Surgical resolution of uterine prolapse in three pet rabbits.

This report describes a surgical technique for resolution of uterine prolapse in rabbits. Three pet rabbits presented within 24 hours of parturition with a red mass protruding from the vagina, which was diagnosed as uterine prolapse. In the first case, an attempt to reduce the prolapse by manual compression was ineffective. A laparotomy was used to apply internal uterine traction while simultaneously using gentle external pressure with cotton-tip applicators and resulted in successful resolution. After repositioning, an ovariohysterovaginectomy was performed in all three rabbits. All rabbits recovered uneventfully. Laparotomic repositioning of the uterus and ovariohysterovaginectomy, not previously described in rabbits, was easy to perform and permitted resolution of uterine prolapse.

Evaluation of point-of-care analysers for blood gas and clinical chemistry in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the agreement between point-of-care and laboratory analysers in measuring biochemical and blood gas analytes in venous samples from tortoises and to define preliminary reference intervals for venous blood gas analysis in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Jugular venous blood samples from 47 Hermann's tortoises underwent paired analysis with a portable gas analyser (i-STAT 1, Abaxis), a portable chemical analyser (VetScan VS2, Abaxis), and with the respective reference analysers. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to determine albumin concentrations on 12 specimens. Agreement was evaluated with Bland-Altman plots and regression analysis using the Passing-Bablok method. RESULTS: Point-of-care analysers had variable agreement with the reference analysers, presenting constant or proportional bias depending on the analyte. Relevant analytes in reptiles, such as ionised and total calcium, had acceptable agreement. The method for determining albumin concentration currently available in both point-of-care and laboratory analysers significantly overestimated albumin concentrations as compared to protein electrophoresis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: While the use of POC analysers is extremely advantageous in small animal primary care facilities, agreement between point-of-care and laboratory analysers varies depending on the analyte. For certain analytes, interchangeability of results is limited and specific reference intervals for point-of-care analysers are required. Veterinarians should be aware of the size and the direction of the bias of each analyte.

Polyostotic Lymphoma in a Ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

An 8.5-year-old, neutered female ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with tachypnoea, polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia and depression. Radiographs revealed multiple osteolytic lesions of the bone, characterized cytologically by the infiltration of medium- to large-sized lymphocytes. The animal was humanely destroyed and post-mortem examination revealed multifocal masses obliterating the bone marrow of the mandible, right and left humeri and femur, and consisting of an infiltrative population of neoplastic lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical labelling for CD3 and CD79a revealed a CD3-positive neoplastic population. A diagnosis of polyostotic T-cell lymphoma was made, which is the first report of this condition in a ferret.

Abdominal ultrasound features and reference values in 21 healthy rabbits.

This study aimed to determine the ultrasonographic features and reference values of the abdominal anatomy in mixed-breed dwarf rabbits. Complete abdominal ultrasonographic examination was performed in 21 mixed-breed rabbits (12 males and 9 females) referred for examination to the Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Italy. All animals were sedated during the procedure. The ultrasonographic anatomy of the abdomen was determined, including measurement (mean±SD) of the right kidney (length 2.87±0.34 mm; width 1.62±0.17 mm; height 1.66±0.14 mm) and left kidney (length 2.86±0.33 mm; width 1.72±0.19; height 1.58±0.15 mm), left adrenal gland (width 0.38±0.11 mm; length 0.71±0.14), right adrenal gland (width 0.34±0.08 mm; length 0.73±0.15 mm) and thickness of the walls of the stomach (0.10±0.01 mm), pylorus (0.28±0.04 mm), duodenum (0.19±0.04 mm), sacculus rotundus (0.22±0.06 mm), caecum (0.08±0.01 mm), appendix (0.19±0.04 mm), spiral loop of the ascending colon (0.14±0.04 mm) and distal colon (0.10±0.02 mm). A significant positive correlation between bodyweight and kidney size, adrenal gland length, stomach wall and sacculus rotundus wall was detected.

Evaluation of intraocular pressure in conscious ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) by means of rebound tonometry and comparison with applanation tonometry.

