Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in a Canada lynx with phacoclastic uveitis.

A 4-year-old male Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) was referred to the ophthalmology service at the University of Saskatchewan with a 7-month history of cataract and chronic phacoclastic uveitis secondary to penetrating trauma from a lynx claw. Ophthalmic examination of the right eye revealed a corneal scar, marked aqueous flare, extensive fibrovascular membranes extending from the iris to the lens, anterior and posterior synechiae, immature cataract, and anterior vitritis; the fundus was not visible. Phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens implantation using a custom lens of D+46 and 14 mm (An-vision, West Jordan, Utah, USA) was performed. Post-operative medications included sub-conjunctival injections of atropine, cefazolin, and triamcinolone, and oral doxycycline and prednisolone. At the 5-month follow-up, the uveitis was controlled, and a normal fundus was visualized; at 21 mo, the eye remained comfortable and visual. This is the first case report to describe phacoemulsification in a wild felid as a treatment for a traumatic cataract and severe phacoclastic uveitis. Key clinical message: Despite chronic phacoclastic uveitis, phacoemulsification surgery can provide a positive outcome for mature wild felids with traumatic lens rupture, even when topical treatment cannot be administered.

Phacoémulsification et implantation de lentilles intraoculaires chez un lynx du Canada atteint d'uvéite phacoclastique. Un lynx du Canada mâle de 4 ans (Lynx canadensis) a été référé au service d'ophtalmologie de l'University of Saskatchewan avec une histoire de 7 mois de cataracte et d'uvéite phacoclastique chronique secondaire à un traumatisme pénétrant d'une griffe de lynx. L'examen ophtalmique de l'oeil droit a révélé une cicatrice cornéenne, un phénomène de Tyndall marqué, des membranes fibrovasculaires étendues s'étendant de l'iris au cristallin, des synéchies antérieure et postérieure, une cataracte immature et une vitreite antérieure; le fond d'oeil n'était pas visible. Une chirurgie de phacoémulsification et une implantation de lentille intraoculaire à l'aide d'une lentille personnalisée de D+46 et 14 mm (An-vision, West Jordan, Utah, USA) ont été réalisées. Les médicaments postopératoires comprenaient des injections sous-conjonctivales d'atropine, de céfazoline et de triamcinolone, ainsi que de la doxycycline et de la prednisolone par voie orale. Au suivi à 5 mois, l'uvéite était contrôlée et un fond d'oeil normal était visualisé; à 21 mois, l'oeil restait confortable et visuel. Il s'agit du premier rapport de cas décrivant la phacoémulsification chez un félin sauvage comme traitement d'une cataracte traumatique et d'une uvéite phacoclastique sévère.Message clinique clé:Malgré l'uvéite phacoclastique chronique, la chirurgie de phacoémulsification peut donner un résultat positif pour les félins sauvages matures présentant une rupture traumatique du cristallin, même lorsqu'un traitement topique ne peut pas être administré.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Blindness in a wild American black bear cub (Ursus americanus).

An approximately six-month-old wild American black bear (Ursus americanus) was found wandering in Saskatchewan and was presented to the Veterinary Medical Centre of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for apparent blindness. Clinical examination confirmed an inability to navigate a photopic maze, bilateral tapetal hyper-reflectivity, fundi devoid of retinal vessels, and small pale optic nerve papillae. Single-flash electroretinography revealed A and B-wave amplitudes of approximately 40 and 140 microvolts, respectively, in both eyes. Histologic abnormalities included bilateral optic papillary mineralization and bilateral segmental optic nerve degeneration, with occasional intralesional lymphocytes confirmed with immunohistochemistry for CD3+. There was also bilateral multifocal retinal dysplasia, gliosis, lymphocytic retinitis, a complete lack of retinal blood vessels, an intravitreal vascular membrane, and a mild lymphocytic-plasmacytic uveitis with small pre-iridal cellular membranes. The presence of a positive ERG in a blind bear with numerous retinal ganglion cells and degenerative changes in the optic nerve are most consistent with vision loss due to optic nerve injury, which given the young age of the bear likely occurred during ocular development. The presence of ocular inflammation suggests this injury resulted from an inflammatory/infectious process. The etiology could not be determined. Hepatic concentrations of vitamin A were within the normal reference range for domestic species. Pan-herpesvirus PCR and immunohistochemistry for canine distemper virus and Toxoplasma gondii were negative, although this does not rule out these or other infectious etiologies. This represents the first case report of neonatal or congenital ocular abnormalities in an ursid species.

The use of computed tomography to diagnose chronic shoulder arthritis in an American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos).

An American white pelican was presented with a complete left wing droop and no abnormal findings on conventional radiography. Computed tomography was used to diagnose chronic shoulder arthritis as a sequela to a suspected traumatic compressive fracture. This is the first case report to describe use of computed tomography to evaluate the avian shoulder joint.

Utilisation de la tomodensitométrie pour diagnostiquer l'arthrite chronique de l'épaule chez un pélican d'Amérique(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). Un pélican d'Amérique a été présenté avec un affaissement complet de l'aile gauche et aucune anomalie n'a été observée lors d'une radiographie conventionnelle. Une tomodensitomérie a été utilisée pour diagnostiquer de l'arthrite chronique de l'épaule comme séquelle d'une fracture par compression traumatique suspectée. Il s'agit du premier rapport de cas qui décrit l'utilisation de la tomographie par ordinateur pour évaluer l'articulation de l'épaule aviaire.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Two cases of vaginal bleeding in pet rats.

Two unrelated rats were presented to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine emergency service for vaginal bleeding. Each was taken to surgery due to marked blood loss and suspicion of uterine pathology. Despite similar clinical presentation, gross and histopathologic examination revealed 2 different underlying disease processes, uterine dilatation with mild endometritis and vaginal polyp.

