Essentials of Tortoise Medicine and Surgery

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

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.

"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)