Lead-induced toxicosis in two domestic rabbits

Lead toxicosis developed in 2 pet rabbits. Both rabbits had decreased appetite or anorexia; also, one had mild anemia and one had pleural effusion. Treatment with the calcium chelate of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid was effective in both rabbits. The rabbit's propensity for gnawing may result in lead toxicosis, and may be seen more frequently as rabbits become more popular as pets.     

Bartonella species antibodies and hyperglobulinemia in privately owned cats

Background

Bartonella species are zoonotic agents and primary pathogens in cats. Hyperglobulinemia has been associated with bartonellosis in humans and cats.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate for associations between Bartonella species immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and serum biochemistry panel results in privately owned cats.

Animals

1,477 privately owned cats.

Methods

Residual sera were collected after biochemical evaluation for this prospective, cross‐sectional serosurvey. Bartonella species IgG ELISA was performed with a cutoff value of ≥1 : 64. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed with the endpoint titer as the outcome variable. The final statistical model included age, albumin, ALP activity, ALT activity, bilirubin, creatinine, glucose, and globulin as covariates. Serum protein electrophoresis was performed with serum from 50 cats with and without antibodies to Bartonella species and hyperglobulinemia. Sera from cats seropositive to Bartonella species and with hyperglobulinemia were assessed for evidence of exposure to other infectious agents associated with hyperglobulinemia.

Results

Risk of seropositivity to Bartonella species was positively associated with the natural log of globulin concentration (OR = 11.90, 95% CI 6.15–23.02, P < .0001), and inversely associated with the natural log of glucose concentration (OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.50–0.87, P = .004). Another explanation for hyperglobulinemia was not identified for most cats with Bartonella species antibodies. Hyperglobulinemia was primarily caused by polyclonal gammopathy in cats that were seronegative and seropositive for Bartonella species.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Hyperglobulinemia was significantly associated with seropositivity to Bartonella species. Testing for bartonellosis is warranted in cats with unexplained hyperglobulinemia and clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of bartonellosis.     

Prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cervids on privately owned ranches

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of tuberculosis caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis in cervids on privately owned ranches in northeastern lower Michigan. DESIGN: Epidemiologic survey. ANIMALS: Cervids on 96 privately owned ranches. PROCEDURES: A combination of slaughter and skin tuberculin testing was used to collect data. Infection with M. bovis was confirmed by use of standard necropsy and bacteriologic culture techniques. RESULTS: Cervids with tuberculosis were detected on 1 of the 96 ranches. The apparent prevalence of tuberculosis in cervids from the 96 ranches was 1.1 cases/100 cervids (21 cases/1,867 cervids tested). For the ranch with infected cervids, prevalence of infection with M. bovis was 12.1 cases/100 cervids (21 cases/174 cervids tested). No obvious gross lesions were seen in 8 of 21 white-tailed deer and 1 coyote with culture-confirmed M. bovis infection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The lack of visible lesions in a substantial proportion of infected animals should be taken into consideration in studies involving detection and prevalence of tuberculosis.     

Rabies postexposure prophylaxis. Human and domestic animal considerations.

The emphasis on rabies control and prevention in the United States seems to be a function of our perception of proximity of the threat. Wildlife rabies epizootics within a state may be of little concern to the uninformed urban dweller. Additionally, many parts of the western United States are free of terrestrial rabies; were it not for the presence of bat rabies, people in those areas would likely interpret rabies control as a minor public health concern. It is essential that federal, state, and local public health programs emphasize the importance of rabies control through activities that include rabies education, sponsorship of legislated requirements for domestic animal vaccination, support for local animal control programs, and the promotion of recommendations that encourage the appropriate use of PEP. We are almost guaranteed that rabies is going to remain a major public health issue well into the next century because of expanding wildlife rabies epizootics, identification of new rabies viral variants with increased public health concern, emotional and legal concerns associated with rabies exposure, and increasing national cost associated with rabies control and prevention. Nevertheless, the development of new laboratory technology that allows an understanding of the epidemiologic nature of the rabies virus based on an evolving genetic history and the interrelationship with wildlife reservoirs should allow access to valuable tools for rabies control. When combined with programs using new developments in oral rabies vaccine that can immunize whole populations of wildlife reservoirs, that technology offers encouragement in our effort to control one of the diseases of antiquity.     

