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Maropitant citrate is a synthetic neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist and substance P inhibitor used for control of emesis in dogs in cats. Maropitant citrate is used empirically in birds, despite a lack of pharmacokinetic data in avian species. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of a single dose of maropitant citrate 1 and 2 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) in eight Rhode Island Red hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). A crossover study design was used with 1-week washout between trials. Blood samples were collected over 36 h after drug administration. Plasma concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined via non-compartmental analysis. The mean maximum plasma concentration, time to maximum concentration, and elimination half-life following 1 and 2 mg/kg SC were 915.6 ± 312.8 ng/ml and 1195.2 ± 320.2 ng/ml, 0.49 ± 0.21 h and 1.6 ± 2.6 h, and 8.47 ± 2.24 h and 8.58 ± 2.6 h, respectively. Pharmacokinetic data suggests doses of 1 or 2 mg/kg SC may be administered every 12-24 h to maintain above target plasma concentration similar to dogs (90 ng/ml). These data provide a basis for further investigation of maropitant citrate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in birds.

Intraoral disease, including macropod progressive periodontal disease, is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality for wallabies under human care. Clinical signs associated with intraoral disease vary, and diagnostic findings can be difficult to interpret without intraoral radiographs or advanced imaging; therefore, this disease process can be challenging to detect in its early stages. Previous studies have investigated the effects of intraoral disease on the normal oral microbiome of various domestic species. Results from these studies demonstrate specific changes to the oral microbiome that have the potential to be used as an early indicator of intraoral disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral microbiome of 12 Bennett's wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus) and 3 yellow-footed rock wallabies (Petrogale xanthopus), using next-generation sequencing, to determine if intraoral disease influences the oral microbiome, as demonstrated in other species. The study identified a total of 295 bacterial species and 388 fungal species from the oral cavity of 15 wallabies. Although not statistically significant, the results of the study suggest an increase in the number of anaerobic bacterial species in sites of disease, including Actinomyces bowdenii, a species from the family Propionibacteriaceae, Peptostreptococcus canis, Fretibacterium sp., and Synergistes jonesii. It also revealed a decrease in microbial diversity in animals with active intraoral disease compared with animals without active disease, as well as at the site of disease compared with the control site. Results from this study support the findings of similar studies assessing the oral microbiome of macropods. Additional studies are warranted to better understand the normal oral microbiome of Bennett's and yellow-footed rock wallabies and the dynamic changes in the microbiome that occur in animals with intraoral disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate methods for euthanizing cave cockroaches (CCs; Blaberus giganteus) and Madagascar hissing cockroaches (MHCs; Gromphadorhina portentosa). It was hypothesized that both suggested methods would be effective for humane mass euthanasia of both species. SAMPLE Approximately 800 CC. METHODS The CCs were separated into replicate groups of 25, 50, 75, 100, and 150 grams and placed into 3.8-L plastic bags. Twenty-seven MHCs were divided into groups of 2 to 3. The study took place from January to March 2023. All CC groups were exposed to 100% carbon dioxide (CO2) at a rate of 4 L/min until the bag was full. Madagascar hissing cockroaches were similarly anesthetized using either CO2 or 2 mL of isoflurane on a cotton ball in a 1-L container or a combination of CO2 and isoflurane. Once cockroaches were immobile, secondary euthanasia steps were performed. One bag of CCs per weight category was exposed to soapy water (5% Dawn dishwashing liquid), and the second was placed into a −80°C freezer. The containers of MHCs were evenly exposed to the 2 euthanasia methods. Individuals remained in their secondary euthanasia method for 30 minutes. RESULTS Regardless of the weight of the CCs within each bag, there was no impact on time (1.8 ± 0.4 minutes [mean ± SD]) to immobility. The failure rates for both species were 0.2% CI (−0.1% to 1.5% [1/413]) for soapy water and 0.5% CI (0.005% to 1.9% [2/414]) for the freezer method. These results support the use of both 2-step euthanasia methods in CCs and MHCs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These methods will serve as an evidence-based alternative for humane mass euthanasia in cockroaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical examination is an essential part of the avian veterinary visit that often shapes the differential diagnosis and guides the diagnostic plan. The avian physical examination consists of a distant examination and an in-hand examination. Components of the physical examination differ between species. This article provides an overview of how to examine parrots and chickens in the veterinary clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis and surgical treatment of migrating foreign bodies in the central nervous system has previously been reported in dogs and cats. A clinical presentation of this disease process in a rabbit has not been previously described in the veterinary literature. A 1.5-year-old, male castrated, mixed breed rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented for hyporexia, lethargy, and reluctance to move. Survey radiographs revealed a linear, metal opaque structure extending from the caudal oral cavity, through the spinal canal, to the caudodorsal soft tissues of cervical vertebra 1 (C1). The top differential, due to the shape and size of the object, was a