MEDIASTINAL LYMPHOMA AND CHYLOTHORAX IN A STRIPED SKUNK (MEPHITIS MEPHITIS).

Tumors are infrequently reported in skunks, with only a few case reports published in the literature. Chylothorax associated with mediastinal lymphoma was diagnosed in a captive 7-yr-old male striped skunk ( Mephitis mephitis ). The animal presented with anorexia and apathy. Supportive care and prednisolone improved the animal's clinical status for 2 wk preceding its death. Histopathology supported the clinical findings, and the tumor was classified as a mediastinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma, stage 2b, which has not been documented in the literature.

Urolithiasis in a captive group of Tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii).

Urolithiasis is a well-known disease of the urogenital system in domestic animals, and it has also been described in captive and free-ranging wildlife. This article reports 15 cases of urolithiasis in a captive group of Tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) between 2004 and 2011. The analyzed stones were composed of pure calcium carbonate (n = 5), calcium carbonate with traces of calcium phosphate (n = 6), carbonate apatite (n = 2), and carbonate apatite mixed with calcium oxalate (n = 2). In 12 out of 15 cases uroliths were situated only in the renal pelvis; in two cases they were found in the renal pelvis and the ureter; while in one case in the ureter only. No common infectious agents were identified either by microbiological or histopathological methods. Although the exact cause remains unknown, the repetitive occurrence of calcium carbonate urolithiasis suggests husbandry-related causes. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on recurrent appearance of urolithiasis in a captive group of Tammar wallabies.

Toxoplasmosis in Tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) in the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden (2006-2010).

Smaller macropodid species (commonly referred to as wallabies) are extremely susceptible to toxoplasmosis: in most cases, infection with Toxoplasma gondii leads to death within a short time. Between June 2006 and July 2010, T. gondii was detected by immunohistochemical examination in six Tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii) that died in the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden; in another four specimens histopathology revealed T. gondii-like organisms (which could not be differentiated from Neospora caninum solely by morphology), and in another 11 animals toxoplasmosis as the possible cause of death could not be excluded. The current zoo population of 12 Tammar wallabies was tested for T. gondii IgG antibodies by the modified agglutination test (MAT), with negative results. We suppose that most of the deaths were due to acute toxoplasmosis resulting from a recent infection.

Typhlitis and abdominal cystic lymphangiomatosis in a Mt. Carmel blind mole rat (Nannospalax (ehrenbergi) carmeli).

An abdominal cystic lymphangiomatosis in a Mt. Carmel blind mole rat (Nannospalax (ehrenbergi) carmeli) is described. This case was most likely due to a congenital abnormality with long-term compensation by the animal. The case describes the clinical course and subsequent postmortem examination. The death in the animal was caused by an abscess in the peritoneal wall and subsequent peritonitis.

Osteoblastic osteosarcoma in a Grey Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus) - short communication.

The Grey Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus) is a nocturnal lemur species that lives only in Madagascar. It is one of the most abundant lemur species and its native populations are not endangered, but animals belonging to this species are rarely exhibited in zoos. While tumours are quite frequently described in other primates, there are very few publications about neoplasia in lemurs. In this case report we describe a mandibular osteoblastic osteosarcoma in a Grey Mouse Lemur (Microcebus murinus). To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first scientific article describing osteosarcoma in a prosimian and also reporting a tumour in the mandible in this taxon.

Preliminary studies with 188rhenium-tin colloid for radiation synovectomy: preparation, size determination, in-vivo distribution, effect and dosimetry studies.

BACKGROUND: Generator-produced beta-emitting radionuclides such as (188)Re are gaining in importance for radiosynoviorthesis because of their availability on a regular basis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prepared a (188)Re-tin colloid in a reaction carried out either at 100 degrees C or at room temperature (RT). The size of the colloid particles was measured with a laser lightscattering method, and their biodistribution, dosimetric aspects and therapeutic effects were studied in an antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) model in rabbits. (188)Re-tin colloid solution was injected intra-articularly into the knee joints of rabbits with AIA and imaging studies were performed. Blood samples were collected post injection for estimation of the blood residence time. We also injected 2 intact rabbits in the same manner with (188)Re perrhenate solution in order to observe its effects and distribution in the body. All the treated rabbit knees were subjected to histopathology. RESULTS: The colloid particle size distribution was different after preparation at the different reaction temperatures, with a more suitable mean of 4.53 micro m in the RT preparation. The dose delivered to the synovial surface was between 3.51 and 4.21 Gy and that to the bone surface was between 0.70 and 0.84 Gy. Histopathologic examination revealed the development of fibrous connective tissue in the AIA knees 4 weeks after treatment, but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The (188)Re-tin colloid preparation used in this study was suitable for radiation synovectomy application. It requires modifications in the preparation protocol so as to increase the labeling efficiency in correlation with an appropriate particle size.

Sentinel lymph node detection in canine oncological patients.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node detection was investigated in dogs with spontaneously occurring tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this pilot study, 24 client-owned spontaneously tumorous dogs presented for sentinel lymph node detection. A multiple method was used with a nuclear medicine technique (injection of 99mTc human serum albumin colloid) with scintigraphy and intraoperative guidance, and blue dye injection. RESULTS: Of the 35 lymph nodes histologically demonstrated to contain metastases, 34 (97%) were found by radioguided surgery, which means that one would have been missed in the intraoperative localisation process; 31 nodes (89%) were clearly visualised in the gamma camera images; only 27 (77%) were blue-stained by vital dye; a mere 8 lymph nodes (23%) were enlarged and therefore easily detectable by palpation. CONCLUSIONS: Data obtained from the harmless application of the sentinel node concept are useful for the radiopharmaceutist. The sentinel lymph node concept is well applicable in the veterinary clinic.