Search

A 23-year-old male double yellow-headed Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala oratrix) presented for a traumatic maxillary beak fracture. On initial examination, the parrot had an open complete fracture of the rostral third of the maxillary beak that exposed the underlying pre-maxillary bone and blood supply. A supporting apparatus was created using five 23-gauge hypodermic needles, placed at varying angles through the rostral edges of the exposed bone, forming a pyramidal scaffolding for the prosthesis. One layer of dental acrylic was applied over the apparatus. Two 28-gauge wire loops were placed laterally through the rostral rhinotheca followed by a second layer of acrylic. The inside-out approach for securing the scaffolding apparatus provided enhanced stability against the strong kinetic forces of the parrot's beak. This allowed the parrot to return to normal diet and activity very rapidly after the procedure. Six months after placement, the prosthesis came off revealing a partially regenerated rhinotheca. The open rostral maxillary fracture in this Amazon parrot was managed by means of a scaffolding framework and dental acrylic prosthesis that resulted in an immediate return to beak function and normal regrowth of the rhinotheca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African pygmy hedgehogs have become a popular pet and are commonly available through breeders and pet stores. Responsible breeding, proper husbandry, and close monitoring of the dam and pups are important for neonatal health. The risk of abandonment or cannibalism is high in this species especially in stressed dams unfamiliar to frequent handling. Hand-rearing hedgehog pups is difficult and cross-fostering is a preferable alternative for abandoned pups when possible. If intervention becomes necessary, heat support, frequent feedings, and physical stimulation to eliminate must be provided., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors do not have any commercial or financial conflicts of interest, or any funding sources to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This article reviews the most common dermatologic conditions of the pet rodent population, including the prevalence, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate and compare the anesthetic effects of alfaxalone-ketamine-midazolam (AKM) and alfaxalone-ketamine-dexmedetomidine (AKD) in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)., Animals: 9 male black-tailed prairie dogs., Procedures: Prairie dogs were anesthetized with AKM (6 mg/kg alfaxalone, 30 mg/kg ketamine, and 1.5 mg/kg midazolam) and AKD (6 mg/kg alfaxalone, 30 mg/kg ketamine, and 0.15 mg/kg dexmedetomidine) in a prospective, complete cross-over study. Atipamezole (1.5 mg/kg) after AKD or flumazenil (0.1mg/kg) after AKM was administered 45 minutes after induction of anesthesia. Onset of general anesthesia, physiologic parameters, depth of anesthesia, and time to recovery after reversal administration were evaluated for each treatment., Results: Both AKM and AKD produced a deep plane of anesthesia in black-tailed prairie dogs that varied in duration. The median induction times for AKM and AKD were 82 and 60 seconds, respectively. The median recovery times for AKM and AKD were 27 and 21 minutes, respectively. There were no significant differences between protocols for induction (P = .37) and recovery (P = .51) times. All measured reflexes were absent in all animals at 5 minutes postinduction, with hindlimb reflexes returning prior to forelimb reflexes. Heart rate was lower but respiratory rate was higher in the AKD treatment. Body temperature decreased significantly for both protocols (P < .001) and was significantly lower with AKM than AKD (P < .001)., Clinical Relevance: Both AKM and AKD produced a deep plane of anesthesia in black-tailed prairie dogs. For both protocols, heat support and oxygen support are indicated.

Case Description: A male Major Mitchell's cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) of unknown age presented with an ulcerated mass on the ventral tail caudodorsal to the cloaca., Clinical Findings: An impression smear of the mass showed spindle cell atypia. Multiple biopsies were submitted for histopathology with inconclusive results. A CT scan revealed a soft tissue mass causing compression of the cloacal lumen. The patient underwent surgical debulking, and a core of the mass was submitted again for histopathology, which reported it as fibrosarcoma., Treatment and Outcome: Under repeated general isoflurane gas anesthesia, the patient received a course of definitive radiation therapy totaling 60 Gy and divided in 3 Gy X 20 fractions. By treatment completion, the lesion had decreased in size with necrotic debris on the surface. Surrounding tissues appeared healthy and no adverse effects were observed. As of 1.5 years post-treatment, the mass appears completely healed with no signs of reoccurrence., Clinical Relevance: This case suggests that radiation therapy with this protocol could be an effective treatment option for fibrosarcoma in avian species.

Two central bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps ), a 3-y-old male and a 5-y-old female, were diagnosed with different manifestations of lymphoma at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory between 2019 and 2020. The 3-y-old male was presented for postmortem evaluation and was in poor body condition. Microscopically, nearly all examined organs contained variable numbers of neoplastic round cells. Neoplastic cells in the stomach and liver had moderate immunoreactivity to CD3 consistent with multicentric T-cell lymphoma, and non-neoplastic lymphocytes infiltrating the stomach mass had strong immunoreactivity to Pax5. The 5-y-old female had an ulcerated oral mass located in the right lingual gingiva submitted as an excisional biopsy. Microscopically, the mass was composed of large numbers of neoplastic round cells in the epithelium and connective tissue that were strongly and diffusely positive for CD3 and frequently positive for Pax5, consistent with a dual-positive, localized, epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma. Neoplastic and non-neoplastic lymphocytes did not stain with CD20 or CD79a. Neoplasms are increasingly reported as a cause of morbidity and mortality in reptiles. Our 2 cases illustrate various presentations of T-cell lymphoma and the effectiveness of CD3 and Pax5 immunohistochemistry in bearded dragons.

Providing safe anesthetic events in ferrets can be achieved if fundamental principles in anesthesia are followed. Each phase of the anesthetic, event including preanesthetic, maintenance, and postanesthetic phase, have certain considerations. The anesthetic supervisor or veterinarian providing management should have a firm understanding of the species-specific anatomy, physiology, and common indications of general anesthesia along with perspective of their own experience with ferrets. Ensuring these guidelines are followed will facilitate safe administration of general anesthesia in this species., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A 27-year-old female African grey parrot ( Psittacus erithacus ) presented as a referral for surgical removal of an enlarged uropygial gland that was first observed by the owner 6 months prior. Antibiotic therapy was attempted by the referring veterinarian with limited treatment response. No abnormalities were noted in the results of a complete blood count and plasma biochemistry panel. Computed tomographic imaging of the parrot showed a left-sided uropygial gland mass with no evidence of metastasis or invasion into the underlying soft tissue or bone. The uropygial gland was surgically excised in an attempt to obtain clean margins devoid of tumor cells. Histopathological evaluation of the submitted tissue was suggestive of an intraluminal uropygial gland epithelioma. Intraluminal epithelioma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in psittacine species that are presented with an asymmetrically enlarged uropygial gland.