Dagmar Nitzl

Lumbar osteosarcoma in a chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger).

An 11-year-old male chinchilla was presented for investigation of progressive weight loss, apathy, anorexia, changes in faecal quality and alopecia on the tip of the tail. On clinical examination, a stiffness of the back legs was noted. Abdominal palpation revealed a hard immobile, irregular structure in the region of the last lumbar vertebrae. Subsequent radiography and ultrasonography suggested the presence of neoplasia. The following day the chinchilla was showing hindlimb paralysis, and there was severe self-trauma to the distal 5 cm of the tail. In view of the rapid clinical deterioration, the chinchilla was euthanased with the owners consent. Macroscopic examination supported the clinical suspicion of neoplasia. Histopathological examination revealed a reactive osteoblastic osteosarcoma. To the authors knowledge, this is the first report of osteosarcoma in chinchillas.

Endocarditis due to Lactobacillus jensenii in a Salvin's Amazon parrot (Amazona autumnalis salvini)

A 30-year-old Salvins Amazon parrot (Amazona autumnalis salvini) with a history of a lifelong poor diet and inappropriate housing was presented in lateral recumbency to a veterinary teaching hospital for further evaluation. Radiological and ultrasonographic examination revealed a mild proventricular dilatation, mild hepatomegaly, signs of enteritis and airsacculitis. The main laboratory findings included a mild macrocytic hyperchromic anaemia, hypoglobulinaemia, decreased bile acids and increased alkaline phosphatase. In this bird a liver pathology was suspected because of the clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings. The bird was treated with supportive care and metabolic aids. After initial improvement of the clinical signs, the birds condition deteriorated and it died. Pathological findings revealed an endocarditis and myocarditis due to Lactobacillus jensenii and a bacteraemia. Endocarditis due to Lactobacillus sp. is a rare phenomenon in humans not yet described in animals. It is associated with severe underlying illnesses leading to translocation of otherwise non-pathogenic bacteria in the bloodstream. A similar pattern might be assumed in animals with compromised immunity.

Use of computed tomography to evaluate a fracture associated with a subchondral pedal bone cyst in a horse

Summary The radiological examination of bone lesions can be challenging, considering the complex superimposition of the 3D anatomy of a region on to a 2D image. This report describes the findings achievable with different diagnostic imaging modalities (radiography, arthrography, spiral computed tomography) and the correlation with the post mortem and histopathological findings in a horse with a fracture associated with an osseous cyst-like lesion in the third phalanx. CT was highly superior to radiography to evaluate the spatial configuration and completeness of the fracture, relationship between the fracture and osseous cyst-like lesion, architecture of the cyst, presence of its communication with the joint and secondary degenerative joint disease. In conclusion, CT represents an asset in these cases for an accurate prognosis and therapy.

Analysis of exhaled breath condensate in a mixed population of psittacine birds.

Abstract Collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and the measurement of inflammatory markers contained therein (eg, hydrogen peroxide [H2O2], leukotriene B4 [LTB4], and pH) have been reported to be noninvasive tools for the investigation of respiratory disease in various species. In this study, the EBC of clinically healthy psittacine birds (n  =  15) and psittacine birds with respiratory tract disease (n  =  19) was examined, and inflammatory markers contained in the EBC were analyzed and compared. Awake birds were placed in an acrylic container from which the outflow passed through a condensation system that collected the EBC. All samples were analyzed for pH, H2O2, and LTB4. The mean values for each of these components, as well as the mean volume of the total EBC, measured from the apparently healthy birds did not differ significantly from those measured in birds with signs of respiratory tract disease. However, LTB4 in the EBC of diseased birds was higher than that of the apparently healthy birds and showed a trend toward significance. The study demonstrated the establishment of a standardized method for collecting and analyzing EBC in psittacine birds and a measurement protocol for pH, H2O2, and LTB4.

Clinical challenge. Multiple myeloma.

Ursula Käppeli, cand. med. vet., Ulrike Eulenberger, med. vet., Dagmar Nitzl, Dr. med. vet., Dipl. E.C.V.D.I., Carla Rohrer Bley, Dr. Med. Vet., Dipl. A.C.V.R. (Radiation Oncology), Frank Steffen, Dr. med. vet., Dipl. E.C.V.N., Titus Sydler, Dr. med. vet., F.V.H., Nicole Schmid, Dr. med. vet., JeanMichel Hatt, Prof. Dr. med. vet., Dipl. A.C.Z.M., Dipl. E.C.A.M.S., and Hanspeter W. Steinmetz, Dr. med. vet., M.Sc. W.A.H.