Reptile respiratory medicine.

Respiratory tract disease is commonly diagnosed in captive collections of reptiles and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Improper environmental conditions are often contributing factors for the development of respiratory disease in reptiles. A detailed knowledge of the unique reptilian respiratory morphology and function is essential to successfully diagnose and treat respiratory disease. A variety of noninfectious and infectious causes have been identified in the etiology of reptile respiratory disease. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of reptilian diseases is increasing, and with the availability of new therapeutic agents and advanced diagnostic techniques, the diagnosis and treatment of reptile respiratory tract disease has become more successful.     

Reptile hematology

The basic principles of hematology used in mammalian medicine can be applied to reptiles. Available phlebotomy sites vary with the taxa and may be chosen based on the experience of the handler or phlebotomist, health status or temperament of the patient, and species. Methods of analysis and the cytologic appearance of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes are different from those of mammals and also vary by taxa. Many causes for abnormalities of the reptilian hemogram are similar to those for mammals, although additional factors, such as venipuncture site, season, hibernation status, captivity status, and environmental factors, can affect measured values. Interpretation of hematologic results can be frustrating, although new case reports and research studies help to elucidate possible causes that are often unique to reptiles.     

Reptile anesthesia.

Successful reptile anesthesia requires patience, planning, and understanding of normal anatomy and physiology in health and disease. Reptiles make good anesthetic patients because of their physiologic resilience. New drugs that are not only safe and efficacious, but also result in relatively short recovery times, have greatly enhanced the design of anesthetic regimens. Further studies are required to quantitatively evaluate the physiologic effects of drugs used and validate available monitoring modalities for use in a wide variety of reptiles.     

Reptile virology.

Reptiles are hosts to diverse viral infections. This article reviews the viruses that are known to infect reptiles and discusses associated pathology, available diagnostic methods, and management techniques for the reptile clinician.     

蜥蜴亚目的爬行动物

本文介绍了美国 9科、2 5属、1 35种和中国 8科、34属、1 2 0种蜥蜴亚目的爬行动物     

爬行动物麻醉方法研究进展

动物麻醉是动物诊疗及手术过程顺利进行的先决条件,爬行动物由于生理学和解剖学的差异,导致其麻醉方法与哺乳动物也存在差异。爬行动物常见的麻醉方法分为吸入麻醉和注射麻醉,注射麻醉包括肌肉或皮下注射麻醉、静脉注射麻醉等。每种麻醉方法都有各自对应的麻醉药物,吸入麻醉常使用异氟醚和七氟醚,注射麻醉可使用替来他明、氯胺酮、阿法沙龙等药物。论文从爬行动物常见的麻醉方法及各种方法中常用的麻醉药物两个方面进行综述。     

Advances in Reptile Clinical Therapeutics

The standard of today's reptile practice calls on clinicians to use an ever-increasing array of diagnostic tools to gather information and obtain a definitive diagnosis. Few, if any, pathognomonic signs exist for reptile diseases, and for most clinical syndromes there is a lack of information regarding pathophysiology for one to define standard therapeutic protocols based solely on clinical signs without objective diagnostic information. For example, in the relatively distant past, clinicians treating reptile patients would routinely administer parenteral calcium to green iguanas (Iguana iguana) with the primary presenting clinical sign of muscle tremors. Today, veterinarians who treat reptiles recognize that the risk of soft tissue mineralization and permanent damage to arteries, renal tubules, and other tissues usually outweighs the potential short-term benefit of calcium therapy. Before calcium therapy is initiated, it is best to know the patient's ionized calcium concentration to reduce the risk of potential adverse therapeutic side effects. A problem-oriented diagnostic approach directed toward minimizing risk and maximizing therapeutic benefit is now the standard of reptile practice.