of non‐regenerative anemia, when working with small patients, or if the underlying etiology is not being treated.
If the underlying cause of anemia is properly diagnosed and can be effectively treated, prognosis is good.
COMMENTS
N/A
ZOONOTIC POTENTIAL
N/A
SYNONYMS
Inadaptation syndrome
Maladaptation syndrome
ABBREVIATIONS
EDTA = ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
IM = intramuscular
MCH = mean corpuscular hemoglobin
MCHC = mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
MCV = mean corpuscular volume
PCV = packed cell volume
SC = subcutaneous
INTERNET RESOURCES
Cital S. Exotic animal blood transfusions: An overview. VetBloom http://blog.vetbloom.com/exotics/exotic‐animal‐blood‐transfusions‐an‐overview
Martínez‐Silvestre A. How I treat anemia in reptiles. Southern European Veterinary Congress Annual Conference, Barcelona, October 19, 2013. www.ivis.org/library/sevc/sevc‐annual‐conference‐barcelona‐2013/how‐i‐treat‐anemia‐reptiles
Suggested Reading
1 Boyer TH. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a parson’s chameleon, Calumna parsonii parsonii. Proc ARAV 2002; 9:81–84.
2 Saggese MD. Clinical approach to the anemic reptile. J Exot Pet Med 2009; 18(2):98–111.
3 Wu C, Chie CHH. Case study: successful treatment of acute anaemia with whole blood transfusion and supportive care in two turtles. Proc UPAV/AAVAC/ARA 2014:13–20.
Author Albert Martínez‐Silvestre, DVM, MSc, PhD, DECZM (Herpetology), EBVS European Veterinary Specialist in Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, Acred. AVEPA (Exotic Animals)
Anorexia
DEFINITION/OVERVIEW
Anorexia is the lack of appetite or intake of food, and does not define an underlying cause. Many pathological and even physiological conditions can result in decreased food intake. Anorexia is distinct from decreased appetite, which is also known as hypophagia.
ETIOLOGY/PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Anorexia may be a normal physiologic/behavioral occurrence during certain times of the year (e.g., brumation, estivation, reproductive season).
Pathologic causes of anorexia may stem from either GI or extra‐GI disease (e.g., any painful condition or systemic illness).
Improper husbandry, and offering the wrong type and size of food, may also lead to anorexia.
Anorexia may often result in dehydration, as many reptile’s primary fluid intake is through food items.
Prolonged anorexia may lead to hepatic lipidosis, which may result in nausea, leading to continued lack of food intake.
Nutritional imbalances and metabolic derangements can occur with chronic anorexia and cachexia may ensue.
Primarily, the gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems are affected with anorexia.
Animals that are not consuming food for prolonged periods of time may not defecate significant amounts.
As the body begins to break down adipose tissue stores and muscle, bony prominences become more obvious as body condition decreases.
SIGNALMENT/HISTORY
Anorexia has no age or sex predilection.
It is important to differentiate physiologic/behavioral anorexia from that caused by an underlying pathology or disease process.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION
An isolated incident or occasional episodes of anorexia in otherwise healthy animals may be inconsequential, especially in animals presenting in good body condition.
Decreased food intake over an extended period.
Clients may report repeated attempts at feeding.
Clinical signs of chronic anorexia include a decreased body condition score with prominent bony protuberances, dehydration, and muscle wasting.
RISK FACTORS
Any disease process could result in anorexia.
Different types of stress may also result in decreased food intake.
Husbandry
Adjusting to captivity—often seen in newly acquired animals. A period of time for acclimation may be necessary before an animal feels secure enough to start eating on its own.
Improper husbandry—inappropriate environmental temperature or humidity, inappropriate food items (type and/or size), malnutrition, inadequate exposure to UVB lighting, poor water quality, overcrowding, rapid change of diet, lack of provision of hiding areas.
Stress—social or environmental.
Others
Physiologic
Cardiovascular