Effects of prescription diet on dealing with stressful situations and performance of anxiety-related behaviors in privately owned anxious dogs

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of a diet (CALM CANINE) supplemented with alpha-casozepine and L-tryptophan on the stress response of anxious dogs with a focus on anxiety-related behavioral parameters and physiological parameters. Forty-four privately owned dogs were first fed with the control diet, followed by the study diet, each for an 8-week period, with a transitional period of 1 week between the diets. After 7 weeks on a particular diet, owners reported their dogs' behavior by filling out a questionnaire. Using the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire, the effect of the study diet was found to be significant for 4 anxiety-related behavioral parameters, possibly mirroring a placebo effect. After 7 weeks on each diet, the urine cortisol-to-creatinine ratio (UCCR) was measured to assess the stress response to a visit to a veterinary practice for toenail clipping. UCCR was measured to complement the interpretation of behavioral data with regard to the stress susceptibility of the dogs. A positive correlation was found between baseline UCCR, as measured in the home situations, and poststressor UCCR. The stressor-induced increase was significantly lower in the dogs when they were fed the study diet than earlier when they were fed the control diet. The supplementation of casozepine or the proportion of protein in a given diet could have been a determining factor. The study diet seems to improve the ability of an individual to cope with stress and may reduce anxiety-related behavior in anxious dogs.     

Clinical toxicoses of domestic rabbits.

Toxicoses are an uncommon presentation to rabbit practitioners; however, veterinarians who accept rabbits as patients should be familiar with the basic concepts of toxicosis management and the specific syndromes associated with clinical toxicoses. The objective of this article is to present clinically relevant information for veterinarians presented with rabbits exhibiting characteristic signs of toxicosis. In addition, specific mention is made to the most common clinical toxicoses, including lead, chemicals, rodenticides, aflatoxins, and poisonous plants.     

Rabies virus infection in a pet guinea pig and seven pet rabbits

Raccoon-variant rabies was confirmed in 7 pet rabbits and 1 pet guinea pig in New York State, and postexposure treatment was required in several adults and children. To prevent rabies virus infection, domestic rabbits and pet rodents should be protected from contact with wild animals, including double-cage housing when housed outside. Pet rabbits or rodents with any possible contact with a wild animal, particularly if the rabbit or rodent had wounds of unknown origin, should be quarantined for 6 months for observation, to prevent escape, and to avoid contact with humans, who will require treatment if the rabbit or rodent develops rabies. Bites and scratches to humans from rodents and lagomorphs should be evaluated for potential rabies exposure on an individual basis, with consideration of whether the animal was caged outside or permitted outdoors unsupervised.     

Fatal toxoplasmosis in domestic rabbits in the USA.

Three rabbits from two sources died after an acute illness characterized by fever, lethargy and diarrhea in one rabbit and no clinical signs in two rabbits. The most striking lesion in all three rabbits was foci of necrosis of the spleen and liver associated with massive presence of multiplying Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. The diagnosis was confirmed by specific staining with anti-T. gondii serum in an avidin-biotin complex immunohistochemical stain.     

Blood vitamin concentrations in privately owned dogs fed non-standardized commercial diets and after intake of diets with specified vitamin concentrations

The objective was to investigate in a survey study the blood vitamin concentrations in healthy dogs fed non-specified commercial complete diets and in an intervention study to determine the effects of defined dietary vitamin intakes on blood vitamin levels and hair and skin condition. Sixty-four privately owned dogs, aged from 1 to 8 years, without history of skin or coat problems were included. All animals were fed commercial complete diets with uncertain vitamin concentrations before enrolment. The animals were assigned, according to weight and gender, to four groups with graded vitamin intakes. The blood vitamin levels and skin and coat quality of the dogs were investigated at days 0 and day 122. Coat and hair condition was not influenced by the experimental diets. The retinol concentrations were reduced at the end of the experiment compared with the baseline levels, retinyl esters were not influenced. 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol decreased in all groups, alpha-tocopherol was constant or tended to decrease. Ascorbic acid, thiamine pyrophosphate and riboflavin concentrations were not affected by treatment, flavin adenine dinucleotide and pyridoxal-5'-phosphate were partially reduced on day 122. Cobalamin, pantothenate and biotin concentrations increased with higher dietary intakes, folate levels in tendency. In conclusion, this study gives a survey of blood vitamin concentrations in healthy dogs and provides a data base for the evaluation of the vitamin status in health and disease.     

Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis in two rabbits

The purpose of this case report is to describe the clinical course and cytologic findings, treatment, and outcome of eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis in two rabbits. Ophthalmic examination revealed ocular discharge, dacryocystitis, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, white conjunctival and corneal plaques, corneal vascularization, and stromal infiltration with different degrees of severity in each case. In case 2 there was also ulcerative disease of the cornea. Computerized tomography scan of the head, corneal biopsy for histopathologic examination with additional Luna and Giemsa stain were performed in case 2 and conjunctival as well as corneal specimens were obtained for bacteriologic culture and cytologic examination in case 1. Based on test results, a diagnosis of eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis was made in case 2 and a tentative diagnosis of eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis was made in case 1. Response to treatment with a topical steroid and topical cyclosporin was supportive of the diagnosis in both cases and shared many similarities with the response to treatment previously described in cats. Eosinophilic keratitis should be considered as part of a differential diagnosis list in rabbits with a history of keratitis.     

The association of exercise,diet and other factors with owner-perceived obesity in privately owned dogs from metropolitan Perth,WA

Randomly selected dog-owning households (n=657) were interviewed to identify exercise, dietary and other factors associated with obesity in dogs. Dogs (n=860) were categorised by their owners as underweight, correct-weight or overweight and the weight of 386 dogs was also recorded. Twenty five percent of dogs were reported as overweight. In random-effects logistic regression, overweight dogs had higher odds of being neutered (OR=2.8), fed snacks (OR=1.5), fed once a day (OR=1.4) or living in single-dog households (OR=1.6). For each year of age, the odds of obesity increased (OR=1.1) and for each hour of weekly exercise the odds of obesity decreased (OR=0.9).     

The influence of diet and other factors on owner-perceived obesity in privately owned cats from metropolitan Perth, Western Australia.

A randomly selected group of cat-owning households (n = 458) were interviewed to determine the diet of their cats (n = 644) in the week prior to the survey and to identify dietary and other factors which were associated with obesity. All cats were categorised by their owners as underweight, correct-weight or overweight and the weight of 127 cats was also recorded. Nearly all cats were fed commercially prepared dry pet food (90.5%) or canned pet food (84.6%) in the week prior to the survey. Nineteen percent of cats were classified as overweight. Although the make-up of a cat's diet was found not to be associated with its weight or weight category, cats fed dietary supplements or those which had not received a specific kitten diet when <6 months of age were more likely to be overweight after univariable analysis. Logistic multiple regression was used to investigate the effect of putative risk factors on obesity while controlling for other factors. Overweight cats were more likely to be cross-bred (OR = 2.1), neutered (OR = 2.8), living in houses with only one or two cats (OR = 1.8), male (OR = 1.4) and predominantly confined inside a house (OR = 1.4). Obesity is influenced by a variety of factors including host, dietary and management factors and these must be considered when developing weight control programmes for cats.     

Metabolisable energy intake and growth of privately owned growing dogs in comparison with official recommendations on the growth curve and energy supply

The correct assumption of metabolisable energy (ME) requirement is essential for the nutrition consultation and diet formulation. In young dogs, too high energy supply can accelerate growth and thus lead to developmental orthopaedic diseases. The aim of the present study was to collect the data on ME intake and body weight (BW) development in privately owned growing dogs in order to compare these data with the current recommendations. Our hypothesis was that the actual ME intake of healthy young dogs would be lower than the actual recommendation. The data of 493 privately owned puppies (median age at first consultation 21 weeks, the median expected mature BW 30 kg) on ME intake, actual and expected mature BW were collected and compared with recommendations of the Society of Nutrition Physiology (GfE, Meyer and Zentek and NRC). In 243 dogs, there was a follow‐up. The actual BW did not deviate systematically from the calculated expected BW (R² = .929). The ME intake significantly decreased with age (p < .05) and significantly increased with expected mature BW (p < .05). There was no significant interaction between these two parameters (p > .05). Sex had no effect on the ME intake (p > .05). The ME intake of young dogs with a history of skeletal problems or of food allergy did not differ systematically from healthy dogs of similar age and expected mature BW. The ME intake was considerably below NRC recommendations, especially in younger puppies (>8–17 weeks: 78%, >17–26 weeks: 83% of NRC recommendation). A predictive linear equation for ME intake was developed: ME intake (MJ) = (1.063 ? 0.565 × [actual BW/expected mature BW]) × actual BW^0.75.     

