Microbial flora of odontogenic abscesses in pet guinea pigs.

Abscesses of odontogenic origin in guinea pigs pose a serious health problem and need to be treated with a combination of surgical and medical therapy. The aim of this prospective study was to describe the microbial flora of odontogenic abscesses associated with osteomyelitis in 24 pet guinea pigs, to perform antibiotic sensitivity testing, and to make recommendations for practitioners on the antibiotics of first choice. Inclusion criteria for the study included the animal being diagnosed with an odontogenic abscess which underwent surgery and was not pre-treated with an antibiotic. Inclusion criteria matched for 24 guinea pigs. Samples (pus, capsule and affected tooth/bone) for bacteriological examination were collected under sterile conditions during the surgical procedure. The most commonly isolated bacteria from abscesses of odontogenic origin were Bacteroides fragilis in 12.8 per cent (6/47) of cases, Pasteurella multocida in 10.6 per cent (5/47) and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius in 8.5 per cent (4/47). Aerobic bacterial species only were isolated in 29.2 per cent (7/24) of cases, anaerobic bacteria only were isolated in 33.3 per cent (8/24), and mixed infection with anaerobic and aerobic bacterial species was seen in 37.5 per cent (9/24). Aerobes (n=20) were sensitive to enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin in 100 per cent of samples, benzylpenicillin potassium (penicillin G, PNCG) in 90 per cent, cephalotin in 85 per cent, amoxicillin-clavulanate in 75 per cent, doxycycline in 70 per cent, gentamicin in 65 per cent and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in 55 per cent. Anaerobes (n=27) were sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanate in 100 per cent of cases, clindamycin in 96.3 per cent, metronidazole in 92.6 per cent, PNCG in 92.6 per cent and cephalotin in 74.1 per cent. As guinea pigs are strictly herbivorous animals, based on the results of this study the recommended antibiotic treatment for odontogenic abscesses is a combination of fluoroquinolones and metronidazole.

Diseases in pet guinea pigs: a retrospective study in 1000 animals.

Guinea pigs are commonly kept as pet animals; however, information about particular disease prevalence is lacking. The objective of this article was to present disease prevalence in 1000 pet guinea pigs from private owners divided into three age groups: under two years; between two and five years; and above five years. Medical records of guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus) that were presented to the authors' clinic in the period from January 2008 to August 2013 were reviewed. The most commonly diagnosed disease in guinea pigs was dental disease (36.3 per cent), with higher prevalence in the middle age group (P<0.001) and in males (P<0.001) rather than females. Skin problems were seen as the second most common disease (33.3 per cent), with higher prevalence in male guinea pigs (P<0.001) and in animals younger than two years (P<0.001). Ovarian cystic disease was the third most commonly seen disorder, with higher prevalence in females older than two years (P<0.001). Other common health disorders included gastrointestinal stasis, heterotopic ciliary body calcifications, fatty eye and tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. Only 81 guinea pigs from a total of 1000 animals were healthy. This is the first study to describe the disease prevalence in three age groups of pet guinea pigs.

Alfaxalone as an induction agent for anaesthesia in terrapins and tortoises.

The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term intravenous anaesthesia with alfaxalone in chelonians. In the first part of the study, alfaxalone at a dose rate of 5 mg/kg was administered intravenously to 10 adult female red-eared terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans) following 24 hours of fasting. The induction time, tracheal tube insertion time, surgical plane of anaesthesia interval, and full recovery time were recorded. The head, neck and leg withdrawal reflex was lost within 21.09±8.07 seconds. The mean tracheal tube insertion time, the time of surgical plane of anaesthesia and full recovery time were 27.50±12.96 seconds, 26.40±4.72 minutes and 33.70±4.76 minutes, respectively. In the second part of the study, 50 chelonians (20 red-eared terrapins, 10 Hermann's tortoises, eight spur-thighed tortoises, six marginated tortoises and six Russian tortoises) were treated intravenously with 5 mg/kg alfaxalone after administration of 1 mg/kg meloxicam and 2 mg/kg butorphanol intramuscularly. The head, neck and leg withdrawal reflex was lost within 21.52±6.57 seconds, the endotracheal tube could be inserted within 25.76±8.24 seconds, and the time to deep pain sensation loss was 29.46±9.67 seconds. Intravenous use of alfaxalone proved to be a suitable method of induction for inhalation anaesthesia in terrapins and tortoises.

Selected haematological and plasma chemistry parameters in juvenile and adult degus (Octodon degus).

