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OBJECTIVE Description of clinical, microbiological and histopathological findings in a case of deep dermatitis in an inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) caused by Devriesea agamarum and Chrysosporium guarroi. CASE REPORT A 4-year-old male inland bearded dragon, weighing 497 g, was presented at the clinic because the animal was suffering from dysecdysis and chronic skin lesions. Large numbers of bacilli, cocci and hyphal elements were diagnosed during the microscopic examination of the wound exudate. Microbiological analysis of a skin specimen revealed a moderate growth of Enterococcus sp. and D. agamarum. The condition of the bearded dragon improved with combined therapy consisting of ceftiofur hydrochloride, voriconazole and meloxicam. However, 3 months later recrudescence was observed. This time, Clostridium sp. and Chrysosporium sp. were isolated in large numbers. The bearded dragon was euthanized. Histopathology confirmed a severe granulomatous dermatitis with associated fungal hyphae and a severe granulomatous hepatitis with intralesional hyphae. Chrysosporium guarroi was identified by PCR and sequencing in two organs (skin and liver). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE This is the first case of an infection with D. agamarum and C. guarroi in an inland bearded dragon (P. vitticeps). It emphasizes the importance of mycological cultures and specific treatment. Samples of suspected Chrysosporium sp. should be cultured at 30°C for 10-14 days. Early antifungal treatment is necessary to prevent systemic and potentially fatal infection with C. guarroi.

Knotek Z., T. Fichtel, P. Kohout, J. Benak:Diseases of the Nasal Cavity in the Dog. Aetiology, Symptomatology, Diagnostics. Acta Vet. Brno 2001, 70: 73-82. A system of intravital differential diagnostics of diseases of the nasal cavity was verified in 40 dogs. Patients were induced to analgosedation by a combination of medetomidine and butorphanol for the purpose of taking radiographs of the nasal cavity. In order to obtain samples for cytology and histological examination, patients were induced by propofol and then kept under inhalation anaesthesia using halothane or isoflurane. A rigid endoscope (Hopkins, diameter 2.7 mm, 18 cm) was used to examine the nasal cavity thoroughly. Tissue specimens from areas of damaged mucosa and inner structures of the nasal cavity were under endoscopic guidance sampled using bioptic forceps. One part of samples was used to make impression smears for cytological evaluation; the other part for histological processing. In patients suffering from chronic infectious rhinitis and neoplasia we found in both groups marked and advanced changes in the internal architecture of the nasal cavity (aggressive lesions). In several cases of mycotic rhinitis caused by fungi of the Aspergillus genus we observed typical pale plaques. Foreign bodies, mainly such as awns and parts of grass spikes, were mechanically removed using endoscopic forceps. Granulomas had a tendency to profuse bleeding. There were no serious cases of severe bleeding during examination. Results of bacteriological cultivation were compared to those obtained by cytology and histology. In 40 of these combined examinations there were in 16 cases (40%) confirmed bacterial rhinitis cases without the presence of fungi and changes typical of neoplastic processes. Staphylococcus intermedius, Streptococcus canis and Pasteurella canis were cultured most frequently. Other bacterial agents were diagnosed only exceptionally. Mycotic infections were found in 7 cases of chronic rhinitis (i.e., 17.5%). The genus Aspergillus amounted to more than 85% of mycotic agent detection. Fungi occurred as a complication to a foreign body in the nasal cavity in two cases. There were no cases of allergic rhinitis in the group of patients studied. Malignant neoplasia were prevailing (77.8%). Osteosarcoma, lymphosarcoma and adenocarcinoma were frequent neoplasia found in the nasal cavity of the dog.

