Oral examination results in rescued ferrets: clinical findings.

Ferrets have increased in popularity as pets, and a growing number are seen in companion animal practice. Domestic ferrets are commonly used as animal models for research of human oral conditions. The present study evaluated the prevalence of oral pathology in rescued ferrets which - to the authors' knowledge - has not yet been described in the scientific literature. Conscious oral examination was performed on 63 ferrets, of which 49 underwent general anesthesia for further examination. The most common clinical findings included malocclusion of mandibular second incisor teeth (95.2%); extrusion of canine teeth (93.7%); and abrasion and attrition of teeth (76.2%). Tooth fractures were exclusively associated with canine teeth and found in 31.7% of ferrets. Pulp exposure was confirmed in 60.0% of fractured teeth. The normal gingival sulcus depth measured < 0.5-mm in 87.8% of anesthetized ferrets. Clinical evidence of periodontal disease was present in 65.3% of anesthetized ferrets (gingivitis or probing depths > 0.5-mm), however advanced periodontal disease (i.e. periodontal pockets > 2-mm or stage 3 furcation exposure) was not found upon clinical examination. There was no evidence of tooth resorption, dental caries, stomatitis, or oral tumors in the examined group of ferrets.

Intraocular osteosarcoma in an Umbrella Cockatoo (Cacatua alba).

An adult, presumed intact female Umbrella Cockatoo (Cacatua alba), presented with acute hemorrhage from an intraocular mass that perforated through the right cornea. Computed tomography scanning revealed a large soft tissue mass in the right orbit, invading and displacing the globe laterally, and destroying the scleral ossicles. There was no evidence of bony changes of the orbit or extension of the mass into the optic nerve or brain. Exenteration and mass removal were performed, and osteosarcoma was diagnosed via histopathology. Radiotherapy was delivered with an orthovoltage unit to a total dose of 68 Gray delivered in 17 fractions over 6 weeks. The bird recovered well from treatment, but died 2 months after the last radiation session with neurological signs. Necropsy was not performed. To our knowledge, this is the first case of an intraocular osteosarcoma reported in a bird, and the first case of attempted treatment of osteosarcoma in a bird by a combination of surgery and radiation therapy.