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The sedative effects of intranasal midazolam and dexmedetomidine were evaluated in 2 tortoise species as a means to facilitate handling and performing diagnostic procedures. Six red-footed tortoises ( Chelonoidis carbonaria ) and 6 Indian star tortoises ( Geochelone platynota ) received the following treatments in a randomized order with 2-week washout periods between the treatments: midazolam (0.5 and 1.5mg/kg), dexmedetomidine (0.05 and 0.15mg/kg), and saline control. Tortoises were evaluated and scored for sedation (using a previously published subjective method) by blinded observers, and results were averaged for each species and treatment group. Low-dose dexmedetomidine (0.05mg/kg) in red-footed tortoises resulted in a significantly higher median sedation score at 5 minutes compared with other treatments. Control saline resulted in a higher median sedation score 5 minutes after administration in Indian star tortoises compared with red-footed tortoises. No other significant differences were observed between treatments or between species. The results suggest that intranasal administration of midazolam or dexmedetomidine, at the dosages used in this study, do not provide effective sedation in red-footed tortoises or Indian star tortoises, based on a subjective scoring system.

A 16-year-old female umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba) was presented for a fluctuant, right-sided cervical mass that extended from the caudolateral edge of the right mandible to the coelomic inlet. Results of initial diagnostic tests were consistent with a cystic mass containing hemorrhage. Surgical exploration and removal of the mass was done, but because the hyoid apparatus was incorporated in the base of the cyst, complete surgical excision was not possible. Histopathologic results were consistent with a branchial cyst with carcinoma. Five months after surgery, the cockatoo exhibited intermittent periorbital swelling and epistaxis, and cytologic results of a fluid aspirate from the right infraorbital sinus were consistent with carcinoma. Results of magnetic resonance imaging revealed extensive abnormal T2 and short-tau inversion-recovery hyperintense tissue associated with the right side of the head and neck, infiltrating between muscle planes and extending into the right retro-orbital tissue and nasal cavity. At 7 months after surgery, the bird was severely dyspneic and was euthanatized. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the diagnosis, management, and histologic characteristics associated with a branchial cyst with carcinoma in an animal.

Cefovecin was administered to six healthy adult white bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) and six healthy adult Atlantic horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) to determine its pharmacokinetics in these species. A single dose of cefovecin at 8 mg/kg was administered subcutaneously in the epaxial region of the bamboo sharks and in the proximal articulation of the lateral leg of the horseshoe crabs. Blood and hemolymph samples were collected at various time points from bamboo sharks and Atlantic horseshoe crabs. High performance liquid chromatography was performed to determine plasma levels of cefovecin. The terminal half-life of cefovecin in Atlantic horseshoe crabs was 37.70 ± 9.04 hr and in white bamboo sharks was 2.02 ± 4.62 hr. Cefovecin concentrations were detected for 4 days in white bamboo sharks and for 14 days in Atlantic horseshoe crabs. No adverse effects associated with cefovecin administration were seen in either species.

A simple high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of cefovecin in small volume plasma has been developed. Following solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB cartridges, samples were separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on an XBridge C8 (3.5 µm) 4.6 × 250 mm column and quantified using ultraviolet detection at 280 nm. The mobile phase was a mixture of 10 mm ammonium acetate (pH 3.5) and acetonitrile (89:11), with a flow rate of 0.85 mL/min. The standard curve ranged from 0.1 to 200 µg/mL. Intra- and Inter-assay variability for cefovecin was 90%. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.1 µg/mL. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of cefovecin samples at our institution. This is also the first fully validated method with an internal standard that does not use mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A 15-yr-old female Madagascar ground boa (Boa madagascariensis) presented with a history of anorexia, wheezing, and occasional open-mouth breathing. On oral examination, a firm, caseous mass was noted in the right caudoventral pharyngeal region, which was confirmed as a carcinoma on incisional biopsy. Advanced imaging (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) was performed to evaluate local tumor invasion and to plan for palliative radiation therapy. However, following the second treatment (10 Gy), the mass had increased in size, and the snake was euthanatized. Radiation-associated vasculitis was noted within the soft tissues surrounding the mass and within muscles and the lung, which was verified on histopathology. The squamous cell carcinoma of the snake in this report was resistant to palliative radiation therapy.

Objective—To evaluate first-intention healing of CO2 laser, 4.0-MHz radiowave radiosurgery (RWRS), and scalpel incisions in ball pythons (Python regius). Animals—6 healthy adult ball pythons. Procedures—A skin biopsy sample was collected, and 2-cm skin incisions (4/modality) were made in each snake under anesthesia and closed with surgical staples on day 0. Incision sites were grossly evaluated and scored daily. One skin biopsy sample per incision type per snake was obtained on days 2, 7, 14, and 30. Necrotic and fibroplastic tissue was measured in histologic sections; samples were assessed and scored for total inflammation, histologic response (based on the measurement of necrotic and fibroplastic tissues and total inflammation score), and other variables. Frequency distributions of gross and histologic variables associated with wound healing were calculated. Results—Gross wound scores were significantly greater (indicating greater separation of wound edges) for laser incisions than for RWRS and scalpel incisions at all evaluated time points. Necrosis was significantly greater in laser and RWRS incisions than in scalpel incision sites on days 2 and 14 and days 2 and 7, respectively; fibroplasia was significantly greater in laser than in scalpel incision sites on day 30. Histologic response scores were significantly lower for scalpel than for other incision modalities on days 2, 14, and 30. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In snakes, skin incisions made with a scalpel generally had less necrotic tissue than did CO2 laser and RWRS incisions. Comparison of the 3 modalities on the basis of histologic response scores indicated that use of a scalpel was preferable, followed by RWRS and then laser.

