The Rat Thoracic Ultrasound protocol: scanning technique and normal findings.

Respiratory diseases (especially pneumonia) are very common disorders in pet rats. The suspected diagnosis is mostly based on the clinical signs, thoracic auscultation, and thoracic radiography. However, auscultation is insensitive in determining the severity of the disease, and radiographs are often unremarkable. Non-cardiac thoracic ultrasonography is increasingly used in veterinary medicine; however, it has not been described in detail in rats. Thoracic ultrasonic examination was conducted on 400 client-owned conscious pet rats. The rats were examined in the period from June 2023 to August 2023 in two veterinary clinics. Due to the small size of the animal, different anatomical considerations, and different evaluation protocols, as well as to meet the optimal outcome of detailed thoracic ultrasound, a standard methodological protocol was developed, and the name RATTUS (Rat Thoracic Ultrasound) was proposed. Typical signs of normal RATTUS were described (bat sign, lung sliding, A-lines, abdominal curtain sign, ski jump sign, lung pulse, seashore sign in M-mode, and bamboo sign). The new evaluation of lung inflation symmetry by substernal access was also described. The methodical approach presented and the normal findings description are proposed to be used for a standard/routine thoracic ultrasound examination in pet rats.

Radical debridement guided by advanced imaging and frequent monitoring is an effective approach for the treatment of odontogenic abscesses and jaw osteomyelitis in rabbits: a review of 200 cases (2018-2023).

OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence and document the treatment and outcome of odontogenic abscesses and associated jaw osteomyelitis in pet rabbits. ANIMALS: 200 client-owned rabbits. METHODS: Pet rabbits surgically treated using extraoral teeth extraction with marsupialization for abscesses of dental origin and jaw osteomyelitis were included in the study (February 2018 to February 2023). A case must have had pre- and postoperative computed tomographic study and a follow-up period of at least 4 months. RESULTS: In total, 113 male and 87 female rabbits were treated surgically. The mean age at the time of the diagnosis at the authors' clinic was 3 years and 11 months. Male rabbits suffered from odontogenic abscesses significantly more often than females. The mean surgical time varied from 25 to 95 minutes, based on the severity of the pathology and location. The wound healed completely in an average of 39.7 days (range, 14 to 145 days; 95% CI, 36.9 to 42.5 days). Major complications detected in 18.5% (37/200) cases were associated with prolonged healing time mostly due to the formation of a bone sequestrum and gingival suture failure. The disease-free time following abscess resolution was on average 29 months (range, 4 to 60 months). The recurrence of the odontogenic infection was 8% (16/200 cases). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The radical surgical technique with the extraction of all the infected teeth with the removal of all affected tissue and osteomyelitic bone and regular follow-up wound management is an effective method for the treatment of odontogenic abscesses with jaw osteomyelitis.

Cardiology in Rodents, Rabbits, and Small Exotic Mammals-Diagnostic Workup.

The incidence of cardiac diseases in pet rabbits and rodents increased over the past decade as these species live longer and diagnostics methods are more precise to diagnose heart diseases even in small-sized animals. The article summarizes diagnostics of cardiac diseases in selected exotic companion mammals, particularly in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and rats. The emphasis of the paper is given on clinical examination, thoracic radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography.

Case Report: Spontaneous Appendicitis With Suspected Involvement of Klebsiella variicola in Two Pet Rabbits.

Although laboratory rabbits are commonly used as models of appendicitis in man, spontaneous appendicitis was only described ante-mortem in one pet rabbit with an acute abdomen. The aim of this article is to describe two spontaneous cases of appendicitis in pet rabbits, to describe therapeutic appendectomy, and to discuss the microbial flora of the inflamed appendix. A 5-month-old intact female and a 16-month-old, neutered male were presented to the veterinary clinic with restlessness, anorexia, and reduced faecal output. The main clinical findings were restlessness, severe discomfort on abdominal palpation, a mid-abdominal palpable tubulous mass and an elevated rectal temperature. Blood analyses showed lymphocytosis, monocytosis, and hyperglycaemia. Radiography was inconclusive. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a presence of a tubular structure with wall thicknesses of 4.2 and 3.7 mm in the two rabbits, respectively. The tubular structure had a rounded, closed end, and a multilayered wall, suggestive of appendicitis. Due to metabolic acidosis and poor prognosis, the first rabbit was euthanized. In the 16-month-old rabbit, appendectomy was performed. Recovery was uneventful, and 4 h after surgery, the rabbit started to become normally active. Postoperative care consisted of fluid therapy, multimodal analgesia, supportive care and prokinetics. Follow-up examinations at 10 days, 1 month, and at 11 months after the surgery did not show any abnormal clinical or laboratory findings. Histopathological examination of appendices from both rabbits showed gangrenous appendicitis. Aerobic cultivation showed the presence of pure culture of Klebsiella variicola sensitive to enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, tetracycline, cefuroxime, trimethoprim sulphonamide, neomycin, and gentamicin. Restlessness associated with anorexia, abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass, hyperglycaemia, lymphocytosis, and elevated rectal temperature may be indicative of inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal ultrasound is recommended in rabbits with showing these clinical signs because radiography can be inconclusive. Appendicitis is a life-threatening condition, which should be included into the list of differential diagnoses; for the rabbit, an acute abdomen and gastrointestinal stasis syndrome and must be treated immediately. K. variicola may be associated with appendicitis in rabbits as a causative agent or in association with appendix intraluminal dysmicrobia.

