ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE CANINE, FELINE AND EQUINE TONGUE: NORMAL FINDINGS AND CASE HISTORY REPORTS

A submental approach using a 5, 7.5 and 10 MHz mechanical sectorial transducers was used to evaluate the ultrasonographic appearance of the normal and abnormal canine, feline and equine tongue. Seven normal animals were used to characterize the in vivo normal ultrasonographic appearance of the oropharynx. Consistently seen anatomical landmarks included the lingual parenchyma, lingual artery, soft and hard palate interfaces, mandible, basihyoid bone and sublingual musculature. Seven fresh canine, feline and equine cadavers were dissected to confirm the ultrasonographic findings. Seven animals with signs of ptyalism, dysphagia, halitosis and visible lingual lesions were also studied. A foreign body and abscesses secondary to a penetrating wound were detected in a horse. Ultrasound guidance aided surgical dissection, removal of the foreign body and intraoperative drainage of the abscesses. Ultrasound provided valuable non-invasive documentation of the architecture, size and margins of six lingual neoplasms. Ultrasonographic monitoring of the response to the treatment of lingual lesions may be beneficial in the management of patients.     

Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma in Two Related Spiny-Tailed Monitor Lizards (Varanus acanthurus)

Two male spiny-tailed monitor lizard (Varanus acanthurus) broodmates were diagnosed with chondroblastic osteosarcomas associated with the pelvic girdle. One lizard was 6 months old and the other 5 months old at the time of diagnosis. Grossly, the tumors appeared as large, firm, multilobulated masses that were white on cut surface and firmly adhered to the underlying bone. Histologically, both tumors were characterized by proliferation of neoplastic spindloid to stellate cells that encompassed the vertebrae and invaded into the vertebral and pelvic bones. Both osteoid production and multifocal chondrous differentiation were observed within neoplastic masses. Retinoblastoma 1 was absent in neoplastic cells. Even though osseous neoplasms are rare amongst reptiles, Varanus spp. may have a genetic predilection for developing chondroblastic osteosarcoma.     

巨蜥源嗜水气单胞菌分离株的病原特性分析

从 3批均以呼吸道症状和出血性胃肠炎为主要特征的死亡巨蜥中获得 3株嗜水气单胞菌。其培养性状及生化特性基本一致 ,均可产生β-溶血环。分离株对小鼠有较强的致病性 ,对PG、COS、VAN、CIP、NOR、CAR耐药。 3个菌株具有相同的菌体 (O)抗原血清型 ,该血清型与嗜水气单胞菌参考菌株 J1不同。应用丁胺卡那霉素和火焰消毒笼舍可有效防治上述菌株所导致的巨蜥疾病     

Plasma biochemical reference values in clinically healthy captive bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) and the effects of sex and season

Background: Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet lizard species, and biochemical reference values are useful for health management of these reptiles. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to measure plasma biochemical values in healthy captive bearded dragons, determine reference values, and evaluate the effects of sex and season on the results. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 100 captive healthy bearded dragons in Tokyo during the summer and winter. Plasma biochemical measurements were performed using a dry‐slide automated biochemical analyzer. The data were then compared based on sex and season using 2‐way ANOVA. Results: Globulin, cholesterol, and calcium concentrations of females were higher in both summer and winter compared with the values obtained for males. Both males and females had higher uric acid concentrations in winter than in summer. When compared with males, females had a higher chloride concentration in summer and a higher total protein concentration and aspartate aminotransferase activity in winter. Potassium concentration in males was lower in winter than in summer, whereas in females cholesterol concentration was lower in winter than in summer. Conclusions: Biochemical values that differed based on sex and season in bearded dragons were similar to those in other lizards. These differences reflect physiologic differences in reproductive status in females and seasonal changes in temperature and hydration status. Plasma biochemical values established for bearded dragons in this study will be useful in the diagnostic assessment of captive animals.     

