An avian Modified Glasgow Coma Scale as a prognostic indicator in raptors with head trauma.

Objective: To develop a Modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) for use in raptors presenting with head trauma and assess the agreement of the MGCS scores between examiners with varying backgrounds, and to assess the prognostic value of the avian MGCS in raptors with head trauma.

Animals: 156 native raptorial species.

Methods: All raptors received an MGCS assessment within 8 hours of their presentation, between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019.

PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS FOR SURVIVAL OF ORPHANED EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS ().

The eastern grey squirrel (EGS), , is a tree squirrel native to the eastern United States. This species commonly presents to wildlife medical clinics for a variety of human-related injuries including confrontations with road traffic and pet predation. The purpose of this study was to assess initial examination findings as prognostic indicators for survival in EGS.

PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS FOR SURVIVAL OF ORPHANED NEONATAL AND JUVENILE EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBITS (): 1,256 CASES (2012-17).

Orphaned eastern cottontail rabbits (ECRs; ) often present to wildlife clinics within their geographic range and require considerable dedication of time and resources. The objective of this analytical cross-sectional study was to assess initial examination findings to be used as prognostic indicators for orphaned neonatal and juvenile ECRs. The medical records of the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic were searched for ECRs presenting between 2012 and 2018.

Effects of Isoflurane Anesthesia on the Hematologic Values of Rehabilitated Wild Owls.

Isoflurane anesthesia is commonly used for owls when they are being rehabilitated to minimize stress during treatments and procedures, as well as to ensure caretaker safety. However, the effects of isoflurane anesthesia on the hematologic response of owls are not known. To investigate the effects of isoflurane anesthesia on the hematology of owls, 3 phases of investigation were performed on the subject animals: 1) single, short manual- versus single, short isoflurane-restraint episodes (n = 12; 38%); 2) a single, prolonged isoflurane episode (n = 10; 31%); and 3) serial, short isoflurane episodes (n = 10; 31%).

Computed tomographic study of safe implantation corridors in rabbit lumbar vertebrae.

Objectives: A study was performed to evaluate the lumbar vertebrae of domestic rabbits using computed tomography (CT) in order to identify safe corridors for implant insertion.

Methods: Computed tomography imaging of 20 adult New Zealand white rabbits was evaluated using three-dimensional multiplanar reconstruction, and safe corridors were determined. Following corridor determination, implant placement was performed, and imaging was repeated.

Cutaneous Hemangiosarcoma in a Pacific Parrotlet (Forpus coelestis).

A 2-month-old Pacific parrotlet (Forpus coelestis) was presented for assessment following a traumatic injury to the right wing that resulted in persistent swelling and inflammation. Six weeks postinjury the bird underwent surgical resection of a large hemorrhagic cavitated mass that had formed at the site of the original injury and a second, smaller mass on the body in direct contact with the wing mass. Histopathology of the wing mass confirmed a diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma.

Infiltrative Spinal Lipoma in a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis).

An adult Canada goose ( Branta canadensis ) was presented unable to walk. On physical examination, conscious proprioception was absent in both legs, and motor function was decreased. The bird did not improve with supportive care and was euthanatized and submitted for postmortem examination.

Measuring the Level of Agreement Between Cloacal Gram's Stains and Bacterial Cultures in Hispaniolan Amazon Parrots ( Amazona ventralis ).

Cloacal or fecal Gram's stains and bacterial cultures are routinely performed during avian physical examinations to assess the microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract. Although cloacal or fecal Gram's stains and bacterial cultures are considered routine diagnostic procedures, the level of agreement between the individual tests has not been determined. To investigate the level of agreement between results from Gram's stain and bacterial culture when used to assess cloacal or fecal samples from psittacine birds, samples were taken from 21 clinically healthy Hispaniolan Amazon parrots ( Amazona ventralis ) and tested by Gram's stain cytology and bacterial culture.

Effects of ultraviolet radiation produced from artificial lights on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in captive domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi).

Objective: To determine the effects of UVB radiation produced by artificial lights on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi).

Animals: 9 juvenile domestic rabbits.

Procedures: After an acclimation period, rabbits were anesthetized with isoflurane, and an initial blood sample was collected for determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration.

Advancement flap as a novel treatment for a pododermatitis lesion in a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

Pododermatitis is a pathologic condition commonly reported in captive raptors and characterized by swelling, excoriation, ulceration, cellulitis, or abscessation of the plantar aspect of the foot. Its cause can be multifactorial, often involving abnormal weight bearing or poor sanitation, and medical and surgical techniques, in addition to environmental alterations, are hallmarks of treatment. In this case, a single pedicle advancement flap was used to treat chronic, nonresponsive grade V/VII pododermatitis of the right metatarsal pad in a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

Antemortem diagnosis and successful management of noncompressive segmental myelopathy in a Siberian-Bengal mixed breed tiger.

A 10-yr-old female spayed mixed breed tiger presented for a 9-day history of acute and nonprogressive paralysis of the pelvic limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion suggestive of fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy with regional spinal cord edema, decreased disk signal intensity at L2-L3, and mild intervertebral disk protrusion at L1-L2 and L2-L3. Cerebral spinal fluid analysis showed no overt evidence of infection or neoplasia.

