Extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction in two ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

This report describes extrahepatic bile duct obstruction in two ferrets, which were presented with anorexia, chronic weight loss and general weakness. Physical examination revealed lethargy, cachexia, dehydration, abdominal pain and icterus. Marked haematological, serum chemistry and urinalysis abnormalities included hyperbilirubinaemia (65·5 and 114·2 μmol/L), high concentrations of alanine transaminase (1327·53 and 2578·88 IU/L) and biluribinuria.

Effect of high phosphorus diet on tooth microstructure of rodent incisors.

Enamel hypoplasia and disruption of dentinogenesis are the most common abnormalities of development and mineralization of human teeth. Several reports are available in the literature on the influence of dietary calcium on the formation of human and rodent tooth; however, the information about the influence of dietary phosphorus on the tooth formation is scarce. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the chronic effect of high phosphorus diet and improper dietary calcium to phosphorus ratio on the mandibular incisor microstructure in a hystricomorph rodent--Octodon degu--using macroscopic observation, histopathological examination, transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

Diseases in pet degus: a retrospective study in 300 animals.

Introduction: Degus are commonly used as laboratory animals; however, over the past few years, they have become increasingly popular as pets.

Objectives: The aim of this article was to present disease prevalence in 300 pet degus divided in two age groups (under and above two years).

Methods: Medical records of degus (Octodon degus), which were presented to the author's clinic in the period from January 2007 to December 2009, were reviewed.

Care of the geriatric rabbit.

The average life span reported in laboratory and lay literature for the domestic rabbit is 5 to 10 years. The author and other veterinarians are now regularly seeing rabbits living to 9 or 10 years, the oldest reported in the author's practice being 14 years. Rabbits are herbivorous prey species with continually growing (elodont) teeth.

Bacterial and parasitic diseases of rabbits.

Bacterial disease is common in pet rabbits; parasitic disease occurs as well but at a much lower frequency. Of these, bacterial diseases of the respiratory tract and dental structures are seen most commonly in practice. Successful treatment depends on positive diagnosis of the disease process and causative agent.

Fasting and postprandial serum bile acid concentrations in 10 healthy female red-eared terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans).

The fasting and postprandial serum concentrations of bile acids and other blood constituents were measured in a group of 10 clinically healthy, female, six-year-old captive red-eared terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans). The terrapins were housed in a temperate room and maintained in four aquaria in which the water temperature ranged from 24 to 27 degrees C and the temperature above the basking site ranged from 27 to 30 degrees C. The serum concentrations of bile acids were measured four times in a period of five months, and at the second sampling the fasting and two postprandial (after 24 and 48 hours) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and bile acids were determined.

Comparison of three template preparation methods for routine detection of beak and feather disease virus and avian polyomavirus with single and nested polymerase chain reaction in clinical specimens.

Direct comparisons are important when assessing the value of DNA extraction methods for diagnostic virology as the inhibitors present and the efficiency of extraction vary with the target infectious agent as well as the species and the site from which the clinical sample was obtained. Three DNA extraction methods were compared for routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) in whole blood and feather samples and of avian polyomavirus (APV) in feather samples. Boiling in Chelex 100 Resin was found to be the most sensitive method for detection of BFDV or APV DNA in both feather and blood samples.

Quantitative and qualitative assessments of intraoral lesions in 180 small herbivorous mammals.

Between 2002 and 2005 210 rabbits, 257 guinea pigs and 123 chinchillas were examined; oral disease was diagnosed in 38.1 per cent of the rabbits, 23.4 per cent of the guinea pigs and 32.

Psittacine circovirus infection in parakeets of the genus Eunymphicus and treatment with beta-(1,3/1,6)-D-glucan.

Eight captive-bred horned parakeets (Eunymphicus cornutus) and four captive-bred Major Mitchell cockatoos (Cacatua leadbeateri) from the same aviary tested positive for psittacine circovirus (PsCV) DNA in whole blood by nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The chronic form of disease with feather fragility and loss was observed in three horned parakeets. Infection in other individuals was subclinical.

