A 4.5-year-old neutered male domestic ferret (
) was examined because of clinical signs compatible with neuromuscular disease.
Results of electrophysiologic assessment, including measurement of ...compound muscle action potentials following repetitive nerve stimulation, and measurement of the anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titer were consistent with a diagnosis of acquired myasthenia gravis.
Medical treatment with pyridostigmine and prednisolone was instituted. The first signs of clinical improvement were observed 2 months later, followed by a slow but steady improvement over the next months. Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titer was measured 10 months after initiation of treatment and was markedly decreased, compared with the initial titer. Pyridostigmine and prednisolone dosages were tapered over the following 4 months without any evidence of recurrence of clinical signs. Thirty months after initial examination, the ferret was clinically normal and not receiving any treatment. A follow-up anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titer was similar to previously published values for healthy ferrets.
Findings indicated that clinical and serologic remission can be achieved in ferrets with myasthenia gravis. However, owner willingness to provide extensive supportive care was vital to the outcome for this patient, as was the owner's decision to not euthanize the ferret despite an initial lack of response to treatment.
MOTOR AND SENSORY NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY IN THE FERRET Papageorgiou, Stella; Krikonis, Konstantinos; Quinton, Jean-François ...
Journal of exotic pet medicine,
October 2018, 2018-10-00, Letnik:
27, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Ferrets are considered a popular small mammal pet, and like other companion animals they are reported to suffer from diseases affecting the neuromuscular system. There currently is a lack of ...comprehensive electrodiagnostic study regarding the appendicular nerves of ferrets. In this research investigation, 25 domestic ferrets were used for electromyography and motor nerve conduction studies of the tibial, fibular, ulnar, and radial nerves, including H reflexes of the tibial and ulnar nerves, as well as sensory conduction of the fibular nerve. Mean and standard deviations for motor and sensory nerve studies were established. The hypothesis that weight would be correlated with all distal and proximal compound muscle action potential latencies was tested and confirmed for the tibial, fibular, and radial nerves but not the ulnar nerve.
Liposarcomas are rare malignant tumors of the adipose tissue which are well described in humans and animals. Wide margin excision is the recommended treatment for these infiltrative, slow to ...metastasize tumors. Primary liposarcoma with ocular localization is a very rare tumor in humans, dogs and cats. This report describes, for the first time, a palpebral liposarcoma in a 18‐month old guinea pig that presented with a large palpebral mass and purulent discharge in the right eye. The ophthalmic evaluation revealed a one‐centimeter infiltrating subcutaneous mass within the upper eyelid, a severe chemosis and hyperhemia of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva of the right eye. Cytologic examination of the mass revealed only epithelial cells. Histologic examination interpreted the lesion as a xanthogranulomatous reaction possibly secondary to meibomian gland rupture or inflammation. One month later, the mass had increased in size and the animal had stopped eating. Euthanasia was perfomed and a large biopsy was submitted for another histological examination. Histopathology revealed polygonal to rounded cells with a large, empty intracytoplasmic vacuole, and an ovoid, eccentrically located nucleus. The histology was consistent with a well‐differentiated liposarcoma. Given the unusual location, immunohistochemistry was performed to ascertain the mesenchymal nature of the neoplasm.
Spontaneous hemangiosarcoma in guinea pigs has only been reported twice in the literature. This study aims to better characterize the prevalence, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of this ...rare disease in guinea pigs.
Medical records (2007–2021) from four referral centers were reviewed. Guinea pigs with a histopathological diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma performed by a board certified veterinary pathologist were selected for inclusion.
Of 3994 guinea pigs examined, five were included in the study. The median age at the time of diagnosis was four years (4–6 years). Four of the five patients presented with dysorexia. An abnormal spleen was palpated in all animals and confirmed by ultrasonography. Only one guinea pig had presurgical radiographs to evaluate for metastasis before splenectomy. One patient was euthanized after surgery, while the others died two weeks, six months, 15 months and 49 months after the procedure. One patient was also treated with Trametes versicolor extracts as an adjuvant antineoplastic therapy. The median survival time was six months.
