ACZM Zoological Medicine flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Capture myopathy

Exertional rhabdomyolysis from intense pursuit or restraint; muscle enzymes (CK, AST) rise, and animals show weakness, myoglobinuria, or sudden death. Prevention centers on minimizing chase time and using remote delivery.

Unionized ammonia toxicity

The NH3 fraction of total ammonia rises with pH and temperature and is the toxic form to fish; it causes gill damage and respiratory distress. Test and correct water quality rather than treating the fish alone.

MS-222 buffering

Tricaine methanesulfonate must be buffered with sodium bicarbonate to neutral pH before fish anesthesia. Unbuffered solutions are acidic and cause stress and corneal injury.

Elasmobranch osmoregulation

Sharks and rays retain urea and TMAO so plasma is nearly isosmotic to seawater. Placing them in hyposaline water causes osmotic stress; use isosmotic or slightly hyperosmotic fluids in treatment.

Gas bubble disease

Caused by gas supersaturation in water; bubbles appear in fins, gills, and eyes and can obstruct circulation. Treatment is degassing water and correcting the supersaturation source.

Chytridiomycosis diagnosis

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is detected by skin swab qPCR. It causes keratinized skin lesions and mortality in amphibians; itraconazole or elevated temperature is used in managed populations.

Cetacean anesthesia risk

Marine mammals under anesthesia are prone to apnea and bradycardia and often require intubation and ventilation support. Reversible agents such as medetomidine with atipamezole aid recovery.

Ich treatment principle

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is treated by targeting the free-swimming theront stage, since the trophont on the fish is protected. Temperature and salinity manipulation are common non-chemical approaches.

Ruminal tympany risk

Bloat is a major anesthetic risk in ruminants because rumen gas distension impairs ventilation. Keep the head elevated, intubate when possible, and trocharize the rumen in emergencies.

Nonhuman primate TB testing

Intradermal tuberculin testing at eyelid or abdomen with comparison sites screens for tuberculosis in primates. Interpretation is species-specific, and atypical mycobacteria cause false-positive reactions.

Great ape cardiac disease

Gorillas develop fibrosing cardiomyopathy, monitored by serial echocardiography and cardiac troponin. Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors are used empirically; sudden death can occur without prior signs.

Zebra herpesvirus risk

Equid herpesvirus can cause fatal neurologic disease in zebras. Quarantine new equids and avoid housing zebras near domestic horses during outbreaks to limit transmission.

Failure of passive transfer

Neonatal hoofstock lacking adequate colostral IgG at 24-48 hours are at risk of sepsis. Plasma transfusion is indicated when IgG falls below the species-specific threshold.

Allometric dose scaling

Doses scale with metabolic body size (body weight to a fractional exponent), not linearly. Simple linear extrapolation from domestic species can overdose or underdose zoo animals.

Venomous snakebite preparedness

Zoo protocols require rapid species identification, pressure immobilization for elapid bites, and immediate availability of appropriate antivenom. Staff training and stocked antivenom are core readiness items.

Reversible immobilizing agents

Alpha-2 agonists such as medetomidine or detomidine combined with antagonists (atipamezole) allow rapid, controllable capture of free-ranging ungulates and carnivores with low drug volumes.

Lead toxicosis in raptors

Raptors and waterfowl ingest lead shot or fishing tackle, causing neurologic and gastrointestinal signs. Diagnosis is by blood lead level; treatment is calcium disodium EDTA chelation.

Wildlife release criteria

Release requires restored flight or locomotion, normal blood values, absence of infectious disease, and suitable season and habitat. These criteria protect both the individual and the wild population.

Chronic wasting disease

A prion disease of cervids diagnosed by immunohistochemistry of retropharyngeal lymph nodes or obex. No treatment exists, and management relies on surveillance and herd control.

Avian influenza surveillance

Wild waterfowl are sampled with cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs. Low-pathogenic strains predominate, but highly pathogenic strains cause neurologic and respiratory signs, especially in raptors.

Wild bird restraint

Cover the head to reduce stress, support the wings against the body, and avoid thoracic compression. Birds are prone to capture stress and hypoxia during handling.

Rabies risk assessment

Post-exposure decisions after wildlife contact depend on species, behavior, and local epidemiology. Bats and raccoons are high-risk species, and public health guidance governs prophylaxis.

Rabbit GI stasis

A syndrome, not a diagnosis, requiring evaluation for dental disease, obstruction, and stress. Treatment includes fluids, analgesia, prokinetics, and assisted feeding.

Ferret adrenal disease

Adrenal neoplasia causes alopecia, vulvar swelling in females, and pruritus. Diagnosis uses hormone panels or ultrasound; treatment includes deslorelin implants or adrenalectomy.

Reptile metabolic bone disease

Caused by calcium or UVB deficiency and inappropriate husbandry, leading to soft bones and fractures. Correction requires dietary calcium, UVB lighting, and proper temperature gradients.

Avian seed-only diet risk

Seed-only diets cause hypovitaminosis A and obesity in companion birds. Conversion to formulated pellets with fresh vegetables and species-appropriate calcium improves nutrition.

Guinea pig vitamin C need

Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C and require dietary supplementation. Deficiency causes scurvy with joint swelling, poor wound healing, and lethargy.

Small mammal anesthesia

Mask induction with isoflurane or sevoflurane is preferred in rodents and lagomorphs because intubation is difficult. Monitor respiration closely and provide thermal support during recovery.

Avian blood collection limit

Limit blood draws to about 1% of body weight to avoid hypovolemia. Common sites are the right jugular, basilic, and medial metatarsal veins.

Reptile sex determination

Methods vary by species: hemipenal eversion, tail shape, and dimorphism are used, while many chelonians require endoscopy for definitive sexing.

Amphibian quarantine

New amphibians should be quarantined and screened by qPCR for chytrid fungi before introduction to collections. This prevents introducing Batrachochytrium to naive managed populations.

Pinniped stranding triage

Assess hydration, respiration, and body temperature before release decisions. Confirm normal blood values and negative infectious screening, since stranded animals may carry zoonotic or population-threatening pathogens.