Cytologic diagnosis of diseases of ferrets.

Cytology is a useful, rapid, inexpensive diagnostic technique that is particularly suitable for ferrets because of their small size and readily accessible organs and tissues. This article begins with a brief discussion of general cytologic information. The remainder of the article concentrates on the cytologic features of common diseases that affect ferrets.     

Cytologic diagnosis of diseases of hedgehogs.

This article focuses on neoplastic diseases because they may be the most frequent disease processes in captive hedgehogs according to the literature and authors' case files and the most common cases submitted for cytologic diagnosis in these species, particularly the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).     

Cytologic diagnosis of diseases of rabbits, guinea pigs, and rodents.

This article reviews the diseases most amenable to cytologic diagnosis in clinical small mammal practice. Diseases of pet rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents, chinchillas, sugar gliders, and hedgehogs are addressed. The small size of these patients, risk of anesthesia and invasive surgery, and cost factors make small mammals ideal patients for cytologic evaluation when applicable; however, surprisingly few reports exist in the literature, and no other reviews of cytology in these species exist. Much of the data in this article is derived from case submissions to Northwest ZooPath, and disease presentations that seem to be common in this group of animals are emphasized. Diseases of the skin are particularly well represented, especially tumors and inflammatory processes.     

Cytologic diagnosis of disease in amphibians.

Cytology is an inexpensive yet powerful diagnostic tool that allows for rapid diagnosis of many common disease conditions in amphibian patients. Although the emphasis of this article is on infectious diseases, there is great potential for application of cytologic diagnosis to variety of medical conditions as the knowledge base in amphibian medicine and pathology continues to grow. Routine methods used that may fall under the umbrella of cytology range from wet mount examination of skin scrapings (or gill biopsies of larvae) to examination of stained impression smears. Routine Romanowsky's-type stains work well for amphibian samples. Preparation of multiple smears is always recommended to allow for use of special staining procedures.     

Oncology of invertebrates.

In this article, "Invertebrates" are considered to be all those animals that are not in the five main groups of vertebrates (Mammalia,Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, and three classes of fish), and the term neoplasm is used in its traditional sense of "new, uncontrolled, growth". The history of study of such lesions is reviewed and methods of investigation and control are outlined.     

Cytologic diagnosis of generalized cutaneous sporotrichosis in a hunting hound

A 1-year-old male Foxhound/Walker Hound mix was presented to the small animal internal medicine service at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine with a 6-week history of progressive, multifocal, ulcerative and draining, well-circumscribed lesions in a generalized distribution. Prior to referral, a presumptive diagnosis was made of sterile pyogranulomatous disease; immunosuppressive therapy was instituted but resulted in clinical deterioration. At presentation, the dog had marked neutropenia (1100 neutrophils/microL), and a mild toxic left shift (400 bands/microL). Cytologic findings in the exudates from a draining skin lesion included high numbers of markedly degenerate neutrophils (about 95% of nucleated cells) as well as low numbers of macrophages, small mature lymphocytes, and eosinophils. Low numbers of intracellular (within neutrophils and macrophages) and extracellular, pleomorphic, cigar-to-ovoid shaped organisms ( approximately 3x9 microm) consistent with Sporothrix were observed. Histopathologic examination of a skin biopsy showed marked, chronic, active, ulcerative, pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis, with intralesional yeast consistent with Sporothrix sp. The etiologic agent was confirmed as Sporothrix schenckii by macerated tissue fungal culture. The patient was treated with itraconazole, enrofloxacin, and clindamycin, with clinical resolution occurring over a 3-month period. This case is a rare example of the cytologic diagnosis of Sporothrix schenckii in a canine patient. Diagnosis of canine sporotrichosis is often challenging and usually requires tissue culture, as infected dogs typically harbor very few organisms. The patient's prior immunosuppressive therapy likely contributed to higher numbers of organisms in exudates from the cutaneous lesions, facilitating cytologic diagnosis.     

