Diagnosis and Treatment of Anaplastic Mammary Carcinoma in a Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps)

A 9-year-old female sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) was evaluated for a tissue mass near the marsupium. Ultrasonography identified a vascular mass originating from the right mammary gland. Fine-needle aspiration was suggestive of a malignant neoplasm. The glider was anesthetized and the tumor was removed, and this was followed by strontium-90 plesiotherapy to the tumor bed in an attempt to decrease local recurrence. Histopathology revealed an anaplastic mammary carcinoma. The glider was euthanized less than 14 days after the procedure owing to self-mutilation behavior of unknown etiology. This report is the first to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostics, therapeutics, and treatment response for a sugar glider with mammary neoplasia.     

PARACLOACAL GLAND CARCINOMA IN A SUGAR GLIDER (PETAURUS BREVICEPS)

A male sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) was presented to the National Taiwan University Veterinary hospital for repeated self-mutilation of the cloacal region. After correction of husbandry deficiencies and medical management of the lesion, the condition improved but a pericloacal mass was found. Surgical removal of the mass resolved the self-mutilation, and a dorsal paracloacal gland carcinoma was diagnosed on histopathological examination. Straining to defecate and a pericloacal mass could indicate neoplasia in sugar gliders. A tumor should be differentiated from chronic inflammation, infection, paracloacal gland impaction, and hyperplasia. Surgical removal is recommended as a treatment for paracloacal gland carcinoma in sugar gliders. Further monitoring is suggested after surgical removal of the tumor.     

Toxoplasma gondii inclusions in peripheral blood leukocytes of a red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus)

Abstract A 2-year-old, male, red-necked (Bennett's) wallaby ( Macropus rufogriseus ) from a zoological facility was presented for peracute onset of severe depression, unresponsiveness, ataxia, and loose feces. Serum biochemical abnormalities included azotemia, hypoalbuminemia, increased alanine aminotransferase activity, hyperbilirubinemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyperkalemia, consistent with multi-organ system failure. Severe thrombocytopenia suggested possible disseminated intravascular coagulation. Peripheral blood smear examination revealed numerous ovoid, protozoal inclusions within monocytes and occasionally within neutrophils. Despite aggressive supportive therapy, the patent died within 5 hours of presentation. Gross necropsy and histopathologic findings included severe multifocal necrotizing lesions in multiple organs. Numerous intralesional protozoal organisms were observed and were identified as Toxoplasma gondii by immunohistochemistry. Macropods (wallabies and kangaroos) are known to be highly susceptible to toxoplasmosis, with high mortality rates; diagnosis most often is obtained at necropsy. Detection of protozoal organisms in peripheral blood leukocytes is reported rarely and has not been documented previously in a macropod. Parasitemia in this case was attributed to severe, disseminated disease. Careful examination of peripheral blood smears in macropods suspected of toxoplasmosis may be warranted.     

Clinical Update and Treatment of Selected Infectious Gastrointestinal Diseases in Avian Species

The anatomy of the avian gastrointestinal (GI) tract is unique and significantly different from that of other animals. The characteristics of the avian GI tract allow the different species to adapt and thrive in their habitats. Infectious diseases of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic origin commonly affect avian species. The significance and the nature of these pathologies vary with species and if they live in the wild or a captive environment. This review compiles information available in the literature on specific infectious processes that were considered relevant and clinically significant by the authors. Clinicians should be knowledgeable and aware of the infectious agents, clinical signs associated with disease, diagnostic techniques, and treatment methodologies currently available regarding diseases that affect the avian GI tract. Recent information that provides new insight to these infectious processes is the focus of this article.     

Scrotal stalk ablation and orchiectomy using electrosurgery in the male sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and histologic anatomy of the testes and associated scrotal structures

This report describes an alternative surgical technique for performing scrotal ablation and orchiectomy in the adult male sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) using electrosurgery. Eight animals from a local small mammal shelter group that presented for routine surgical castration for population control measures were included in this study. Mean surgical time was 4.37 ± 2.13 seconds. Mean anesthesia time was 12.32 ± 5.63 minutes. Mean recovery time was 8.37 ± 3.68 minutes. Mean total procedure time was 22.24 ± 5.69 minutes. No perioperative complications were reported. All animals appeared to have sufficient pain management with an analgesia and anti-inflammatory protocol using butorphanol and meloxicam. No over grooming and or self-injurious behaviors were reported by the local shelter during both the 24-hour and 14-day recheck examinations. Electrosurgery scrotal ablation and orchiectomy therefore offers an alternate route for the practicing veterinarian to perform safe and efficient castrations in male sugar gliders. Histologically, in the epididymis, 3 of the 8 sugar gliders had evidence of a well-defined region in the head, between the efferent ducts and the remaining epididymis. The lining cells differed morphologically from those constituting the remaining epithelial lining. The presence of eosinophilic vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the cells in this region suggests a secretory activity.     

