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A captive black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) was presented for clinical examination after showing signs of anorexia, progressive lethargy and absent fecal production. Based on physical examination and radiographic imaging, the prairie dog was diagnosed with gastric impaction after ingesting fresh browse. Fluids, analgesic and prokinetic medications led to the resolution of symptoms within 48 hours. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported diagnosis and resolution of gastric impaction in a prairie dog thus offering some diagnostic and medical options for this species. Based on the etiology in this case, it appears that offering large amount of fresh browse should be avoided in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Hepatocellular carcinomas are the most commonly reported neoplasm of black-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus ). In several other closely related Sciuridae species, infection with species-specific hepadnaviruses is associated with the development of these tumours, but such a hepadnavirus has not yet been identified in any prairie dog species, although its presence has been hypothesized previously. An adult prairie dog was humanely destroyed due to progressive illness and the identification of a cranial abdominal mass that was determined on histopathology to be a hepatocellular carcinoma. Deep sequencing of the tumour tissue identified the presence of a hepadnavirus, similar in its genetic structure to woodchuck hepatitis virus. Electron microscopy showed the presence of viral particles similar in structure to other hepadnaviral particles. This report suggests that a hepadnavirus may be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinomas in the prairie dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]