Reptile and Avian Reproductive Physiology

Avian & Reptile Reproductive Issues

• Reproductive issues are common in birds and reptiles, but only a few cases are covered in the class.
• Excessive egg production is a common issue.
• Dystocia (egg binding) is a concern.
• Cloacal prolapse requires attention.

Aims & Objectives

• Understand that reproductive problems are frequent in birds and reptiles, though only a few cases will be reviewed.
• Learn to identify the sexes of common bird and reptile species.
• Recognize abnormal presentations and know how to perform diagnostic investigations.
• Know the medical treatments or surgical options.
• Consult the supplementary ELC surgery videos.

Reptile Reproductive Problems (Female)

• Excessive egg production
• Cloacal prolapse
• Dystocia (egg binding)
• Ova/egg-related coelomitis
• Oophoritis, cystic ovary
• Ectopic eggs or non-septic coelomitis
• Salpingitis, metritus
• Oviductal impaction
• Oviductal cystic hyperplasia
• Failure to reproduce

Reptile Reproductive Problems (Male)

• Cloacal prolapse
• Behavioral anomalies (feather picking, self-mutilation)
• Neoplasia
• Failure to reproduce
• Orchitis

Reptile Clinical History

• Often seen in spring or summer, though it can occur at other times.
• Previous copulation may be relevant but not always necessary.
• Digging or restlessness could be indications
• Look for eggs in the enclosure.
• Observe if the reptile has enlarged girth.
• Be aware of anorexia and lethargy.

Reptile Physical Examination

• Accurate determination of sex and age (juvenile, adult, or geriatric) is important.
• Differential diagnoses based on examination findings.
• Suggest veterinary referral if sex or age assessment is unfeasible.

Reptile Male Examination

• Prolapse is a common issue, often related to tenesmus or trauma.
• Examine the phallus, hemipenes, cloaca, and colon.
• Differentiate these from other possible abnormalities.
• Be mindful of hemipenal enlargement (abscess).
• Look out for enlargement of the coelom, testicular masses, abscesses, or neoplasms.

Reptile Female Examination

• Coelomic enlargement is common.
• Identify enlarged ovaries or retained eggs.
• Differentiate normal from abnormal conditions
• Prolapse is also frequent and associated with a coelomic mass effect.
• Observe the oviduct, cloaca, colon, and bladder.

Decision Making (Female Reptiles)

• Decide if the issue is normal or abnormal.
• Husbandry improvements might suffice if the animal is healthy with eggs.
• Consider basking areas, nesting areas, quiet/isolated enclosures, and appropriate nutrition (e.g., calcium supplementation).

Diagnostic Evaluation

• Evaluate husbandry and nutrition.
• Check if reproductive issues or infections are suspected.
• Utilize hematology and biochemistry tests.
• Implement diagnostic imaging (e.g., radiography, ultrasonography).
• Identify post-ovulatory egg stasis (dystocia)
• Look out for pre-ovulatory follicular stasis.
• Investigate potential neoplasms or hemipenal swellings.

Blood Collection

• Perform venipuncture (jugular, caudal/coccygeal, cardiac).
• Utilize appropriate anticoagulants (e.g., heparin for chelonians, EDTA for squamates).
• Conduct necessary hematology (including analysis of leukocytes, heterophils, monocytes, and azurophilia) and biochemistry tests (assessing iCa, TCa, P, TP, Chol, and Trigs).

Radiography (Lizards, Snakes, Chelonians)

• Examine post-ovulatory egg stasis (eggs within oviducts or shell glands).
• Identify pre-ovulatory follicular stasis (unshelled ova in enlarged ovaries).
• In chelonians, identify obviously calcified eggs in the oviduct, bladder, or coelom (which is most common), or pre-ovulatory follicular stasis (which is harder to determine via plain radiography).

Ultrasonography

• Assist in distinguishing soft tissues, and assess egg/fetal development.
• Distinguish healthy from degenerating eggs.
• Identify and stage egg or fetal development.
• Differentiate between live and dead fetuses.

Medical Therapy

• Provide suitable environment, nutrition, and fluid support.
• Check calcium and phosphorus levels, as they should not be routinely administered intravenously.
• Check for egg laying inducers and avoid them if obstructions are suspected.
• Employ appropriate medications for specific conditions.

Bird Reproductive Issues (Excessive Egg Production)

• Chronic egg laying is common in cockatiels.
• A high-quality diet, long photoperiods, and mate interaction are common contributing factors.
• Recognize overly affectionate owners.

Bird Physical Examination (Excessive Egg Production)

• Note poor body condition and a debilitated appearance.
• Check for a soft, doughy feeling in the coelom and potentially present eggs.

Bird Diagnostic Imaging

• Utilize radiography.
• Look out for possible shell eggs.
• Check for hyperostosis.
• Observe if osteoporosis is present.
• Observe increased density in the reproductive tract's coelom region.

Bird Hematology

• Investigate leukocytosis or monocytosis, potential indicators of infection or inflammation.
• Check for anemia of chronic disease.
• Assess for abnormalities in biochemistry (e.g., hyper- or hypocalcemia, hypercholesterolemia).
• Observe for hyperglobulinemia or hypo/hyperalbuminemia.
• Monitor AST and CPK levels.

Bird Treatment (Excessive Egg Production)

• Adjust husbandry and nutrition.
• Control photoperiods to about 8 hours.
• Reformulate feed from seeds to a diet containing formulated ingredients.
• Reduce exposure to mates or owners.
• Remove favorite toys and nest sites.
• Rotate cage furniture and cage locations.
• Avoid removing laid eggs.

Bird Treatment: Medical Control

• Employ hormones like suplorelin (deslorelin) in dosages of 4.7 or 9.4 mg implants to decrease luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, thereby reducing egg production.
• Repeat the procedure seasonally (e.g., February or March in Georgia).

Bird Surgery

• Oophorectomy is a surgical option with a high risk of hemorrhage.
• Salpingohysterectomy can be considered for birds with potentially fatal ailments or high fecundity.
• Surgery should be weighed against the risk of hemorrhage.

Bird Difficulty in Egg Laying

• Lack of nesting sites, unsuitable environment, malnutrition, metabolic disruption, or reproductive disorder are potential causes.
• Repeat egg laying history is a warning sign.

Test your knowledge on the reproductive physiology of reptiles and birds. This quiz explores topics such as temperature-dependent sex determination, common reproductive issues, and surgical interventions in pet birds. Perfect for students of biology and wildlife management.