Adenoma of the gallbladder in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

A 37-yr-old chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) died due to bacterial meningoencephalomyelitis. At necropsy, a mass was observed in the fundus of the gallbladder. Histopathologic examination resulted in a diagnosis of adenoma, the first diagnosis of a primary spontaneous neoplasm in the gallbladder of a non-human primate.     

Diagnosis and treatment of a cerebral infarct in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

A 29-yr-old chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) presented after an acute onset of right facial and forearm paresis that progressed to paralysis within 24 hr, with subsequent development of right leg paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head revealed an abnormal region of increased signal intensity in the left frontal, parietal, and temporal cerebral hemispheres, corresponding to the vascular territory of the middle cerebral artery, with resultant compression of the left lateral ventricle. The findings were consistent with a cerebral infarct (stroke). MRI is the most sensitive test for early detection of cerebral changes due to ischemia and was essential in obtaining a diagnosis in this case. The chimpanzee responded well to treatment with long-term anticoagulant aspirin and a short, tapered course of prednisone and regained full gross motor function.     

Management and prevention of vitamin D deficiency rickets in captive-born juvenile chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Vitamin D deficiency rickets was diagnosed in three juvenile chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) raised indoors under skylights and consuming only breast milk. Two cases detected early had mild but characteristic radiographic changes. More advanced disease presented with florid x-ray features of rickets and pathologic fractures, as well as hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Treatment by a single injection of vitamin D2 in sesame oil (slow release) followed by daily oral supplementation with vitamin D2 corrected the condition. On the basis of experience with these cases and comparison with rickets in humans, a prevention protocol for mother-reared, inside-housed, chimpanzee juveniles was developed. Injection with slow release vitamin D2 (5,000 IU i.m. once) at 4 mo of age, followed by oral supplementation of 400 IU vitamin D2 daily until weaning, prevents rickets in juvenile chimpanzees raised indoors.     

Oral induction of anesthesia with droperidol and transmucosal carfentanil citrate in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Five chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) initially received oral droperidol sedation (1.25 mg for a juvenile chimpanzee, body wt = 18.5 kg, and 2.5 mg for adults, body wt >20 kg, range: 18.5-71 kg) followed by transmucosal carfentanil administration at 2.0 microg/kg. This preinduction regimen was developed to produce heavy sedation or even light anesthesia in order to eliminate the need for or at least minimize the stress of darting with tiletamine/zolazepam at 3 mg/kg i.m. This study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of transmucosal carfentanil. Once each animal was unresponsive to external stimuli, or at approximately 25 min (range 24-34 min) after carfentanil administration, naltrexone and tiletamine/zolazepam (N/T/Z) were combined into one intramuscular injection for anesthetic induction. Naltrexone was administered at 100 times the carfentanil dose in milligrams. For comparison, two chimpanzees received only droperidol, 2.5 mg p.o., followed by tiletamine/zolazepam, 3 mg/kg i.m. The preinduction period for all animals receiving carfentanil was characterized as smooth, with chimpanzees becoming gradually less active and less responsive to external stimuli. Two animals became very heavily sedated at 24 and 35 min, respectively, and were hand injected with N/T/Z. The other three chimpanzees became sternally recumbent but retained some response to stimuli, and N/T/Z was administered by remote injection with minimal response. Rectal body temperatures, pulse and respiratory rates, arterial oxygen hemoglobin saturation, and arterial blood gases were measured at initial contact (t = 0 min) and at 10-min intervals thereafter. Respiratory depression was present in all chimpanzees, regardless of protocol. Mean hemoglobin saturation was 91% for both groups. Mean partial pressure of oxygen, arterial values for carfentanil-treated and control animals were 64.4 +/- 7.6 and 63.5 +/- 6.0 at t = 0, respectively. Only the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, arterial (Paco2) and pH showed significant differences between treated and control animals. Mean Paco2 was greater and mean pH lower for the carfentanil-treated group compared with the controls at t = 0 (58.9 +/- 3.7 and 50.3 +/- 3.1 for Paco2 and 7.33 +/- 0.02 and 7.40 +/- 0.30 for pH, respectively). The results of this study suggest that oral droperidol followed by transmucosal carfentanil can be used effectively as a premedication regimen to produce profound sedation, which limits the stress of darting during parenteral anesthetic induction with tiletamine/zolazepam in chimpanzees. The main side effect of respiratory depression appears to be adequately managed by reversing the carfentanil at the time of induction.     

