P. Selleri

Lymphoblastic lymphoma and leukemic blood profile in a red-tail boa (Boa constrictor constrictor) with concurrent inclusion body disease.

An adult male wild-caught true red-tail boa (Boa constrictor constrictor), imported from Surinam, was presented for anorexia, extreme lethargy, and coelomic swelling in the cranial third of the body, in the anatomic location of the thymus. The snake died a few minutes after blood sampling via cardiocentesis. Hematology revealed anemia and extreme leukocytosis (820 × 103/ml) characterized by a predominance (95%) of lymphocytes. Necropsy revealed enlargement of most of the visceral organs. Histology confirmed lymphoblastic lymphoma with a leukemic blood profile and diffuse infiltration of some of the heart, thymus, bone marrow, kidney, spleen, lung, and liver. Several large intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies surrounded by narrow clear “halos” were identified within gastric mucosal cells, proximal and distal convoluted tubule epithelial cells, and splenic cells. The final diagnosis was lymphoblast lymphoma with a leukemic blood profile and concurrent inclusion body disease.

Evaluation of intraocular pressure in conscious Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) by means of rebound tonometry

OBJECTIVE To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy Hermanns tortoises (Testudo hermanni). ANIMALS 26 outdoor-housed Hermanns tortoises (13 males and 13 females); body weight ranged from 255 to 2,310 g, and age ranged from 4 to > 50 years. PROCEDURES After a preliminary ophthalmic evaluation was performed, IOP was measured by means of a rebound tonometer in both eyes of each tortoise. Three measurements were obtained for each eye; successive measurements were obtained from alternate eyes. Each measurement was based on the mean of 6 values automatically provided by the rebound tonometer. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate correlations between variables and to identify sex- or size-related IOP variations, and changes in IOP over multiple measurements. RESULTS Mean ± SEM IOP of the 52 eyes was 15.74 ± 0.20 mm Hg (range, 9 to 22 mm Hg). Results for t tests did not reveal significant differences in IOP between the right and left eyes or between males and females. A significant moderate negative correlation (r = -0.41; r(2) = 0.169) between IOP and body weight was detected. Results of repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant increase in IOP over multiple measurements. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Rebound tonometry was a practical and rapid means of determining IOP in small- to medium-sized tortoises that required minimal manual restraint of the animals. Establishing IOP values in healthy Hermanns tortoises will provide a reference frame for use during complete ophthalmic examinations, thus allowing clinicians to diagnose a broader spectrum of ocular pathological conditions in tortoises.

Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentrations in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) exposed to natural sunlight and two artificial ultraviolet radiation sources.

Objective-To determine the effect of various UVB radiation sources on plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentrations in Hermanns tortoises (Testudo hermanni). Animals-18 healthy Hermanns tortoises. Procedures-Tortoises were exposed to sunlight in an outdoor enclosure located in the natural geographic range of Hermanns tortoises (n = 6 tortoises) or a self-ballasted mercury-vapor lamp (6) or fluorescent UVB-emitting lamp (6) in an indoor enclosure for 35 days. Plasma samples were obtained from each tortoise on the first (day 0) and last (day 35) days of the study, and concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) were determined. Amount of UVB radiation in enclosures was measured. Results-Mean ± SD plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentrations for tortoises exposed to the mercury-vapor and fluorescent lamps were significantly lower on day 35 (155.69 ± 80.71 nmol/L and 134.42 ± 51.42 nmol/L, respectively) than they were on day 0 (368.02 ± 119.34 nmol/L and 313.69 ± 109.54 nmol/L, respectively). Mean ± SD plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentration for tortoises exposed to sunlight did not differ significantly between days 0 (387.74 ± 114.56 nmol/L) and 35 (411.51 ± 189.75 nmol/L). Mean day 35 plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentration was significantly higher for tortoises exposed to sunlight versus those exposed to mercury-vapor or fluorescent lamps. Sunlight provided significantly more UVB radiation than did the mercury-vapor or fluorescent lamps. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentrations differed between tortoises exposed to sunlight and those exposed to artificial UVB sources. Exposure to sunlight at a latitude similar to that of the natural geographic range is recommended for healthy and calcium-deficient tortoises.

Evaluation of intraocular pressure in conscious ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) by means of rebound tonometry and comparison with applanation tonometry.

To determine normal intraocular pressure (IOP) values by means of rebound tonometry in unanaesthetised ferrets, and to compare rebound and applanation tonometry, 55 clinically healthy ferrets were included in an observational, prospective, blinded study. On 52 ferrets, IOP was measured by means of rebound and applanation tonometry. On 3 ferrets, rebound tonometry was performed every two hours over a 24-hour period. Mean IOPs of the 104 eyes obtained with the rebound tonometer were 14.07±0.35 (95% CI 13.37 to 14.77) tonometer-units (TU). The IOP was significantly higher in males than in females, controlling for age and weight. A study-ordered decrease in coefficient of variation (CV) was observed (measurement 1–52=21.2±1.4 per cent v measurement 53–104=14.4±1.1 per cent) and high CVs (>30 per cent) were significantly less frequent in measurement 53–104. A significant difference in IOP during the 24- hour measurements was found, with the lowest IOP recorded at 22:00. The tonometers presented poor agreement, and IOP values were not correlated. The difference in IOP estimation increased with the magnitude of the measurements. Applanation tonometry presented a significant higher frequency of per-eye IOP values exceeding 25 and 30 TU, and a significant lower repeatability (CV=37.1±2.6 per cent v 17.8±1.2 per cent) compared with rebound tonometry. In conclusion, several factors need to be considered when measuring IOP in ferrets.

