Reptile and Amphibian Gastroenterology.

Reptile and amphibian veterinarians are frequently presented with patients exhibiting clinical signs suggestive of gastrointestinal (GI) disease. Understanding the normal structure and function of the GI tract is essential to aid appropriate diagnosis. This article will concentrate on the approach to a patient with GI signs and the problems affecting the GI tract from the esophagus to the colon.

Conformation-associated health in pet rabbits in the UK: A VetCompass cohort study.

Background: Domestic rabbit breeds vary substantially from the wild rabbit body type. However, little is known about how the conformation of pet rabbits influences their health.

Methods: Data were extracted from VetCompass anonymised clinical records of rabbits under UK primary veterinary care during 2019.

Dental disease in companion rabbits under UK primary veterinary care: Frequency and risk factors.

Background: Some prior evidence has suggested that lop-eared rabbits and those with brachycephalic skull conformations have a higher dental disease risk. This retrospective cohort study reports the frequency and conformational risk factors for primary-care veterinary diagnosis with dental disease in companion rabbits in the UK.

Methods: Anonymised VetCompass clinical records were manually reviewed to confirm dental disease cases.

Preliminary investigation into the housing of dwarf hamsters.

Background: Although pet hamsters are widely available, the literature on their husbandry and health is limited, and guidelines for the care of hamsters are variable. This study investigated housing in different dwarf hamster species, focusing on factors affecting co-housing failure.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey shared on social media investigated potential factors influencing co-housing failure of dwarf hamsters in captivity, such as sex, species and resources provided.

Hacking techniques improve health and nutritional status of nestling White-tailed Eagles.

Birds of prey frequently feature in reintroductions and the hacking technique is typically used. Hacking involves removing large nestlings from donor populations, transferring them to captivity, feeding them ad libitum. Potentially, via the hacking method, the stress of captivity and disruption of parental feeding may be detrimental.

Retrospective study identifying risk factors for dacryocystitis in pet rabbits.

Background: Dacryocystitis has been suggested to be a relatively common condition in pet rabbits and is often associated with concurrent disease. The aim of this study was to investigate potential risk factors associated with dacryocystitis in a pet rabbit population.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from all rabbit cases evaluated at a single first opinion/referral UK exotics clinic between 2015 and 2018 was performed.

Effect of theatre temperature on body temperature during anaesthesia for routine neutering of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Objective: To investigate the effect of theatre temperature on body temperature in rabbits undergoing castration or ovariohysterectomy surgery during general anaesthesia.

Study Design: Prospective, clinical study.

Animals: A group of 88 rabbits presented for elective neutering.

Risk factors influencing brumation success in captive tortoises in the United Kingdom.

Background: This survey of tortoise owners was performed to investigate the factors contributing to morbidity and mortality during and post-brumation in captive Testudo species in the United Kingdom.

Methods: Information regarding a total of 270 tortoises was included in the study, from 252 completed surveys. Binary logistic regression and multivariate modelling were used to evaluate the potential predictors associated with brumation mortality and those associated with post-brumation problems.

Anaplastic Sarcoma and Sertoli Cell Tumor in a Central Bearded Dragon ().

A five-year-old male central bearded dragon () was presented for investigation of blood in the voided urates. A small cutaneous mass was detected in the gular region, but clinical examination was otherwise unremarkable. Fecal parasitology was negative.

INFECTIONS IN PRIMATES, ARTIODACTYLS, AND BIRDS WITHIN A ZOOLOGICAL FACILITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

Infection with can be difficult to diagnose and treat successfully. Twenty-four cases from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo were identified between 2001 and 2019. Husbandry, medical, and postmortem records for six primates, 10 artiodactyls, and eight birds were reviewed to identify common clinical signs and gross lesions.

Morbidity and mortality of domestic rabbits () under primary veterinary care in England.

Background: The domestic rabbit is a common pet species, but limited research exists on the health of pet rabbits. This study aimed to characterise common disorders of pet rabbits and reasons for mortality as recorded by veterinary practices in England.

Methods: This cross-sectional study covered anonymised clinical records of 6349 rabbits attending 107 primary veterinary care clinics.

Odontoameloblastoma with extensive chondroid matrix deposition in a guinea pig.

Odontoameloblastomas (previously incorporated within ameloblastic odontomas) are matrix-producing odontogenic mixed tumors and are closely related in histologic appearance to the 2 other types of matrix-producing odontogenic mixed tumors: odontomas and ameloblastic fibro-odontomas. The presence or absence of intralesional, induced non-neoplastic tissue must be accounted for in the diagnosis. Herein we describe a naturally occurring odontoameloblastoma with extensive chondroid cementum deposition in a guinea pig ( Cavia porcellus).

Development of a body condition score for the mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax).

The Critically Endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) has undergone drastic population decline due to habitat loss, hunting, invasive species, and chytridiomycosis. In response, several partner institutions initiated a conservation breeding program. It is important to maintain the captive population in good health.

Rabbits with naturally occurring cataracts referred for phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation: a preliminary study of 12 cases.

Objective: To describe the presentation of 15 rabbits with naturally occurring cataracts referred for phacoemulsification surgery, the procedure in 13 cases and the follow-up in 12.

Animals Included: Fifteen rabbits (30 eyes), nine of which stopped following visual cues in association with cataract progression.

Materials And Methods: Rabbits underwent preoperative ophthalmic and ocular ultrasound examination.

Surgical treatment of a paraspinal abscess with osteomyelitis and spinal cord compression in a rabbit.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 16-month-old neutered male Continental Giant rabbit (Lepus curpaeums) was referred for evaluation of a 7-day history of acute-onset, progressive, symmetric paraparesis. CLINICAL FINDINGS On initial examination, the rabbit was nonambulatory, and results of neurologic examination were consistent with a lesion affecting the T3-L3 spinal cord segments. Thoracic radiography showed irregular widening of the left T11-12 articular process joint.

Anatomy and Disorders of the Oral Cavity of Reptiles and Amphibians.

A wide variety of disorders may be seen affecting the reptile and amphibian oral cavity. Owners can easily miss problems until they are at an advanced stage because of the difficulty of examining the oral cavity at home. Because many problems are secondary to an inappropriate environment or diet and may be related to systemic disease, a full history and clinical examination is always required.

Computed tomography of ball pythons (Python regius) in curled recumbency.

Anesthesia and tube restraint methods are often required for computed tomography (CT) of snakes due to their natural tendency to curl up. However, these restraint methods may cause animal stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether the CT appearance of the lungs differs for ball pythons in a curled position vs.

Aneurysmal bone cyst on the carpus of an African collared dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea).

An adult female African collared dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea) was presented for examination of a mass on the medial surface of the left wing. The mass had been present for 2 months but had grown rapidly over the previous 2 weeks. One week after presentation, the mass was surgically excised and the involved alular bone was removed.