Knotek Z., M. Toman, M. Faldyna: Clinical and Immunological Characteristics of Cats Affected by Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Acta Vet. Brno 2000, 69: 51–60. A set of 180 hospitalized or outdoor feline patients was examined for the presence of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FeCoV) and clinical signs of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). The numbers of serologically and clinically positive cats were 55 (30.6%) and 35, respectively. The effusive and noneffusive forms of FIP were diagnosed in 24 and 11 animals, respectively. The most apparent signs, irrespective of the form of infection, included anorexia, lethargy, ischemic mucosae, and undernutrition. Hematological and immunological profiles of 14 FIP patients were compared with those found in a control group of 36 clinically normal and FeCoV-negative animals. A significant increase in the number of neutrophilic granulocytes was observed in the FIP patients (FIV-/FeLVcats with effusive form) and a significant decrease in the number of lymphocytes were observed in the FIP patients. Eosinopenia was also found in patients affected by the effusive form. No alteration of the phagocytic activity (ingestion of particles, chemiluminiscence) due to FIP was demonstrable. The blastic transformation test (stimulation with Con A, PHA, or PWM) showed a marked decrease in the activity of lymphocytes in the FIP patients. Concentrations of immunoglobulins and circulating immune complexes were increased in the affected animals. The expression of the lymphocyte surface antigens CD4, CD5, CD8, and CD21 was studied in a selected subgroup of the patients using flow cytometry. The results indicate an impairment of the activity of the immune system due to FIP. Therefore, treatment of FIP with immunosuppressive drugs is considered inappropriate. Coronavirus infection, immune complexes, blastic transformation of lymphocytes, feline CD antigens

Knotek Z, T. Fichtel, R. Husnik, J. Benak: Endoscopic Diagnostics of Chronic Diseases of the Nasal Cavity in Dogs. Acta Vet. Brno 2000, 69:319-326. Results of a two-year project focused on diagnostic efficacy of various endoscopic techniques and their combination in 52 dogs affected by chronic diseases of the nasal cavity are presented. The rigid endoscope Hopkins (diameter 2.7 mm, length 18 cm, Karl Storz, Tuttlingen) and the flexible endoscope Olympus BF Type PE (Olympus Optical Co., Hamburg) were used for anterior and posterior rhinoscopy, respectively. Bioptic samples of damaged nasal tissues were collected under endoscopic guidance, fixed in 10% buffered neutral formaldehyde for 12 to 24 h and processed by the conventional paraffin technique. Deep swabs for bacteriological and mycological examinations were also collected under rhinoscopic guidance. Bacterial and fungal rhinitis and neoplasms were diagnosed in 50%, 19.2%, and 23.1% of the patients, respectively. Foreign bodies were found in four patients (7.7%). Three patients affected by mycotic rhinitis developed fungal plaques on the nasal mucosa. The passage of endoscope was completely blocked by tumours in the anterior part of the nasal cavity in two patients. Destructive lesions were found mostly in patients with chronic nasal problems (aspergillosis, foreign body, chronic bacterial infection). Anterior rhinoscopy with a rigid endoscope and posterior rhinoscopy with a flexible endoscope yielded correct diagnoses in 55.8% and 26.9% of the patients, respectively. Examination by both the techniques increased this proportion to 82.7%. The reliability of histological examination of tissue samples collected by endoscope-assisted biopsy was 94.4%, while that of the other laboratory test only 41.7%. Rhinoscopy can significantly improve the reliability of diagnosis of canine chronic diseases of the nasal cavity.

IgG and IgM antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii were determined simultaneously by IFAT in cats. Group 1 included 357 cats with various diagnoses, but negative for FeLV and FIV. Specific IgG antibodies in titres ranging from 10 to 2560 (mean 247) were detected in 61.3% animals, specific IgM antibodies were found only in one cat (0.28%) in titre 1 : 40 showing an IgG titre of 160. Oocyst shedding was demonstrated in one cat (0.28%) showing an IgG titre of 1 : 40. Group 2 included 33 cats positive for FeLV or FIV. IgG antibodies in titres ranging from 10 to 640 (mean 101) were found in 63.6% cats. Neither IgM antibodies nor shedding of T. gondii oocysts were detectable. Clinically unapparent toxoplasmosis, manifested by the presence of IgG antibodies is frequent in cats; the opportunistic character of the infection is important.