Antemortem Diagnosis of Multicentric Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, Lymphoid Leukemia, and Inclusion Body Disease in a Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator)

Abstract A 1.85-kg, 6-yr-old, captive-bred, male boa constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator) was presented for lethargy, anorexia, postural abnormalities, and had an elongated mass on its ventrum, 20 cm distal to the snout. Clinical examination revealed a firm, nonmobile coelomic mass (4 cm × 2 cm) and loss of the righting reflex. Hematology showed a significant increase in white blood cells, lymphocytosis, and anemia. Cytologic examination of the blood smears showed the presence of lymphoid leukemia and eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions consistent with inclusion body disease (IBD). Hyperphosphatemia was suggestive of renal failure. Radiography and ultrasound revealed a soft tissue mass at the level of the thymus proximal to, and distinct from, the heart. Cytology and postmortem histopathology confirmed the presence of a multicentric lymphoblastic lymphoma, lymphoid leukemia, and IBD. It remains unclear whether the neoplasms began their proliferation within the bone marrow or whether leukemia was a feature of disseminated, end-stage lymphoma.

Adenoid Hepatocellular Carcinoma Accompanied by Uncharacterized Eosinophilic Intracytoplasmic Inclusions in a Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

Abstract An adult, 2.9 kg, 4-year-old female green iguana, Iguana iguana, was examined for anorexia, weight loss, and lethargy. Physical examination revealed a dull integument, minimal pelvic and tailbase adipose deposits, and a distended coelom. Bilateral renal enlargement was identified on intracloacal digital palpation. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry results indicated hepatic and renal disease. Radiographs and ultrasound revealed severe liver enlargement and ascites. Exploratory coeliotomy revealed a massive and diffusely enlarged liver with rounded margins and a smooth capsular surface, indicative of an infiltrative process. Due to poor prognosis, the owner requested that the animal be euthanized. A diagnosis of acinar hepatocellular carcinoma was made on histopathological evaluation of liver tissue collected after euthanasia. Eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, surrounded by clear halos, were seen in a few neoplastic cells. Several malignant hepatic tumors have been previously reported in reptiles; however, this case report documents the first reptilian adenoid hepatocellular carcinoma associated with intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions in neoplastic hepatocytes.

Polyostotic Lymphoma in a Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

An 8.5-year-old, neutered female ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with tachypnoea, polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia and depression. Radiographs revealed multiple osteolytic lesions of the bone, characterized cytologically by the infiltration of medium- to large-sized lymphocytes. The animal was humanely destroyed and post-mortem examination revealed multifocal masses obliterating the bone marrow of the mandible, right and left humeri and femur, and consisting of an infiltrative population of neoplastic lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical labelling for CD3 and CD79a revealed a CD3-positive neoplastic population. A diagnosis of polyostotic T-cell lymphoma was made, which is the first report of this condition in a ferret.

Multiple Congenital Malformations in a Dicephalic Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca ibera)

A 22-day-old dicephalic spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca ibera) died following a history of lethargy, anorexia and absence of defecation. The two heads were anatomically similar with independent reaction to external stimuli. The carapace showed doubled first and extra second vertebral scutes. Radiography and transplastronal ultrasonography, performed when the animal was alive, revealed two symmetrical stomachs and two asynchronous hearts. These findings were confirmed by necropsy examination. Oesophagus, liver, gallbladder and trachea were also duplicated. Other malformations included pyloric valve atresia of the left stomach, focal stenosis of the transverse colon and liver hypoplasia. Dicephalism rarely occurs in Testudinidae and its pathogenesis, still unclear, is discussed.

A case report of intrarenal epidermoid cysts in a yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta)

A 7-year-old yellow-bellied slider exhibited anorexia, decreased activity, generalised wasting of skeletal muscles and oedema. Haematology examination revealed increased phosphorus and decreased calcium levels. During necropsy performed after spontaneous death, a focal nodular lesion containing tan amorphous material was found in the left kidney. Histopathology examination revealed multiple cystic lesions lined by a multilayered squamous, occasionally cuboidal, and containing keratin. Epithelial cells and keratin material were cytokeratin-positive. These findings confirmed a diagnosis of the most likely congenital intrarenal epidermoid cysts.

Evaluation of point-of-care analysers for blood gas and clinical chemistry in Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni): Point-of-care blood analysis of tortoises

OBJECTIVE To assess the agreement between point-of-care and laboratory analysers in measuring biochemical and blood gas analytes in venous samples from tortoises and to define preliminary reference intervals for venous blood gas analysis in Hermanns tortoises (Testudo hermanni). MATERIALS AND METHODS Jugular venous blood samples from 47 Hermanns tortoises underwent paired analysis with a portable gas analyser (i-STAT 1, Abaxis), a portable chemical analyser (VetScan VS2, Abaxis), and with the respective reference analysers. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to determine albumin concentrations on 12 specimens. Agreement was evaluated with Bland-Altman plots and regression analysis using the Passing-Bablok method. RESULTS Point-of-care analysers had variable agreement with the reference analysers, presenting constant or proportional bias depending on the analyte. Relevant analytes in reptiles, such as ionised and total calcium, had acceptable agreement. The method for determining albumin concentration currently available in both point-of-care and laboratory analysers significantly overestimated albumin concentrations as compared to protein electrophoresis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE While the use of POC analysers is extremely advantageous in small animal primary care facilities, agreement between point-of-care and laboratory analysers varies depending on the analyte. For certain analytes, interchangeability of results is limited and specific reference intervals for point-of-care analysers are required. Veterinarians should be aware of the size and the direction of the bias of each analyte.