Sebaceous adenitis in four domestic rabbits (Oryctatagus cuniculus)

Four domestic rabbits were presented with a history of nonpruritic scale. Multiple skin biopsies revealed findings compatible with sebaceous adenitis as reported in other species: inflammation directed at the sebaceous gland, and/or an absence of sebaceous glands, a perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate at the level of the absent sebaceous glands, hyperkeratosis, follicular keratosis, follicular dystrophy, perifollicular fibrosis, and a mural infiltrative lymphocytic folliculitis. Histological changes not consistent with sebaceous adenitis in other species were interface dermatitis and interface folliculitis with single cell necrosis and basal cell hydropic degeneration.     

The enteritis complex in domestic rabbits: A field study

A study of the causative agents of enteritis in domestic rabbits from 44 different accessions is described. In descending order of frequency, the organisms most commonly demonstrated were intestinal and hepatic coccidia (Eimeria species), Escherichia coli, Clostridium spp., Salmonella, Bacillus piliformis, and rotavirus. The species of Eimeria identified included those moderately pathogenic and coccidia of low pathogenicity. Using seven antisera against known enterpathogenic strains of E. coli, only one strain, O15, was identified in three cases. Clostridium perfringens or C. spiroforme was demonstrated in the intestinal contents in 11 cases, and lesions compatible with clostridial enteropathy were identified on gross and histopathology. In a serological survey, over 50% of 200 fryer rabbits submitted to Ontario abattoirs and of animals from commercial rabbitries had detectable antibody to rotavirus, indicating the widespread distribution of rotaviral infections in this species. In the cases of enteritis studied, two or more potentially pathogenic organisms were frequently identified, emphasizing that several different organisms may be acting in concert to produce clinical disease.     

Fatal cerebrospinal disease caused by Baylisascaris procyonis in domestic rabbits

Infection with Baylisascaris procyonis, the common roundworm of raccoons, was found to be the cause of an epizootic of fatal CNS disease in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Clinical signs included torticollis, ataxia, tremors, and falling. Gross lesions were limited to white, raised nodules (1 to 1.5 mm) on the epicardium, endocardium, and liver serosa, and they were found to be larval granulomas. Microscopic lesions included multifocal myocarditis, multifocal hemorrhagic tracks and associated necrosis and inflammation in the liver, multifocal eosinophilic myositis, focal nephritis, and mild interstitial pneumonia; larval granulomas were seen in the heart, liver, lung, and mandibular salivary gland. Lesions in the brain consisted of multifocal areas of necrosis and inflammation in the cerebrum, cerebellum, midbrain, and medulla, with accompanying perivascular leukocyte aggregates and neuronal and axonal degeneration. Large numbers of large ascarid larvae were seen in the brain. Epidemiologically, infection was linked to the use of contaminated straw from a barn used by raccoons. On the basis of this study as well as that of similar studies, it was concluded that barn use and contamination by raccoons may be an important source of infection of animals and possibly man with this parasite.     

Organophosphorus poisoning in two Rex rabbits

A case of organophosphorus (OP) poisoning in two Rex rabbits is described. Three animals were diagnosed as having dermatitis characterised by pruritis and alopecia due to infestation with Cheyletiella parasitivorax. Two of the animals were dipped in 2% malathion solution: one died within 15 hours post-dipping, the other was euthanased subsequent to the onset of convulsions. A procedure for the future dipping of rabbits is suggested, and a recommendation is made for a lower concentration of malathion to be used.