Long-term outcome of treatment of dental abscesses with a wound-packing technique in pet rabbits: 13 cases (1998-2007).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and treatment outcome of a minimal surgical debridement and antimicrobial-impregnated gauze packing technique for treatment of dental abscesses in rabbits. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 13 rabbits with 14 dental abscesses. PROCEDURES: Medical records of pet rabbits with dental abscesses were reviewed. Rabbits that underwent a wound-packing treatment protocol with a follow-up period of > 6 months were included. Pretreatment evaluation included physical examination, skull radiography, CBC and plasma biochemical profile, and an endoscopically guided dental examination. The surgical procedure consisted of lancing the abscess, cleaning the cavity, minimal debridement, and packing with strips of synthetic gauze impregnated with a selected antimicrobial. Purulent material from abscesses was submitted for bacterial culture. The procedure was repeated weekly until abscess resolution. Rabbits also received systemic treatment with antimicrobials. RESULTS: Rabbit ages ranged from 1 to 5 years. Anaerobic bacteria were cultured from 6 abscesses and aerobic bacteria from 5; no bacteria were cultured from 4 abscesses. Antimicrobials most commonly used in packing procedures were ampicillin and clindamycin; trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with metronidazole and azithromycin were given most often for systemic treatment. Thirteen of 14 abscesses resolved, and rabbits were followed for a mean ± SD period of 32.6 ± 24.3 months. Number of packing procedures used to obtain resolution of infection was 4.8 ± 2.2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Minimal surgical debridement followed by antimicrobial-impregnated gauze packing of the abscess cavity is an effective and practical option for the long-term resolution of dental abscesses in rabbits when combined with systemic treatment with appropriate antimicrobials.

Fluoroscopic study of the normal gastrointestinal motility and measurements in the Hispaniolan Amazon parrot (Amazona ventralis).

Contrast fluoroscopy is a valuable tool to examine avian gastrointestinal motility. However, the lack of a standardized examination protocol and reference ranges prevents the objective interpretation of motility disorders and other gastrointestinal abnormalities. Our goals were to evaluate gastrointestinal motility in 20 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) by contrast fluoroscopy. Each parrot was crop-fed an equal part mixture of barium sulfate and hand-feeding formula and placed in a cardboard box for fluoroscopy. Over a 3-h period, 1.5 minute segments of lateral and ventrodorsal fluoroscopy were recorded every 30 min. The gastric cycle and patterns of intestinal motility were described. The frequency of crop contractions, esophageal boluses, and gastric cycles were determined in lateral and ventrodorsal views. A range of 3.4-6.6 gastric cycles/min was noted on the lateral view and 3.0-6.6 gastric cycles/min on the ventrodorsal view. Circular measurements of the proventriculus diameter, ventriculus width, and length were obtained using the midshaft femoral diameter as a standard reference unit. The upper limits of the reference ranges were 3.6 and 4.7 femoral units for the proventriculus diameter in the lateral and ventrodorsal view, respectively. Two consecutive measurements were obtained and the measurement technique was found to have high reproducibility. In this study, we established a standardized protocol for contrast fluoroscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract and a reliable measurement method of the proventriculus and ventriculus using femoral units in the Hispaniolan Amazon parrot.

Branchial cysts in two Amazon parrots (Amazona species).

A 37-year-old yellow-crowned Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala) and a 20-year-old red-lored Amazon parrot (Amazona autumnalis) each presented with a large mass localized on the lateral neck. With the first bird, there was no evidence of signs of pain or discomfort, and the bird prehended and swallowed food normally. The second bird showed signs of mild upper-gastrointestinal discomfort. Results of an ultrasound examination and aspiration of the mass on each bird revealed a cystic structure. A computed tomography performed on the second bird revealed a large polycystic mass connected to the pharynx by a lateral tract. During surgical resection, both masses were found to originate from the subpharyngeal area. Based on topography and the histopathologic and immunohistochemical results, the masses were determined to be a second branchial cleft cyst for the first case and a second branchial pouch cyst for the second case. In addition, a carcinoma was present in situ within the epithelium of case 1, and the cyst in case 2 was secondarily infected. Branchial cysts are uncommonly diagnosed in veterinary and human medicine. These 2 cases are the first documented in parrots and appear similar to second branchial cysts reported in adult humans.

Clinical and pathologic features of an adenomatous polyp of the colon in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

A 6-year-old castrated male domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) with a 4-week history of intermittent diarrhea and straining during defecation had an intraluminal mass in the descending colon identified by abdominal ultrasound. The histopathological diagnosis of the resected mass was an adenomatous polyp of the colon. No post-operative complications were identified over a 32-month follow-up period.

Update on neuroendocrine regulation and medical intervention of reproduction in birds.