To determine normal intraocular pressure (IOP) values by means of rebound tonometry in unanaesthetised ferrets, and to compare rebound and applanation tonometry, 55 clinically healthy ferrets were included in an observational, prospective, blinded study. On 52 ferrets, IOP was measured by means of rebound and applanation tonometry. On 3 ferrets, rebound tonometry was performed every two hours over a 24-hour period. Mean IOPs of the 104 eyes obtained with the rebound tonometer were 14.07±0.35 (95% CI 13.37 to 14.77) tonometer-units (TU). The IOP was significantly higher in males than in females, controlling for age and weight. A study-ordered decrease in coefficient of variation (CV) was observed (measurement 1-52=21.2±1.4 per cent v measurement 53-104=14.4±1.1 per cent) and high CVs (>30 per cent) were significantly less frequent in measurement 53-104. A significant difference in IOP during the 24- hour measurements was found, with the lowest IOP recorded at 22:00. The tonometers presented poor agreement, and IOP values were not correlated. The difference in IOP estimation increased with the magnitude of the measurements. Applanation tonometry presented a significant higher frequency of per-eye IOP values exceeding 25 and 30 TU, and a significant lower repeatability (CV=37.1±2.6 per cent v 17.8±1.2 per cent) compared with rebound tonometry. In conclusion, several factors need to be considered when measuring IOP in ferrets.

Comparative evaluation of the cadaveric and computed tomographic features of the coelomic cavity in the green iguana (Iguana iguana), black and white tegu (Tupinambis merianae) and bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps).

Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic studies of the coelomic cavity in four green iguanas, four black and white tegus and four bearded dragons were performed using a conventional CT scanner. Anatomical reference cross sections were obtained from four green iguana, four black and white tegu and six bearded dragon cadavers; the specimens were stored in a -20°C freezer for 24 h then sliced into 5-mm intervals. The frozen sections were cleaned with water and photographed on both sides. The individual anatomical structures were identified by means of the available literature; these were labelled first on the anatomical images and then matched to the corresponding computed tomography images. The results provide an atlas of the normal cross-sectional and computed tomographic anatomy of the coelomic cavity in the green iguana, the black and white tegu and the bearded dragon, which is useful in the interpretation of any imaging modality.

Multiple congenital malformations in a dicephalic spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca ibera).

A 22-day-old dicephalic spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca ibera) died following a history of lethargy, anorexia and absence of defecation. The two heads were anatomically similar with independent reaction to external stimuli. The carapace showed doubled first and extra second vertebral scutes. Radiography and transplastronal ultrasonography, performed when the animal was alive, revealed two symmetrical stomachs and two asynchronous hearts. These findings were confirmed by necropsy examination. Oesophagus, liver, gallbladder and trachea were also duplicated. Other malformations included pyloric valve atresia of the left stomach, focal stenosis of the transverse colon and liver hypoplasia. Dicephalism rarely occurs in Testudinidae and its pathogenesis, still unclear, is discussed.

Ventricular septal defect in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

A four-year-old, castrated male ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was evaluated because of a one-year history of sporadic cough. On physical examination a grade 5 of 6 holosystolic murmur was audible over the right apex of the heart. Radiographic findings included the presence of air bronchograms in apical lobes accompanied by pulmonary venous congestion. Colour Doppler echocardiography revealed a left-to-right shunting compatible with a ventricular septal defect. Medical therapy was initiated at the time of the diagnosis. The ferret was presented again 2 months after the initial examination for coughing and respiratory distress. Echocardiographic findings included tricuspid regurgitation, relative enlargement of left-atrial diameter and decreased systolic function, with presence of pleural effusion. Thoracocentesis was performed and the therapeutic plan was revised. In the following months the symptoms did not recur. In the authors' opinion this is the first report to describe the clinical findings of isolated ventricular septal defect in the ferret. Congenital heart defects are rare in this species, the present ferret being only the second case described.

Clinical pathological findings in an owl (Athene noctua) with microfilaraemia in Italy.

We report the first case of microfilaria infection in a free-flying owl Athene noctua in Italy. A macroparasite, about 10.1-mm long, was observed in the right chamber of the heart. On microscopic examination microfilariae were seen in liver, kidney, myocardium and lungs, although no cellular reaction was present in association with the parasites in any of these tissues. Because of the low pathogenicity of this parasite, infection with microfilaria may be not harmful in wild owls.