Ecology of Wahlberg’s velvet gecko,Homopholis wahlbergii,in southern Africa

We examined 170 museum specimens of the southern African gekkonid lizard Homopholis wahlbergii, to quantify sexual dimorphism, male and female reproductive cycles and diet. The largest male and female we recorded were 116 and 119 mm snout–vent length (SVL) respectively. We compared SVL, tail length, head length, head width and eye diameter and found no evidence of sexual dimorphism in any of these characters. The smallest female with thickened muscular oviducts and follicles, indicating sexual maturity, was 59 mm SVL, but the smallest female we found with fully developed eggs was 85mmSVL. Virtually all females larger than 59 mm appeared to be in some stage of reproduction, suggesting that females reproduce every year once they reach sexual maturity. Egg size ranged from 17–19mm long. Egg size was not correlated with maternal SVL. We found adult females with ready-to-lay eggs during the warmer months of the year, but not during winter and spring. The smallest sexually mature male was 72 mm SVL. Virtually all males larger than this size displayed at least semi-turgid testes and most adult male testes were at least semi-turgid for much of the year. The only significant decrease in testicular activity was in mid-winter (June–August), thus, spermatogenesis is closely tied to female follicular development and ovulation. Velvet geckos are largely insectivorous (92%) and feed on a broad spectrum of prey. Their diet was dominated both numerically (34%) and volumetrically (22%) by beetles. Lepidoptera were the next most important prey category, suggesting that they exploit both terrestrial and flying invertebrates. They are unusual among lizards because they feed on millipedes. Males and females had very similar diets which may be explained by their lack of sexual dimorphism, although females tended to eat a greater volume of prey. Interestingly, less than half (37%) of the lizards examined contained prey items, suggesting that most individuals were not in positive energy balance. We also found evidence of prey size selection as a function of gape size, such that larger geckos took advantage of larger prey items.     

The cardiovascular dose-response effects of isoflurane alone and combined with butorphanol in the green iguana (Iguana iguana)

Objective To assess the cardiovascular effects (arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolic acid–base status) of three doses (MAC multiples) of isoflurane alone and combined with butorphanol in the green iguana (Iguana iguana). Study design Prospective randomized double‐blind, two‐period cross‐over trial. Animals Six mature healthy green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Methods The iguanas received each of two treatments, saline 0.1 mL kg^?1 (SAL) and butorphanol 1.0 mg kg^?1 (BUT) during isoflurane anesthesia. Treatments were separated by at least 1 week. The iguanas were exposed to each of the three minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) multiples (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) in random order. Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane and maintained using controlled ventilation. Instrumentation included use of an ECG, airway gas monitor, cloacal thermometer, esophageal pulse oximeter, and the placement of a femoral arterial catheter. Body temperature was stabilized and maintained at 32 °C. The treatment was administered, and the animals were equilibrated for 20 minutes at each MAC multiple. At each concentration, the heart rate, blood pressure (systolic, mean, diastolic), end‐tidal CO₂, and SpO₂ were measured. At 1.0 and 2.0 MAC, simultaneous blood samples were drawn from the tail vein/artery complex and femoral catheter for blood gas analysis. Data were analyzed using a two‐way analysis of variance for repeated measures looking for differences between treatments and among MAC multiples. Results There were no significant differences in any of the cardiovascular variables between the treatments. Significant differences among isoflurane MAC multiples were observed for HR, mean, diastolic, and systolic blood pressures. Blood pressure and heart rate decreased with an increasing dose of anesthetic. There were no significant differences between treatments or MAC multiples for any of the blood gas variables. The blood pH, PCO₂, HCO₃^?, and hemoglobin saturation differed significantly between sites. Pulse oximetry values measured from the carotid complex did not correlate with and were significantly different from the calculated hemoglobin saturation values determined using the gas analyzer. Conclusion and clinical relevance Cardiovascular depression associated with isoflurane anesthesia in the green iguana is dose dependent. The degree of cardiovascular depression was not significantly different when isoflurane was combined with butorphanol. This finding suggests that the pre‐emptive or intraoperative use of butorphanol is unlikely to be detrimental to cardiovascular function. Butorphanol may be a useful anesthetic adjunct to isoflurane anesthesia in the green iguana.