Search

Hepatic lipidosis is commonly diagnosed in pet bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps). However, there are no studies detailing the histological features of hepatic lipid changes in this species. This study describes the microscopic features of lipid change and details an associated scoring system. Histologic hepatic sections were retrospectively evaluated from 252 bearded dragons submitted for necropsy. Pathologic assessment was used to develop a grading scheme with 2 qualitative, 1 quantitative, and 6 semi-quantitative microscopic parameters, which were refined based on variability. The final grading system developed for diffuse and panlobular lipid accumulation included 2 semi-quantitative and 1 quantitative categories: percentage of hepatocellular vacuolation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular swelling, respectively. Hepatocellular swelling was indirectly quantified by counting the number of nuclei per unit area. There was a strong positive correlation ( P < .001) between the percentage of hepatocellular vacuolation and lipid content, a strong negative correlation ( P < .001) between nuclear count and lipid content, and a moderate correlation ( P < .001) between fibrosis and lipid content. Each category was given a numerical value ranging from 0 to 4, with the sum of each representing the final grade. Cutoff values stratified microscopic changes into mild (final grade 1–4), moderate (5–7), and severe (≥8). There was strong interrater agreement for assessment of vacuolization, fibrosis, and severity classification and moderate for hepatocellular swelling. This study documents the features of hepatic lipid changes in bearded dragons. Although a cutoff to differentiate pathologic from nonpathologic lipid accumulation could not be estimated, the proposed grading scheme can be used to inform future studies. more...

Hepatic lipidosis is a common disease of captive bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps). Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of this condition are challenging, as there is minimal information in the literature. Our study determined the prevalence and epidemiological risk factors associated with the grade and severity of hepatic lipid changes in bearded dragons submitted for necropsy in 2 North American institutions. A total of 571 postmortem cases were retrieved, and from each pathology report the demographic data (age, sex) and the list of final diagnoses were extracted. For each case diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis, the archived sections of liver were reviewed and the severity of lipid change was stratified using a standardized histologic grading system. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of each grade and severity class. Associations between grade and severity, as well as demographic data and concurrent diseases, were explored using ordinal logistic regression analysis. On multiple logistic models, the occurrence of infectious disease and neoplasia was associated with decreased grade and severity of hepatic lipid changes, while the female sex and adult age were associated with an increased grade and severity. None of the other variables were significantly associated with hepatic lipid changes. These results suggest that reproductively active females and adult bearded dragons are predisposed to increasing hepatic lipid changes, while those with an underlying disease process have reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and changes, possibly due to increased fat catabolism. Data in this study can serve to benchmark the prevalence of hepatic lipidosis in bearded dragons and allow further investigations. more...

Hepatic lipidosis is commonly diagnosed in pet bearded dragons (

Background: Congenital enteric duplication cysts are a rare congenital subtype of endodermal duplication. Case Description: A 6-year-old, neutered male domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) presented for an abdominal mass that had been identified by his primary veterinarian on routine physical examination. The mass was initially treated procaine/benzathine benzylpenicillin without improvement in the size of the mass. On presentation to the referral center, physical examination and abdominal ultrasound confirmed a firm, round caudal abdominal mass. Aside from minor changes, bloodwork was unremarkable. The mass was thick-walled and contained hyperechoic structures that were suspected to indicate either gas or mineralization. Differentials for the mass included a mesenteric abscess or an intestinal neoplasm. The rabbit was hospitalized prior to an exploratory laparotomy and mass removal. Exploratory surgery revealed a 5.0 × 4.0 × 3.5 cm abdominal mass that had multiple adhesions to the surrounding small intestines but did not appear to be originating from the intestinal tissue. The adhesions were broken down via blunt dissection and bipolar electrocauterization. The mass was excised and submitted for bacterial culture and histopathology. The culture yielded growth of Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis. Histopathology revealed a presumed congenital enteric cyst. The rabbit recovered well from surgery with supportive care and was discharged two days after the procedure. The animal was doing well at home over 1 year postoperatively. Conclusions and Case Relevance: This report describes successful surgical treatment and long-term survival of a domestic rabbit with an enteric cyst. Enteric cysts should be included in the list of differential diagnoses in a rabbit presenting for an abdominal mass. more...

Hepatic lipidosis is a common disease of captive bearded dragons (

A 34-year-old female greater sulfur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita galerita) was referred for suspected left globe rupture. Ophthalmic examination revealed effacement of the anterior chamber and cornea by a large mass. The left eye was enucleated due to suspicion of globe rupture, secondary to a neoplastic process or chronic trauma. Histopathological examination revealed complete effacement of the internal ocular structures by a neoplasm morphologically consistent with an iridociliary adenoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by Periodic acid-Schiff histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for S100, Melan-A/PNL2, and vimentin antigens. The cockatoo recovered well from surgery, with appropriate healing of the enucleation site, and no evidence of recurrence at 1-year follow-up. Key clinical message: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of iridociliary adenoma in a greater sulfur-crested cockatoo, and the third report of such a neoplasm in a psittacine species with a description of the use of immunohistochemistry to confirm a diagnosis of a rare tumor in a bird species. more...