In avian species, reproductive disorders and undesirable behaviors commonly reflect abnormalities in the neuroendocrine regulation of the reproductive system. Current treatment options are often disappointing, show no long-lasting effect, or have significant side effects. A possible reason for our lack of success is a dearth of knowledge of the underlying neuroendocrine, behavioral, and autonomous physiology of the reproductive processes. Tremendous progress has been made in the last few years in our understanding of the neuroendocrine control of reproduction in birds. Advantage should be taken of these experimentally derived data to develop appropriate and safe treatment protocols for avian patients suffering from reproductive disorders.

Effect of meloxicam and butorphanol on minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of meloxicam and butorphanol on minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane (MAC(ISO)) in rabbits. ANIMALS: 10 healthy young adult female rabbits. PROCEDURE: Rabbits were anesthetized with isoflurane on 3 occasions in a blinded, randomized complete block design to determine the MAC(ISO) associated with administration of meloxicam (0, 0.3, or 1.5 mg/kg, PO) and butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg, IV). The MAC(ISO) was determined by use of a paw clamp technique as the end-tidal concentration of isoflurane halfway between the values that allowed or inhibited purposeful movement. Rectal temperature, end-tidal CO2 concentration, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and arterial blood pressure were measured to evaluate cardiopulmonary function. RESULTS: Mean +/- SE MAC(ISO) in saline (0.9% NaCl) solution-treated rabbits was 2.49 +/- 0.07% and was not significantly different from that associated with administration of meloxicam at 0.3 mg/kg (2.56 +/- 0.07%) or 1.5 mg/kg (2.66 +/- 0.07%). Butorphanol significantly reduced the MAC(ISO) to 2.30 +/- 0.07% when administered with saline solution alone, 2.27 +/- 0.07% when administered with 0.3 mg of meloxicam/kg, and 2.33 +/- 0.07% when administered with 1.5 mg of meloxicam/kg. The percentage reduction in MAC(ISO) was significantly greater for rabbits that received butorphanol and meloxicam at either dose, compared with butorphanol and saline solution. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that meloxicam does not have a direct isoflurane-sparing effect and does not interfere with the anesthetic-sparing effect of butorphanol in rabbits.

Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in rabbits after single and repeat oral dosing.

We evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile of meloxicam (0.3 and 1.5 mg/kg) given as single and repeated (once daily for 5 d) oral doses to female rabbits (n = 5/group) to define the optimal dose and dosing interval for clinical use. Clinical signs, body weight, and serum chemistry parameters (sodium, potassium, chloride, total protein, urea, creatinine, glucose, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, and alanine aminotransferase) were evaluated before and 5 d after dosing to monitor safety at the 2 dose levels in both studies. Plasma samples were collected serially, and concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. After single oral dosing at 0.3 or 1.5 mg/kg, maximal plasma concentrations of meloxicam were achieved at 6 to 8 h and were 0.14 and 0.3 microg/ml, respectively. Plasma drug levels decreased rapidly to near-undetectable levels by 24 h. There was moderate interindividual variability in plasma meloxicam concentrations with less than proportional increases in peak plasma concentration and area under the concentration curve values at the higher dose after the single and repeat dosing. The elimination half-life was approximately 8 h at both dose levels, suggesting that metabolism was not saturated. Oral clearance of meloxicam is high in rabbits, indicating rapid metabolism and elimination. There was no accumulation of meloxicam when given at 0.3 or 1.5 mg/kg for 5 d, and meloxicam was rapidly eliminated after discontinuation of dosing. Rabbits may require a dose exceeding 0.3 mg/kg given once daily to achieve optimal plasma levels of meloxicam over a 24-h interval.

Characterization of a herpesvirus associated with tracheitis in Gouldian finches (Erythrura [Chloebia] gouldiae).

Severe tracheitis and bronchitis were identified in two fatal cases of respiratory disease affecting a flock of Gouldian finches (Erythrura [Chloebia] gouldiae). Intranuclear inclusion bodies in epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract were identified in samples from two birds. Electron microscopic examination showed that the inclusions consisted of viral particles consistent in appearance with Herpesviridae. Degenerate PCR primers targeting a conserved region of the herpesviral-DNA-dependent DNA polymerase were used to amplify a region of DNA isolated from tissues with lesions from each animal. Nucleotide sequencing of the PCR products yielded identical viral sequences that were distinct from known herpesviruses. An analysis of sequence homology indicated that these gene segments appear to belong to a member of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae.

Surgical removal of a mammary adenocarcinoma and a granulosa cell tumor in an African pygmy hedgehog.

A 3-year-old, female African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was referred with a history of hematuria. Hyperglycemia and glucosuria were found at presentation. Mammary adenocarcinoma and a granulosa cell tumor were found and removed surgically. Glucosuria and hematuria resolved, and the hedgehog has done well for 10 mo postoperatively.