Medetomidine-ketamine-isoflurane anaesthesia in pygmy hippopotami (Choeropsis liberiensis)--a case series

History Medical knowledge of pygmy hippopotami is limited. Anaesthesia has been considered a challenge because of the anatomy, semi‐aquatic life style and aggressive behaviour. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) has been described and can contribute to active kidney disease potentially affecting anaesthesia. Physical examination and Management Fourteen pygmy hippopotami were anaesthetized for general health assessment and reproductive procedures. Animals (estimated bodyweight 250 kg) were darted intramuscularly with 0.08 mg kg^?1 medetomidine and 1.2 mg kg^?1 ketamine. After endotracheal intubation, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane delivered either by circle system (100% oxygen) or by Triservice apparatus (air or air/oxygen admixture). Heart rate (HR) respiratory rate (f_R), oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and end tidal CO₂ were recorded at 5‐minute intervals. Atipamezole was administered intramuscularly (0.4 mg kg^?1) at the end of the procedure. Statistical analysis was performed using anova (p < 0.05). Most animals rapidly became recumbent although five hippopotami needed additional drugs to assure acceptable immobilization. There were no statistical differences in mean HR between animals with or without PKD (PKD: 34 ± 8 beats minutes^?1; no PKD: 33 ± 6 beats minutes^?1), f_R (PKD: 15 ± 7 breaths minutes^?1; no PKD; 12 ± 5 breaths minutes^?1) and end tidal CO₂ (PKD: 7.1 ± 1.3 kPa; no PKD: 7.8 ± 1.4 kPa). SpO₂ was higher in animals receiving 100% oxygen or air with oxygen (92 ± 8% and 91 ± 9% respectively) compared with animals receiving air only (77 ± 5%) (p = 0.003). Recovery was uneventful after atipamezole administration. Follow‐up There were no apparent adverse effects after anaesthesia during a 24‐hour follow‐up period. Discussion and conclusions Medetomidine‐ketamine‐isoflurane induced satisfactory anaesthesia in this species. Incremental induction doses were related to remote injection and the animals’ thick skin. There were no differences in anaesthetic parameters in animals with or without PKD. Supplemental oxygen should be mandatory during anaesthesia in this species.     

Renal Anatomy of the Pigmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis): An Overview

The adult kidney of Choeropsis liberiensis is 74.8 % cortex and 22.9 % medulla. The neonatal cortex is relatively less. A single kidney has about 3 × 10⁶ glomeruli. These form 5 % of renal mass in the adult but more so in neonates.
The primary tubus maximus, TM₁, follows the lateral curvature of the kidney. It gives off, toward the hilum, dorso-ventrally paired secondary tubi maximi, TM₂. The tubi are a single layer of high cuboidal epithelium from which terminal collecting ducts arise throughout the surrounding inner medulla. The cranial and caudal limbs of TM₁, open at a diminutive pelvis which receives a small papilla in continuity with TM₁.
The medulla is continuous although variably distorted by folds of cortex at the lateral curvature of the kidney. The renal lobes project toward the medial border and consist of cortex, medulla and TM₂. The lobar cortex is continuous with the common cortex of the lateral curvature. The kidney, although strongly lobed, has no infundibula or rencules.
A main peripheral vein courses medial and parallel to TM. It is apparently a modified large arcuate vein and receives arcuate and interlobar tributaries. At the level of the papilla it joins the main renal vein.
The arterial supply is mainly by interlobar arteries but there are also sizeable external perforator arteries which branch from the main renal artery and perforate the cortex of lobes about the hilum. The sourse of the arteries is illustrated.     

Diagnosis and treatment of epidural empyema in a pygmy goat

A mixed-breed pygmy goat was presented for nonambulatory tetraparesis. Neurological examination was consistent with a C6 to T2 myelopathy. Initially, the goat was treated medically. Forty-three days later, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an extradural mass compressing the cervical spinal cord. Magnetic resonance attributes of the mass were consistent with a slow-growing, fluid-poor lesion. The spinal cord was surgically decompressed. Epidural empyema secondary to Fusobacterium necrophorum was identified. Postoperative care consisted of anti-inflammatory medication, antimicrobials, and physical therapy. Ability to walk occurred by day 14 after surgery. Despite prolonged recumbency before surgery, the goat was clinically normal, and antimicrobials were discontinued on day 60 after surgery.Key clinical message:Epidural empyema can cause a compressive myelopathy which may result in varying degrees of paresis/paralysis. Clinical resolution and return of normal function occurred following the use of MRI to plan surgical decompression combined with extended use of antimicrobials.     

Metastatic malignant melanoma in a prehensile-tailed porcupine (Coendou prehensilis)

A 14-yr-old male, prehensile-tailed porcupine (Coendou prehensilis) presented for an ulcerated, bleeding lesion of the right flank. The wound presented similar to a bite wound and was treated with antibiotics. After 2 mo, the lesion had increased in size and was nonhealing, so surgical excision was elected. Histopathology diagnosed this lesion as a malignant melanoma with incomplete margins. Radiographs showed no evidence of pulmonary metastasis. At 6 mo, another skin lesion was removed and was diagnosed as malignant melanoma with clean surgical margins. At 8 mo, another four dermal masses were surgically excised and, again, these were melanomas that were completely excised. The animal was euthanized approximately 15 mo after initial presentation due to continued growth of dermal masses, dyspnea, and decreased appetite. Necropsy and histopathology revealed metastatic melanoma present in skin, kidneys, and lung.     

Congenital and acquired melanocytomas (benign melanomas) in eighteen young horses.

