Dario d'Ovidio

Survey of Zoonotic Dermatoses in Client-Owned Exotic Pet Mammals in Southern Italy

Several ‘exotic’ mammalian species (e.g. rabbits, rodents, ferrets and hedgehogs) live in close proximity to humans as companion pets. Skin diseases (SD) are frequent causes of morbidity in exotic pet mammals, and most of those SDs have a zoonotic potential. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequencies and types of zoonotic dermatosis (ZD) in client‐owned, exotic pet mammals in Southern Italy. Six‐hundred and fifty‐five medical records of exotic pet mammals examined between 2011 and 2012, across twenty private practice veterinary clinics around the Naples area (Italy), were retrospectively evaluated and screened for animals diagnosed with SDs (rabbits n = 455, guinea pigs n = 93, ferrets n = 64, hedgehogs n = 19, chinchillas n = 13 and rats n = 11). The records of animals diagnosed with SD, whose causative agents had a zoonotic potential, were selected for analysis. The Mann–Whitney independent test was used for statistical analysis. A P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Eighty‐two records (12.5%) of animals with ZD were identified. Of those, 56.1% (46/82) were affected by fungal infections and 42.7% (35/82) by parasitic infections. No zoonotic bacterial or viral infections were diagnosed. Dermatophytosis was significantly diagnosed more frequently in younger animals. The results of this survey indicate that exotic pet mammals may serve as active carriers for many highly contagious pathogens with zoonotic potential. Awareness and vigilance by the veterinary practitioner is crucial in the prevention of occurrences of ZDs. Children frequently come in close contact with exotic pets. To prevent the unplanned transmission of pathogen from pet to human, an active routine screening examination and preventative treatments are strongly recommended for every newly purchased pet mammal.

Nerve stimulator-guided sciatic-femoral nerve block in raptors undergoing surgical treatment of pododermatitis.

OBJECTIVE To describe the nerve stimulator-guided sciatic-femoral nerve block in raptors undergoing surgical treatment of pododermatitis. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS Five captive raptors (Falco peregrinus) aged 6.7 ± 1.3 years. METHODS Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. The sciatic-femoral nerve block was performed with 2% lidocaine (0.05 mL kg(-1) per nerve) as the sole intra-operative analgesic treatment. Intraoperative physiological variables were recorded every 10 minutes from endotracheal intubation until the end of anaesthesia. Assessment of intraoperative nociception was based on changes in physiological variables above baseline values, while evaluation of postoperative pain relied on species-specific behavioural indicators. RESULTS The sciatic-femoral nerve block was feasible in raptors and the motor responses following electrical stimulation of both nerves were consistent with those reported in mammalian species. During surgery no rescue analgesia was required. The anaesthesia plane was stable and cardiorespiratory variables did not increase significantly in response to surgical stimulation. Iatrogenic complications, namely nerve damage and local anaesthetic toxicity, did not occur. Recovery was smooth and uneventful. The duration (mean ± SD) of the analgesic effect provided by the nerve block was 130 ± 20 minutes. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The sciatic-femoral nerve block as described in dogs and rabbits can be performed in raptors as well. Further clinical trials with a control groups are required to better investigate the analgesic efficacy and the safety of this technique in raptors.

Alfaxalone–butorphanol versus alfaxalone–morphine combination for immersion anaesthesia in oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis)

Oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis) are small semi-aquatic anuran species popular as both pets and laboratory animals. Although they are commonly anaesthetized to undergo clinical and experimental procedures, very little is known about their anaesthetic management. The aims of this prospective, randomized, cross-over experimental trial were to establish effective butorphanol and morphine concentrations to be added to alfaxalone for immersion anaesthesia (pilot study), and to compare the anaesthetic and antinociceptive effects of the two drug mixtures (alfaxalone–butorphanol and alfaxalone–morphine), in Bombina orientalis toads. For the actual trial, the toads were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: AB and AM, with seven animals in each group, which received alfaxalone–butorphanol and alfaxalone–morphine combinations, respectively, at the concentrations established during the pilot study. Heart rate, respiratory rate, von Frey filament threshold and response to nociceptive withdrawal (NWR), righting and myotactic reflexes were measured at 5 min intervals until return of righting reflex was observed. The investigator who carried out all the measurements was blinded to the treatment. Any undesired effect or complication was noted and recorded. The two treatments were found to be comparable in terms of onset and duration of anaesthesia, and occurrence of undesired effects. However, group AM resulted in lower NWR scores and higher von Frey filament thresholds than group AB. It is concluded that, at the investigated concentrations and in combination with alfaxalone by immersion, morphine provides better antinociception than butorphanol in oriental fire-bellied toads.