Bilateral cataracts in a coyote (Canis latrans) pup from Saskatchewan, Canada.

A free-ranging coyote (Canis latrans) pup was found in rural Saskatchewan and was subsequently presented to a veterinary teaching hospital by a wildlife rehabilitator. On physical examination, the pup was found to be blind as a result of bilateral, mature cataracts, which were confirmed on postmortem examination. No other significant intraocular or extraocular disease was detected, resulting in a presumptive diagnosis of congenital cataract. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of congenital cataract in any wild canid species.

Avian pox infection with secondary Candida albicans encephalitis in a juvenile golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).

Abstract: A juvenile golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) was presented with proliferative epithelial lesions, consistent with avian poxvirus infection, around the eyes, on commissures of the beak, and on both feet. Despite treatment, the eagle declined clinically, and, 15 days after presentation, the eagle began seizuring and was euthanatized because of a poor prognosis. On postmortem examination, avian poxvirus infection was confirmed in the nodular skin lesions, and Candida albicans was cultured from the skin, lungs, and brain. Breaks in the skin barrier from poxvirus infection likely led to secondary infection with C albicans. Systemic vascular dissemination of C albicans to the brain resulted in thrombosis, hemorrhage, local hypoxia, and the clinically observed seizures. The combination of the breach in the primary immune system, immunosuppression, and a prolonged course of antibiotics were contributory factors to the opportunistic fungal infection in this eagle. Candida albicans should be considered as a differential diagnosis for encephalitis in an immunocompromised avian patient.

Atherosclerosis and ischemic cardiomyopathy in a captive, adult red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

An adult, male, captive red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) of at least 19 years of age presented in dorsal recumbency. The hawk was nonresponsive, and despite initial supportive care, died shortly after presentation. Gross postmortem revealed no abnormal findings. Histologic examination demonstrated atherosclerosis and ischemic cardiomyopathy. This is the first reported case of atherosclerosis in a red-tailed hawk.

Omental torsion in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

An adult intact male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) was presented with gastrointestinal stasis. Radiographic findings demonstrated a gas- and fluid-filled cecum. Treatment was initiated but the animal died shortly after presentation. Gross postmortem revealed omental torsion with vascular thrombosis and necrosis. This is the first report of omental torsion with vascular thrombosis in a domestic animal.

Constant rate infusion of glucagon as an emergency treatment for hypoglycemia in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 3-year-old female domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) with an insulinoma was treated because of a hypoglycemic crisis prior to scheduled pancreatectomy with concurrent nodulectomy. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Previously, the ferret had clinical signs of lethargy and hind limb weakness; at that time, blood glucose concentration was low, and a tentative diagnosis (subsequently confirmed) of insulinoma was made. Prednisolone treatment (0.3 mg/kg [0.14 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) did not improve clinical signs; the dosage was gradually increased over a 1-month course (1.8 mg/kg [0.82 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) and maintained for 10 days. Overall, the treatment was ineffective, and the ferret remained lethargic and developed inappetence. At a reevaluation, the ferret had severe weakness and nonresponsiveness nearing a comatose state. Standard treatment with dextrose (1 mL of 50% solution, IV), and dexamethasone (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb], SC) was administered with resultant improvement in mentation. The ferret was discharged from the hospital and then returned 3 days later for stabilization prior to pancreatectomy with concurrent nodulectomy. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The day before surgery, the ferret was administered a glucagon constant rate infusion at a rate of 15 ng/kg/min (6.8 ng/lb/min), which resulted in an increase in blood glucose concentration to a euglycemic state and resolution of clinical signs of hypoglycemia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As illustrated by the case described in this report, a glucagon constant rate infusion can be used successfully for the emergency treatment of hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic crisis in insulinomic ferrets.

Effects of surgical implantation of temperature dataloggers on reproduction of captive striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis).

A total of 20 (14 females, six males) captive striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) with miniature temperature dataloggers implanted free in the abdominal cavity were examined for reproductive performance and pathology because of implants. Eleven of 12 female skunks reproduced successfully 45.9+/-3.7 days after surgery to remove implanted dataloggers. The pregnancy rate of 91.7% (11/12) was much higher than other captive studies and was comparable with that of wild skunks. Eight striped skunks (six males, two females) that were euthanatized and necropsied after having implants in the abdominal cavity for 5 mo showed no apparent pathology associated with the implant. Implantation of the intraperitoneal devices did not lead to complications in abdominal tissues. Neither implant nor surgery affected reproduction. We conclude that implanted dataloggers can safely be used in physiologic studies of striped skunks or possibly other small carnivores in captive or field studies.

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and chronic endometritis in a chinchilla.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old nulliparous sexually intact female chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) was evaluated because of a 2-month history of blood being sporadically observed in its cage. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Results of physical examination of the chinchilla were unremarkable except for the presence of blood-stained fur around the perineum. There were no external lesions to account for the bleeding. Findings on urinalysis, bacteriologic culture of urine, and whole-body radiography were unremarkable. The chinchilla's littermate had been evaluated because of similar clinical signs 2 years earlier, and these signs resolved following ovariohysterectomy. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Ovariohysterectomy was performed, and gross changes were not observed in the reproductive tract. However, microscopic examination revealed multifocal cystic dilation of the endometrial glands, foci of microhemorrhage, and chronic suppurative inflammation consistent with a final diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia and chronic endometritis. Clinical signs did not recur. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cystic endometrial hyperplasia has been documented in a variety of animals, but to the authors' knowledge, this was the first reported case in a chinchilla. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and chronic endometritis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in an adult sexually intact female chinchilla with a history of suspected hemorrhagic vaginal discharge, suspected hematuria, or hemorrhage from an unknown source.