Abdominal palpation and ultrasound can provide a presumptive diagnosis of splenic enlargement. Splenectomy has proven to be a feasible surgical procedure for the treatment of splenic hemangiosarcoma, potentially combined with adjuvant anticancer therapies. The variable survival after splenectomy reported in the five cases here is challenging to interpret because of the different anesthetic techniques and comorbidities. Further research is needed to improve understanding of the biological behavior of this neoplasm as well as the benefits of splenectomy and adjuvant therapies.
To characterize epidemiological, clinical, radiographic, and echocardiographic features of cardiac diseases in guinea pigs examined at a referral exotics center.
80 guinea pigs.
Medical records of ...guinea pigs that had echocardiography performed between June 2010 and January 2021 were reviewed.
The percentage of guinea pig patients with cardiovascular disease was 2.8%. Clinical signs included dyspnea (46/80), lethargy (18/80), and anorexia (10/80). The most common physical examination finding was heart murmur (10/80). Radiographic abnormalities included subjective cardiomegaly (37/67), pleural effusion (21/67), and increased lung opacity (40/67). Median (range) vertebral heart score on right lateral (48/67) and ventrodorsal (39/67) projections was 9.0 vertebrae (6.6 to 13.2 vertebrae) and 10.8 vertebrae (7.9 to 13.2 vertebrae), respectively. The most common echocardiographic diagnosis was cardiomyopathy (30/80), categorized as restrictive (11/30), hypertrophic (10/30), or dilated (9/10). Other cardiac diseases included cor pulmonale (21/80), pericardial effusion (18/80), congenital heart disease (6/80), acquired valvular disease (3/80), and cardiovascular mass (2/80). Congestive heart failure was present in 36 of 80. Median survival time from diagnosis was 2.5 months (95% CI, 1.1 to 6.2 months). Animals that died from heart disease had a significantly shorter survival time than those that died from a noncardiac disease (P = .02).
On radiographs, cardiomegaly, pleural effusion, and alveolar or interstitial lung pattern should be considered as indications for echocardiography in guinea pigs. Cardiomyopathy (restrictive, hypertrophic, or dilated), cor pulmonale, and pericardial effusion were the most common echocardiographic diagnoses. Further studies on diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in guinea pigs are needed.
An increase in intestinal gas production due to small intestinal bowel overgrowth (SIBO) is a contributing factor for flatus incontinence. The aims of our study were to assess the efficacy of ...metronidazole in a select population of patients with flatus incontinence associated with SIBO and to compare its efficacy with that of a combination of simethicone and activated charcoal (SC; Carbosylane) in randomized experimental arms.
Adult patients suffering from flatus incontinence associated with SIBO diagnosed by a glucose breath test were enrolled in the study. They were given metronidazole or Carbosylane (SC) for 10 days. The reduction in the mean daily number of gas leakages reported in a 3-day diary before and at the end of the treatment was used as the primary endpoint.
Of 52 consecutive subjects with flatus incontinence, 23 (44%) had SIBO, 16 (33%) of whom were included in and completed the study. The relative reduction in flatus incontinence episodes was significantly higher in the metronidazole than in the SC group (66.8±34.8% vs. 25±50%, P = 0.03), decreasing by more than 50% in 7 (87.5%) of the subjects in the metronidazole group compared with only 1 (12.5%) in the SC group (odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 0.9-56.9, P = 0.06).
Our results show a promising trend indicating that metronidazole might significantly improve flatus incontinence associated with SIBO and might be more successful in treating flatus incontinence than gas absorbents.