Abscesses of odontogenic origin in guinea pigs pose a serious health problem and need to be treated with a combination of surgical and medical therapy. The aim of this prospective study was to describe the microbial flora of odontogenic abscesses associated with osteomyelitis in 24 pet guinea pigs, to perform antibiotic sensitivity testing, and to make recommendations for practitioners on the antibiotics of first choice. Inclusion criteria for the study included the animal being diagnosed with an odontogenic abscess which underwent surgery and was not pre-treated with an antibiotic. Inclusion criteria matched for 24 guinea pigs. Samples (pus, capsule and affected tooth/bone) for bacteriological examination were collected under sterile conditions during the surgical procedure. The most commonly isolated bacteria from abscesses of odontogenic origin were Bacteroides fragilis in 12.8 per cent (6/47) of cases, Pasteurella multocida in 10.6 per cent (5/47) and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius in 8.5 per cent (4/47). Aerobic bacterial species only were isolated in 29.2 per cent (7/24) of cases, anaerobic bacteria only were isolated in 33.3 per cent (8/24), and mixed infection with anaerobic and aerobic bacterial species was seen in 37.5 per cent (9/24). Aerobes (n=20) were sensitive to enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin in 100 per cent of samples, benzylpenicillin potassium (penicillin G, PNCG) in 90 per cent, cephalotin in 85 per cent, amoxicillin-clavulanate in 75 per cent, doxycycline in 70 per cent, gentamicin in 65 per cent and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in 55 per cent. Anaerobes (n=27) were sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanate in 100 per cent of cases, clindamycin in 96.3 per cent, metronidazole in 92.6 per cent, PNCG in 92.6 per cent and cephalotin in 74.1 per cent. As guinea pigs are strictly herbivorous animals, based on the results of this study the recommended antibiotic treatment for odontogenic abscesses is a combination of fluoroquinolones and metronidazole.

To assess the importance of wild birds as a reservoir of zoonotic pathogens in Austria and the Czech Republic, we sampled 1,325 wild birds representing 13 orders, 32 families, and 81 species. The majority belonged to orders Columbiformes (43%), Passeriformes (25%), and to birds of prey: Accipitriformes, Strigiformes, and Falconiformes (15%). We collected cloacal swabs from 1,191 birds for bacterial culture and 1,214 triple swabs (conjunctiva, choana, cloaca) for DNA and RNA isolation. The cloacal swabs were processed by classical bacteriologic methods for isolation of Escherichia coli , Salmonella spp., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and thermophilic Campylobacter spp. Nucleic acids isolated from triple swabs were investigated by PCR for West Nile virus, avian influenza viruses, and Chlamydia spp. We also tested tissue samples from 110 fresh carcasses for Mycobacterium spp. by PCR and we cultured fresh droppings from 114 birds for Cryptococcus spp. The most-frequently detected zoonotic bacteria were thermophilic Campylobacter spp. (12.5%) and Chlamydia spp. (10.3%). From 79.2% of the sampled birds we isolated E. coli , while 8.7% and 0.2% of E. coli isolates possessed the virulence genes for intimin (eaeA) and Shiga toxins (stx