A case of a complete atrioventricular canal defect in a ferret.

BACKGROUND: Atrioventricular canal defect is a rare congenital disorder of the heart and describes the presence of an atrial septal defect, a variable presentation of ventricular septal alterations including ventricular septal defect malformations in the mitral and tricuspid valves. The defect has been described in human beings, dogs, cats, pigs, and horses. CASE PRESENTATION: This paper describes the case of a complete atrioventricular canal defect in a four-year-old intact male pet ferret (Mustela putorius furo), which was presented due to posterior weakness, ataxia, and decreased appetite. A loud systolic murmur, dyspnea, and hind limb paraparesis were detected during the clinical examination. Thoracic radiographs showed generalized cardiomegaly and lung edema. ECG showed sinus rhythm with prolonged P waves and QRS complexes. Echocardiography showed a large atrial septal defect, atrioventricular dysplasia, and a ventricular septal defect. Palliative treatment with oxygen, furosemide, spironolactone, enalapril, diltiazem, and supportive care was chosen as the therapy of choice. The ferret recovered gradually during hospitalization. A follow-up examination at three and six months showed stabilization of cardiac function. CONCLUSIONS: To the authors knowledge, this is the first time an atrioventricular canal defect has been described in a pet ferret.

Bilayer mucoadhesive buccal films with prolonged release of ciclopirox olamine for the treatment of oral candidiasis: In vitro development, ex vivo permeation testing, pharmacokinetic and efficacy study in rabbits.

The incidence of fungal infections has increased in recent decades not only in patients with predisposing and risk factors, but it has also spread up due to the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunosuppressants and corticosteroids. A limited number of drugs are currently used to treat oral candidiasis (OC). There is an emerging need to look for new antifungals, to rework or to explore the already known molecules. Ciclopirox olamine (CPX), a broad-spectrum antifungal agent, is currently used for topical dermatologic treatment. In this study, bilayer mucoadhesive buccal films (MBFs) containing poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and Eudragit® NM 30D (EU) with the prolonged release of ciclopirox olamine, were developed for the treatment of oral candidiasis. During ex vivo testing it was found that CPX does not pass through the porcine buccal tissue but it accumulates in it, which may be beneficial for the treatment of candidiasis in the oral cavity. In a pharmacokinetic study, the drug release from mucoadhesive films was prolonged with the maximum plasma concentration at 3.4 (1.4; 5.5) h. All rabbits with stomatitis showed progressive healing after the treatment with CPX bilayer mucoadhesive buccal films without organ pathologies.

Effect of GnRH agonist deslorelin implant on spermatogenesis and testosterone concentration in Guinea pigs (Cavia aperea porcellus).

Guinea pigs are social animals that are often kept in groups regardless of their gender. Due to reproduction control and male aggressiveness prevention, surgical castration is commonly required. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of GnRH agonist implant (4.7 mg deslorelinum) on the serum testosterone concentration (T) and spermatogenesis in male guinea pigs. Twenty-four animals were divided into two groups. All animals in the first group were neutered (Group 1), animals in the second group (Group 2) were administered the implant subcutaneously and then neutered in one-month intervals. A histological examination was performed when cross sections of seminiferous tubules were assessed. Subsequently, these tubules were divided based on the most developed germ cell observed: spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round spermatids, elongating spermatids and elongated spermatids. The anticipated decrease in testosterone concentration and cessation of spermatogenesis was not achieved. Thus, the results obtained proved the inefficacy of the deslorelin implant in male guinea pigs so the alternative methods of contraception remain the methods of choice.

Evidence-Based Advances in Rodent Medicine.