Cutaneous mast cell tumor and mastocytosis in a black-masked lovebird (Agapornis personata).

A 12-year-old female black-masked lovebird (Agapornis personata) with a cobalt color mutation was presented for self-mutilation of a mass located on the right lateral neck. Cytologic evaluation of the soft tissue mass revealed a predominance of poorly stained mast cells with metachromatic intracytoplasmic granules. The presumptive diagnosis was cutaneous mast cell tumor.

Evaluation of two point-of-care meters and a portable chemistry analyzer for measurement of blood glucose concentrations in juvenile white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Objective: To evaluate agreement of blood glucose concentrations measured in juvenile white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by use of 2 point-of-care (POC) blood glucose meters and 1 portable chemistry analyzer with values obtained in serum by use of a standard laboratory chemistry analyzer, and to evaluate agreement between results obtained with the 2 POC meters.

Design: Prospective evaluation study.

Sample: 14 venous blood samples from 14 healthy white-tailed deer fawns.

Successful management of simple fractures of the femoral neck with femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty in two free-living avian species.

A red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and a Canada goose (Branta canadensis) were evaluated for unilateral pelvic limb lameness. Physical examination findings and results of diagnostic imaging revealed femoral neck fractures in both birds. Both birds were treated with a femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty.

Clinical utility of a complete diagnostic protocol for the ocular evaluation of free-living raptors.

Objective:   To describe a protocol for the examination of free-living raptors and report the ophthalmic examination findings of seven raptor species native to central Illinois, namely the barred owl, Cooper's hawk, eastern screech owl, great horned owl, American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, and turkey vulture and to determine if the findings relative to visual prognosis affected eligibility for future release.

Animals Studied:   Seventy-nine free-living raptors.

Procedures:   Under manual restraint, complete ophthalmic examination including slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect funduscopy, applanation tonometry, rebound tonometry, ocular morphometrics, B-mode ultrasound, and electroretinography (ERG) were performed on each bird.

Public health concerns associated with care of free-living birds.

Free-living birds are not only susceptible to certain infectious diseases; wild bird populations serve as reservoirs of several important diseases of public health concern. Bacterial and viral diseases endemic in populations of free-living birds such as tuberculosis, avian influenza, arboviral infections, and enteropathogens have been classified as emerging or reemerging. Providing care to wild avian patients increases the opportunity for direct contact with infected birds and the possibility of transmission of infectious disease to human handlers.

Total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy for treatment of otitis externa and media in a rabbit.

Case Description: A 7-year-old spayed female Miniature Rex European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was evaluated because of scratching at the right ear. Physical examination revealed purulent exudate in the right ear canal.

Clinical Findings: Microbial culture of the exudate yielded Pseudomonas aeruginosa susceptible to marbofloxacin; however, the infection was refractory to appropriate medical treatment.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia in a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus).

A free-ranging adult female great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) was presented to the Wildlife Medical Clinic at the University of Illinois after being observed with anorexia and decreased activity. A severe leukocytosis (212 400 cells/microl), primarily comprised of mature heterophils, was found at presentation. Results of various diagnostic tests including radiographs, Chlamydophila serologic testing, measurement of Aspergillus antibody and antigen titers, plasma protein electrophoresis, fecal culture and acid-fast staining, coelioscopy, endoscopy, tracheoscopy, exploratory coelomotomy, nuclear scintigraphy, tissue cultures, bone marrow biopsy, and histopathology revealed no underlying cause for the persistent leukocytosis.

Prevalence and antibiotic-resistance characteristics of Enterococcus spp. Isolated from free-living and captive raptors in Central Illinois.

Due to their predatory nature, raptor species may serve as important indicators of environmental contamination with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Raptors prey on small rodents and birds that have diverse habitat ranges, including urban and rural environments, and their intestinal microflora can reflect that of the animals on which they feed. Enterococcus spp.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of a geographically and temporally matched set of Candida albicans isolates from humans and nonmigratory wildlife in central Illinois.

This study explored whether wildlife species serve as the reservoir for human Candida albicans strains in a given geographic area. C. albicans isolates were collected from nonmigratory wildlife admitted to the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic.

Toxoplasma gondii inclusions in peripheral blood leukocytes of a red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus).

A 2-year-old, male, red-necked (Bennett's) wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) from a zoological facility was presented for peracute onset of severe depression, unresponsiveness, ataxia, and loose feces. Serum biochemical abnormalities included azotemia, hypoalbuminemia, increased alanine aminotransferase activity, hyperbilirubinemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperkalemia, consistent with multi-organ system failure. Severe thrombocytopenia suggested possible disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Exocrine pancreatic carcinoma and carcinomatosis with abdominal effusion containing mast cells in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

This case describes the clinical presentation and findings of exocrine pancreatic carcinoma in a 9-year-old female sprayed ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Transcoelomic metastasis and hemorrhagic abdominal effusion were secondary to the neoplasm. The finding of mast cells in abdominal effusion, with a leukocyte component composed primarily of lymphocytes and lesser numbers of neutrophils and macrophages, is an atypical finding, never before reported in ferrets.