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common heath FAQ

additional info available to licensed veterinarians only by password, please email debjanedial@gmail.com if you are a veterinarian with a sloth case and need the password. Thanks- Deb 

Choloepus Sloth Digestion
Choloepus Sloth Fat Deposition
Choloepus First-Year
Sloth Vision and Hearing
Sloth Dentition
Choloepus Quick Vet Reference

condition - Choloepus metabolic conditions

symptoms

TREMORS

ataxia

shaking

stiffness

low tone

spasticity 

common client description

"animal is having seizures"

"they can't hold onto or grab perch"

"the sloths front legs aren't working" 

"the animal misses the perch when climbing"

causes

-dietary calcium/phosphorous excess

- renal

- parathyroid or related hormone

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treatments

-immediate diet correction by expert (vet, nutritionist etc)

-carefully monitor labs

-anticonvulsants but unknown how effective

-minimize risk for falls etc while in tx

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diagnostics

traditional causes should not be ignored (trauma, neurologic etc.) but

add to differentials metabolic disease specifically nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism 

-cbc/chem electrolytes

-rads/ultrasounds/advanced imaging

-PTH

-ionized calcium

choloepus medical in care 

Choloepus seem to be sensitive levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. 

condition- renal disease

treatments

-immediate diet correction by expert (vet, nutritionist etc)

-carefully monitor labs, PLEASE GET SDMA

-fluids, supportive care, evaluate cause  

-minimize risk for falls etc while in tx

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signs & symptoms

   metabolic disorder (tremors, ataxia etc)

   weakness

   anorexia

  mineralization

causes​

nutrition- high protein/minerals, cystitis

urolithiasis

 

  

condition- dysbiosis 

signs & symptoms

   poor quality/poor scoring fecal and/or diarrhea

   hyporexia - anorexia

  dehydration

 causes​

- inappropriate diet

- inappropriate temps for digestion

- parasitic, bacterial, viral

- acidosis

- secondary to systemic process

- secondary to antibiotic use

- stress

- gi ulcers

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diagnostics

-labs cbc/chem electrolytes, calcium, PTH 

-fecal

-radiographs, ultrasound, advanced imaging

-detailed husbandry history from client including wild caught vs 

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treatments

e-tube placement for severely compromised animals, animals with diarrhea must receive aggressive supportive care

transfaunation

hydration

corrective measure if husbandry related (nutrition/temp)

treatments for parasitic etc if found on diagnostics

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diagnostics

-bloodwork including pth/calcium BUN/CREATINE CAN APPEAR NORMAL UNTIL

DISEASE IS ADVANCED. PLEASE GET SDMA & REPORT #'s to SOS W/ LABS 

TO HELP DEFINE IF THIS IS APPROPRIATE FOR EARLY DETECTION 

-urinalysis, cystocentesis, clean free catch urine

-radiographs

-advanced imaging for mineralization/stones/kidney condition

-cbc/chem electrolytes

-ultrasounds

-detailed husbandry history from client, including wild caught or captive born

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