Fish Gastroenterology.

Fish represent the most common companion exotic animal in the United States and Canada in number of individuals and hold the third place after dogs and cats in terms of the number of households. Beyond companion animals, fish gastrointestinal diseases are particularly relevant for the aquaculture industry as feeding represents about 50% to 70% of the costs associated with fish production. Thus, nutrient malabsorption may have dramatic consequences both for the fish health and body condition score, but also for farmers.

Use of a shuttle box model to assess the behavioral and analgesic effects of opioid injections in goldfish (Carassius auratus).

Objective: To evaluate if opioid-induced behavioral effects, such as sedation, can be detected using a shuttle box experimental apparatus and whether thermal preference following noxious stimulation using mustard oil is reversed by morphine administration in fish.

Methods: 5 goldfish (Carassius auratus) underwent 2 randomized blinded experimental trials, with a crossover study design. First, opioid effects were tested in a shuttle box without painful stimulus.

EVALUATION OF MORTALITY CAUSES AND PREVALENCE OF RENAL LESIONS IN ZOO-HOUSED CHAMELEONS: 2011-2022.

Of the 202 species of Chamaeleonidae, 38.6% are globally threatened. Currently, nearly a thousand individual chameleons from 36 different species are kept in zoological institutions worldwide.

Legislative Differences Governing Exotic Animal Practice.

Laws regulating exotic animal ownership vary throughout the world. While some differences regarding the legal status and use of exotic companion animals are associated with cultural differences and public perception, some differences may result in different outcome, which could be of interest for other parts of the world. This article provides a general overview of relevant laws pertaining to exotic companion animals in certain developed countries.

OCCURRENCE OF GERM CELL NEOPLASIA IN MALE STRIPED BASS () UNDER HUMAN CARE IN A PUBLIC AQUARIUM: SURGICAL TREATMENT AND OUTCOME.

The striped bass () has been a fish species of special concern in Canada since its marked decline in the early 21st century in the St. Lawrence River. Individuals kept in public aquaria contribute to public education and could support conservation efforts through research.

Early decrease of ionized calcium and static symmetric dimethylarginine concentration in a model of renal tubular necrosis in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus).

Objective: To determine if plasma concentrations of symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), GGT, ALT, AST, lactate, total calcium, and ionized calcium (iCa) and the calcium:phosphorus ratio are clinically relevant biomarkers to detect early stages of tubular lesions in snakes.

Animals: 6 adult corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus).

Methods: Corn snakes were administered 11 injections of gentamicin at 50 mg/kg, SC, q 24 h in an experimental model of induced tubular necrosis.

A Post-Operative Follow-Up of an Endangered Saltwater Fish Lensectomy for Cataract Management in a Public Aquarium: A Case Series.

Mature cataracts can be a life-threatening condition in fish as it may result in anorexia. Lens extraction has been previously described in fish, but the long-term outcome of this procedure has not been evaluated. Eleven captive-bred adult fish housed in a public aquarium presented with unilateral ( = 3/11) or bilateral ( = 8/11) mature cataracts.

Determination of Coagulation Parameters by Whole Blood Dynamic Viscoelastic Coagulometry in Strigiformes.

No reference values are available in Strigiformes to evaluate blood coagulation using dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry (DVC) with the Sonoclot (Sienco, Boulder, CO, USA) analyzer. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the feasibility of DVC in Strigiformes, 2) to calculate the index of individuality of each coagulation parameter, and 3) to assess interspecies variability and establish reference intervals, if relevant, based on the index of individuality. Fresh whole blood samples were obtained from healthy Strigiformes, including 13 barred owls (), 10 great horned owls (), 6 snowy owls (), and 7 eastern screech owls (), and analyzed with DVC with glass bead (gb) and kaolin clay (k) coagulation activators.

MANAGEMENT OF SUSPECTED DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY WITH PIMOBENDAN IN TWO LEOPARD SHARKS ().

Two adult male leopard sharks () under managed care were diagnosed with suspected dilated cardiomyopathy. Clinical signs included lethargy, inappetence, and regurgitation. On cardiac ultrasound, fractional shortening was 14% and 10%, respectively (versus 21%-31% in four healthy conspecifics).

SEROLOGIC RESPONSE AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF RECOMBINANT CANINE DISTEMPER VACCINATION IN THREE AQUARIUM-HOUSED WALRUSES ().

Fatalities have been associated with phocine and canine distemper viruses in marine mammals, including pinnipeds. No data are available regarding distemper disease or vaccination in walruses. This study evaluates seroconversion and clinical adverse effects following administration of a canarypox-vectored recombinant distemper vaccination (two 1-ml doses, 3 wk apart) in three adult aquarium-housed walruses.

Establishment of preliminary reference intervals and cytochemical staining of blood cells in big-bellied seahorses (Hippocampus abdominalis).

Background: Despite their popularity, hematology reference intervals (RIs) have not been established in big-bellied seahorses (Hippocampus abdominalis).

Objective: The objectives of this study were to establish hematologic RIs to compare values between sex in regard to cytochemical staining of blood cells. We also sought to compare white blood cell concentrations using the Natt and Herrick technique vs blood smear estimates.

Outcomes of Birds of Prey with Surgical or Traumatic Wing Amputation: A Retrospective Study from 1995 to 2017.

Surgical amputation of a limb is often required to treat raptor orthopedic injuries at rehabilitation centers. In some cases, amputation is an alternative to euthanasia if the bird's welfare is deemed appropriate under human care. The outcome for raptors maintained in a captive setting following wing amputation is poorly documented.