The number of exotic companion pet rodents seen in veterinary practices is growing very rapidly. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association's surveys, more than 2,093,000 pet rodents were kept in US households in 2007 and in 2012 it was more than 2,349,000 animals. This article summarizes the most important evidence-based knowledge in exotic pet rodents (diagnostics of the hyperadrenocorticism in guinea pigs, pituitary tumors in rats, urolithiasis in guinea pigs, use of itopride as prokinetics, use of deslorelin acetate in rodents, cause of dental disease, and prevention of mammary gland tumors in rats).

Metabolic Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication: an 18-Month Prospective, Observational, Open-Label Study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) is an innovative restrictive technique designed to reduce gastric volume by plication at the region of greater curvature. The long-term efficacy, safety, and the metabolic effects of this procedure are the subject of this study. METHODS: One hundred twenty-seven patients were enrolled; 84 underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and 43, LGCP. LSG and LGCP were then compared during long-term follow-ups in terms of glycemic control, hormone and lipid secretion, and changes in body composition. Measured parameters included serum glucose, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, testosterone, estradiol, leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, fatmass, and lean body mass. RESULTS: Significant weight-loss and a reduced body composition resulted from either procedure vs. baseline (i.e., pre-surgery), with levels of fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin also showing statistically significant reductions (at 3 and 18 months for either surgery). Intergroup comparisons for glycemic parameters yielded no statistically significant differences. However, a dramatic reduction in ghrelin was detected following LSG, falling from pre-surgery levels of 140.7 to 69.6 ng/L by 6 months (P < 0.001). Subsequently, ghrelin levels increased, reaching 107.8 ng/L by month 12. Conversely, after LGCP, a statistically significant increase in ghrelin was seen, rising from 130.0 ng/L before surgery to 169.0 ng/L by month 12, followed by a slow decline. CONCLUSIONS: Good metabolic outcomes were obtained following LGCP, which might be mediated via altered glucose metabolism and GI hormones. Nevertheless, this method is less effective than LSG, possibly due to its preservation of the entire stomach, including secretory regions.

Reproductive Medicine in Ferrets.

In the United States, desexing is performed routinely in ferrets at the age of 6 weeks, therefore reproductive tract diseases are not so common. However, in Europe most ferrets are desexed when they are several months old, or they are kept as intact animals. For this reason, diseases of the reproductive organs and a prolonged estrus are far more frequent in Europe than in the United States. This article summarizes and reviews the anatomy, reproductive physiology, management of reproduction (including surgical and hormonal contraception) and reproductive tract diseases in male and female ferrets.

Pharmacokinetics of Ciclopirox Olamine after Buccal Administration in Rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of oral mucosal fungal infections increases with the frequent administration of antibiotics, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Therapeutically used antifungals are usually associated with a variety of drug interactions. Furthermore, there has been a noticeable increase in microorganisms resistant to these preparations. Mucoadhesive buccal films represent a modern therapeutic system for the treatment of oral mucosal fungal infection paired with a high degree of patient compliance. Ciclopirox olamine applied directly onto the oral mucosa offers an attractive alternative to treatment with systemic antifungals thanks to its low incidence of resistance and side effects. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of ciclopirox olamine after the buccal application of mucoadhesive film prepared by the solvent casting method. METHOD: A chromatographic method using an internal standard was developed and validated for evaluation of ciclopirox olamine plasma concentrations. Method accuracy was 88.5-104.6% and 89.5-99.7% for interday and intraday assays, respectively. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetic properties of ciclopirox olamine were studied in New Zealand White rabbits. The mucoadhesive films containing ciclopirox olamine in a total dose of 34.4 (33.0; 35.9) mg kg-1 were applied to all the rabbits. Plasma ciclopirox olamine concentrations were determined during the 12 h following application. The time taken to reach maximum plasma concentration was 1.7 (1.1; 2.2) h after the drug administration with cmax 5.73 (4.18; 7.28) µg mL-1. Overall elimination half-life was 3.8 (1.9; 10.8) h. CONCLUSION: The experiment suggests that oral mucoadhesive film may be a valuable alternative ciclopirox olamine administration.

Cryptosporidium erinacei and C. parvum in a group of overwintering hedgehogs.