Thirty-five juvenile (mean age 6.3 weeks) and 35 adult (mean age 2.0 years) healthy degus (Octodon degus) were studied to investigate selected haematological and plasma biochemistry parameters. Animals were anaesthetised with isoflurane, and blood was withdrawn from the cranial vena cava. Erythrocyte, haematocrit and neutrophil counts (including the percentage of neutrophils) were significantly higher in the adult degus than in the juveniles. In contrast, the reticulocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, number of platelets and percentage of lymphocytes were significantly lower in the adult animals. Total protein and globulin levels were significantly higher in the adult degus. The albumin:globulin ratio and plasma levels of urea nitrogen, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, potassium, total calcium and inorganic phosphorus were significantly lower in adults than in juveniles.

Extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction in two ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

This report describes extrahepatic bile duct obstruction in two ferrets, which were presented with anorexia, chronic weight loss and general weakness. Physical examination revealed lethargy, cachexia, dehydration, abdominal pain and icterus. Marked haematological, serum chemistry and urinalysis abnormalities included hyperbilirubinaemia (65·5 and 114·2 µmol/L), high concentrations of alanine transaminase (1327·53 and 2578·88 IU/L) and biluribinuria. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed thickening of the bile duct together with the gall bladder wall. The common bile duct was obviously distended. Choledochotomy revealed inspissated bile with fragile green gelatinous plugs that was removed to allow the bile to flow into the duodenum. Cytology and culture of the biliary tract contents were negative for bacteria. Laboratory analyses of biliary plugs showed presence of only protein substances, without detectable mineral composition. Histopathological examination of the liver showed diffuse steatosis and non-specific cholangiohepatitis in both cases.

Impact of pelleted diets with different mineral compositions on the crown size of mandibular cheek teeth and mandibular relative density in degus (Octodon degus).

The impact of pelleted diets with different mineral compositions on the crown size of the mandibular cheek teeth, as well as the mandibular bone and cheek teeth density, in degus (Octodon degus) was investigated. A total of 28 animals were randomly divided into four groups and fed different calcium or phosphorous dietary content, in the presence or absence of UV light, for 14 months. Dental radiographs and CT images of the head were taken, and the crown size of premolar and molar teeth was recorded. Apical and coronal crown elongation of all cheek teeth and significantly smaller relative cheek teeth and mandibular densities were recorded in degus fed a high-phosphorus diet with an improper calcium:phosphorus ratio. A diet with a calcium:phosphorus ratio of 1:1 was also responsible for the rapid development of dental disease with subsequent severe health impairment.

Diseases in pet degus: a retrospective study in 300 animals.

INTRODUCTION: Degus are commonly used as laboratory animals; however, over the past few years, they have become increasingly popular as pets. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this article was to present disease prevalence in 300 pet degus divided in two age groups (under and above two years). METHODS: Medical records of degus (Octodon degus), which were presented to the author's clinic in the period from January 2007 to December 2009, were reviewed. RESULTS: The most common diseases in degus were (1) acquired dental disease (60·0%) with significantly higher prevalence in older animals (P<0.001), (2) skin alopecia due to fur chewing (13·33%) and (3) lens cataracts (13·33%). Other common disorders included traumatic injuries to soft tissues (bite wounds and tail slip), traumatic fractures and dietary diarrhoea. Reproductive disorders were most commonly associated with dystocia and pathological changes in the post-natal period. Only 38 degus in a total of 300 animals were healthy. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study to describe the disease prevalence in two age groups of pet degus. The majority of diseases were caused by improper diet, self-mutilation and improper handling; as such client education is necessary to avoid such a high disease prevalence.

Fasting and postprandial serum bile acid concentrations in 10 healthy female red-eared terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans).

The fasting and postprandial serum concentrations of bile acids and other blood constituents were measured in a group of 10 clinically healthy, female, six-year-old captive red-eared terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans). The terrapins were housed in a temperate room and maintained in four aquaria in which the water temperature ranged from 24 to 27 degrees C and the temperature above the basking site ranged from 27 to 30 degrees C. The serum concentrations of bile acids were measured four times in a period of five months, and at the second sampling the fasting and two postprandial (after 24 and 48 hours) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and bile acids were determined. Coelioscopy revealed vitellogenic and previtellogenic follicles on the ovaries of all the terrapins, and eggs with calcified shells were detected in two of them. The livers were mostly pink to deep yellow in colour, with sharp edges, a smooth serosal surface, distinct large superficial vessels, and multifocal melanin deposits. Liver biopsies revealed fine, more or less oil red O-positive lipid droplets in all the hepatocytes, but in none of the cases was it considered to be pathological lipidosis. The mean (sd) bile acid concentrations ranged from 7.35 (4.52) to 10.04 (7.40) micromol/l. The fasting and postprandial concentrations were 3.1 (2.3), 4.5 (5.4) (24 hours) and 2.2 (1.5) (48 hours) micromol/l. High concentrations between 27.6 and 66.6 micromol/l were associated with lipaemia. There were no significant differences between the biochemical profiles of the fasting and postprandial serum samples.

