Combination of Dexmedetomidine and Low-Dose Ketamine in 4 Sugar Gliders () Undergoing Elective Castration.

Four entire male sugar gliders () belonging to the same colony were presented for elective orchiectomy. After clinical examination, dexmedetomidine (120 μg/kg) in combination with ketamine (5 mg/kg) were administered subcutaneously (SC). Once righting and pedal withdrawal reflexes were lost, ringer lactate solution, enrofloxacin and meloxicam were administered SC and a bilateral intratesticular block with lidocaine 0.

Oral Cavity Disorders in Reptiles.

Reptilian dentition is diverse, categorized into homodont and heterodont types based on tooth shape and function. Certain reptiles have evolved unique teeth for specific diets, such as iguanas' peg-like teeth for grinding plants and venomous snakes' fangs for injecting venom. The attachment of teeth varies: acrodont and pleurodont teeth are fused to the jaw, while thecodont teeth are embedded in sockets.

Development of septa in the urinary bladder of client-owned rabbits leading to urinary outflow obstruction, urinary retention, and urinary bladder distension.

Objective: To describe a novel condition in rabbits characterized by the development of septa in the urinary bladder leading to partial urinary outflow obstruction.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective case series was designed, including 7 rabbits presented from 2017 to 2023 that met 2 inclusion criteria: (1) underwent histopathology of the urinary bladder, and (2) had clinical evidence of membranes and septa in the urinary bladder through diagnostic imaging and/or necropsy. Clinical signs of urinary outflow obstruction and bladder distension were observed in all cases.

Clinical parameters obtained during tear film examination in domestic rabbits.

Background: One of the contributing factors to ocular surface health is a stable precorneal tear film. Considering the increasing interest in rabbits as pets and the limited literature available on domestic rabbit tearing, the aim of this study was to establish normative data for examination of the tear film in domestic rabbits.

Results: The study included 75 client-owned domestic Holland Lop rabbits (150 eyes).

Clinical, surgical, and pathological findings in client-owned rabbits with histologically confirmed appendicitis: 19 cases (2015-2019).

Objective: To report clinical, surgical, and pathological findings in client-owned rabbits with histologically confirmed appendicitis.

Animals: 19 rabbits.

Procedures: Medical records for client-owned rabbits that had a histologic diagnosis of appendicitis were reviewed.

Antemortem diagnosis of congenital glaucoma in a white-bellied caique (Pionites leucogaster).

A 34-day-old, male, white-bellied caique (Pionites leucogaster) was presented for a complaint of bilateral buphthalmos. Clinical examination was unremarkable apart from the ophthalmic findings. The ophthalmologic examination was negative for direct, consensual, and dazzle reflexes in both eyes.

Diagnostic Imaging of the Reptile Urinary System.

Reptiles can develop various diseases of the urinary tract, including, but not exclusively, urolithiasis, gout, acute and chronic kidney injury, and secondary renal hyperparathyroidism. Diagnostic imaging is instrumental in differentiating and diagnosing these ailments. This article describes the current diagnostic imaging approaches used in reptile medicine for evaluation of urinary tract disease.

First molecular detection of ball python nidovirus in Italy - Short communication.

A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the presence of ferlavirus, ball python nidovirus and bacteria in 32 tracheobronchial lavages from ball pythons raised in captivity and affected by respiratory disease. A touchdown reverse transcription polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect ball python nidovirus RNA targeting a 260-bp portion of the ORF1a gene, while a nested RT-PCR was applied to identify RNA targeting the 518-bp ferlavirus partial L gene. RT-PCR positive products were submitted for Sanger's sequencing and phylogeny reconstruction.

Ultrasound morphology of cecal appendix in pet rabbits.

Purpose: Cecal appendix is the terminal part of cecum and is characteristic of rabbit, among domestic animals. The purpose of this work is to evaluate its morphology upon ultrasound.

Methods: A prospective study was planned for the duration of approximately 1 year.

Variability of serum aldosterone concentrations in pet ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

OBJECTIVE To explore sources of serum aldosterone concentration variability in a population of healthy and diseased ferrets, determine a preliminary 1 -sided reference interval for serum aldosterone concentration in healthy ferrets, and identify a decision limit to differentiate healthy from diseased ferrets on the basis of serum aldosterone concentration. DESIGN Prospective threshold definition and diagnostic accuracy study. ANIMALS 78 healthy (n = 56) and diseased (22) ferrets.

A case report of intrarenal epidermoid cysts in a yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta).

A 7-year-old yellow-bellied slider exhibited anorexia, decreased activity, generalised wasting of skeletal muscles and oedema. Haematology examination revealed increased phosphorus and decreased calcium levels. During necropsy performed after spontaneous death, a focal nodular lesion containing tan amorphous material was found in the left kidney.