This study describes cryptosporidiosis in an overwintering group of 15 European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), comprising 3 adults and 12 juveniles. Four juvenile hedgehogs were hospitalised with anorexia, malodorous diarrhoea and dehydration. Immediate parasitological examinations revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. in these animals and also in 5 other juveniles. All hedgehogs were coproscopically monitored for 4 months over the winter season. Shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts persisted from 6 to 70 days. Repeated shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts occurred in 3 animals after 4 months subsequent to the first outbreak. Clinical signs were observed only at the beginning of the outbreak (apathy, anorexia, general weakness, mild dehydration, and malodorous faeces with changed consistence - soft/diarrhoea) in the 4 hospitalised juveniles. Overall 11 hedgehogs were Cryptosporidium-positive, both microscopically and by PCR methods. Sequence analyses of SSU rRNA and gp60 genes revealed the presence of C. parvum IIdA18G1 subtype in all positive hedgehogs. Moreover, 3 hedgehogs had a mixed infection of the zoonotic C. parvum and C. erinacei XIIIaA19R13 subtype. Cryptosporidium infections can be rapidly spread among debilitated animals and the positive hedgehogs released back into the wild can be a source of the infection for individuals weakened after hibernation.

Video Otoscopy in Exotic Companion Mammals.

Ear disease is a common disorder seen in exotic companion mammals, especially in ferrets, rabbits, and rats. This article describes patient preparation, equipment, and video otoscopy technique in exotic companion mammals. This noninvasive technique facilitates accurate diagnosis of diseases affecting the external ear canal or middle ear. Moreover, therapeutic otoscopic evaluation of the external ear facilitates foreign body removal, external ear canal flushing, intralesional drug administration, myringotomy, and middle ear cavity flushing.

Oculoscopy in Rabbits and Rodents.

Ophthalmic diseases are common in rabbits and rodents. Fast and definitive diagnosis is imperative for successful treatment of ocular diseases. Ophthalmic examination in rabbits and rodents can be challenging. Oculoscopy offers great magnification for the examination of the ocular structures in such animals, including the evaluation of cornea, anterior eye chamber, limbus, iris, lens, and retina. To date, oculoscopy has been described only sporadically and/or under experimental conditions. This article describes the oculoscopy technique, normal and abnormal ocular findings, and the most common eye disorders diagnosed with the aid of endoscopy in rabbits and rodents.

Congenital abnormalities of the vertebral column in ferrets.

Vertebral column pathologies requiring surgical intervention have been described in pet ferrets, however little information is available on the normal vertebral formula and congenital variants in this species. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe vertebral formulas and prevalence of congenital vertebral anomalies in a sample of pet ferrets. Radiographs of 172 pet ferrets (96 males and 76 females) were included in this retrospective study. In 143 ferrets (83.14%), five different formulas of the vertebral column were recorded with normal morphology of vertebrae (rib attachment included) but with a variable number of thoracic (Th), lumbar (L), and sacral (S) vertebrae. The number of cervical (C) vertebrae was constant in all examined animals. Observed vertebral formulas were C7/Th14/L6/S3 (51.74%), C7/Th14/L6/S4 (22.10%), C7/Th14/L7/S3 (6.98%), C7/Th15/L6/S3 (1.74%), and C7/Th15/L6/S4 (0.58%). Formula C7/Th14/L6/S4 was significantly more common in males than in females (P < 0.05). Congenital spinal abnormalities were found in 29 ferrets (16.86%), mostly localized in the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral regions. The cervical region was affected in only one case. Transitional vertebrae represented the most common congenital abnormalities (26 ferrets) in the thoracolumbar (13 ferrets) and lumbosacral regions (10 ferrets) or simultaneously in both regions (three ferrets). Other vertebral anomalies included block (two ferrets) and wedge vertebra (one ferret). Spina bifida was not detected. Findings from the current study indicated that vertebral formulas may vary in ferrets and congenital abnormalities are common. This should be taken into consideration for surgical planning.

Evaluation of the influence of formulation and process variables on mechanical properties of oral mucoadhesive films using multivariate data analysis.

Oral mucosa is an attractive region for the local and systemic application of many drugs. Oral mucoadhesive films are preferred for their prolonged time of residence, the improved bioavailability of the drug they contain, their painless application, their protection against lesions, and their nonirritating properties. This work was focused on preparation of nonmedicated carmellose-based films using both solvent casting and impregnation methods, respectively. Moreover, a modern approach to evaluation of mucoadhesive films applying analysis of texture and subsequent multivariate data analysis was used. In this experiment, puncture strength strongly correlated with tensile strength and could be used to obtain necessary information about the mechanical film characteristics in films prepared using both methods. Puncture work and tensile work were not correlated in films prepared using the solvent casting method, as increasing the amount of glycerol led to an increase in the puncture work in thinner films. All measured texture parameters in films prepared by impregnation were significantly smaller compared to films prepared by solvent casting. Moreover, a relationship between the amount of glycerol and film thickness was observed, and a greater recalculated tensile/puncture strength was needed for an increased thickness in films prepared by impregnation.

Dental eruption chronology in degus (Octodon degus).