Quantitative and qualitative assessments of intraoral lesions in 180 small herbivorous mammals.

Between 2002 and 2005 210 rabbits, 257 guinea pigs and 123 chinchillas were examined; oral disease was diagnosed in 38.1 per cent of the rabbits, 23.4 per cent of the guinea pigs and 32.5 per cent of the chinchillas. In the rabbits, the maxillary right P3, mandibular right P3, P4 and M1 and mandibular left P3, P4, and M1 were the teeth most frequently affected; in the guinea pigs, the mandibular right P4 and both the mandibular left incisor and P4 were most often affected; and in the chinchillas the maxillary right P4 and M1 and maxillary left P4 were most often affected. The incisors and first mandibular cheek teeth of the guinea pigs were significantly more often affected than those in the chinchillas or rabbits. Bilateral lesions of the maxillary cheek teeth were significantly more common in the chinchillas. The highest incidence of gingival hyperplasia was recorded in the rabbits. The incidence of gingival erosions and gingivitis were significantly higher in the chinchillas.

Evaluation of a laryngoscope and a rigid endoscope for the examination of the oral cavity of small mammals.

The oral cavities of 65 rabbits, 35 chinchillas, 38 guinea pigs, 19 degus and 13 prairie dogs suffering from a lack of appetite, hypersalivation, moist dermatitis, swelling of the lower jaw or mild exophthalmos were examined with a paediatric laryngoscope and rigid endoscope. The laryngoscope was safe and satisfactory for a preliminary examination, but changes in the less accessible caudal parts of the cavity could not be identified precisely. A rigid endoscope with 30 degrees optics made it possible to examine all parts of the oral cavity and oropharynx, and make detailed observations of surface lesions on the premolar and molar teeth and the mucosal surface of the gingiva, tongue and hard palate; endoscopy with 70 degrees optics provided an excellent view of the occlusal tooth surfaces, tooth crowns, and buccal mucosa. The collection of biopsy samples, the removal of foreign objects and the correction of malocclusions were greatly simplified by the use of the endoscope owing to the clear visualisation of the procedures, and the risk of injury was minimised. The examinations with a laryngoscope were made effectively on animals that were manually restrained, but a thorough examination with a rigid endoscope required the animals to be anaesthetised.

Endoscopic examination of snakes by access through an air sac.

Sixteen boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), three royal pythons (Python regius) and 15 Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) were examined endoscopically by access through the air sac. The snakes were immobilised in a ventral position using a half-open anaesthetic system with assisted ventilation and a mixture of isoflurane and oxygen. The rigid endoscope was introduced percutaneously and the internal structure of the lungs and the air sac, and the shape, size and external surface of the liver were visible in the cranial direction. In the smaller snakes the bifurcation and caudal part of the trachea could be viewed, provided the endoscope was positioned in a retrograde orientation. The caudal orientation of the endoscope made it possible to view the gall bladder and the size, shape and surface of the spleen. In some cases, the pancreas and the surface of the stomach and colon could be monitored. Endoscopy through the air sac also made it possible to check the major veins in the coelom. The snakes were monitored for at least 30 days after the intervention and no changes in their respiratory function or general health were observed.

Caryospora varaniornati sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in the Nile monitor, Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus species complex.

Parasitological examination of two ornate Nile monitors Varanus ornatus (Daudin, 1803) imported from Benin revealed the presence of a new species of Caryospora. Oocysts of Caryospora varaniornati sp. n. are spherical to slightly subspherical, 12.0 (11-12.5) x 11.5 (11-12) microm, without amicropyle and oocyst residuum, and occasionally possessing one small polar granule. Sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 8.8 (8.5-9.5) x 6.7 (6.5-7) microm; a lentil-like Stieda body is present, ca. 0.5 x 1 microm; substieda body not visible. Experimental infection of a closely related host, Varanus niloticus (L.), did not lead to the oocyst excretion despite the fact that one of the experimentally inoculated monitors was immunosuppressed by dexamethasone. Histological examination did not reveal stages of coccidian development. Therefore, it is possible that C. varaniornati is strictly host specific.

