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A 1.5-year-old, neutered, male ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with sudden lethargy, anorexia, and diarrhea. Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed an intra-abdominal mass. An explorative laparotomy was performed. A neoplasm, located in the ileum wall, was submitted for histopathologic examination. The tumor consisted of weakly eosinophilic spindle cells arranged in a compact pattern with haphazardly interlacing bundles. Neoplastic cells labeled positively for KIT (cluster of differentiation 117, stem cell factor receptor) and vimentin. Based on histologic and immunohistologic results, this tumor was diagnosed as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Results suggest that this ferret tumor shares strong similarities with the canine and human counterparts.

Objectives: To review aetiology, clinical signs and outcome of cats surgically treated for septic peritonitis (2000-2007)., Methods: A retrospective study. Inclusion criteria were the identification of intracellular bacteria and degenerate neutrophils and/or a positive culture from abdominal fluid and exploratory coeliotomy. Aetiology, clinical signs, haematological and biochemical parameters, surgical treatment and outcome were recorded and analysed., Results: Twenty-six cats fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Abdominal pain was reported in 10 (38 per cent) and vomiting was reported in 11 (42 per cent) of the cats. The most common aetiology was trauma (31 per cent). The principal source of contamination was the gastrointestinal tract. Hyperlactataemia, hypoproteinaemia and hyperglycaemia were reported in 9, 13 and 14 of the 26 cases, respectively. Non-survivors had significantly higher blood lactate concentrations than survivors (P=0.02). Nineteen cats were managed with primary closure, two with closed suction drains and three with open peritoneal drainage. Twelve (46 per cent) cats survived to discharge., Clinical Significance: In cats, lethargy, depression and anorexia were more common clinical signs than abdominal pain. Lactate level at the time of diagnosis may be a useful prognostic indicator in cats. The proportion of cats that survived was lower than previously reported and owners should be given a guarded prognosis.

Over the course of 4 weeks, two female aged bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) group-housed females died after the dominant male was removed from the group and the newly dominant male persistently chased, caught and bred all females in the pen. The two aged affected females were observed exhibiting lethargy, dyspnea, with widespread necroulcerative lesions in and around the mouth, muzzle and bridge of their noses. Extensive ulcerative glossitis, necrotic bronchopneumonia with intra-nuclear inclusions and the absence of other evidence is highly suggestive that death was caused by an alphaherpes virus commonly known as herpes B virus. Herpes B virus is a potentially zoonotic disease periodically shed by macaques, which is structurally related to herpes simplex viruses I and II of humans. The emergence of fatal B virus to primates in this pen may have been associated with the combination of age and stress in the affected individuals.

Background: A cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) presented with decreased appetite, lethargy, ataxia, disorientation and visual impairment. It was used in a hepatitis B (HBV) study involving injections of HBV plasmid construct (450 microg) and aflatoxin B1 (25 microg/kg) in an effort to develop a model of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma., Methods: The case work-up included physical examination, including assessment of hydration, thoracic and abdominal radiographs and abdominal ultrasound. Clinical pathology included complete blood counts and tests for levels of plasma ammonia (NH(3)) and serum electrolytes, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Serum samples had also been serially tested for the presence of HBsAg, anti-HBc antibodies, HBV e-antigen, and HBV DNA. With a tentative diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy, treatment with lactulose, antibiotics, and fluid therapy was initiated., Results: Clinical pathology and diagnostic imaging performed on the animal revealed no abnormalities except for the hyperammoniemia. Absence of HBV markers in the serum indicated unsuccessful inoculation. Not fully responding to therapeutic intervention, the animal was euthanized. Necropsy revealed fibrous peritoneal adhesions and an abscess in the cerebellopontine angle. Exudate culture indicated the presence of alpha-hemolytic streptococcus, Eubacterium lentum, and Bacteroides stercoris., Conclusions: Brain abscesses are uncommon in non-human primates. This case of cerebellar abscess is characterized by important features similar to that found in humans, including the presenting signs and the presence of the above-cultured bacteria.

Case History: A 5-month-old mixed-breed boar presented with lethargy, weakness and anorexia of 1 week's duration., Clinical Findings and Diagnosis: The boar had an elevated heart rate, slow capillary refill time and cyanotic skin over the ears; it was also severely anaemic. A necropsy revealed scattered petechial haemorrhages, small subcapsular white nodules on the kidneys, a nodule in the parenchyma of one testis, creamy-white bone marrow, a preputial diverticulum, and an ulcer of the pars oesophagea of the stomach. Cytology of peripheral blood and bone marrow identified large numbers of lymphoblasts, which were demonstrated using immunocytochemistry to be of B-cell origin. Histological examination of multiple organs also showed lymphoblastic infiltration., Diagnosis: B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia with secondary infiltration of lymphoid organs, kidneys, testis and preputial skin., Clinical Relevance: This is the fi rst known reported case of acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia in swine.

This report describes a case of phaeochromocytoma in an intact male Lhasa Apso dog of nearly 10 years old. The dog was suffering from acute lethargy and vomiting. After a successfully performed surgery and concurrent medication, to restore a temporary Addison s disease, the dog is doing clinically well six months later without any remaining symptoms.