Uric Acid Ingluviolith in a Budgerigar ().

This clinical report describes an adult, female budgerigar () diagnosed with an ingluviolith. The patient presented for intermittent regurgitation, and a palpable foreign body was present in the crop. Radiographs showed a radiopaque foreign body, and computed tomography showed an approximately 16 × 12 mm (length 3 width) structure in the crop with a soft tissue and focally mineralized center and a 2-3 mm-thick mineral-attenuating shell.

Perforating foreign body in the ventriculus of an umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba).

A 4-year-old male umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba) with a history of ingestion of foreign material from chewing on a household appliance presented for lethargy, inappetance, and regurgitation of 2 days duration. Foreign bodies identified on radiograph included a wire 2 cm in length in the proventriculus, a wire 3 cm in length in the ventriculus, and several pieces of rubber and plastic throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis of a perforating ventricular foreign body was made through plain and contrast radiography.

Excellence in exotics: Practice tip: ferret urinary tract catheterization.

In ferrets, urinary tract catheterization is most often indicated for neutered males with a urethral obstruction. Obstructions are commonly caused by prostatic enlargement secondary to adrenal tumor hormone production or, less commonly, by urolithiasis. A ferret with a urethral obstruction needs immediate intervention to relieve the obstruction.

Excellence in exotics: Case report: urolithiasis in a female Guinea pig.

A 2-year-old, intact female guinea pig presented to the clinic for a history of squealing and straining to urinate for 2 days. The husbandry of this animal was acceptable, and the diet consisted of commercial alfalfa-based guinea pig pellets, alfalfa hay, a variety of vegetables, and a water-soluble vitamin C supplement.

Grooming in pet birds.

Grooming a bird refers to clipping wing feathers, trimming claws (nails), and on occasion, smoothing and trimming the beak. A veterinarian or experienced technician can perform this service on an otherwise healthy bird. Some disease states can result in nail and beak problems; consequently, all birds should be properly examined at regular intervals every 6 to 12 months.

Crop burn in an umbrella cockatoo.

An 18-week-old umbrella cockatoo presented for continuous vocalization and one episode of regurgitation. The bird had been purchased 3 weeks before presentation and was the first large pet bird owned by this family. The cockatoo was fed a commercial baby bird formula that the owners were heating in the microwave before feeding.

Hedgehog care and husbandry.

An understanding of the unique behavior of hedgehogs is discussed,and is instrumental in approaching their nutrition, husbandry, and medical care. Physical examination, sample collection, anesthesia,hospitalization, and common signs of illness are presented.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera): report with public health implications.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from the eyelid, skin, tongue, and lungs of a green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera). Two persons living in the same household were culture positive for pulmonary tuberculosis 3 to 4 years before tuberculosis was diagnosed in the bird. Although humans have not been shown to acquire tuberculosis from birds, an infected bird may be a sentinel for human infection.

Diagnosis and treatment of insulin-secreting pancreatic islet cell tumors in ferrets: 57 cases (1986-1994).

Objective: To evaluate clinical, laboratory, radiographic, ultrasonographic, surgical, and histologic findings in ferrets with insulinoma and to determine their long-term outcome.

Design: Retrospective study.

Animals: 57 ferrets with a histopathologic diagnosis of pancreatic islet cell tumor.

Mycobacterium genavense infections in pet animals.

Mycobacterium genavense, a recently reported cause of a wasting illness in patients with AIDS, was isolated from a cervical lymph mode from a dog with severe hind limb weakness and from trachael tissue from a parrot with acute onset respiratory distress. Physicians caring for immunocompromised patients should consider birds and dogs potential sources of M. genavense infection and submit appropriate specimens for culture.

Identification of cis-acting elements as DNase I hypersensitive sites in lysozyme gene chromatin.

DNase I hypersensitive sites in chromatin of eukaryotic cells mark the positions of multifactorial cis-acting elements. Mapping DH sites by indirect end labeling is a convenient procedure used for identifying regulatory elements within extensive regions of chromatin and for gaining information about their functional specificity as well as their fine structure.

Hedgehogs.

The biology, physiology, husbandry, and handling of the hedgehog are described. Diseases and conditions of practical significance are reviewed.

Chinchillas.

This article reviews the biology, physiology, husbandry, and handling of pet chinchillas. Diseases and conditions of practical clinical significance are presented.

Transfusions in exotic species.

There has been a considerable increase in the popularity of exotic species as pets, particularly, birds and domestic ferrets. Blood transfusions in birds and ferrets are discussed. There is a brief review of hematology, blood collection techniques, the selection and maintenance of donor animals, and the mechanics of transfusion.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma with metastasis in two ferrets.

Exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma with carcinomatosis was diagnosed in 2 ferrets. Clinical signs included abdominal distention and hind limb weakness. Ultrasonography revealed moderate ascites in both ferrets, an irregular abdominal mass in 1 ferret, and multiple abdominal masses in the other ferret.