Gastrointestinal ultrasonography in normal adult ponies

The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics based on ultrasonographic examination of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, cecum, and peritoneal fluid in normal adult ponies. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination was performed in nine unsedated standing ponies. The duodenum was examined at three sites and the jejunum in 12 regions. Wall thickness, contractility, distention, and luminal contents were recorded. Stomach wall thickness and location, cecal wall thickness, and peritoneal fluid location and character were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed. Wall thicknesses (in cm) were 0.431 +/- 0.069 for the stomach, 0.188 +/- 0.033 for the duodenum (at all sites), 0.195 +/- 0.031 for the jejunum (at all regions), and 0.179 +/- 0.031 for the cecum. Duodenal contractions per minute were 3.78 +/- 1.10. The stomach spanned 5.14 +/- 0.9 intercostal spaces, with the 8th intercostal space being the most cranial and the 15th intercostal space being the most caudal space through which the stomach was identified. It was possible to identify the jejunum in all ponies dorsal to the left dorsal colon and from the ventral abdominal wall. Peritoneal fluid was identified in six ponies. Peritoneal fluid was usually seen transiently and most commonly in the ventral aspect of the abdominal cavity or around the duodenum. Overall, the ponie's abdominal ultrasonographic examinations revealed wall thicknesses that were less than the published normal ranges for horses. It appears that ponies may have increased duodenal contractility than horses and that the conformation of ponies may change the locations for imaging the stomach.     

Culture and Stimulation of Tammar Wallaby Lymphocytes

We describe the culture and stimulation of lymphocytes from the model marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). We also describe the capacity of tammar wallaby lymphocytes isolated from blood, spleen and lymph nodes to produce soluble immunomodulatory factors. Culture conditions were optimized for mitogen-driven stimulation using the plant lectin phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Products secreted by stimulated cells were harvested and crudely fractionated before they were added back to freshly isolated lymphocytes. Using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, both stimulatory and inhibitory bioactive factors were detected in serum-free supernatants harvested from mitogen-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This paper describes the capacity of leukocytes of the tammar wallaby to respond to mitogenic stimulation and to produce soluble, low-molecular-weight bioactive molecules that possess cytokine-like activity.     

胃肠黏膜屏障及应激对其的影响和干预措施

应激可破坏胃肠道上皮细胞间紧密连接完整性,损伤胃肠黏膜屏障,并引发胃肠黏膜屏障障碍,增加其通透性,最终导致机体产生炎症反应,对其进行干预则可降低应激对胃肠通透性的影响。本文主要对胃肠黏膜屏障构成及其功能、胃肠黏膜屏障功能的评价和胃肠通透性的测定、应激对胃肠黏膜屏障的影响及干预措施进行了综述,以期为缓解应激对胃肠黏膜屏障功能的影响提供参考。     

DIETARY VITAMIN D3 INFLUENCE ON SERUM 25-HYDROXY VITAMIN D CONCENTRATIONS IN CAPTIVE SUGAR GLIDERS (PETAURUS BREVICEPS)

A pilot study was performed to investigate the impact of dietary vitamin D on circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) metabolite concentrations in sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps). The study with diets containing 0, 0.2 (low), or 0.4 (moderate) International Units vitamin D₃ per gram of dry matter and fed to adults at 2 locations. Serum 25[OH]D concentrations did not differ between animals fed produce only (no added vitamin D–either D₂ or D₃) for 3 weeks (8.83 ± 0.98 nmol/L), n?=?6, or low dietary levels (7.86 ± 3.80 nmol/L), n?=?7, continuously for multiple years. Conversely, animals consuming diets containing moderate vitamin D₃ levels displayed increased circulating concentrations (15.00 ± 3.59), n?=?8, after 3 weeks. Despite the response to diets supplemented with vitamin D, overall metabolite levels were low and may indicate minimal metabolic dependence on this nutrient in sugar gliders, similar to processes documented in other hindgut fermenters.     

