David Eshar

Tear production, intraocular pressure, and conjunctival bacterial flora in a group of captive black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus).

OBJECTIVE To report ocular diagnostic test parameters and normal conjunctival bacterial flora in captive black-tailed prairie dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED Seventeen black-tailed prairie dogs, ranging in age from approximately 4-6 months to 4.5 years. Eleven males came from a zoo collection and 6 females from a wildlife rehabilitation center. PROCEDURES Complete ocular examination was performed under isoflurane anesthesia. Tear and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were performed on both (n = 34) eyes of 17 prairie dogs. Phenol red thread test (PRTT) was performed first, and a modified Schirmer tear test I (mSTTI) was performed 10 min later. Indirect rebound tonometry was performed using the TonoVet® . Attempts to obtain intraocular pressure measurements using an applanation tonometry instrument were unsuccessful. Conjunctival swab samples (n = 17) were taken from both eyes of each prairie dog and pooled. RESULTS The most common ocular abnormality was acquired eyelid margin defects, present in seven eyes of six prairie dogs (35.3%). Mean ± SD tear production was 13.6 ± 7.8 mm/15 s (range, 3-30) for PRTT and 1.2 ± 0.9 mm/min (range, 0-4) for mSTTI. Mean ± SD IOP was 7.7 ± 2.2 mmHg (range, 3-11.4). A Staphylococcus xylosus (7/17; 41.2%) organism and a hemolytic Staphylococcus species (5/17; 29.4%) were most commonly isolated from the prairie dog conjunctival sac. CONCLUSIONS There was a moderate prevalence of acquired peri-ocular lesions in this group of captive black-tailed prairie dogs. While widely variable, results of tear test and intraocular pressure measurements are reported. Staphylococcus was the most commonly isolated bacterial genus.

Pyogranulomatous panophthalmitis with systemic coronavirus disease in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

Abstract A 15‐month‐old spayed female ferret (Mustela putorius furo) presented for lethargy and weight loss of 2 weeks duration. Upon physical examination, a 2‐mm‐diameter focal area of opacity was noted in the left cornea. In addition, the ferret was quiet, in poor body condition, and dehydrated. A complete blood count and plasma biochemistry revealed a severe nonregenerative anemia, azotemia, hyperproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and mild hyperphosphatemia and hyperchloremia. Urinalysis revealed hyposthenuria. Whole body radiographs showed multifocal thoracic nodular disease, splenomegaly, and renomegaly. Abdominal ultrasonography confirmed bilaterally enlarged kidneys, hypoechoic liver and spleen, and a caudal abdominal hypoechoic mobile nodule. The ferret was humanely euthanized, and a postmortem examination with subsequent histopathology showed multifocal necrotizing pyogranulomas in the lung, spleen, kidneys, mesenteric lymph nodes, and serosa of the duodenum. Pyogranulomatous panophthalmitis was diagnosed in the left eye. The multisystemic granulomatous lesions were suggestive of ferret systemic coronavirus (FRSCV). The presence of coronavirus in the left eye was confirmed by positive immunohistochemistry. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue from the lung, spleen, and kidney was negative for FRSCV and positive for ferret enteric coronavirus (FRECV). Systemic coronavirus disease in ferrets closely resembles feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in domestic cats, which can manifest with anterior uveitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis, and retinal detachment. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of ocular lesions in a ferret with systemic coronavirus disease, suggesting that ferrets presented with similar ocular lesions should also be evaluated for evidence of coronavirus infection.

The static electrocardiogram in clinically healthy, anesthetized, zoo-kept black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus).

OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to evaluate the static electrocardiograms of clinically healthy black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), and suggest normal values. ANIMALS Thirteen clinically healthy black-tailed prairie dogs were included in the study. They were anesthetized for physical examination, and complete laboratory data including troponin I concentration, thoracic radiographs, echocardiograms, and static ECG were recorded. MATERIAL AND METHODS Static electrocardiograms were recorded using standard, six-limb leads from each of the 13 apparently healthy prairie dogs. Each prairie dog was anesthetized with isoflurane via facemask. Electrocardiograms were recorded in right lateral recumbency. The data were retrospectively analyzed. Lead II was used for waveform analysis. RESULTS The median heart rate was 250 bpm (range 147-320). Median P-wave amplitude was 0.05 mV (range 0.01-0.06) and P-wave duration was 0.03 s (range 0.02-0.03). The PR interval was 0.06 s (range 0.04-0.06). The R-wave amplitude was 0.5 mV (range 0.1-1.15) and the QRS duration was 0.02 s (range 0.02-0.03). The QT interval was 0.12 s (range 0.1-0.14). Sixty-two percent of the QRS complexes were of Rs configuration. CONCLUSIONS Static electrocardiograms can be performed and evaluated in anesthetized prairie dogs. This report provided normal values in clinically healthy black-tailed prairie dogs.

Transilluminated Jugular Blood Sampling in the Common Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)

Abstract Blood collection in chameleons is indicated in clinical cases and research studies and is commonly performed from the ventral tail vein. However, this venipuncture site can be associated with a greater degree of technical difficulty, adverse effects, and artifactual changes in the test results. The jugular vein is often suggested as a preferred alternative sampling site, but can also be technically challenging in smaller lizards. A transillumination method of the cervical region that reveals the jugular vein can be used for more accurate venipuncture, increased sampling success, as well as reduced handling time and soft tissue damage to adjacent anatomical structure. The technique described in this report can be used to collect blood from common chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon).

Feasibility of Using Commercial Reagent Test Strips for Estimation of Blood Urea Nitrogen Concentrations in Captive Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)

&NA; The black‐tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is a squirrel‐like rodent (Sciuridae) that is used as an animal model for human gallbladder disease, as well as research on several viral and bacterial diseases. Prairie dogs are also prone to develop hepatobiliary diseases that can impair liver function. As a result, monitoring blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration or azotemia via low‐volume blood samples with immediate test results can be clinically beneficial. In this study, blood samples were collected from captive black‐tailed prairie dogs. The BUN analysis was performed in duplicate using a veterinary biochemistry analyzer and commercial reagent test strips. The indication of azotemia by the reagent test strips, when compared to plasma BUN results of prairie dogs with and without confirmed azotemia, had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100%, 95%, 71%, and 100%, respectively. Based on the results of this study, the reagent test strips provided a moderately accurate method of estimating the BUN concentration and high accuracy reporting both normal and azotemic black‐tailed prairie dogs. Continued investigation into alternative point‐of‐care testing for prairie dogs is warranted, but standard blood chemistry analyzers should still be considered the most accurate method of BUN testing and azotemia determination for this species.

Use of a point-of-care portable blood analyzer for evaluation of blood gas analytes and select physiologic parameters in the American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)

This study was conducted in order to evaluate blood gas analytes using a portable clinical analyzer in captive American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber). Seventeen healthy flamingos were evaluated as part of an overall clinical health assessment. Each bird underwent a complete physical examination, complete blood count, and serum biochemistry testing. Blood samples were collected from the medial metatarsal vein and using the VetScan i-STAT® analyzer, tested for the following parameters: hydrogen ion concentration, oxygen tension, carbon dioxide tension, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, hematocrit, and various calculated parameters. The different parameters of venous blood gas were described using the mean, median, the interquartile range, P2.5 and P97.5, and minimum and maximum values. A comparison between sexes revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in any of the observed values. The test provided rapid results and was easy to use, making it useful for point-of-care use in zoological settings, or hospitalized critical avian patients. Knowledge of baseline parameters can promote better physiological understanding and improve clinical management of this avian species.