Etomidate anaesthesia by immersion in oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis).

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of etomidate anaesthesia by immersion technique in Bombina orientalis. The study comprised two phases. The first phase was carried out to identify the etomidate concentration capable of producing anaesthetic induction, as well as surgical anaesthesia, in the toads. The second phase was aimed at testing that concentration in eight additional animals. Etomidate administered via immersion at a concentration of 37.5 mg/L produced effective anaesthesia in oriental fire-bellied toads. The average duration of surgical anaesthesia was 20 min. All the toads enrolled in the study survived the anaesthesia and long-term complications did not occur. However, undesired side-effects, namely itching, myoclonus and prolonged recovery, were noticed during the perianaesthetic period. The authors concluded that etomidate anaesthesia by immersion, at a concentration of 37.5 mg/L, is suitable in oriental fire-bellied toads and produces anaesthesia of a depth and duration that is sufficient to allow the completion of various experimental procedures, without resulting in lethal complications. However, the occurrence of undesired side-effects opens a debate on the safety of this anaesthetic technique, and imposes the need for further investigation prior to proposing the latter for routine laboratory practice.

Sedative effects of intramuscular alfaxalone in pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of alfaxalone administered intramuscularly (IM) as a sedative agent in guinea pigs undergoing survey radiographs. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS A total of 30 client-owned guinea pigs. METHODS Following baseline assessments, 5 mg kg-1 alfaxalone was administered IM. Heart rate, arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, rectal body temperature, palpebral reflex, response to toe and ear pinch, righting reflex, posture, jaw tone and reaction to manipulation were assessed before and after sedation at 5-minute intervals. The time elapsed from onset of sedation to return of locomotion and coordinated limb movements, the quality of recovery and the occurrence of undesired effects were observed and recorded. RESULTS The mean ± standard deviation onset of sedation was 2.7 ± 0.6 minutes. The physiological variables remained within normal ranges until completion of the procedure. Palpebral reflex and responsiveness to both ear and toe pinch were maintained during sedation. Neither hypoxaemia nor hypothermia was observed. The duration of sedation was 29.3 ± 3.2 minutes. Sedation and recovery were uneventful, and adverse effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In conclusion, 5 mg kg-1 of IM alfaxalone represents a valuable sedation protocol for healthy guinea pigs undergoing minor noninvasive procedures. Further trials are required to investigate its cardiovascular effects, clinical usefulness in unhealthy patients and its combined use with analgesics for procedures associated with nociception.

Alfaxalone-butorphanol-dexmedetomidine anaesthesia in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) undergoing skin biopsy: two cases

Skunks are becoming increasingly popular as pets. As such, they often undergo a variety of surgical procedures. Two pet skunks undergoing a dermatological examination, including skin biopsy, were anaesthetised with a combination of dexmedetomidine (0.02 mg/kg), butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg), and alfaxalone (4 mg/kg), all administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was characterised by rapid onset, absence of detectable side effects and fast recovery after atipamezole administration. Biopsies and toe-pinch did not elicit cardiorespiratory responses, nor did it result in movements or lightening of the anaesthetic depth. Both skunks recovered uneventfully, and showed normal appetite and regular defecation within eight hours following surgery. However, both the animals experienced mild hypothermia at recovery. The dexmedetomidine-alfaxalone-butorphanol combination produced satisfactory anaesthesia in the two skunks, object of this report. This anaesthetic protocol may be used in this species to provide immobility, myorelaxation, unconsciousness and analgesia during skin biopsy or other minor surgical procedures.

Prevalence of fur mites (Chirodiscoides caviae) in pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in southern Italy.