Objectives Despite the high frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the relation between work conditions and ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow has not been the object of much research. ...In the present study, the predictive factors for such ulnar nerve entrapment were determined in a 3-year prospective survey of upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders in repetitive work. Methods In 1993-1994 and 3 years later, 598 workers whose jobs involved repetitive work underwent an examination by their occupational health physicians and completed a self-administered questionnaire. Predictive factors associated with the onset of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow were studied with bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results The annual incidence was estimated at 0.8% per person-year, on the basis of 15 new cases during the 3-year period. Holding a tool in position was the only predictive biomechanical factor odds ratio (OR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4-12.0. Obesity increased the risk of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2-16.2), as did the presence of medial epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome, and cervicobrachial neuralgia. The associations with "holding a tool in position" and obesity were unchanged when the presence of other diagnoses was taken into account. Conclusions Despite the limitations of the study, the results suggest that the incidence of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is associated with one biomechanical risk factor (holding a tool in position, repetitively), overweight, and other upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders, especially medial epicondylitis and other nerve entrapment disorders (cervicobrachial neuralgia and carpal and radial tunnel syndromes).
A 2-year-old intact male Mini Lop rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) exhibited acute paraplegia and was suspected of having a traumatic spinal injury after leaping from the owner's arms.
In the physical ...examination, the patient was conscious and responsive and presented a loss of hind-limb motor function. The results of the neurologic examination indicated a T3-L3 spinal cord lesion. Vertebral column radiography and CT showed a fracture of the dorsal arch in the right caudal part of vertebra L1 and a fracture of the caudal end plate of vertebra L1 without displacement.
The vertebral fracture was stabilized by a monolateral external fixator placed percutaneously with fluoroscopy guidance. The rabbit was discharged 48 hours after surgery. Three days later, the rabbit was able to walk with mild paraparesis, and 2 weeks after surgery, the rabbit showed full recovery of neurologic function. The follow-up performed 6 weeks after surgery showed normal gait, good alignment and complete consolidation of the fracture. The external fixator was then removed. The follow-up examination and radiographic findings showed complete recovery at 2 and 6 months after surgery.
The most common cause of traumatic posterior paralysis in rabbits is vertebral fracture. This article describes the possibility and successful outcome of stabilizing a vertebral fracture in a rabbit with an external fixator using a minimally invasive fluoroscopic technique. This technique, described to the authors' knowledge for the first time in a rabbit, allows a fracture to be stabilized accurately without any incisions while minimizing complications and postoperative pain.
A Case of Actinic Keratosis in a Rabbit Quinton, Jean-François; Prélaud, Pascal; Poujade, Agnès ...
Journal of exotic pet medicine,
07/2014, Letnik:
23, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Actinic keratosis is well described in humans, dogs, and cats as a precancerous skin growth caused by ultraviolet light–induced DNA damage. This report describes a case of early actinic keratosis in ...a 6-year-old rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). On dermatological examination, erythema and yellow adherent scales were observed on the external aspect of the pinnae. Mild pruritus was also present on the initial presentation. Histopathology revealed segmental epidermal hyperplasia with loss of polarity in the basal layer. Mild nuclear atypia and marked orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis were present. The superficial dermis had marked reticular fibrosis with thickening of collagen fibrils. Topical treatment with diclofenac resulted in clinical resolution of the disease.
Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan antibodies (ASCA) are associated with Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ASCA in families in which at least two members ...were affected with Crohn's disease.
A total of 20 families including two (n=15) or more (n=5) patients with Crohn's disease were tested for ASCA with use of an ELISA method. Overall, 51 affected members, 66 healthy first degree relatives, and 163 healthy control subjects were studied.
ASCA were detected in 35 of 51 (69%) patients with Crohn's disease and in 13 of 66 (20%) healthy relatives versus one of 163 healthy control subjects (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001). ASCA-positive relatives were distributed in 12 of 20 families. ASCA were present in eight healthy parents and four healthy siblings. The prevalence of ASCA in relatives did not depend on the ASCA status of affected members.
ASCA in 20% of healthy first degree relatives of patients with Crohn's disease suggest that these antibodies might be a subclinical marker for Crohn's disease in families. Whether ASCA reflect environmental or genetic factors or a combination of both is unknown.
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