BACTERIAL diseases are common in laboratory and pet rabbits, and successful treatment depends on careful and accurate diagnosis, correction of underlying husbandry deficits and management of concurrent disease processes (Lennox and Kelleher 2009). Benzylpenicillin potassium (penicillin G) is a ‘narrow-spectrum’ penicillin, which is active specifically against Gram-positive aerobes, facultative aerobes and obligate anaerobes. In rabbits, penicillin G is recommended for the treatment of pasteurellosis, odontogenic abscesses and treponematosis (Jaslow and others 1981, Gaertner 1991, Varga 2014). However, it is recommended in various dosages and in different dosage intervals (eg, three times a day, once a day, once in two or seven days, Welch and others 1987, Varga 2014). As there is only one study of penicillin G pharmacokinetics in rabbits, which was published nearly 30 years ago (Welch and others 1987), the aim of the article was to determine the pharmacokinetic concentrations of benzylpenicillin potassium in rabbit plasma samples after a single intramuscular administration of 38 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) and to recommend an optimal dosing interval. Six clinically normal six-month-old outbred male New Zealand White specific pathogen-free rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), strain Hsdlf:NZW, Harlan Laboratories Inc, Belton, UK) were used in the study. Weight of the animals ranged from 3.22 to 3.77 kg (mean 3.36±0.2 kg). The animals were housed individually in an animal care facility with controlled conditions. The animals were housed and handled under the agreement of the Branch Commission for Animal Welfare of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. Benzylpenicillin potassium (Biotika, BB Pharma, Slovakia) was administered in an aqueous solution intramuscularly (gluteus muscle) at a dose of 38 mg/kg BW (60,000 IU/kg BW). Blood samples were collected from the central auricular artery with a 25-gauge needle and a blood container filled with 0.1 ml of heparin. Blood was obtained at 12 different time points: immediately (0 hours) before …

The purpose of this study was to gain information concerning chronology of postnatal dental eruption in degus (Octodon degu). Specific findings pertain to the estimation of postnatal age at tooth emergence through the gingiva and to the age when a particular tooth is in functional occlusion. Fifty newborn degu pups were included in this study. The oral cavity endoscopy was carried out under isoflurane anesthesia in all animals 3 to 4 and 24-hours after birth, then at 1-day intervals until the age of 40-days, and subsequently at 2-day intervals until 75-days of age. Tooth emergence was considered to have occurred when any portion of the crown had penetrated the gingiva. The stage when the teeth come into occlusion was defined as the functional occlusion. The degus were born with completely erupted permanent incisors that were already in functional occlusion. All the premolar teeth and all the first molar teeth erupted on days 2 - 3 and 4 - 5 of life, respectively. The first signs offunctional occlusion ofall the first 2 cheek teeth were observed on days 9 - 11. Maxillary and mandibular second molar teeth emerged between days 17 - 19 and 18 - 20, respectively. First signs of functional occlusion were observed on days 30 - 31 and 31 - 33for maxillary and mandibular second molar teeth, respectively. Maxillary third molar teeth emerged on days 38 - 44 and erupted into occlusion on days 48 - 58. Mandibular third molar teeth emerged on days 39 - 46 and erupted into occlusion on days 58 - 72.

Introduction: Degus are commonly used as laboratory animals; however, over the past few years, they have become increasingly popular as pets. Objectives: The aim of this article was to present disease prevalence in 300 pet degus divided in two age groups (under and above two years). Methods: Medical records of degus (Octodon degus), which were presented to the author’s clinic in the period from January 2007 to December 2009, were reviewed. Results: The most common diseases in degus were (1) acquired dental disease (60·0%) with significantly higher prevalence in older animals (P

article i nfo Enamel hypoplasia and disruption of dentinogenesis are the most common abnormalities of development and mineralization of human teeth. Several reports are available in the literature on the influence of dietary calcium on the formation of human and rodent tooth; however, the information about the influence of dietary phosphorus on the tooth formation is scarce. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the chronic effect of high phosphorus diet and improper dietary calcium to phosphorus ratio on the mandibular incisor microstructure in a hystricomorph rodent - Octodon degu - using macroscopic observation, histopathological examination, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The present study shows that enamel and dentin development is disturbed under high phosphorus diet and improper calcium to phosphorus ratio. Disturbed mineral metabolism resulted in enamel depigmentation, enamel hypoplasia, enamel pitting and altered dentin morphology. The results suggest that more attention should be focused on dietary phosphorus content when facing altered tooth structure in young patients with deciduous or permanent dentition. Furthermore, we showed that degus can be used as an experimental animal model for the study of the developmental teeth disturbances.