Surgical revision of the urethral stoma following perineal urethrostomy in 11 cats: (1998-2004)

Eleven cats required urethral stoma revision because of urethral stricture following perineal urethrostomy. At surgery, eight cats had evidence of inadequate dissection to the bulbourethral glands, and three cats had evidence of urine extravasation into the subcutaneous tissues. Following revision of the stoma, long-term follow-up was obtained in nine cases. For eight cats, owners reported no complications after the revision. Failure to dissect beyond the bulbourethral glands and inadequate mucosa-to-skin apposition resulted in postoperative stricture formation. Stoma revisions were performed a median of 71 days following the initial perineal urethrostomy, indicating that long-term evaluation of cases is necessary.     

Perineal urethrostomy in a brown capuchin monkey (Cebus apella).

A 14-yr-old male brown capuchin monkey (Cebus apella) was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, with stranguria. The history included distal urethral obstruction and a previous surgical attempt to create a urinary diversion through the perineum. A perineal urethrostomy was performed. In a 17-mo follow-up period, neither stranguria nor dysuria was observed, and the monkey's social behavior appeared normal. Perineal urethrostomy appears to be a simple and practical procedure in primates with a compromised distal urethra.     

Vulvovaginectomy and perineal urethrostomy for neoplasms of the vulva and vagina

Vulvovaginectomy and perineal urethrostomy were performed in three dogs with extensive neoplasms of the vulva and vagina. One benign tumor (fibroleiomyoma) and two malignant tumors (transitional cell carcinoma and anaplastic spindle cell sarcoma) were diagnosed. Survival times were 9 weeks to 10 months. Urinary continence was preserved in all three dogs. The procedure may be curative for benign tumors or malignant tumors that have not yet metastasized; it is a palliative procedure for advanced malignancies.     

Buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for reversal of a perineal urethrostomy in a goat wether

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of buccal mucosa as a urethral graft for reversal of perineal urethrostomy (PU) in a castrated male goat. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. SAMPLE POPULATION: One client-owned castrated male goat. RESULTS: An 8-month-old Pygmy cross wether was admitted for urolithiasis and PU stricture. After repeated unsuccessful attempts at urethrostomy reversal and urethral reconstruction, a buccal mucosal graft was used for urethroplasty. Buccal mucosa proved to be an excellent graft for urethral repair. Normal urination has occurred through the reconstructed region for at least 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Buccal mucosa worked well as a graft for urethroplasty and PU reversal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Grafting with buccal mucosa may also prove useful in other urethral repair techniques in small ruminants.     

Surgical management of atresia ani and perineal hypospadias in a miniature donkey foal

A 3‐week‐old miniature donkey was evaluated for tenesmus and constipation resulting from atresia ani. The foal was also diagnosed with hypospadias extending from its perineum to the glans penis and caudoventral penile deviation. A common opening on the perineum allowed faeces and urine to be excreted together, preventing complete intestinal obstruction. Surgical correction of the atresia ani was performed, along with resection of the incomplete urethra, nonfunctional penis and testes. The anal and perineal reconstruction procedures resolved the miniature donkey's difficulty in defaecation. The anourethral portion of the repair healed, but the anoperineal portion dehisced and healed by second intention. The client was satisfied with the outcome.     

Surgical management of perineal paraprostatic cysts in three dogs

Three intact male dogs were presented with faecal tenesmus and obvious perineal swelling. All three animals had paraprostatic cysts originating within the abdominal cavity and extending caudally through the pelvic canal, causing perineal swelling. Two of the dogs were found to have concurrent benign prostatic hyperplasia, while the third had chronic active prostatitis. This report describes the investigations, surgical management and outcome for the three dogs presented.