Gastrografin as a Gastrointestinal Contrast Medium in the Cat

Gastrografin (diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium solution) was used to evaluate its performance as a gastrointestinal-tract contrast medium in ten cats. It was administered through an orogastric tube to ketamine hydrochloridesedated, nonatropinized, mature cats at a dose rate of 22 mg/kg. Gastric emptying and largeintestinal filling were observed within 30–60 minutes in seven cats and in 120 minutes in the remaining three cats. The mucosal detail of the small intestine was poor, being represented by a homogeneous "halo" of decreased radiodensity surrounding the more radiodense intestinal luminal contents. The contrast medium refluxed into the esophagus in six cats. Some contrast medium precipitated in the stomach and small intestines in all ten cats. Urinary-tract opacification occurred in all cats and was first seen 60 minutes after Gastrografin was administered. Gastrografin satisfactorily opacifies the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract of cats. It has physical and physiologic characteristics that preclude its use for routine gastrointestinal contrast studies. These characteristics are reviewed in this article.     

Gastrointestinal nonrotation in a neonatal foal

A 24‐hour‐old Welsh‐Thoroughbred foal presented for routine surgical repair of an abdominal and body wall hernia. The colt became acutely colicky and emergency celiotomy was performed revealing abnormal anatomical configuration of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Incomplete gastrointestinal rotation is a rare congenital anomaly only described in man. This report describes the clinical and diagnostic findings, surgical and medical treatment, and outcome of a neonatal foal with nonrotation of the GIT.     

阿苯达唑对波尔山羊消化道线虫的药效试验

为了观察阿苯达唑片对波尔山羊消化道线虫的驱除效果,探讨其对波尔山羊线虫病治疗的最佳剂量,将150只波尔山羊随机分成5组,其中设阿苯达唑7.5、15、30 mg/kg作为试验组,同时设左旋咪唑7.5 mg/kg作为药物对照组和阳性对照组,给药前后检查虫卵和虫体,计算虫卵转阴率、虫卵减少率和驱虫率,最后进行统计分析。结果显示,高剂量组和中剂量组的虫卵转阴率、虫卵减少率和驱虫率均显著高于低剂量组和盐酸左旋咪唑片对照组(P0.01),而高剂量组与中剂量组的虫卵转阴率、虫卵减少率和驱虫率差异不显著。15 mg/kg的阿苯达唑片对波尔山羊线虫的驱除效果安全。     

纤维素复合酶对羔羊消化道组织结构的影响

为了探明纤维素复合酶提高羔羊饲料消化率的消化道组织学基础,选择刚出生且体重相近的波尔山羊公羔30只(20日龄开始自由采食优质苜蓿干草, 80日龄断奶)分为对照组和试验组(添加0.2%酶制剂),分别在2、3和4月龄每组各选体重相近的3只羔羊屠宰.结果表明,瘤胃乳头长度、宽度和单位面积瘤胃乳头表面积随月龄增加而增加,而单位面积乳头数随着月龄的增加而减少(P ＜ 0.01).酶制剂提高3、4月龄羔羊瘤胃乳头长度(P ＜ 0.01)、宽度(P ＞ 0.05)和单位面积瘤胃乳头表面积(P ＜ 0.01),减少单位面积乳头数(P ＜ 0.01).显著提高3月龄十二指肠肠绒毛的长度(P ＜ 0.05).在3、4月龄,酶制剂有增加小肠隐窝深度和黏膜厚度的趋势,但未达到显著水平(P ＞ 0.05).     

蜂胶与胃肠疾病的防治

<正>蜂胶是一种天然广谱抗生物质,国内外在应用蜂胶治疗胃肠病中取得很好的效果。在临床实际应用中,服用蜂胶后胃炎、胃肠溃疡患者,胃部疼痛逐渐     

A Case of Feline Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Sclerosing Fibroplasia

Feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia was diagnosed in an 8-month-old Scottish fold that had a primary gastrointestinal mass involving the stomach, duodenum and mesenteric lymph nodes. Histopathologically, the most characteristic feature of this mass was granulation tissue with eosinophil infiltration and hyperplasia of sclerosing collagen fiber. Immunohistochemically, large spindle-shaped cells were positive for smooth muscle actin and vimentin. This case emphasizes the importance of feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia as a differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal neoplastic lesions such as osteosarcoma and mast cell tumor in cats.