sewing needle, which was supported using computed tomography. Fluoroscopy was used to triangulate the location of the metal object. Once located, it was extracted through a 2 cm dorsolateral incision near C1, and confirmed to be a standard sewing needle. Four hours after recovery from anesthesia, the rabbit was semi-comatose. The modified Glasgow coma scale score (MGCS; 12/18), mentation, and physical examination parameters prompted administration of mannitol, and mentation and MGCS (14/18) subsequently improved. The rabbit was discharged 3 days later with bright and alert mentation, appropriate ambulatory abilities, and minor neurologic abnormalities. This is the first documented case of successful diagnosis, surgical removal, and medical treatment of an ingested foreign metal object penetrating the spinal cord in a pet rabbit. It is also the first documented report of mannitol use in a non-anesthetized pet rabbit whose traumatic central nervous system injury was not experimentally induced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Animals Studied Procedure Results Conclusion The aim of this study was to document ophthalmic examination findings and provide reference values for ocular examinations and diagnostics in clinically normal Western tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium) and to evaluate the mydriatic effect of a topical rocuronium bromide and identify any adverse effects.Sixteen Western tiger salamanders.A complete ophthalmic examination, including intraocular pressure via rebound tonometry [iCare® TonoVet (dog‐setting) or iCare® TonoVet Plus (dog‐setting)], and fluorescein and Rose Bengal stains, was performed. Ocular surface flora culture swabs were collected for microbiology in four salamanders. Rocuronium bromide (50 μL; 0.01 mg) was administered into each eye in three salamanders. Pupil size and constriction ability were evaluated up to 60 min following administration of rocuronium bromide. Distant visual examination and Doppler heart rate were used to monitor for potential adverse effects of rocuronium bromide.Observed ocular abnormalities included lipid keratopathy/keratitis (19%; 3/16), parasitic ophthalmitis (19%; 3/16), and cataracts (6.3%; 1/16). A significant difference was found between tonometry with iCare® TonoVet (11.5 ± 2.7 mmHg) versus TonoVet Plus (15.4 ± 3.7 mmHg) (p = .025). Fluorescein and Rose Bengal stains were negative in all salamanders. Ocular surface microbiology revealed a high incidence of contamination from environmental flora, with the most common isolate being unidentified as Gram‐negative nonfermenters (75%; 3/4). No significant change in pupil size or constriction ability was observed with rocuronium bromide.This is the first study to document ocular examination findings and diagnostics in captive and wild urodeles and may serve as a reference for clinical assessment and future studies of the Western tiger salamander. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian bornavirus (ABV) is known to infect at least 80 avian species and is associated with avian bornaviral ganglioneuritis (ABG). Avian bornaviral ganglioneuritis is characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the nervous tissue, mainly affecting the nerves that supply the gastrointestinal tract of birds. This disease is diagnosed commonly in psittacines under human care and has been demonstrated in wild bird species; however, its occurrence in raptors is largely unknown. Because of the commonality of ABV in the pet bird population, there is concern about the spread of this virus to other companion avian species, such as falconry birds, as well as wildlife. This prospective study used reverse)transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to survey free-ranging Colorado and Wyoming, US, raptor populations for ABV. Quantitative PCR was performed on mixed conjunctival-choanal-cloacal swabs collected from live birds (n=139). In dead birds, a combination of mixed swabs (n=265) and tissue samples of the brain (n=258), heart (n=162), adrenal glands (n=162), liver (n=162), kidney (n=139), spinal cord (n=139), and brachial plexus (n=139) were evaluated. All 1,565 swab and tissue samples RT-qPCR results from the 404 birds evaluated were negative. Based on these results and a lack of clinical signs suggestive of ABG, ABV is likely not a prevalent pathogen in Colorado and Wyoming raptor populations at this time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited knowledge on amphibian sedation, and drug doses appear to be species-specific and affected by the administration route. Alfaxalone, a neuroactive steroid, has gained popularity in veterinary medicine and has been evaluated in some amphibian species. Previous studies in amphibians have demonstrated a sedative dose range of 10–30 mg/kg IM. No peer--reviewed publication has investigated this drug in Sonoran Desert toads (Incilius alvarius) specifically. Therefore, the purposes of this study were 1) to determine the effective dose 50 (ED50) of IM alfaxalone for sedation, and 2) to determine the cardiopulmonary effects of the effective dose 99 (ED99) in 13 Sonoran Desert toads. Using Dixon's up-and-down method, the ED50 was calculated as 9.02 mg/kg, and using a nonlinear regression, the calculated ED50 was 9.65 mg/kg, and the ED99 was 9.91 mg/kg. Based on these results, 10 mg/kg IM was administered, and its cardiovascular effects were determined for 120 min postinjection. The 10 mg/kg IM dose resulted in significant transient cardiorespiratory depression in all toads, with most toads (11/13) showing signs of sedation (recumbency and/or loss of righting reflex) within 30–40 min postinjection. There was no associated mortality with this study, and the side effects associated with this dosage (cardiorespiratory depression, ventral erythema, and dysphoric behavior such as rolling and head pressing) resolved in all toads prior to the end of the 120 min observation window. This study hopes to increase the understanding of the clinical application and limitations of this drug for sedation of Sonoran Desert toads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]