Epidemiology of feline leukaemia and feline immunodeficiency virus infections in the Czech Republic.

Commercial serological sets were used for the examination of 727 cats kept in larger towns of the Czech Republic. FeLV antigen and antibodies to FIV were demonstrated in 96 (13.2%) and 42 (5.8%) of the animals, respectively. Seven (0.96%) animals were positive for both FeLV and FIV. Most of the FeLV and/or FIV positive patients were intact rambling males aged 1-4 years. Chronic gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases were found in 54.2% and 43.8% of the FeLV-positive patients, respectively. Chronic urinary tract diseases and generalized lymphadenopathy were found in 47.6% and 45.2% of the FIV-positive patients, respectively. The results of this first survey in the Czech Republic have shown prevalence values and clinical patterns similar to those reported formerly from other European countries.

Prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii in cats.

IgG and IgM antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii were determined simultaneously by IFAT in cats. Group 1 included 357 cats with various diagnoses, but negative for FeLV and FIV. Specific IgG antibodies in titres ranging from 10 to 2560 (mean 247) were detected in 61.3% animals, specific IgM antibodies were found only in one cat (0.28%) in titre 1:40 showing an IgG titre of 160. Oocyst shedding was demonstrated in one cat (0.28%) showing an IgG titre of 1:40. Group 2 included 33 cats positive for FeLV or FIV. IgG antibodies in titres ranging from 10 to 640 (mean 101) were found in 63.6% cats. Neither IgM antibodies nor shedding of T. gondii oocysts were detectable. Clinically unapparent toxoplasmosis, manifested by the presence of IgG antibodies is frequent in cats; the opportunistic character of the infection is important.

Detection of T-lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues of cattle using a variant of the E-rosette test and monoclonal antibodies.

A simple and efficient variant of the E-rosette test based on addition of dextran to the incubation media is described. This variant 1) does not include B cells 2) involves some CD2+ null cells as described 3) is not inhibited by anti-CD5 antibody 4) correlates with CD2 expression 5) detects specific changes in the relative proportion of T-lymphocytes under the different conditions. In a group of calves the mean percentage of RFC in the peripheral blood lymphocytes was 53.59 +/- 8.70 and in cows there was 72.57 +/- 3.85. The proportion of RFC detected in bovine leukemia virus (BLV)--infected cows with lymphocytosis was less than one third of that in BLV--negative animals and vice versa in B (MHC class II+) lymphocytes.

[Verification of the usefulness of Estrophan inj. Spofa in the control of reproductive parameters in sows after weaning of piglets]. / Overení pouzitelnosti príravku Oestrophan inj. Spofa k ovlivnení reprodukcních parametru prasnic po odstavu selat.

Cloprostenol, a prostaglandin F2-alpha analogue, used in the Czechoslovak preparation Oestrophan ing. Spofa was tested by a new nontraditional use. The effect of cloprostenol use on reproductive parameters of sows after piglet weaning was followed in a set of 456 experimental and 434 control sows. The effect of single intramuscular instillation of cloprostenol was tested in five partial observations: to multiparous sows at a dose of 175 micrograms on the day of weaning (experimental group no. 1), on day 1 after weaning (group no. 2), 500 micrograms on day 1 after weaning (group no.3), to primiparous sows at a dose of 500 microgram on day 1 after weaning (group no. 4). The treatment used in group no. 4 was also applied to 42 primiparous sows kept on a farm with regular occurrence of post-weaning anoestria of sows (experimental group no. 5). These parameters were evaluated: dynamics of oestrus onset within five, and/or ten, days after weaning, average length of the weaning--first insemination interval, conception rate after the first insemination in dependence on terminated deliveries and parameters of piglet litter. Cloprostenol application did not have a statistically significant effect on the evaluated reproductive parameters. The percentage of multiparous, and/or primiparous, sows in which the oestrus onset was not detected by the 10th day after weaning, did not show any large differences in the various experimental and control groups (17.09 vs. 16.55%, 23.53 vs. 32.56%, 13.66 vs. 18.13%, 29.54 vs. 30.30%; P > 0.05). On the farm with regular occurrence of post-weaning anoestria there were 73.81% of primiparous sows with oestrus onset after cloprostenol instillation and 71.43% primiparous sows without treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Fertilizing capability of breeding boars by evaluation of the early pregnancy factor in test sows]. / Posouzení fertilizacní schopnosti plemenných kancu hodnocením faktoru casné gravidity u testacních prasnic.