Mycobacteriosis in companion psittacine birds: a review.

Mycobacteriosis has long been recognized as a disease of companion psittacine birds. In this review, the signalment, clinical signs of disease, and diagnosis of mycobacteriosis in psittacine birds are presented. Although treatment of birds with mycobacteriosis is controversial, therapeutic protocols for use in psittacine birds have been developed based on protocols used in humans.

Emergency and critical care procedures in sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps), African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), and prairie dogs (Cynomys spp).

Less common exotic pet mammals are gaining in popularity. The Australian Sugar Glider, African Hedgehog, and prairie dog are seen regularly in exotic animal practices. They are subject to the same types of medical emergencies as more traditional pets, with the unfortunate addition of all too common underlying nutritional and husbandry-related disorders.

Evaluation of a laryngoscope and a rigid endoscope for the examination of the oral cavity of small mammals.

The oral cavities of 65 rabbits, 35 chinchillas, 38 guinea pigs, 19 degus and 13 prairie dogs suffering from a lack of appetite, hypersalivation, moist dermatitis, swelling of the lower jaw or mild exophthalmos were examined with a paediatric laryngoscope and rigid endoscope. The laryngoscope was safe and satisfactory for a preliminary examination, but changes in the less accessible caudal parts of the cavity could not be identified precisely. A rigid endoscope with 30 degrees optics made it possible to examine all parts of the oral cavity and oropharynx, and make detailed observations of surface lesions on the premolar and molar teeth and the mucosal surface of the gingiva, tongue and hard palate; endoscopy with 70 degrees optics provided an excellent view of the occlusal tooth surfaces, tooth crowns, and buccal mucosa.

Hydrometra in a ferret-case report.

A desexed female ferret was presented with bilateral alopecic changes. Clinical examination revealed generalized alopecia and abdominal distension. A polycystic mass was found behind the right kidney, and the whole abdomen was filled with a large turgid mass.

Demodicosis in nine prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus).

This case report describes the clinical signs and treatment of demodicosis in nine pet prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Clinical records including history, clinical examination, microscopic evaluation and fungal culture of the skin lesions were available for all nine animals. In seven animals, blood was obtained for haematological and biochemical analyses.

Common procedures in other avian species.

Although psittacine species represent the majority of avian patients seen in most exotic animal practices, nonpsittacine species such as passerines and galliformes may be presented as pets, as members of zoo collections, or as injured or ill wildlife. Many features of handling, restraint, sample collection, medicine, and surgery are similar in psittacine and nonpsittacine species. In many cases, the equipment required will be similar as well, with a few modifications.

Equipment for Exotic Mammal and Reptile Diagnostics and Surgery.

The practice of veterinary medicine is facilitated by appropriate equipment, and exotic pet medicine is no exception. Exotic practitioners use standard or modified veterinary and human equipment, and now even enjoy the benefit of specialized products manufactured specifically for exotic pet practice.

Endoscopic examination of snakes by access through an air sac.

Sixteen boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), three royal pythons (Python regius) and 15 Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) were examined endoscopically by access through the air sac. The snakes were immobilised in a ventral position using a half-open anaesthetic system with assisted ventilation and a mixture of isoflurane and oxygen. The rigid endoscope was introduced percutaneously and the internal structure of the lungs and the air sac, and the shape, size and external surface of the liver were visible in the cranial direction.

Educating the exotic animal technician.

The thorough education of a skilled exotic animal technician is an ongoing process. Providing the educational tools is only the beginning. Building on the initial educational groundwork is required to excel.

Blood sampling from the cranial vena cava in the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus).

This paper describes blood sampling from the cranial vena cava (CVC) in the Norway rat. In order to limit stress, the blood sampling should be done under short-term inhalation anaesthesia, for example, an oxygen/isoflurane mixture. The injection site is just cranial to the first rib, 0.

Skin diseases of ferrets.

This article describes the most common diseases that affect the integumentary system of ferrets. Emphasis is placed on diagnosis and treatment of each disease.