Full Description
Reach for this book whenever a sick or injured tortoise comes into the surgery. Essentials of Tortoise Medicine and Surgery is designed as a concise and practical quick reference for the busy practitioner seeing chelonians as part of their caseload. Covering everything from species identification to common basic surgery for tortoises and freshwater turtles, the emphasis is on the more common and likely diagnoses.
The first section of the book gives an overview of the basics of tortoise and semi-aquatic/ aquatic freshwater turtle husbandry and keeping, as well as a guide to general investigation and diagnostic techniques open to clinicians. The second section provides a clinical guide based on clinical signs and differential diagnoses.
Based upon the experience of authors who have been practicing with these species for several decades, this book is a useful guide to veterinarians, students, veterinary nurses and technicians new to working with these fascinating creatures. It will also serve as a useful aide memoire to more experienced clinicians.
Contents
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