Pododermatitis is prevalent in falcons and is characterized by inflammation and infection of the plantar aspect of the feet, particularly at the central metatarsal pad. Suboptimal perch design and increased weight loading on the plantar skin have been proposed as major risk factors for the development of pododermatitis. Prevention and treatment are challenging, but weight load reduction on the affected area of the foot is an accepted goal of initial treatment. To date, to our knowledge no studies have compared the performance of different bandage-perch surface combinations on weight redistribution away from the central metatarsal pad. An ex vivo factorial experiment was designed using the feet from a peregrine falcon cadaver to quantify weight load reduction on the central metatarsal pad with different combinations of perch surfaces (wood, neoprene, artificial turf) and bandages (none, interdigital, silicone shoe). Feet were attached to a digital force gauge mounted on a manual test stand for compression testing. Weight loading at the central metatarsal pad was measured using a small force sensor. Perch-surface combinations in randomized order were tested at 250 g, 500 g, and 1 kg with 9 replicates per foot. At 250 g, all combinations reduced measured metatarsal pad forces, but otherwise performed similarly. As compression forces increased, differences emerged with the shoe combinations performing better overall, followed by a group including the neoprene and artificial turf-interdigital bandage combinations, and a third group including the interdigital/wood and no bandage-artificial turf. All combinations performed better than control (no bandage on wood). This study may assist veterinarians in selecting appropriate perching surface/bandage combinations when treating falcons with pododermatitis. more...

Extrapyramidal side effects were observed in a 17-year-old female blue and gold macaw ( Ara ararauna ) that presented with an acute onset of dystonic reactions (repetitive and abnormal motions as well as head bobbing) and akathisia (restlessness and pacing) a few hours after a single partial dose of amitriptyline (5 mg/kg) orally. The patient was concurrently being treated with meloxicam (1 mg/kg orally every 12 hours) and had previously been treated with hydroxyzine, prednisolone, leuprolide acetate, and deslorelin acetate, for chronic feather damaging behavior. The patient was hospitalized and treated with diphenhydramine (2-3 mg/kg intramuscularly [IM] every 12 hours, 3 doses), propranolol (0.04 mg/kg IM once), cyproheptadine (1.2 mg/kg orally twice), midazolam (0.2-3 mg/kg IM as needed), and supportive care. Resolution of clinical signs was not achieved with any attempted therapy, but the dystonia and akathisia progressively resolved during 5 days. Residual signs were still visible at discharge. The severe adverse effects encountered with what appears to be an overdose of amitriptyline in this case is a reminder that species-specific pharmacologic and toxicologic studies on tricyclic antidepressants are needed and that psychotherapeutic agents may be associated with neurologic adverse effects, especially when using extrapolated doses. In addition, this case illustrates that tricyclic antidepressant must be started at a low dose in birds and follow a gradual titration approach to avoid adverse effects and maximize treatment efficacy. more...

Pododermatitis is prevalent in falcons and is characterized by inflammation and infection of the plantar aspect of the feet, particularly at the central metatarsal pad. Suboptimal perch design and increased weight loading on the plantar skin have been proposed as major risk factors for the development of pododermatitis. Prevention and treatment are challenging, but weight load reduction on the affected area of the foot is an accepted goal of initial treatment. To date, to our knowledge no studies have compared the performance of different bandage-perch surface combinations on weight redistribution away from the central metatarsal pad. An ex vivo factorial experiment was designed using the feet from a peregrine falcon cadaver to quantify weight load reduction on the central metatarsal pad with different combinations of perch surfaces (wood, neoprene, artificial turf) and bandages (none, interdigital, silicone shoe). Feet were attached to a digital force gauge mounted on a manual test stand for compression testing. Weight loading at the central metatarsal pad was measured using a small force sensor. Perch-surface combinations in randomized order were tested at 250 g, 500 g, and 1 kg with 9 replicates per foot. At 250 g, all combinations reduced measured metatarsal pad forces, but otherwise performed similarly. As compression forces increased, differences emerged with the shoe combinations performing better overall, followed by a group including the neoprene and artificial turf-interdigital bandage combinations, and a third group including the interdigital/wood and no bandage-artificial turf. All combinations performed better than control (no bandage on wood). This study may assist veterinarians in selecting appropriate perching surface/bandage combinations when treating falcons with pododermatitis. more...

A 5-year-old savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) was presented for left-sided facial swelling. Examination revealed left hemi-maxilla and eyelid swelling causing caudoventral displacement of the left eye. Computed tomography (CT) of the head was conducted prior to surgical exploration, debridement, and culture of the swelling. CT images revealed a mass extending from the left retrobulbar area to the temporal muscle with extensive lysis of the epiterygoid bone resulting in compression of the brainstem. Surgical exploration allowed for partial debridement of the mass and sample collection for bacterial culture. Salmonella enterica Kintambo was isolated from the swelling and was sensitive to several antibiotics. Ceftazidime (40 mg/kg) and piperacillin (100 mg/kg) mixed with poloxamer 407 gel was subsequently injected into the swelling. Oral enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg q24h weaned to 5 mg/kg q24h) was prescribed and continued for 5 months prior to discontinuation. Over the following 5 months, extern... more...

Prostatic urethral transitional cell carcinoma with prostatic invasion in a dog was imaged with abdominal radiography and abdominal ultrasonography antemortem. Synchrotron in-line x-ray phase contrast imaging computed tomography (XPCI-CT) was performed on the prostate ex vivo at the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron and compared to histology. XPCI-CT imaging provides greater soft tissue contrast than conventional absorption-based x-ray imaging modalities, permitting visualization of regions of inflammatory cell infiltration, differentiation of invasive versus noninvasive tumor regions, and areas of necrosis and mineralization. This represents the first report of XPCI-CT images of an invasive prostatic urothelial neoplasm in a dog. more...