Tooth Nomenclature and Numbering Systems for Exotic Companion Mammals.

Exotic companion mammals represent a branch of veterinary medicine with important implications in dentistry. The standard dental nomenclature and the systems of numbering teeth have not been applied in detail in these species and are not very familiar to many veterinarians. Selected species such as lagomorphs and rodents have anatomic and physiologic features that affect terminology and numbering.

Myxofibrosarcoma of the penis in an African pygmy hedgehog () - A clinical case.

A 3-year-old, 420 g, intact male African pygmy hedgehog () was presented with a sudden appearance of a mass protruding from its preputium. A detailed physical examination revealed the presence of a polyp-like mass, connected to the mucous membrane of the penis and a second, multilobular mass with a larger base. Both masses were surgically removed.

Echocardiographic measurements and cardiac anatomy in healthy Western hognose snakes ().

This study aims to describe the most important cardiac structures in the through echocardiography and anatomical dissection. Echocardiographic and echo-Doppler measurements were performed on twenty healthy adult (10.10).

Effect of GnRH agonist (deslorelin) on reproductive activity in captive female veiled chameleons ().

Eighteen 5 months old veiled chameleon females () were used in the study. Seven females received subcutaneous implants with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH) deslorelin acetate whereas eleven females were used as control animals without any implants. Females were kept in five terraria, in groups of four females (in 3 terraria) and groups of three females (in 2 terraria), respectively.

Malignant ovarian dysgerminoma in a 16-year-old leopard gecko ().

The 16-year-old female leopard gecko () was presented with distended coelom and cachexia. Examination of the faecal sample ruled out the presence of protozoan parasites. A radiographic examination confirmed the presence of radiopaque foreign material in the intestine.

Bayesian Decision Analysis: An Underutilized Tool in Veterinary Medicine.

Bayesian inference and decision analysis can be used to identify the most probable differential diagnosis and use those probabilities to identify the best choice of diagnostic or treatment among several alternatives. In this retrospective case analysis, we surveyed three experts on the prior probability of several differential diagnoses, given the signalment and history of a ferret presenting for lethargy and anorexia, and the conditional probability of different clinical findings (physical, bloodwork, imaging, etc.), given a diagnosis.

Ultrasound Description of Follicular Development in the Louisiana Pinesnake (, Stull 1929).

Accurate monitoring of reproductive activity is necessary for success of captive breeding and recovery of endangered species. Using ultrasonography, we aimed to describe the stages of follicle development of the endangered Louisiana pinesnake (). Ultrasound procedures were performed weekly for 11 females during the 2020 reproductive season by submerging the last half of an unanesthetized female in water and using a 3.

The immune system of the ferret () - A review.

The basic information dealing with the anatomy of the ferret's immune system, cross-reactivity of the ferret leukocytes with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies   and immune response to the mitogens and various infections are presented. The leukocyte numbers in the peripheral blood in the ferrets are lower compared to other species and only one subclass of IgG has been identified in ferrets so far. Lymphocytes make up 12-67% of all the leukocytes in the peripheral blood of the healthy adult ferrets.

Influence of blood storage on the haematological values in captive green iguanas ().

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of long-term blood storage in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) on selected haematological values in the green iguana. Seven adult captive-bred green iguanas () were enrolled in this study. Samples of CPDA-1-blood mixture (ratio 1 : 7) were kept at 4 °C for 28 days.

Differences in the anatomy of the lower respiratory tract in selected species of the order Testudines.

The lower airways of turtles consist of the larynx, trachea and bronchi. Due to incomplete information about the anatomical structure of the lower respiratory tract in turtles, we decided to explore this topic more deeply. The material for this study included 95 turtle cadavers.

Congestive heart failure in a veiled chameleon (): A case report.

A two-year-old male veiled chameleon () was referred for a gular oedema and bilateral blepharoedema. The echocardiography revealed a ventricular hypertrophy, pericardial effusion, and valvular regurgitation of the right atrioventricular valve. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide, enalapril, and carvedilol was commenced.

A ferret model of immunosuppression induced with dexamethasone.

Ferrets are nowadays frequently used as animal models for biomedical purposes; in many cases, immunosuppression of experimental animals is necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intramuscular dexamethasone administration (2 mg/kg as the initiation dose continued with 1 mg/kg q 12 h applied 5 times) on ferret's immune system. In comparison with ferrets which received the saline (n = 5), significantly lower total counts of leukocytes (P < 0.

Respiratory Disorders in Ferrets.

Ferrets are susceptible to many disorders affecting the respiratory tract including both primary diseases and diseases of other body systems secondarily affecting the respiratory tract. Some primary respiratory diseases are shared with other mammal species including humans; potentially zoonotic diseases include important pathogens such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2. Other diseases include infections (bacterial, parasitic, and fungal) and neoplasia.

Vertebral Formulae and Congenital Vertebral Anomalies in Guinea Pigs: A Retrospective Radiographic Study.

The objectives of this retrospective study of 240 guinea pigs (148 females and 92 males) were to determine the prevalence of different vertebral formulae and the type and anatomical localization of congenital vertebral anomalies (CVA). Radiographs of the cervical (C), thoracic (Th), lumbar (L), sacral (S), and caudal (Cd) part of the vertebral column were reviewed. Morphology and number of vertebrae in each segment of the vertebral column and type and localization of CVA were recorded.

Nephromegaly due to Disruption of Nephrons in the Green Iguana (Iguana iguana).

We describe a fatal kidney disease in green iguanas (Iguana iguana), associated with severe nephromegaly. Affected animals have enlarged kidneys, which fill the pelvic cavity, leading to compression of adjacent organs, obstipation and, ultimately, death. The pathological features of this disease have been poorly described and its aetiology is unknown.

Bilayer mucoadhesive buccal films with prolonged release of ciclopirox olamine for the treatment of oral candidiasis: In vitro development, ex vivo permeation testing, pharmacokinetic and efficacy study in rabbits.

The incidence of fungal infections has increased in recent decades not only in patients with predisposing and risk factors, but it has also spread up due to the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressants and corticosteroids. A limited number of drugs are currently used to treat oral candidiasis (OC). There is an emerging need to look for new antifungals, to rework or to explore the already known molecules.

End-of-Life Decisions: Palliative Care, Hospice, and Euthanasia for Exotic Animals.

A great deal of attention has been directed toward developing better options for palliative care and hospice, and improving euthanasia techniques in all species. Euthanasia of exotic pets is technically more difficult because of anatomic differences and small patient size. Traditional intravenous euthanasia techniques in conscious patients are stressful and should generally be avoided in exotic pets; simple intramuscular administration of high dosages of anesthetics followed by delivery of euthanasia solutions is preferred.

Disease Overview of the Urinary Tract in Exotic Companion Mammals and Tips on Clinical Management.

Diseases of the urinary tract are reviewed, covering infectious (bacterial, viral, parasitic), degenerative, congenital, metabolic, nutritional, neoplastic, obstructive, and toxic causes. Some clinical presentations and diagnostic procedures are described for ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rats, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders, as well as therapies.

Incorporating/Integrating Exotic Ambulatory Medicine into a Brick-and-Mortar Practice.

The diversity of species and habitats encountered in nontraditional veterinary practice lends itself to a passionate veterinarian with a wide-ranging set of surgical, medical, and husbandry skills. At every appointment, exotic animal veterinarians perform 2 examinations (patient and environment). The animal and environmental examinations often identify relationships that lend themselves to appropriate medical care and therapies.