Spina Bifida, Meningomyelocele, and Meningocele.

Spina bifida with or without meningocele or meningomyelocele is encountered infrequently in small animal practice. The English bulldog and Manx cat are breeds predisposed. Although often silent clinically, in those animals with clinical signs, it is important to recognize the signs early and to understand the appropriate imaging modalities employed in establishing a diagnosis.

Intracranial Intra-arachnoid Diverticula and Cyst-like Abnormalities of the Brain.

Primary intracranial cystic or cyst-like lesions include intra-arachnoid, epidermoid, dermoid, and choroid plexus cysts. Differentiation of these cystic lesions can usually be accomplished by imaging studies alone; however, some cysts are similar in appearance and require histopathology for definitive diagnosis. Clinical signs often reflect the location of the cysts within the intracranial cavity rather than the type of cyst.

Embryonic Development of the Central Nervous System.

Ultimately, it is only with an understanding of normal embryologic development that there can be an understanding of why and how a specific malformation develops. Knowing from where and when a specific part of the nervous system develops and what morphogens are at play will enable us to identify undescribed malformation as well as better define causality. The following article reviews the normal embryologic development of the mammalian nervous system and is intended to serve as a foundation for the understanding of the various malformations presented in this issue.

Feline mesenchymal stem cells and supernatant inhibit reactive oxygen species production in cultured feline neutrophils.

Feline bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs), adipose-derived MSCs (AMSCs) and fibroblasts (FBs) were isolated and cultured. Tri-lineage differentiation assays and flow cytometry were used to characterize MSCs. Neutrophils (NPs) were isolated from whole blood and the NPs production of reactive oxygen reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured.

Exotic Mammal Laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy is an evolving field in veterinary medicine, and there is an increased interest in using laparoscopic techniques in nondomestic mammals, including zoo animals, wildlife, and exotic pets. The aim of this article is to summarize the approach to laparoscopic procedures, including instrumentation, patient selection and preparation, and surgical approaches, and to review the current literature on laparoscopy in exotic mammals.

Eye Removal Surgeries in Exotic Pets.

This article covers considerations and techniques of eye removal surgeries in exotic pets. After issues including surgical indications, anesthesia, patient preparation, and instrumentation are explored, surgical techniques are described. Enucleation/exenteration and modified evisceration are discussed, with species-specific nuances of small mammals, birds, reptiles, snakes, amphibians, and fish highlighted.

Updates in Perioperative Care: Ideas from the Human Field.

The article focuses mainly on appropriate patient preparation for an anesthetic episode. Special attention is given to evaluate the environmental situation for optimal adjustment to reduce stress before the anesthetic event. During the anesthetic event, special attention must be paid regarding monitoring and, evaluating the patient during and after the anesthetic episode.

Advances in Otoscopy.

Ear disease is a common condition in dogs and cats, and otoscopy should be performed on every case. Video-otoscopy is an incredible tool for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ear disease. It may serve as a form of positive reinforcement, because the client can readily see progress made with treatment.

Complications and Conversion from Endoscopic to Open Surgery.

Endoscopic surgery is a rapidly expanding modality of diagnosis and treatment of small animal patients. The development of skills, equipment, and minimally invasive means of correcting complications may be of great importance in decreasing the incidence of conversion from endoscopic to open surgery; however, conversion to an open approach should never be seen as a failure. Conversion should be considered at any time that it is of the greatest benefit for the patient.

Coelioscopic and Endoscope-Assisted Sterilization of Chelonians.

Elective sterilization is a safe and well-established surgical procedure performed in dogs and cats worldwide. Conversely, chelonian sterilization has been mostly performed therapeutically, because of the intricate anatomy and difficult access to the reproductive organs, and consequently, reproductive problems and diseases remain common. With the advance of veterinary endoscopy, novel techniques of soft tissue prefemoral coelioscopic and endoscope-assisted sterilization have been published, and preventative chelonian sterilization is now a reality.

Endoscopic Sex Identification in Chelonians and Birds (Psittacines, Passerines, and Raptors).

Despite the advent of DNA probes for sex identification of many avian and some reptile species, clinicians involved with zoos, conservation projects, or breeders may still be asked to perform "surgical sexing." This article describes the practical approach to performing endoscopic sex identification in psittacines and chelonians, including patient preparation, anesthesia, and endoscopic procedure.

Endoscopic Ovariectomy of Exotic Mammals Using a Three-Port Approach.

Laparoscopic ovariectomy has been advocated as the preferred sterilization method for dogs for some time. The same arguments and benefits can be extended for many zoologic mammals, including carnivores, suids, primates, lagomorphs, and large rodents. This article summarizes the benefits, equipment options, surgical technique, recovery, and complications associated with this sterilization procedure.

Making the Difference in Exotic Animal Practice: The Value of Endoscopy.

The definitive diagnosis has often been elusive in exotic pet medicine, and its absence has been, and continues to be, the source of much client anguish and practitioner frustration. To reach a definitive diagnosis, demonstration of a pathologic response and the etiologic agent are required. This article demonstrates why such an approach is necessary and how it can be readily achieved in practice using endoscopy.

Endoscopy Practice Management, Fee Structures, and Marketing.

Although our knowledge and appreciation of endoscopic procedures in exotic pets is extensive, associated management practices, including equipment preferences and fee structures, have rarely been discussed. This short article highlights the results of a small survey of 35 experienced exotic animal endoscopists and details their equipment ownership/preferences and fee structures. The importance of marketing is also emphasized.

Video Telescope Operating Microscopy.

Exotic pet veterinarians frequently have to operate on small animals, and magnification is commonly used. Existing endoscopy equipment can be used with a mechanical arm and telescope to enable video telescope operating microscopy. The additional equipment items and their specifics are described, and several case examples are provided.

Postoperative Hemostasis Monitoring and Management.

Although postoperative hemorrhage is an understood sequela, surgery also elicits an inflammatory response that may result in a hypercoagulable state and risk for venous or arterial thromboembolism. Postoperative venous thromboembolism is well documented in humans and is multifactorial in nature; however, evidence for its presence in veterinary medicine remains sparse. There is no consensus on the ideal type, dose, and duration of thromboprophylactic therapy in the perioperative period.