The fertilizing ability of breeding boars was evaluated on the basis of an early pregnancy factor (EPF) determined in the blood serum of test sows by the method of rosette inhibition. The fertilizing ability was tested in ten boars on an insemination farm: the fertilizing potency of 41 ejaculates was evaluated from the percent conception of 105 test sows. The percent conception of test sows was evaluated from the EPF positive findings in the blood serum of these sows in the average range of 8.02 +/- 1.70 days (the range of 2 to 11 days) after insemination and from the recorded deliveries. The evaluation of the fertilizing of boars on the basis of EPF in test sows revealed in most cases the higher fertilization rate than could be found on the basis of the recorded deliveries of test sows. There was an exception to this trend: one breeding boar with a paradoxical finding of the somewhat higher percentage of deliveries recorder in test sows, in comparison with the fertilization ability according to the results of EPF. Identical results of the two criteria of fertilizing ability were recorder in another boar with a small number of tested ejaculates and test sows. The average fertilization of the whole set of the breeding boars, expressed by the average percent conception of all test sows, reached 86.67% on the basis of the EPF positive findings in 2 to 11 days after insemination, and 67.31% on the basis of recorded deliveries. These differences in fertilization are likely to be related to the share of dams and can be ascribed to embryonic mortality.

[Prevention of anestrus in sows after the 1st and 2d parturition]. / Prevence anesterie u prasnic po prvním a druhém porodu.

The procedure of prevention of anoestria after the weaning of piglets was verified in 389 experimental and 332 control sows of the Prestice breed. The set of animals under study included 77 experimental and 122 control primiparae, 68 experimental and 71 control secundiparae, and 244 experimental and 139 control multiparae (i.e. sows with three or more parturitions). The experimental sows were treated with 1000 IU of serum gonadotropin ad usum vet.-Bioveta-(PMSG) the first day after the weaning of piglets and with 300 IU of chorion gonadotropin (HCG) in the Praedyn inj. Spofa preparation together with 1 ml of Dirigestran inj. Spofa (40 micrograms LHRH) 72 hours later. Control sows were not treated with hormones. The treated primiparae and secundiparae respectively, had a significantly higher percentage of oestrus onset within 10 days after weaning and lower occurrence of anoestria over 10 days after weaning by 31.25 per cent (P less than 0.001), and 21.36 per cent (P less than 0.02) respectively as compared with untreated controls. In the set of secundiparae, the studied hormonal treatment speeded oestrus onset by a significant (P less than 0.01) shortening of the interval from weaning to the first insemination by 0.79 day and by a more frequent onset of oestrus within only 5 days after weaning of piglets. The values of the other criteria of reproduction studies, i.e. percentage of pregnancies after the first insemination, total number of born piglets and number of liveborn piglets converted per one litter in treated primiparae and secundiparae did not differ significantly (P greater than 0.05) from the control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[The effect of the microclimate in the insemination facility on conception in sows after the first insemination]. / Vliv mikroklimatu inseminacní haly na zabrezávání prasnic po první inseminaci.

In the course of the year, the temperature and relative humidity of the insemination hall of a large pig farm were studied in ten three-week periods. The results were compared with the conception rate of sows inseminated in these periods. The macroclimatic conditions were also studied, and the influence of macroclimate (including temperature and relative humidity) on the microclimate of insemination hall was evaluated. The studied microclimate parameters were found to influence the conception of sows in the first three weeks after insemination. Highly significant differences (significance level of alpha = 0.01) were recorded in the conception of sows after the first insemination, in the occurrence of optimum and increased temperatures, in the occurrence of optimum and increased relative humidity in the summer and winter months. A significant difference at the significance level of alpha = 0.05 was found when the occurrence of increased relative humidity was compared. A high temperature was recorded only in the summer months. In summer and in the first half of autumn (from the 9th of June to the 13th of October) when increased to high temperatures and increased to high relative humidity prevailed in the insemination hall (optimum temperature only in 2.0 to 23.3% of the period; optimum relative humidity in 11.1 to 50.0% of the period), the sow conception rate after the first insemination was low (45.5 to 49.7%). In autumn the microclimatic conditions in the insemination hall returned to the optimum. From the 4th of November to the 16th of February the optimum temperature (optimum in 71.6 to 89.7% of the period) and optimum relative humidity (optimum in 74.2 to 90.7% of the period) prevailed in the insemination hall, enabling an improvement in the conception of sows after the first insemination (71.4 to 80.1%). The temperature inside the insemination hall was influenced by changes in outside temperatures whereas the relative humidity inside the insemination hall was influenced mainly by internal factors.