BACKGROUND Chirodiscoides caviae is the most common fur mite affecting guinea pigs; infestation is generally asymptomatic. No studies have been published on the prevalence of such mites in guinea pigs in southern Italy. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the prevalence and the clinical signs of C. caviae infestation in guinea pigs in southern Italy. ANIMALS Clinical records of guinea pigs evaluated from August 2012 to July 2013 were retrospectively searched. METHODS In this retrospective matched case-control study, records of guinea pigs with evidence of C. caviae infestation were selected. The prevalence of C. caviae infestation was evaluated and exposure variables were assessed among guinea pigs with and without infestation using stepwise conditional logistic regression. Guinea pigs seen during the same time period, but without a diagnosis of C. caviae, were included as control animals. RESULTS The prevalence of C. caviae was 32% (42 of 131); 66.6% of affected guinea pigs (28 of 42) originated from pet shops, whereas 28% (14 of 42) were privately owned. Thirty-one guinea pigs (73.8%) were asymptomatic, whereas 11 (26.1%) showed clinical signs (pruritus, alopecia, erythema and scaling). The most frequently affected area was the lumbosacral region (38 of 42). Guinea pigs in pet shops were more likely to be affected by C. caviae than owned guinea pigs (odds ratio, 5.12; 95% confidence interval, 2.32-11.29; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The results of this study indicate a high prevalence of C. caviae infestation in guinea pigs in southern Italy. Chirodiscoides mites should be sought in guinea pigs, particularly in animals coming from pet shops.

Coelomic swelling in a spayed female corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata).

body weight administered intramuscularly and anesthesia was induced using 5% sevoflurane (Ultane, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL) in 100% oxygen at 0.5 l/min. The snake was maintained on a ventilator (Vetronics, Bioanalytical Systems, Inc., West Lafayette, IN) at 10 breaths per min for the entire procedure, and cardiac function was monitored with an ECG analyzer (Vetronics, Bioanalytical Systems, Inc., West Lafayette, IN) and Doppler monitor (Parks Medical Electronics Inc., Aloha, OR). We placed the snake in a right lateral recumbency. Starting at a point approximately halfway between the snout and the vent (just cranial to the coelomic mass), we made a 10-cm caudally directed ventrolateral skin incision between the first and second row of scales lateral to the ventral scutes. Once the skin incision was made, we incised the body wall and a large quantity of transparent yellow fluid (20 ml) flowed out. as well as a low total protein of 4.5 mg/dl (normal range is 6.6 ± 1.0 mg/dl). On the radiographs, we observed approximately 20 oval nodules ranging in size from 1 cm to 2 cm within the central coelomic area where the swelling occurred (Fig. 1). We recommended surgical removal of the mass, and the owner gave permission. Before commencing surgery, we obtained a computed tomography scan to characterize the extent of the coelomic mass and any possible involvement of other organs. The computed tomography scan showed that the coelomic mass did not involve the liver and lung and that all the nodules had a similar density (Fig. 2). The scan also suggested that fluid was present in the coelomic cavity (Fig. 3). Surgery to remove the mass was carried out the next day. The snake was premedicated with 1 mg butorphanol (Torbugesic, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, IA) per kg The owner of an 8-year-old, spayed female, captive-born corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata) presented it to the Exotic Animal Medicine Department at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine because of a swelling in the midsection of the snake’s body. The owner reported that the snake had last eaten one freshly killed adult mouse 2 weeks before presentation but had regurgitated the food 2 days later. Usually the snake ate a dead (recently killed or previously frozen) 20-g mouse every 4–5 days. Defecation was normal, and the owner had not observed other indicators of gastrointestinal problems aside from the regurgitation. Six months previously, the snake had an ovariosalpingectomy to remove nine eggs that had been retained for over 3 months and were the cause of severe coelomitis. The snake recovered uneventfully and no further health problems had been observed until now. On physical examination, the snake was alert and responsive and weighed 940 g. We qualitatively assessed her body condition as ideal (index of 5 of 9). We could palpate an oblong, soft, multilobulated swelling of the coelom, approximately 18 cm long and 6 cm wide, that started at a point roughly midway between her snout and vent. We collected a blood sample from the ventral tail vein for a complete blood count and serum biochemistry analysis and also took whole-body radiographs. The hemogram was within normal range. However, biochemical analysis showed a mild hypophosphatemia of 3.7 mg/dl (normal range is 3.8 ± 1.2 mg/dl) and hyponatremia of 148 mEq/l (normal range is 164 ± 9 mEq/l) Coelomic swelling in a spayed female corn snake (Elaphe guttata guttata)