Saline, chlorhexidine, and povidone-iodine alone or in combination with iodine povacrylex are effective antiseptics in chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the topical antiseptic activity of saline, chlorhexidine (CHX), and povidone-iodine (PI) scrubs on the skin of chickens with or without the addition of DuraPrep (DP). ANIMALS: 7 healthy adult Orpington hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). METHODS: The right apterium corporale laterale was swabbed for standard aerobic bacterial culture and colony-forming unit (CFU) determination. The apterium was divided into 3 areas and treated with sterile saline, CHX, or PI. Samples were collected by swabbing each area before and after additional treatment with DP. CFU's were counted after 48 hours of incubation. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed model with a continuous outcome. RESULTS: Compared to saline, CHX and PI treatment without DP decreased CFU count by 119 (95% CI, 55 to 183; P < .001) and 123 (95% CI, 58 to 187; P < .001), respectively. The application of DP after CHX and PI further decreased CFU counts by 6 (P = .01) and 9 (P = .01), respectively. DP after saline treatment decreased counts by 128 CFU (95% CI, 63 to 192; P < .001). No significant difference was detected between saline, PI, or CHX after DP application (-1.0 CFU; 95% CI, 63.4 to -65.4; P = .98 for both PI and CHX). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CHX or PI provided greater reductions in bacterial CFU than saline, and all combinations with DP provided similar results. No notable cutaneous reactions were detected at any point. This data suggests that a scrub protocol including CHX or PI with DP is acceptable in surgical site preparation of chickens.

Diagnosis and Long-term Treatment of Suspected Congenital Hypothyroidism in a Pigeon (Columba livia domestica).

An approximately 6-month-old domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) was presented for lethargy and an inability to perform its first molt. The pigeon was obese, had anatomical characteristics of a chick, including cere and plumage, and had a ventral coelomic soft tissue mass. Initial blood work was unremarkable. A computed tomographic scan confirmed excessive fat deposition in the coelom and a mass adherent to the liver. A fine-needle aspirate of the mass indicated fat accumulation. A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test was planned for this pigeon and 3 presumed euthyroid pigeons. Each pigeon was administered 80 µg (∼230 µg/kg) of recombinant human TSH. Blood was drawn at time 0 and 3 and 6 hours after administration of recombinant human TSH. Plasma total thyroxine (TT4) was measured in duplicate with an in-house analyzer and a reference laboratory. After recombinant human TSH administration, healthy pigeons showed a 4- to 21-fold increase in TT4, whereas the hypothyroid pigeon had all values <0.12 µg/dL. The pigeon was prescribed 20 µg of compounded levothyroxine twice daily. In the following months, the pigeon molted and developed adult features. The ventral coelomic soft tissue mass disappeared and repeated computed tomography scans showed a decreased amount of body fat and a reduction in the size of the coelomic mass. Levothyroxine was further adjusted multiple times according to additional TT4 testing to a dose of 2.5 µg once daily. The pigeon has been under treatment with levothyroxine for more than 2 years. Here we present the first reported case of confirmed hypothyroidism in a pigeon. Diagnosis with a TSH stimulation test was unequivocal, even when only considering the results of the in-house analyzer. Levothyroxine treatment resolved clinical signs and could be titrated to an appropriate dose.

Intraocular pressure estimates using rebound tonometry in juvenile northern bobwhite quails (Colinus virginianus).

