Disseminated coelomic xanthogranulomatosis in eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus) and budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Xanthogranulomatosis is an inflammatory lesion characterized by lipid-containing macrophages, extracellular lipid, hemorrhage, and necrosis. We describe disseminated intracoelomic xanthogranulomatosis in 5 eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus) and 2 budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Postmortem, clinicopathologic, and historical case material was reviewed. Ages ranged from 3 to 24 years; there were 5 males and 2 females. Table food was included in the diet of 3/5 cases, and animal products were included in 2/3 cases. Common clinicopathologic abnormalities included leukocytosis (4/5 cases) and elevated concentrations of bile acids (3/4 cases) and cholesterol within 6 months prior to death (2/4 cases). At postmortem examination, all 7 birds had grossly visible, irregular, soft, tan to yellow, amorphous plaques distributed on the surfaces of the viscera and body wall. Histologic evaluation and oil red O stain revealed xanthogranulomatous inflammation with phagocytized and extracellular lipid, necrosis, cholesterol clefts, fibrosis, and mineralization. Infectious agents were not identified with special stains in all cases. Concurrent hepatobiliary disease was present in 6/7 cases, and 6/7 had lipid accumulation within the parenchyma of various visceral organs. Five cases had atherosclerosis of great vessels. We describe a unique form of disseminated coelomic xanthogranulomatosis in 2 psittacine species. This condition should be recognized as a differential diagnosis in cases of disseminated coelomic mass formation and coelomic distension in psittacine birds, particularly in eclectus parrots and budgerigars.

Preventative dental care for dogs in research facilities.

For dogs in research facilities, every effort is made to meet the challenge of providing for their exercise needs and environmental enrichment. Another important factor in maintaining their health may be overlooked, however. It is rare that routine dental care and evaluation is provided or that any effort is made to maintain good oral health.

Urethral catheterization of the female rat.

Urinary tract catheterization of the rat may be required for a variety of clinical and experimental reasons. The external urinary orifice is easily visualized and rests anterior to the vaginal opening, making urinary tract catheterization easier in the female rat than in other species. This column describes a technique for short-term urethral catheterization in the adult female rat.

Urolithiasis and cystotomy in the rabbit.

Cystotomy is a surgical incision into the urinary bladder, which may be required for removal of calculi, diagnosis of tumors or refractory urinary tract infections, or repair of ectopic ureters and ruptured bladders. This column describes the indications and techniques for cystotomy in the rabbit.

Urethral catheterization in the female guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

Urethral catheterization of the female guinea pig has potential diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications. Urethral catheter placement in the female guinea pig is relatively easy to carry out and has fewer potential complications than does catheter placement in male guinea pigs.

Urethral catheterization of the male ferret for treatment of urinary tract obstruction.

Male ferrets are used in various biomedical research studies and generally thrive in laboratory conditions. Urethral obstruction can occur in male ferrets of all ages, and urethral catheterization may be needed to relieve the obstruction. This column describes urinary catheter selection, placement and monitoring in the male ferret.

Restraint and oral administration in frogs.

Frogs in the research setting may require administration of test compounds or of medications (if they are ill). Various routes of administration can be used in frogs, including parenteral, enteral, transdermal and oral. This column discusses clinical techniques for restraint and oral administration of medication, food or test compounds in frogs.

Cardiac blood sample collection from snakes.

Snakes are used in various investigations of the effects of their venom on human physiology. Blood sampling is frequently an important part of these investigations. The heart is the most commonly used venipuncture site in snakes because it yields a reasonably large sample. This column describes cardiocentesis for blood sample collection in the snake.

Surgical management of canine aural hematoma.

Ear (aural) hematomas occur when blood vessels in the pinna rupture secondary to trauma or excessive head shaking. Blood fills the space between the skin and the cartilage, causing pain and potential deformity of the ear. In this column, I discuss surgical treatment of aural hematomas in the dog.

Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment.

Environmental enrichment must be provided for the various animal species that are housed in laboratory animal facilities. Wheatgrass can be used as a natural form of enrichment that requires minimal preparation and effort. Wheatgrass is appropriate enrichment for cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents and birds.

Nasogastric tube placement in the rabbit.

If a rabbit is ill or will be undergoing certain types of surgery, it may need to be fed using a nasogastric tube. Nasogastric intubation is easy and is an effective means of delivering nutrition and fluids when other feeding methods are not feasible. This column describes how to place a nasogastric tube in a rabbit.

Exercise enclosures for guinea pigs.

Exercise and exploration are important to the health and happiness of guinea pigs. Laboratory housing does not always provide the space necessary for such opportunities. This article presents an inexpensive, versatile option for an enclosed exercise area for the laboratory guinea pig.

Incisor adjustment in rabbits.

Rabbit incisor teeth are open-rooted and, in healthy animals, grow continuously. Incisor adjustments are often necessary to maintain the health and well-being of rabbits with incisor malocclusion. This column will describe some techniques used to manage incisor malocclusion in the rabbit.

Novel food items as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits.

This column discusses the use of novel dietary supplements as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits. The purpose of enrichment is to encourage behaviors that are appropriate for a particular species and that satisfy an animal's physical and psychological needs.

Cerebellomedullary cerebrospinal fluid collection in the dog.

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be a valuable diagnostic tool. This column describes cerebellomedullary CSF collection in the dog.

Intraoral examination in rabbits.

Dental examination should be included in all physical examinations of rabbits because they have continuously growing teeth and are predisposed to dental disease. This column describes the procedure and equipment used for oral examination in rabbits.

Assisted feeding for small herbivores.

Force-feeding or syringe-feeding is a necessary skill in the care and maintenance of small herbivores. The ability to supply dietary energy to a rabbit, chinchilla or guinea pig is as important as the ability to administer medication. Anyone involved in the care of small herbivores must be comfortable with and accustomed to the process of restraint and administration of force-fed supplementation.

Treatment of pododermatitis in the guinea pig.

Pododermatitis is a painful inflammation of the footpads. This column describes appropriate treatment for pododermatitis in guinea pigs.

Intra-abdominal castration in the rat.

Normal rat posture results in proximity of the scrotum to bedding and feces, which predisposes rats to postoperative complications if castration is done using standard scrotal and prescrotal approaches. This column describes a ventral abdominal approach for castration in the rat.