Successful Surgical Removal of the Crystalline Lenses in a Black-Necked Swan (Cygnus melancoryphus).

A captive-bred, adult, male, black-necked swan (Cygnus melancoryphus) was presented for evaluation of apparent vision loss due to cataract formation of an unknown duration. The animal was having difficulty navigating its enclosure, and lenticular opacities had been previously noted in both eyes. On examination, bilateral hypermature cataracts were diagnosed. Following preoperative diagnostic testing, surgical removal of the crystalline lenses in both eyes was performed using minor modifications of standard techniques. Follow-up examination and behavioral observation at 60 days postsurgery indicated that vision had been successfully restored without complications. We conclude that successful surgical removal of cataracts is possible in this species using modifications of standard techniques.

Phacoemulsification of bilateral mature cataracts in a Texas rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri).

CASE DESCRIPTION A 10-year-old sexually intact male client-owned Texas rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri) was referred for evaluation because of a 5-month history of progressive bilateral ocular opacities and abnormal behavior. CLINICAL FINDINGS On ophthalmic examination, the snake had bilateral mature cataracts and uveal cysts. No additional ophthalmic or physical abnormalities were detected. Results of CBC, serum biochemical analysis, and ocular ultrasonography were unremarkable. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Bilateral spectaculotomy was performed, followed by bilateral phacoemulsification and uveal cyst aspiration, without complication. Histologic evaluation of the phacoemulsified lens material revealed only nonspecific findings associated with cataractogenesis. Vision was restored and the abnormal behaviors resolved after cataract surgery. Long-term follow-up examination performed 60 weeks after surgery revealed no additional ocular or physical abnormalities. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The ocular anatomic and physiologic characteristics of snakes can pose intraoperative and postoperative challenges to phacoemulsification, but the outcome achieved for this surgical case suggested that successful cataract surgery is possible in these species. This case further demonstrated that cataracts may be associated with reversible behavioral abnormalities in captive snakes.

Bone marrow cell composition and morphology in healthy juvenile female New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

OBJECTIVE To provide contemporary preliminary guidelines for the morphological evaluation of bone marrow in conjunction with CBC results for healthy juvenile (3- to 6-month-old) female New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). ANIMALS 22 female New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES Each rabbit was sedated, and a blood sample (3 mL) was collected from an ear artery for a CBC, after which the rabbit was euthanized. Within 5 minutes after euthanasia, bone marrow samples were obtained from the femur for cytologic and histologic evaluation. Bone marrow specimens for cytologic evaluation were stained with modified Wright stain, and those for histologic evaluation were stained with either H&E or Prussian blue stain. RESULTS The CBC results were within published reference ranges for all rabbits except 4, each of which had mild leukopenia. Cytologic assessment of bone marrow revealed a median myeloid-to-erythroid ratio of 0.7 and 2.8 megakaryocytes/low-power field (magnification, 100X), and the median percentages of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages were 11.5%, 0.1%, and 0%, respectively. The myeloid-to-erythroid ratio was not significantly correlated with any CBC variable. On histologic evaluation of bone marrow, the cellularity ranged from 30% to 50%, there were 2.1 to 7.7 megakaryocytes/hpf (magnification, 400X), and no iron stores were visible in H&E or Prussian blue-stained specimens. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of the present study provided contemporary preliminary guidelines for the evaluation of bone marrow in healthy laboratory rabbits.