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A retrospective study revealed intestinal plasmacytosis in 53 of 102 rabbits used in various experimental studies and as controls. The breeds affected included New Zealand white (n = 46), Dutch-belted (n = 6), and Watanabe (n = 1) rabbits. Sex predisposition was not found in any breed. The mean (+ SD) ages were 3.1 I 1.4 years for New Zealand white rabbits, 1.3 +. 1.1 for Dutch-belted rabbits, and 2 years for the Watanabe rabbit. The severity increased with animal age. The incidence was higher (P 50% of the infiltrating cells in the lamina propria were plasma cells and 2) if the plasma cells infiltrated >25% of the lamina propria area in depth and/or length on a given histologic section (Figs. 1-4). Data were analyzed with a two-tailed t-test (Statwork@, Cricket, Philadelphia PA) and x2 test. Intestinal plasmacytosis was observed in 53 rabbits: 46 NZW, six DB, and one WN (Table 1). The ages of the affected rabbits ranged from 3 months to 6.5 years, with a mean (+ SD) age of 3.1 k 1.4 years for NZW and 1.3 + 1.1 years for DB rabbits; the WN rabbit was 2 years old. The mean (+ SD) age of the unaffected rabbits was 1.5 k 1.0 years for NZW, 0.9 +. 0.8 years for DB, and 1.9 + 0.9 years for WN rabbits. The incidence was higher in NZW than in WN rab- bits (P < 0.05), but the affected NZW rabbits were older (P < 0.05) than the affected DB and the unaffected NZW, DB, and WN rabbits. The incidence was higher (P < 0.05) in NZW rabbits that were used in antibody production and cholesterol studies than in those without experimental treat- ments, but the NZW rabbits used in antibody production were also older (3.2 + 1.2 years; P < 0.05) than other rabbits. Five of 25 untreated or control rabbits were affected. Males and females were equally distributed in the affected NZW and DB rabbits. The rabbits from all vendors were affected. There was no significant association of the intestinal plas- macytosis with any concurrent spontaneous diseases in the rabbits. Small intestine and cecum were the major sites affected. Grossly, multifocal erosions of the intestinal mucosa were

Hepatobiliary disease was diagnosed in eight of 34 genetically unrelated cohabitating pet ferrets ( Mustela putorios furo) during a 7-year period. The eight ferrets ranged in age from 5 to 8 years and exhibited chronic cholangiohepatitis coupled with cellular proliferation ranging from hyperplasia to frank neoplasia. Spiral- shaped argyrophilic bacteria were demonstrated in livers of three ferrets, including two with carcinoma. Sequence analysis of a 400-base pair polymerase chain reaction product amplified from DNA derived from fecal bacteria from one ferret demonstrated 98% and 97% similarity to Helicobacter cholecystus and Helicobacter sp. strain 266-11, respectively. The clustering of severe hepatic disease in these cohabitating ferrets suggests a possible infectious etiology. The role of Helicobacter species and other bacteria in hepatitis and/or neoplasia in ferrets requires further study.

Single or multiple semispherical to bilobulated fluid-filled cystic structures of variable size were observed on the dorsal aspects of the urinary bladder of four male and two female ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo). All ferrets had been neutered. On physical examination, the cysts were palpated as caudal abdominal masses. Three of the six ferrets presented with dysuria, and two ferrets had signs compatible with endocrine dysfunction. Adrenal cortical hyperplasia or neoplasia were observed in all of the five ferrets examined. Sex hormones assayed in one of the six ferrets revealed elevated levels of serum estrodiol. The posterior aspect of the cysts was located on and/or attached to the trigone or neck of the bladder, with variable intraluminal communication with the bladder and/or the urethra. The anterior aspect of the cysts projected dorsally or dorsocranially into the caudal abdomen. The cysts were thin walled and contained urinelike fluid ( n = 5) or viscous yellow fluid ( n = 1). Histologically, the cyst walls were composed of three layers, epithelium, muscle, and serosa, with fibrovascular stroma between layers. The epithelium consisted of simple to stratified transitional, columnar, or squamous epithelial cells. The muscular layer consisted of intermittent bundles and/or single to double layers of continuous to discontinuous smooth muscle. The serosal layer consisted of loose fibrous stroma covered by flattened mesothelial cells. The cystic anomalies in these ferrets were most likely derived from the urogenital glands/ducts or other remnants.