Summary A simple and efficient variant of the E-rosette test based on addition of dextran to the incubation media is described. This variant 1) does not include B cells 2) involves some CD2+ null cells as described 3) is not inhibited by anti-CD5 antibody 4) correlates with CD2 expression 5) detects specific changes in the relative proportion of T-lymphocytes under the different conditions. In a group of calves the mean percentage of RFC in the peripheral blood lymphocytes was 53.59 ± 8.70 and in cows there was 72.57 ± 3.85. The proportion of RFC detected in bovine leukemia virus (BLV) - infected cows with lymphocytosis was less than one third of that in BLV - negative animals and vice versa in B (MHC class II+) lymphocytes.

The fasting and postprandial serum concentrations of bile acids and other blood constituents were measured in a group of 10 clinically healthy, female, six-year-old captive red-eared terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans). The terrapins were housed in a temperate room and maintained in four aquaria in which the water temperature ranged from 24 to 27 degrees C and the temperature above the basking site ranged from 27 to 30 degrees C. The serum concentrations of bile acids were measured four times in a period of five months, and at the second sampling the fasting and two postprandial (after 24 and 48 hours) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and bile acids were determined. Coelioscopy revealed vitellogenic and previtellogenic follicles on the ovaries of all the terrapins, and eggs with calcified shells were detected in two of them. The livers were mostly pink to deep yellow in colour, with sharp edges, a smooth serosal surface, distinct large superficial vessels, and multifocal melanin deposits. Liver biopsies revealed fine, more or less oil red O-positive lipid droplets in all the hepatocytes, but in none of the cases was it considered to be pathological lipidosis. The mean (sd) bile acid concentrations ranged from 7.35 (4.52) to 10.04 (7.40) micromol/l. The fasting and postprandial concentrations were 3.1 (2.3), 4.5 (5.4) (24 hours) and 2.2 (1.5) (48 hours) micromol/l. High concentrations between 27.6 and 66.6 micromol/l were associated with lipaemia. There were no significant differences between the biochemical profiles of the fasting and postprandial serum samples.

Between 2002 and 2005 210 rabbits, 257 guinea pigs and 123 chinchillas were examined; oral disease was diagnosed in 38·1 per cent of the rabbits, 23·4 per cent of the guinea pigs and 32·5 per cent of the chinchillas. In the rabbits, the maxillary right P3, mandibular right P3, P4 and M1 and mandibular left P3, P4, and M1 were the teeth most frequently affected; in the guinea pigs, the mandibular right P4 and both the mandibular left incisor and P4 were most often affected; and in the chinchillas the maxillary right P4 and M1 and maxillary left P4 were most often affected. The incisors and first mandibular cheek teeth of the guinea pigs were significantly more often affected than those in the chinchillas or rabbits. Bilateral lesions of the maxillary cheek teeth were significantly more common in the chinchillas. The highest incidence of gingival hyperplasia was recorded in the rabbits. The incidence of gingival erosions and gingivitis were significantly higher in the chinchillas.

The oral cavities of 65 rabbits, 35 chinchillas, 38 guinea pigs, 19 degus and 13 prairie dogs suffering from a lack of appetite, hypersalivation, moist dermatitis, swelling of the lower jaw or mild exophthalmos were examined with a paediatric laryngoscope and rigid endoscope. The laryngoscope was safe and satisfactory for a preliminary examination, but changes in the less accessible caudal parts of the cavity could not be identified precisely. A rigid endoscope with 30 degrees optics made it possible to examine all parts of the oral cavity and oropharynx, and make detailed observations of surface lesions on the premolar and molar teeth and the mucosal surface of the gingiva, tongue and hard palate; endoscopy with 70 degrees optics provided an excellent view of the occlusal tooth surfaces, tooth crowns, and buccal mucosa. The collection of biopsy samples, the removal of foreign objects and the correction of malocclusions were greatly simplified by the use of the endoscope owing to the clear visualisation of the procedures, and the risk of injury was minimised. The examinations with a laryngoscope were made effectively on animals that were manually restrained, but a thorough examination with a rigid endoscope required the animals to be anaesthetised.

