Essentials of Tortoise Medicine and Surgery (eBook)

John Chitty BVetMed, CertZooMed, CBiol, MSB, MRCVS John is a director of a small animal and exotics practice in Andover, UK with a 100% avian and exotics caseload. He works with several zoological collections and has lectured and published widely on a variety of avian and exotic species as well as co-editing two avian texts. Aidan Raftery MVB, CertZooMed, CBiol, MSB, MRCVS Aidan is currently the clinical director of the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic in Manchester, UK. He is a visiting lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College, UK, and has produced many chapters for textbooks on exotic animal medicine and surgery. He is also a regular presenter at conferences and at continuing education events for veterinary surgeons.

Preface vi

Part I Introduction 1

1 Biology 3

1.1 Species and Family Overview 3

1.2 Natural History 9

1.3 Sex Determination and Incubation of Eggs 20

1.4 Physiology/Anatomy 27

1.5 Chelonian Behaviour 34

2 Husbandry 41

2.1 The Husbandry Review 41

2.2 Hibernation 50

3 Practice Needs 54

3.1 Equipment 54

3.2 Economics 56

3.3 Hospitalisation 59

3.4 Instructions for Receptionists 62

4 Examination 63

4.1 Transport Guidelines 63

4.2 History and Examination Techniques 64

4.3 Handling 76

4.4 Zoonoses 78

5 Basic Techniques 80

5.1 Venipuncture and Sample Handling 80

5.2 Toenail Trimming 87

5.3 Beak Trim 90

5.4 Stomach Tubing 93

5.5 Injection Techniques and Therapeutics 97

5.6 Fluid Therapy 102

5.7 Cytological Sampling and Biopsy 105

5.8 Microchipping 108

5.9 Euthanasia 112

6 General Anaesthesia 114

7 Imaging 120

7.1 Radiography 120

7.2 Ultrasound 127

7.3 Endoscopy and Biopsy 130

7.4 Advanced Imaging Techniques 137

8 Surgery 139

8.1 Surgery Needs and Equipment 139

8.2 Haemostasis 142

8.3 Surgical Techniques 143

9 Clinical Pathology 150

9.1 Haematology and Serum Biochemistry 150

9.2 Parasitology 163

9.3 Microbiology 166

9.4 Post-mortem Examination Techniques 174

Part II Presentations 179

10 Anorexia 181

11 Diarrhoea 185

12 Dyspnoea 187

12.1 Respiratory Disease 187

12.2 Coelomic Cavity Distension 191

13 Otitis Media/Aural Abscess 192

14 Egg Retention/Dystocia 195

15 Fallen in Pond 198

16 Follicular Stasis 200

17 Orthopaedics 205

18 Fractures of the Shell 216

19 Hepatic Lipidosis 222

20 Lameness 225

21 Lethargy 229

22 Soft Tissue Masses 231

23 Nasal Discharge 235

24 Ocular and Conjunctival/Palpebral Swelling 239

25 Ocular Opacities and Blindness 242

26 Generalised Oedema or Anasarca 248

27 Inflammation of the Oral (Stomatitis) and Pharyngeal Areas 251

28 External Parasites 254

29 Internal Parasites 256

30 Peeling Skin or Shell 265

31 Prolapse 270

32 Shell Disease 275

33 Skin Ulceration 280

34 Soft Tissue Trauma 285

35 Swimming Problems 289

36 Swollen Limbs 292

37 Uroliths 299

38 Vomiting and Regurgitation 302

39 Metabolic Bone Diseases 305

40 Shell Deformities 309

Appendix 1 Formulary 313

Appendix 2 Haematological Normals 318

Appendix 3 Toxicoses 320

Index 327

"In summary, this book is a practical gem, and should
become a very useful, well-thumbed addition to the general
veterinary practice library. It is mainly aimed at guiding those
less experienced with dealing with chelonian patients, but will
also act as a useful quick reference for those more familiar with
treating these shelled patients." (Veterinary
Record, 15 March 2014)

"Finally, special mention goes to the brief but clearly
illustrated and valuable guide to gender determination, helping to
separate Fred from Frederica in the consult room, and making this a
handy patient-side reference." (BVZS Bulletin, 1
September 2013)