation'' - For viral isolation, place tissue sections in individual sterile bags and freeze.

*''Tissue for virus isolation'' - For viral isolation, place tissue sections in individual sterile bags and freeze.

===Bone marrow from snakes===

===Bone marrow from snakes===

Bone marrow from snakes is difficult but not impossible to obtain. The bone marrow cavity of the ribs of large snakes will yield a sample. The area around the dorsal fourth of a rib is aseptically prepared. The skin is incised and the cortical bone of the rib is drilled through with a 21- to 23-gauge spinal needle. The needle is then advanced a few millimetres to the marrow cavity. For smaller species, surgical removal of a portion of a rib or vertebral spinous process is possible. It is fixed in formal saline and placed in a decalcifying solution until soft enough to allow histological processing. It is also possible to obtain marrow from the ventral vertebral bodies by biopsy.

Bone marrow from snakes is difficult but not impossible to obtain. The bone marrow cavity of the ribs of large snakes will yield a sample. The area around the dorsal fourth of a rib is aseptically prepared. The skin is incised and the cortical bone of the rib is drilled through with a 21 to 23 gauge spinal needle. The needle is then advanced a few millimetres to the marrow cavity. For smaller species, surgical removal of a portion of a rib or vertebral spinous process is possible. It is fixed in formal saline and placed in a decalcifying solution until soft enough to allow histological processing. It is also possible to obtain marrow from the ventral vertebral bodies by biopsy.

==Swab==

==Swab==

Culture sites should be vigorously sampled. Culture blood if septicaemia is suspected. Swabs for bacteriology should immediately go into transport media if there is any delay in culturing. It is preferable to incubate at 25°C and 37°C. It is advisable to take a second swab and roll this onto a microscope slide for gram staining. Culturing of fluid within the oral cavity usually gives non-diagnostic results. Preferable methods, as appropriate, are biopsy of oral lesions, sampling high within the choanal slit or tracheal sampling (by passing a microswab through the glottis).

Culture sites should be vigorously sampled. Blood should be cultured if septicaemia is suspected. Swabs for bacteriology should immediately go into transport media if there is any delay in culturing. It is preferable to incubate at 25°C and 37°C. It is advisable to take a second swab and roll this onto a microscope slide for gram staining. Culturing of fluid within the oral cavity usually gives non-diagnostic results. Preferable methods, as appropriate, are biopsy of oral lesions, sampling high within the choanal slit or tracheal sampling (by passing a microswab through the glottis).

 

==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.  

==Blood collection==  

==Blood collection==  

Find out more about collecting blood from [[Lizard Blood Collection|lizards]] and [[Snake Blood Collection|snakes]].

Find out more about collecting blood from [[Lizard Blood Collection|lizards]] and [[Snake Blood Collection|snakes]].

*Check up on giving physical examinations on [[Lizard Physical Examination|lizards]] and [[Snake Physical Examination|snakes]].

 

[[Category:Lizard and Snake Diagnostics]]

[[Category:Lizard_Specimen_Collection]]

|full text = [http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2007/20073120070.pdf  '''How to make the most of diagnostic sampling.''' Jacobson, E. R.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Volume 21, Orlando, Florida, USA, 2007, 2007, pp 1557-1559]

[[Category:Lizard_Specimen_Collection]]

 

[[Category:Snake_Specimen_Collection]]

[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2006/20063121835.pdf ''' Intravascular access options in reptiles: what's reasonable?''' Mosley, C. A. E.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Volume 20, Orlando, Florida, USA, 7-11 January, 2006, 2006, pp 1654-1655]

 

[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2009/20093118395.pdf ''' Interpretation of diagnostic tests: what we should have learned in epidemiology.''' Mitchell, M. A.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 17-21 January, 2009, 2009, pp 1791-1793]

 

[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2006/20063240431.pdf ''' Introduction to reptile diagnostic testing.''' Mitchell, M. A.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, The North American Veterinary Conference 2003, Small Animal and Exotics. Orlando, Florida, USA, 18-22 January, 2003, 2003, pp 1218-1219]

|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=((((((subject:(biopsy+technique)+OR+subject:(urinalysis)+OR+subject:(blood+collection)+OR+subject:(faecal+analysis)+OR+subject:(fecal+analysis)+OR+subject:(swab)+OR+subject:(transtracheal+wash)+OR+subject:(colonic+wash)+OR+subject:(gastric+lavage)))+AND+((title:(snake)+OR+ab:(snake)+OR+od:(snakes)))))+OR+((((title:(biopsy)+OR+title:(urinalysis)+OR+title:(blood+collection)+OR+title:(faecal+analysis)+OR+title:(fecal+analysis)+OR+title:(swab)+OR+title:(transtracheal+wash)+OR+title:(colonic+wash)+OR+title:(gastric+lavage)))+AND+((title:(snake)+OR+ab:(snake)+OR+od:(snakes)))))))+OR+((((((subject:(biopsy+technique)+OR+subject:(urinalysis)+OR+subject:(blood+collection)+OR+subject:(faecal+analysis)+OR+subject:(fecal+analysis)+OR+subject:(swab)+OR+subject:(transtracheal+wash)+OR+subject:(colonic+wash)+OR+subject:(gastric+lavage)))+AND+((title:(lizard)+OR+ab:(lizard)+OR+od:(lizards)))))+OR+((((title:(biopsy)+OR+title:(urinalysis)+OR+title:(blood+collection)+OR+title:(faecal+analysis)+OR+title:(fecal+analysis)+OR+title:(swab)+OR+title:(transtracheal+wash)+OR+title:(colonic+wash)+OR+title:(gastric+lavage)))+AND+((title:(lizard)+OR+ab:(lizard)+OR+od:(lizards))))))) Diagnostic sampling in snakes and lizards related publications]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[[Category:Lizard_Diagnostics|B]]

[[Category:Snake_Diagnostics|B]]