Cystoscopic diagnosis of polypoid cystitis in two pet rabbits.

CASE DESCRIPTION AS-year-old male Dwarf rabbit and 4-year-old female Mini-Rex rabbit were evaluated because of anorexia and urine scalding of the perineum. CLINICAL FINDINGS Abdominal radiography revealed a diffuse increase in the opacity of the urinary bladder attributable to urinary sludge. In 1 rabbit, abdominal ultrasonography revealed several mass-like lesions protruding from the mucosal surface into the lumen of the urinary bladder.

Reproductive Disorders in Snakes.

Reproduction of snakes is one of the challenging aspects of herpetology medicine. Due to the complexity of reproduction, several disorders may present before, during, or after this process. This article describes the physical examination, and radiographic, ultrasonographic, and endoscopic findings associated with reproductive disorders in snakes.

Osseointegration is improved by coating titanium implants with a nanostructured thin film with titanium carbide and titanium oxides clustered around graphitic carbon.

Titanium implants coated with a 500nm nanostructured layer, deposited by the Ion Plating Plasma Assisted (IPPA) technology, composed of 60% graphitic carbon, 25% titanium oxides and 15% titanium carbide were implanted into rabbit femurs whilst into the controlateral femurs uncoated titanium implants were inserted as control. At four time points the animals were injected with calcein green, xylenol orange, oxytetracycline and alizarin. After 2, 4 and 8weeks femurs were removed and processed for histology and static and dynamic histomorphometry for undecalcified bone processing into methylmethacrylate, sectioned, thinned, polished and stained with Toluidine blue and Fast green.

Lack of detection of West Nile virus in an islander population of chelonians during a West Nile virus outbreak.

In 2011, several outbreaks of West Nile disease occurred in Sardinia (Italy). The region hosts several chelonian species. Because of the increasing concern on the potential role that ectotherms may play in the ecology of West Nile virus (WNV), in October 2011 blood samples were collected from 41 endemic Sardinian chelonians and tested for the presence of active WNV infection or neutralizing antibodies by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serumneutralisation, respectively.

Medical and Surgical Emergencies in Ferrets.

In the last few years, significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment of ferret emergencies has occurred. Scientific advances demonstrated the need of specific practices when dealing with emergencies in ferrets. The risk of overdiagnosis of hypoglycemia with human portable blood glucose meters is a clear example.

Use of Cystoscopy to Visualize Morphological Alteration of the Liver in a Posthatchling Turtle ( Cuora trifasciata ).

A 55 g, 7 mo old Chinese three-striped box turtle ( Cuora trifasciata ) was presented with a 2 wk history of lethargy and anorexia. The owner attempted various antibiotic treatments without clinical improvement. A cystoscopic evaluation of the coelom was performed.

Prognostic value of rectal temperature at hospital admission in client-owned rabbits.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether rectal temperature at hospital admission, independently or in conjunction with other parameters, was associated with all-cause mortality in client-owned rabbits. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS 316 client-owned rabbits consecutively hospitalized in an exotics-only animal hospital.

Clinical Applications of Cystoscopy in Chelonians.

The medical approach to chelonians can be challenging. Cystoscopy may be useful to evaluate morphologic changes in the viscera without the need of celiotomy, and is a valuable diagnostic tool. The size and transparency of the urinary bladder in chelonians allows visualization of most coelomic organs.

A randomized controlled trial of factors influencing fire occurrence during laser surgery of cadaveric rodents under simulated mask anesthesia.

Objective: To determine whether face mask fit during anesthesia affects the occurrence of fire episodes during laser surgery in nonintubated cadaveric rodents under volatile anesthesia.

Design: Adaptive single-center randomized controlled trial with an interim analysis.

Sample: 100 dead rats intended for animal consumption.

Computed tomography-guided bone biopsies for evaluation of proliferative vertebral lesions in two boa constrictors (Boa constrictor imperator).

Two boa constrictors (Boa constrictor imperator) presented with paresis of the trunk originating cranial to the cloaca. Radiographs were consistent with proliferative bone lesions involving several vertebrae. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated the presence of lytic/expansile lesions.

Cutaneous lesions in pet rabbits following subcutaneous administration of a novel bivalent vaccine against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease.

Background: A novel bivalent vaccine to protect against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease is commercially available for pet rabbits.

Hypothesis/objectives: To describe the appearance of cutaneous lesions arising in pet rabbits positive for myxoma virus (MV) by RT-PCR evaluation shortly after vaccination.

Animals: Four pet rabbits presenting with papular, crusting skin lesions ~10 days after vaccination.