Guinea pigs are commonly kept as pet animals; however, information about particular disease prevalence is lacking. The objective of this article was to present disease prevalence in 1000 pet guinea pigs from private owners divided into three age groups: under two years; between two and five years; and above five years. Medical records of guinea pigs ( Cavia aperea f. porcellus ) that were presented to the authors’ clinic in the period from January 2008 to August 2013 were reviewed. The most commonly diagnosed disease in guinea pigs was dental disease (36.3 per cent), with higher prevalence in the middle age group (P

Sixteen boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), three royal pythons (Python regius) and 15 Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) were examined endoscopically by access through the air sac. The snakes were immobilised in a ventral position using a half-open anaesthetic system with assisted ventilation and a mixture of isoflurane and oxygen. The rigid endoscope was introduced percutaneously and the internal structure of the lungs and the air sac, and the shape, size and external surface of the liver were visible in the cranial direction. In the smaller snakes the bifurcation and caudal part of the trachea could be viewed, provided the endoscope was positioned in a retrograde orientation. The caudal orientation of the endoscope made it possible to view the gall bladder and the size, shape and surface of the spleen. In some cases, the pancreas and the surface of the stomach and colon could be monitored. Endoscopy through the air sac also made it possible to check the major veins in the coelom. The snakes were monitored for at least 30 days after the intervention and no changes in their respiratory function or general health were observed.

A RESULT of the increasing significance and improvement of veterinary care for reptiles, kept both by professional zoological gardens and private breeders, is that veterinary surgeons who specialise in reptile reproduction have to meet more and more demanding requirements. These are comparable with the demands placed on human physicians or veterinarians caring for dogs and cats. This is illustrated by the development of diagnostic techniques that use various modifications of classical rigid endoscopic methods. These methods have made it possible for veterinarians to develop reliable and safe techniques of biopsy of organs such as the liver and kidneys (Hernandez-Divers and others 2005). The samples taken in this way and processed by histological techniques can be used to assess the extent and form of damage of vital organs and make a correct diagnosis and objective prognosis. To be most useful, clinical diagnostics must be reliable and fast. At the same time, it is increasingly important for clinical diagnosticians to acquire skills in the area of modern therapeutic endoscopic techniques as well as surgical procedures. As well as being used for diagnosis, rigid endoscopy for use of less invasive interventions in reptiles has come to the fore in recent years (Divers 2010). Over time, there have been …

Thirty-five juvenile (mean age 6.3 weeks) and 35 adult (mean age 2.0 years) healthy degus (Octodon degus) were studied to investigate selected haematological and plasma biochemistry parameters. Animals were anaesthetised with isoflurane, and blood was withdrawn from the cranial vena cava. Erythrocyte, haematocrit and neutrophil counts (including the percentage of neutrophils) were significantly higher in the adult degus than in the juveniles. In contrast, the reticulocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, number of platelets and percentage of lymphocytes were significantly lower in the adult animals. Total protein and globulin levels were significantly higher in the adult degus. The albumin:globulin ratio and plasma levels of urea nitrogen, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, potassium, total calcium and inorganic phosphorus were significantly lower in adults than in juveniles.

It was shown in clinical experiments that alimentary methemoglobinemia in artificially fed infants is provoked by nitrites originating from nitrates contained in water used for diluting dried-milk preparations. The reduction of nitrates is induced by the influence of sporulating germs of B. subtilis contained as spores in the dried milk. In areas where water contains high concentrations of nitrates a great percentage of artificially fed infants are affected, even if the methemoglobinemia does not manifest itself clinically. Dried buttermilk contains microbes of lactic fermentation S. lactis, producing the antibiotic nisin. This prevents the growth of the sporulating microbes of B. subtilis. Consequently, prevention of this disease, caused by intoxication with nitrites, is possible, by the use of dried buttermilk for the artificial feeding of infants up to 3 months of age.