Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine最新文献

Background

Emydomyces testavorans is an emerging fungus associated with shell lesions in aquatic chelonians. At this time, reporting has focused on species of conservation concern including the northwestern pond turtle (Actinomyces marmorata) and aquatic chelonians in conservation programs or managed collections, however, little attention has been focused on the occurrence of E. testavorans infection in companion chelonians.

Methods

Swabs of the plastron and carapace of client owned companion chelonians (n = 64) presenting to a teaching hospital were collected and assayed for E. testavorans via qPCR. Categorical information including signalment, and the presence or absence of clinical shell and cutaneous lesions was collected.

Results

Three of 64 (4.7%, 95% confidence interval 1.6%–12.9%) companion chelonians had positive ET qPCR results with quantities of 150.93, 372.30 and 11,469 target copies per reaction. The 3 positive shell swabs were all from red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). One of the 3 positive chelonians had grossly apparent shell lesions, while the others did not.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

E. testavorans DNA is detectable in companion chelonians both with and without externally appreciable shell lesions. Veterinarians working with aquatic companion chelonians, particularly red-eared sliders, should be aware of this important differential and consider diagnostic testing for E. testavorans in suspicious cases.

Diagnosis of chronic kidney disease can be challenging in ferrets. Physiological creatinine values are lower than in dogs and cats and marked elevations may only be detected in advanced disease. In canine and feline patients, specific staging, and treatment guidelines are available, based on serum creatinine, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) levels, presence of proteinuria, and blood pressure measurement. No such guidelines exist for ferrets, and there is a lack of data concerning certain laboratory parameters. Blood and urine samples were taken from 60 clinically healthy pet ferrets to establish species-specific reference intervals for serum SDMA and urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPC ratio). Liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was used for determination of serum SDMA, a colorimetric spectrophotometric method for urinary protein and an enzymatic method for urine creatinine. The calculated reference interval for serum SDMA (2.78–7.66 µg/dL) was found to be lower than in dogs and cats, while the UPC ratio is similar to dogs (<0.5).

A scoping search of the literature review found 30 clinical or clinical research articles on spontaneous mammary neoplasms in guinea pigs between 1908 and 2023. Despite the many reports, only 4 described tumor biological behavior and/or the presence of metastases. This retrospective study collected data on the tumors found in guinea pigs' mammary/inguinal regions. Both mammary and mesenchymal (lipomatous) neoplasms were seen. Survival time after diagnosis of a neoplasm was evaluated. For mammary neoplasms, risk factors, such as age and sex, and prognostic factors, such as neoplasm malignancy and the effect of surgery on survival, were investigated. Medical records of guinea pigs with mammary/inguinal neoplasms between 2006 and 2022 from 3 Parisian veterinary referral hospitals and 1 French diagnostic pathology laboratory were reviewed. Eighty-five (77%) guinea pigs had mammary neoplasms, and 25 (23%) had lipomatous neoplasms. A logistic regression model highlighted that males have significantly increased odds of malignant mammary neoplasms than females, while females (85%) are often found to have benign mammary neoplasms. Malignancy was significantly associated with aging. Older animals had greater odds of having malignant neoplasms than young animals. The mean age at diagnosis for mammary/inguinal lipomas was 3.0 years, while a benign mammary neoplasm was 3.1 years, and a malignant mammary neoplasm was 4.2 years. The survival prognosis was not influenced by the histopathological diagnosis of malignant versus benign neoplasm or the surgical technique (mastectomy vs lumpectomy) to treat the mammary neoplasm. The median survival time after diagnosis of a mammary neoplasm was 1.2 years, and for an inguinal lipoma was 3.0 years. Twenty-three percent of neoplasms in the mammary/inguinal region are lipomatous. Male guinea pigs usually have a malignant mammary neoplasm, while females mostly have a benign one. Malignancy is typically seen in older animals. In this dataset, survival time was unaffected by malignant versus benign neoplasm diagnosis or surgical treatment. The survival analysis results should be considered with caution in light of the small sample size.

Background

The diagnosis and surgical treatment of migrating foreign bodies in the central nervous system has previously been reported in dogs and cats. A clinical presentation of this disease process in a rabbit has not been previously described in the veterinary literature.

Case description

A 1.5-year-old, male castrated, mixed breed rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented for hyporexia, lethargy, and reluctance to move. Survey radiographs revealed a linear, metal opaque structure extending from the caudal oral cavity, through the spinal canal, to the caudodorsal soft tissues of cervical vertebra 1 (C1). The top differential, due to the shape and size of the object, was a sewing needle, which was supported using computed tomography. Fluoroscopy was used to triangulate the location of the metal object. Once located, it was extracted through a 2 cm dorsolateral incision near C1, and confirmed to be a standard sewing needle. Four hours after recovery from anesthesia, the rabbit was semi-comatose. The modified Glasgow coma scale score (MGCS; 12/18), mentation, and physical examination parameters prompted administration of mannitol, and mentation and MGCS (14/18) subsequently improved. The rabbit was discharged 3 days later with bright and alert mentation, appropriate ambulatory abilities, and minor neurologic abnormalities.

Conclusions and case relevance

This is the first documented case of successful diagnosis, surgical removal, and medical treatment of an ingested foreign metal object penetrating the spinal cord in a pet rabbit. It is also the first documented report of mannitol use in a non-anesthetized pet rabbit whose traumatic central nervous system injury was not experimentally induced.

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vertebral formulae and congenital vertebral anomalies in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).

Methods

Sixty-five African pygmy hedgehogs (APHs) of both sexes were used in this retrospective study. Assessment of whole-body radiographs was done.

Results

Five different vertebral formulae were recognized with C7/Th14/L6/S4/Cd8-12 (46.15% of APHs) being the most common. Other detected formulae were C7/Th14/L6/S3/Cd10-11 (7.69% of APHs), C7/Th14/L5/S4/Cd9-11 (13.85% of APHs), C7/Th15/L5/S4/Cd9-12 (13.85% of APHs), C7/Th13/L6/S4/Cd10 (1.54% of APHs). Presacral formula C7/Th14/L6 was the most common, detected in 53.85% of APHs. Congenital vertebral anomalies were detected in 11/65 (16.92%) APHs. Most of them were localized in the thoracolumbar junction in the form of a transitional vertebra (10/65; 15.38% of APHs) and one block vertebra was detected (1/65; 1.54% of APHs). No significant association with gender was detected.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

This study establishes the most common vertebral formula and incidence of vertebral anomalies in A. albiventris.

Background

Seminal vesiculitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the seminal vesicles. It has been reported in stallions, bulls, rams, boars, rabbits, mice, and rats but has not been reported in golden hamsters.

Methods

Golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) with seminal vesiculitis diagnosed by histopathologic examination in a private animal hospital between February and December 2022 were eligible for inclusion.

Results

Two golden hamsters were included in the study. Both patients presented with lethargy and hematuria. Ultrasonographic examination of the seminal vesicles showed less distinct lobulation, wall thickening, and hyperechoic fluid in 1 case. One patient was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The hamster died 11 days after presentation. The other patient was treated with a seminal vesiculectomy and was euthanized 66 days after surgery due to congestive heart failure and a left atrial mass. Histopathologic examination of seminal vesicles from both patients showed dilation, transmural necrosis, and inflammation.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Seminal vesiculitis should be considered as a differential in male golden hamsters with hematuria. In the cases presented here, ultrasonography was useful to formulate a diagnostic suspicion. Treatment options require further investigation.