OBJECTIVE: To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) estimates using rebound tonometry in juvenile northern bobwhite quails. ANIMALS STUDIED: Eighteen, 28-day-old, wild caught, captive raised, northern bobwhite quails. PROCEDURES: Birds were manually restrained in sternal recumbency with two fingers placed below the head, applying minimal pressure. Following detailed ophthalmic examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, IOP was obtained via rebound tonometry using the Tonovet "P" setting for undefined species in animals without obvious ocular pathology. IOPs were estimated three times on each eye. The mean result of the three estimates was recorded for further analysis. Only readings with low or no reported error were recorded. RESULTS: No difference was detected between the eyes; therefore, a reference interval was calculated using both eyes. The overall IOP (n = 36 eyes) was 5.6 ± 1.2 mmHg (mean ± SD), the median was 6 mmHg, and the range was 2-7 mmHg. The 95% reference interval was 2.2-7.6 mmHg. All quails were ultimately released with no clinically appreciable abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information on normal IOP values for juvenile northern bobwhite quails, which can be used to evaluate the ocular health of this species. Future studies with a larger number of animals are needed, as well as validation of the rebound tonometry method using direct manometry.

Effect of rest temperature on rotational thromboelastometry in New Zealand White rabbits.

With the increasing popularity of viscoelastic coagulation analyzers, such as rotational thromboelastometry [ROTEM] and thromboelastography, the need for standardized methodology for appropriate interpretation has become increasingly important. Viscoelastic analysis is heavily influenced by a multitude of pre-analytic factors, both in vivo and in vitro, leading to a large amount of variation between institutions. We investigated the effect of room temperature during a 30-min sample rest time on ROTEM, which analyzed both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. We also evaluated the feasibility of using ROTEM to assess coagulation in non-anesthetized domestic rabbits. Rabbits were selected because they are a common companion animal that could benefit from the use of viscoelastic analysis for various disease processes that could lead to coagulopathies. Citrated whole blood was collected from 10 rabbits and allowed to rest upright for 30 min either at room temperature (~ 21°C) or in a tube warmer (37°C) before analysis. There was no significant difference in results between room temperature and warmed samples, which suggests that allowing samples to rest at room temperature is acceptable clinically. Additionally, blood collection and analysis were feasible in all rabbits.

Complete Blood Cell Count and White Blood Cell Counting Method Comparison in 49-day-old Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus).

The northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) is a game bird experiencing decline throughout much of its range. There are limited species-specific and age-specific hematologic data for bobwhite quail. Complete blood cell counts in eighteen 49-day-old captive-raised quail of unverified sex were used to contribute data to reference intervals for the species as juvenile animals. Values for packed cell volumes, total solids, red and white blood cell counts, and white cell differential calculations were recorded for each animal. Bobwhite quail of this age were found to be primarily lymphocytic, but considerable variability was observed. White blood cell counts were obtained by estimates from blood smears and Phloxine B stain. White blood cell counts performed with ×1000 magnification did not compare well with other white blood cell methods, including Phloxine B stain.

Dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry of blood obtained from healthy chickens.

OBJECTIVE: To assess feasibility of the use of a dynamic viscoelastic coagulometer on chicken blood and compare coagulation variables for fresh whole blood and sodium citrate-preserved whole blood as well as effects of 3 coagulation activators on blood from chickens. SAMPLE: Blood samples from 30 hens. PROCEDURES: Chickens were allowed to rest undisturbed for 1 hour. A blood sample was collected from an ulnar vein; 1.4 mL was analyzed immediately, and 1.8 mL was mixed with sodium citrate and subsequently recalcified and analyzed. A separate coagulation activator (glass beads, kaolin clay, or tissue factor) was in each of the 2 channels of the analyzer. Chickens were allowed a 1-hour rest period, and another blood sample was collected from the contralateral ulnar vein; it was processed in the same manner as for the first sample, except both channels of the analyzer contained the same coagulation activator. RESULTS: Compared with fresh samples, citrated samples had higher values for activated clotting time and platelet function and lower clotting rates. Intra-assay coefficients of variation of coagulation profiles for citrated samples were markedly greater than the limit of 10%, whereas values for fresh samples were close to or < 10%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that use of a dynamic viscoelastic coagulometer on chicken blood was feasible and that analysis of fresh whole blood from healthy chickens provided results with less variability than did analysis of citrated blood. Samples preserved with sodium citrate were associated with significant relative hypocoagulability, compared with results for fresh blood.