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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...

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...

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...