The purpose of this study was to gain information concerning chronology of postnatal dental eruption in degus (Octodon degu). Specific findings pertain to the estimation of postnatal age at tooth emergence through the gingiva and to the age when a particular tooth is in functional occlusion. Fifty newborn degu pups were included in this study. The oral cavity endoscopy was carried out under isoflurane anesthesia in all animals 3 to 4 and 24-hours after birth, then at 1-day intervals until the age of 40-days, and subsequently at 2-day intervals until 75-days of age. Tooth emergence was considered to have occurred when any portion of the crown had penetrated the gingiva. The stage when the teeth come into occlusion was defined as the functional occlusion. The degus were born with completely erupted permanent incisors that were already in functional occlusion. All the premolar teeth and all the first molar teeth erupted on days 2 - 3 and 4 - 5 of life, respectively. The first signs offunctional occlusion ofall the first 2 cheek teeth were observed on days 9 - 11. Maxillary and mandibular second molar teeth emerged between days 17 - 19 and 18 - 20, respectively. First signs of functional occlusion were observed on days 30 - 31 and 31 - 33for maxillary and mandibular second molar teeth, respectively. Maxillary third molar teeth emerged on days 38 - 44 and erupted into occlusion on days 48 - 58. Mandibular third molar teeth emerged on days 39 - 46 and erupted into occlusion on days 58 - 72.

Usefulness of detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies for diagnosis of clinical encephalitozoonosis in pet rabbits.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate intracellular pathogen that has wide host distribution, but primary affects rabbits. This study presents a seroepidemiological study of E. cuniculi infection in 500 pet rabbits from the Czech Republic using ELISA capable of measuring IgM and IgG antibodies. Specific IgM antibodies, reflecting acute, reactivated infection or reinfection, were detected in 32.4% of all rabbits. IgG antibodies indicating chronic infection, were presented in 68.0% of all rabbits. The highest detection rate of IgM (54.4%) and IgG (86.1%) antibodies was ascertained in rabbits with neurological symptoms (n=79, group I). In rabbits with renal disorders (n=47, group II) 36.2% animals were specific IgM and 80.9% IgG positive. Out of 9 rabbits with ocular disorders (group III), 44.4% were positive for anti-E. cuniculi IgM and 77.8% for IgG antibodies. In rabbits with multiple signs (neurological and renal or ocular, n=16, group IV), 43.8% animals were specific IgM and 68.8% IgG positive. Out of 287 rabbits with other disease (group V), 26.5% were positive for anti-E. cuniculi IgM and 64.1% for IgG antibodies. However, the high presence of IgM (24.2%) and IgG (51.6%) antibodies was detected in clinically healthy rabbits (n=62, group VI). Toxoplasma gondii infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis for neurological and ocular disorders in rabbits. Using ELISA, 19.2% from all rabbits were positive for specific anti-T. gondii IgG. The highest seropositivity was detected in group III (44.4%). Simultaneous testing of IgM and IgG specific antibodies give an indication of the infection status. Presence of IgM antibodies is indicative for active infection with requirement to institute proper antimicrosporidial therapy. As active infection was detected in considerably high numbers of rabbits with clinical signs that are not usually associated with E. cuniculi, and even in asymptomatic rabbits, detection of both isotypes of specific antibodies should be a routine part of a health check in rabbits.

Hydrometra in a ferret-case report.

A desexed female ferret was presented with bilateral alopecic changes. Clinical examination revealed generalized alopecia and abdominal distension. A polycystic mass was found behind the right kidney, and the whole abdomen was filled with a large turgid mass. Radiography and ultrasonography confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of a hydrometra. Hematology and serum biochemistry showed regenerative anemia with light azotemia. Laparotomy showed the presence of a neoplastic mass at the location of the right ovary, a massive enlargement of the uterus filled with a clear fluid, and a subcapsular cyst on the left kidney. After surgery, histopathologic examination of the tissues diagnosed a leiomyoma of the right ovary with hyperplasia of the uterine wall.

Demodicosis in nine prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus).

This case report describes the clinical signs and treatment of demodicosis in nine pet prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Clinical records including history, clinical examination, microscopic evaluation and fungal culture of the skin lesions were available for all nine animals. In seven animals, blood was obtained for haematological and biochemical analyses. Clinical signs comprised bilaterally symmetrical alopecia extending from the middle part of the back down to the skin of the thighs and the dorsal and ventral parts of the tail. Demodex mites were found in skin scrapings from all cases. Treatment with amitraz at 250 p.p.m. resulted in resolution of lesions and hair regrowth. This is the first report of demodicosis in this species.