In a retrospective study, cutaneous melanocytic tumors from 18 horses, less than 2 years old, were examined histopathologically and clinical follow-up requested. Melanocytomas (benign melanomas) occurred in a variety of breeds and in horses of varied coat color. The age of the horses at the time of biopsy ranged from 3 weeks old to 2 years old. Four melanocytomas were congenital, 11 melanocytomas were acquired by 1 year of age, and three were acquired prior to 2 years of age. Of the 18 horses, five were male, and 13 were female. All tumors were solitary and located on the legs or trunk; none were in the perineal region. Ulceration of the overlying epidermis was common. Tumors were generally localized and were not encapsulated. The tumors had a variety of cell patterns ranging from sheets, to streams, or nests of melanocytes. Cellular morphologic findings also ranged from epithelioid, to a mixture of epithelioid and spindle cells or to a spindle pattern. The nuclei were large and euchromatic, especially in the epithelioid cells. Several tumors had moderate cellular pleomorphism and binucleate cells. Mitotic activity was generally low (less than 1/high-powered field), but was readily detected (1-2/high-powered field) in bleached sections of four cases. Melanin pigmentation varied from mild to heavy. Melanophages were admixed with the tumor cells or in the adjacent tissue. Follow-up information was obtained on 15/18 horses and revealed that 14/15 horses were free of recurrence following excision. One neoplasm, that was poorly demarcated and had a spindle cell pattern, was not completely resected and continued to grow. These melanocytic tumors in young horses are distinct from melanomas in aged horses in their location, epithelial involvement, and age of horses affected. The majority of these tumors appear to be benign and share features of melanocytic nevi of human beings.     

Use of carboplatin for treatment of dogs with malignant melanoma: 27 cases (1989-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate response rate and duration of malignant melanomas in dogs treated with carboplatin. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 27 client-owned dogs with spontaneously occurring measurable malignant melanomas. PROCEDURE: Records of dogs with melanomas treated with carboplatin from October 1989 to June 2000 were reviewed. Carboplatin was administered IV at doses of 300 or 350 mg/m2 of body surface area. Response to treatment and evidence of drug toxicity were determined. RESULT: Response to treatment could be evaluated in 25 dogs. Of those, overall response rate was 28%. One dog had a complete response, 6 (24%) dogs had a partial response (> 50% reduction in tumor burden). Median duration of partial response was 165 days. Eighteen dogs had stable disease (n = 9; 36%) or progressive disease (9; 36%). Response to treatment was significantly associated with carboplatin dose on a milligram per kilogram basis (15.1 mg/kg 16.9 mg/lb] of body weight vs 12.6 mg/kg [5.7 mg/lb]). Evidence of gastrointestinal toxicosis could be assessed in 27 dogs. Mean body weight of 5 dogs that developed gastrointestinal toxicosis was significantly less than that of 22 dogs without gastrointestinal toxicosis (9.9 kg [21.8 lb] vs 19.3 kg [42.5 lb]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Carboplatin had activity against macroscopic spontaneously occurring malignant melanomas in dogs and should be considered as an adjunctive treatment for microscopic local or metastatic tumors. Gastrointestinal toxicosis was associated with body weight. Because small dogs are more likely to have adverse gastrointestinal effects, gastrointestinal protectants should be considered for these patients.     

Diagnosis and treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism in a bobcat (Lynx rufus)

An 18-yr-old male bobcat (Lynx rufus) presented with chronic moderate weight loss and acute onset of anorexia and lethargy. Hypercalcemia and azotemia were present on the serum chemistry panel. Abdominal ultrasound revealed hyperechoic renal cortices, but no evidence of neoplasia. Ionized calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were mildly elevated, intact parathyroid hormone was severely elevated, and parathormone-related protein was undetected, suggesting primary hyperparathyroidism with possible renal dysfunction. Azotemia lessened in severity following diuresis, but hypercalcemia persisted; thus primary hyperparathyroidism was considered the most probable differential diagnosis. A second ultrasound including the cervical region revealed a solitary intraparenchymal left thyroid nodule. The nodule was surgically excised; histopathology confirmed a parathyroid adenoma. Although primary hyperparathyroidism was suspected, diagnosis was not achieved from serum chemistry values alone. This case emphasizes the importance of diagnostic imaging and histopathology in the investigation of persistently abnormal laboratory values.     

猪瘟病毒与猪附红细胞体混合感染的诊治

2005年7月,梧州市长州区倒水镇某村猪群暴发以高热、皮肤发红,腹下及四肢下部出现出血斑点为主要症状的疾病.根据临床症状、剖检变化及实验室检验等综合诊断,确诊为猪瘟与猪附红细胞体病混合感染,现报告如下:     

Diagnosis and treatment of a periocular myxosarcoma in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

A 5-year-old male Australian bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) was presented with a 2-month history of a periocular mass. The clinical evaluation included a physical examination, hematology, biochemistry, and radiographs. The mass was treated surgically and diagnosed as myxosarcoma. Strontium-90 plesiotherapy was attempted, but the mass recurred 5 mo later.     

Diagnosis and treatment of coenuriasis (gid) in sheep

A procedure for the clinical investigation and surgical treatment of cases of coenuriasis in sheep was assessed. The results were based on a series of 62 cases of coenuriasis, of which 58 per cent did not have any palpable skull softening. A useful correlation between the neurological signs and the location of cysts was demonstrated, enabling accurate localisation of cysts in 68 per cent of cases. The surgical technique for the removal of cysts gave a success rate of 74 per cent among the 42 cases selected for surgery, as judged by the complete removal of the cyst and recovery of neurological functions.