Cytologic diagnosis of peritoneal cestodiasis in dogs caused by Mesocestoides sp

Background: Canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis caused by tapeworm larvae of the genus Mesocestoides is an uncommon and possibly fatal disease that can result in ascites and peritonitis. Although abdominal fluid analysis is recommended for dogs with ascites, the cytologic features of Mesocestoides infection have not been described fully.
Objective: Our goal was to describe the cytologic features of Mesocestoides larvae and of associated ascitic fluid that was collected from the peritoneal cavity of 4 infected dogs.
Methods: Abdominal fluid was obtained from 4 dogs with Mesocestoides sp infection. Gross, chemical, and microscopic evaluations of the fluid were performed using standard techniques.
Results: Cytologic findings in 1 dog included intact acephalic metacestodes (larvae without 4 suckers, not tetrathyridia) in various stages of asexual development, whereas fluid from the other 3 dogs contained primarily calcareous corpuscles, remnant tissue specific to cestodes. Abdominal fluid typically was an exudate, with suppuration, hemorrhage, and evidence of necrosis. Total protein concentrations ranged from 2.4 to 5.3 g/dL.
Conclusions: Abdominal fluid cytology was useful in the diagnosis of Mesocestoides larval infections in the peritoneal cavity of dogs with ascites. Observation of characteristic calcareous corpuscles or intact metacestodes can provide a defininitive diagnosis of canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis in dogs.     

Emergency care of invertebrates.

Invertebrate species are commonly kept as pets as well as display and research animals. Clinicians interested in zoologic medicine should be prepared to provide veterinary care for these interesting creatures. This article provides an overview on the critical care of commonly encountered invertebrate species.     

Clinical techniques of invertebrates.

This article highlights techniques and equipment needed to successfully restrain, diagnose, and treat gastropods (including snails and slugs) and arthropods (including spiders, scorpions, honey-bees, cockroaches, silkworms, phasmids, centipedes, and millipedes). A review of current clinical techniques for invertebrates kept as pets and those kept for agricultural use is provided. The specific techniques of restraint, assessment of hydration, fluid therapy, diagnostic sampling, imaging, exoskeleton repair, ectoparasite control and removal, euthanasia, and postmortem examination are reviewed for use in the invertebrate patient. The authors intend this article to stimulate further research and reporting on appropriate and humane techniques for use in these species and to increase the ability of the veterinary practitioner to successfully attend to these animals.     

Emergency care of invertebrates.

Invertebrates are of increasing importance to the veterinary profession, but little scientifically-based information exists on their emergency care. Therefore, basic principles--supportive care, including administration of fluids, and specific therapy (where available)--must be followed up on. Knowledge and understanding of the biology and natural history of these animals are essential if critical care is to prove successful.     

Cytologic evaluation of the respiratory tract.

Evaluation of respiratory tract disease is a challenge for several reasons: no serum biochemical or hematologic tests that localize injury to the respiratory system are available, imaging techniques do not usually lead to etiologic diagnoses, and excisional biopsies are often very difficult to obtain from respiratory lesions. For these reasons, specific diagnosis of respiratory tract disease often resides in cytologic evaluation. This article reviews the various cytologic collection techniques that yield high-quality specimens from the upper and lower respiratory tract. Cytologic features of the normal respiratory tract as well as common respiratory disorders are described and illustrated.     

Integumental disease in invertebrates.

The necessarily truncated discussion of integumental neoplasia in invertebrates, given the lack of investigation of such lesions involving individual animals, shows how invertebrate veterinary medicine has a long way to go before reaching the levels of diagnosis and therapeutics of vertebrate exotic species. Nevertheless, the importance of a disease such as varoosis in a species such as the honey bee, which has a massive influence through pollination quite beyond its relevance as a honey producer, shows the importance of never excluding invertebrates from discussion of disease in exotic species. It is therefore commendable that this issue of the Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice seeks wherever possible to include invertebrates in its discussion.     

鸡病的临床诊断

鸡病的临床诊断包括流行病学调查、鸡群和个体症状观察、病理解剖三方面.由于鸡病比较复杂,虽然通过临床诊断一般只能作出初诊,要确诊必须依靠实验室诊断,但是临床诊断在实际生产中所起的作用也是不可忽视的.