Risk Factors and Prognosis for Humeral Fractures in Birds of Prey: A Retrospective Study of 461 Cases from 2000 to 2015.

The objectives of this retrospective study were 1) to characterize humeral fractures in raptors at a rehabilitation program, 2) to determine risk factors for closed and compound humeral fractures in the raptors, and 3) to investigate prognostic factors for humeral fractures in raptors. Of the 6017 birds of prey admitted over 15 years to the Université de Montréal raptor rehabilitation program, 461 birds presented with a humeral fracture. The highest occurrences of humeral fractures were documented in short-eared owls (33%; ), Northern hawk-owls (24%; ), long-eared owls (20%; ), and Northern harriers (19%; ).

Evaluation of prolonged immersion in tricaine methanesulfonate for juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus) euthanasia.

Objective: Doses of buffered tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) up to 1000 mg/L for 15 minutes are reported inefficient to produce euthanasia in goldfish. The goal of this study was to determine if goldfish can be euthanized by more prolonged immersion in MS-222.

Animals: 24 healthy goldfish (weight range: 1 to 10 g) were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 6 fish.

Fish Sedation and Anesthesia.

Veterinarians often need to sedate or anesthetize fish to perform physical examinations or other diagnostic procedures. Sedation may also be required to transport fish. Painful procedures require complete anesthesia with appropriate antinociceptive agents.

USE OF SYMMETRIC DIMETHYLARGININE TO DETECT RENAL LESIONS IN FISH: A PRELIMINARY STUDY IN BROOK TROUT ().

Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is an early marker for renal lesions in mammals. The objectives of this study were 1) to establish a reference interval of SDMA in healthy brook trout, (Mitchill, 1814), and 2) to assess its sensibility as a marker of renal pathology. Plasma SDMA was quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in 25 adult brook trout, including 20 fish displaying no renal histologic lesions, and five fish displaying chronic nonactive microscopic granulomas.

Development and Testing of a Sedation Scale for Use in Rabbits ().

In biomedical research, rabbits are commonly sedated to facilitate a variety of procedures. Developing a sedation assessment scale enables standardization of levels of sedation and comparisons of sedation protocols, and may help in predicting sedation level requirements for different procedures. The goal of this study was to develop a rabbit sedation assessment scale using a psychometric approach.

PHARMACOKINETIC, PHARMACODYNAMIC, AND TOXICOLOGY STUDY OF ROBENACOXIB IN RAINBOW TROUT ().

Postoperative antinociception control in fish is currently suboptimal, as commonly used antiinflammatory drugs last for only a few hours at tested temperatures. Therefore, long-acting anti-inflammatory drugs, such as robenacoxib, could improve the welfare of fish. The pharmacokinetics, duration of antinociceptive action, and potential adverse effects of robenacoxib were evaluated through two prospective randomized blinded trials in rainbow trout ().

Effect of ultraviolet radiation on vertebrate animals: update from ethological and medical perspectives.

Many animals under human care are kept indoors to prevent infectious diseases vectored by wildlife, facilitate environment control, or due to the lifestyle of their owners. However, ultraviolet radiation has documented effects on animal vision, vitamin synthesis, immunity, behavior, psychogenic disorders and on their environment. Ultraviolet-emitting lights are commercially available and the documentation of their effect on indoor-housed animals is increasing.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC FACTORS INFLUENCING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IN BROOK TROUT ().

Reference intervals of intraocular pressure (IOP) are poorly described in piscine species as the factors that may influence it. Rebound tonometry was used to measure IOP in 28 adult brook trout () anesthetized in a buffered solution of 60 mg/L tricaine methanesulfonate ( = 16) or restrained with electronarcosis ( = 12) at 16 mA. There was no significant effect of the eye side, sex, fish origin, and body weight, but IOP values were significantly higher with electronarcosis (mean ± SD: 16.

A CLUSTER OF CASES OF THYROID HYPERPLASIA IN AQUARIUM-HOUSED TROPICAL MARINE TELEOSTS FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF SALT MIX BRAND.

Follicular thyroid hyperplasia was diagnosed in nine out of 32 (28%) marine tropical teleosts housed in a public aquarium over a 9.5-mo period. These proliferative lesions were considered to be the cause of death in five of these fish.

Altered prolactin and androgen receptors expression in companion rat benign mammary tumours.

Benign mammary tumours are among the most common tumours of companion rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica), as well as a major animal welfare concern and euthanasia. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of oestrogen, progesterone, androgen, and prolactin receptors in neoplastic and normal mammary gland tissues and compare the expression of these receptors between groups. The second objective was to determine if the expression of these receptors in neoplastic mammary gland tissue correlates with overall survival and occurrence of an additional mass after initial mammary mass excision.

Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors and Self-Mutilations in Small Mammals.

Self-mutilation and abnormal repetitive behaviors in small mammals are challenging conditions for veterinary practitioners. The etiology may be difficult to identify, and the treatment is often unrewarding unless the specific underlying cause can be found. Reinforcement of the abnormal behavior may also complicate the treatment.

Clinical Reptile Behavior.

Reptile behavior varies widely among the approximately 11,000 species of this class. The authors' objective is to allow practitioners to discriminate between normal and abnormal behaviors in reptiles. Some of the most common reasons for presentation of behavioral issues are discussed, including hyperactivity, self-mutilation, biting, repetitive behaviors, and postural abnormalities.