An 8-yr-old intact female African lion (Panthera leo) presented with a 3-day history of lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. Hematologic and biochemical abnormalities included a leukocytosis, 41,700/microl (4,700-15,300) with a neutrophilia (37,530/microl; 2,000-9,200) and a left shift (1,250/microl bands; 0-300), and mild hypokalemia of 2.1 mEq/L (2.8-4.8). Abdominal radiographs revealed evidence of intestinal ileus, peritonitis, and the presence of effusion. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, and septic peritonitis due to a pyometra was diagnosed. The lion was treated with an ovariohysterectomy, abdominal lavage, fluid therapy, and a subcutaneous injection of cefovecin. The lion recovered, and clinical signs associated with septic peritonitis resolved within 36 hr. It was returned to conspecifics 3 wk later. Three months postoperatively, the lion showed no residual signs of septic peritonitis.

Background: Advantages of handheld and small bench-top biochemical analyzers include requirements for smaller sample volume and practicality for use in the field or in practices, but little has been published on the performance of these instruments compared with standard reference methods in analysis of reptilian blood. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare reptilian blood biochemical values obtained using the Abaxis VetScan Classic bench-top analyzer and a Heska i-STAT handheld analyzer with values obtained using a Roche Hitachi 911 chemical analyzer. Methods: Reptiles, including 14 bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps), 4 blue-tongued skinks (Tiliqua gigas), 8 Burmese star tortoises (Geochelone platynota), 10 Indian star tortoises (Geochelone elegans), 5 red-tailed boas (Boa constrictor), and 5 Northern pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus), were manually restrained, and a single blood sample was obtained and divided for analysis. Results for concentrations of albumin, bile acids, calcium, glucose, phosphates, potassium, sodium, total protein, and uric acid and activities of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase obtained from the VetScan Classic and Hitachi 911 were compared. Results for concentrations of chloride, glucose, potassium, and sodium obtained from the i-STAT and Hitachi 911 were compared. Results: Compared with results from the Hitachi 911, those from the VetScan Classic and i-STAT had variable correlations, and constant or proportional bias was found for many analytes. Bile acid data could not be evaluated because results for 44 of 45 samples fell below the lower linearity limit of the VetScan Classic. Conclusions: Although the 2 portable instruments might provide measurements with clinical utility, there were significant differences compared with the reference analyzer, and development of analyzer-specific reference intervals is recommended.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided liver biopsies were conducted in 15 snakes using 18-gauge automatic biopsy devices. The liver samples collected ranged in size from 1.16 ± 0.40 mm to 8.3 ± 0.55 mm. Upon histologic examination, all biopsy samples were of diagnostic quality. Anesthesia with complete immobilization of the snake was necessary to allow proper selection of the target site and limit complications associated with biopsy collection. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided liver biopsy is a rapid, minimally invasive method for collecting liver tissue in snakes.

Ostrich production facilities expanded exponentially in the United States, leading to crowded conditions and new disease states that required close examination and, occasionally, surgical intervention. Manual restraint was usually inadequate and often dangerous to both the ostrich and the handler, and necessitated chemical immobilization. Few repeatable anesthetic techniques have been established for ostriches. This report describes a predictable general anesthetic technique for ostriches. Seven adult, domesticated ostriches (three male; four female), estimated to weigh 99.2 ± 6.2 kg (mean ± SEM) were hand injected with 0.2 mg kg−1 midazolam and 0.4 mg kg−1 butorphanol IM in the mid-dorsum. Sedative effects were evident and anesthesia was induced 34.13 ± 1.88 minutes after sedation with ketamine (8.69 ± 0.51 mg kg−1 IV in the right jugular vein), followed by intubation and isoflurane anesthesia under controlled ventilation (PaCO2 35–45 mm Hg, 4.7–6 kPa) for surgery (proventriculotomy, n = 6; neck laceration, n = 1). The laceration subject required a second anesthesia one month later. Temperature, ECG, pulse oximetry, blood gases, exhaled gases and arterial blood pressures were monitored and supported. To assess inhalant anesthetic requirement a simple step-down, step-up method (10–20% change) was applied, maintaining a given end-tidal isoflurane (ETISO) concentration for a minimum of 15 minutes during surgical stimulation and observing gross purposeful head movement. Movement was noted at ETiso 1.69 ± 0.11% at the first step-down approach (n = 8), 1.66 ± 0.09% (n = 5) at the second and 1.78 ± 0.06 (n = 4) at the third. Body temperature at instrumentation was 37.2 ± 0.3 °C and dropped to 35.8 ± 0.5 °C by the end of the procedure. Time from induction to start of the step-down analysis was 80.9 ± 20.0 minutes with a total anesthesia time of 268.3 ± 37.4 minutes. In recovery ETISO for head movement was 0.48 ± 0.06%. This movement was followed immediately by 5 mg butorphanol IV, and provided 14.4 ± 2.3 minutes before the next head movement. The second movement was followed immediately by naloxone (0.01 mg kg−1 IV) and minimal delirium in recovery. A relatively controlled, repeatable method for anesthesia of domesticated ostriches was established.