Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of cholelithiasis in a pet Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus)

A 2.5-year-old female guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) presented for reduced appetite, signs of abdominal pain, increased respiratory effort, and a distended abdomen. Cholelithiasis was diagnosed by radiography and ultrasonography. The cholelith was surgically removed using cholecystectomy. After surgery the animal recovered quickly and clinical signs resolved. Stone analysis revealed a composition of 20% weddellite (calcium oxalate dehydrate) and 80% apatite (calcium phosphate). Histologic examination of the gallbladder revealed no significant pathologic changes. Three months after the surgical procedure the patient continued to do well and diagnostic imaging revealed no abnormalities. Surgical therapy was straightforward and effective

Preliminary clinical comparison of anesthesia with ketamine/medetomidine and S-ketamine/medetomidine in testudo spp.

A prospective, randomized, cross-over experimental pilot study was performed to compare the anesthetic quality and recovery times of intramuscular (IM) ketamine/medetomidine and S-ketamine/medetomidine in Testudo spp. Four adult male Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni) and one adult male spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) were used in this study. Each animal underwent two different anesthetic protocols twice with a washout period of two weeks between anesthesias. This resulted in 20 anesthetic procedures. Protocols consisted of 0.1 mg/kg medetomidine IM with either 15 mg/kg ketamine (KM) or 15 mg/kg S-ketamine (SKM). After 60 minutes, medetomidine was reversed using 0.5mg/kg atipamezole IM. Muscle relaxation, ease of handling, sensitivity to a painful stimulus, palpebral and corneal reflexes, heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were measured every 15 minutes during anesthesia. Time of initial effect, maximal anesthetic effect, first movements, complete wakefulness, and first feeding after anesthesia, quality of induction and recovery periods were compared between protocols. Quality of induction and recovery were excellent with both protocols. There was a significant difference in HR, RR, muscle score and handling score over time. HR decreased within the first 15 minutes, remained low and started to increase at 60 minutes. Marked bradypnea occurred at the beginning of anesthesia, and gradually disappeared over time. Muscle relaxation and handling scores increased during anesthesia, whereas sensitivity scores remained 0, regardless of protocol. Pair-wise comparisons showed no significant differences between KM and SKM, with the exception of the lid reflex at 30 minutes, which was reduced in one animal in group KM and reduced or absent in four animals in group SKM (p = 0.046). Anesthetic quality was similar using KM or SKM. Both protocols were safe and effective in Testudo tortoisesspp., but analgesic effects were considered weak

Development, diagnosis and therapy of ketosis in non-gravid and non-lactating Guinea pigs

Background: Ketosis is a metabolic disorder often triggered by anorexia in animals fed on high energy diets. Although mostly described in pregnant female guinea pigs, under the name of pregnancy toxicosis; there is limited information on ketosis in males and non-pregnant females, often presented to clinics with anorexia or inappetence. The objective of this study was to observe progression of ketosis in guinea pigs, document the changes and evaluate diagnostic methods and a therapeutic approach. Results: Twenty eight adult guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), castrated males and intact females of obese and slim body condition were fasted for 3 days and refed afterwards. The slim animals served as control group for body condition. Either slim and fat animals were divided into two treatment groups: half of them received fluid replacements with glucose subcutaneously, the other half did not receive any injection and served as treatment control. Serum beta-hydroxybutyrate, and urine acetoacetate and acetone were measured during and after fasting. Serum ALT, bile acids and liver histology were also analyzed after 7 days of refeeding (and therapy). Females and obese guinea pigs showed a significantly higher increase in ketone bodies in serum and urine. Obese, female, or animals not receiving therapy needed more time to regulate ketone bodies to normal levels than slim animals, males or animals receiving therapy. Liver histology revealed increased hepatocyte degeneration and higher glycogen content in obese animals and animals receiving therapy, and additionally more glycogen content in males. Only minor hepatic fat accumulation was documented. Bile acids showed good correlation to histological liver changes whereas ALT did not. Conclusions: Female and obese animals react more intensively to fasting. As preventive management, animals should be kept in adequate body condition, fasting should be avoided, and anorexia should be treated immediately. In such a case, urinary dip sticks to detect ketone bodies are a useful diagnostic tool. Glucose therapy leads to faster cessation of ketogenesis and should be recommended in cases of ketosis. However, it needs to be adjusted to avoid hepatocyte glycogen overload and degeneration. Measuring bile acids presents a valuable indicator of liver damage

Urolithiasis in free-ranging and captive otters (Lutra lutra and Aonyx cinerea) in Europe

Between 1996 and 1998, 477 dead otters from different Central European countries were examined for urolithiasis, including 449 free-ranging Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) as well as 17 Eurasian otters and 11 Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinerea) from captivity. In the free-ranging specimens, uroliths (sand or stones) were found in 105 animals (23.4%), with no significant difference (P = 0.77) between the sexes. Uroliths were not present in any juveniles (n = 26) and urolithiasis was not considered the main cause of death in any individual. In captive specimens, uroliths were found in 11 out of 17 Eurasian otters (64.7%; four males and seven females), and in 3 out of 11 Asian small-clawed otters (27.3%). Histology could not find any signs of inflammation in examined kidneys (n = 179) or urinary bladders (n = 66). Analyzed stones of free-ranging and captive Eurasian otters were composed mainly of ammonium acid urate. The stones of three captive Asian small-clawed otters consisted mainly of calcium oxalate. The difference in prevalence of uroliths between free-ranging and captive Eurasian otters was significant (P = 0.001). Nevertheless, the prevalence in free-ranging specimens of this study is higher than reported before. Differences between various habitats, environmental changes, and genetic predisposition all represent potential hypothetical explanations for these findings

Clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment of lead intoxication in an electric eel (Electrophorus electricus)

An adult, wild-caught electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), weighing 18 kg and measuring 2 m in length, presented with bilateral swellings behind the pectoral fins, lethargy, and anorexia for 2 days. Anesthesia was performed with immersion in tricaine methanesulphonate and supplemented with 0.11 mg/kg medetomidine and 2.2 mg/kg ketamine intramuscularly. Endoscopy revealed blood in the oral and gastric cavity. The stomach was grossly enlarged, flaccid, and contained a lead wire which was removed manually. Blood lead values were severely elevated. The fish was treated with 28 mg/kg calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate intramuscularly every 72 hr for 5 doses, which resulted in an improved clinical condition. Because lead values had not decreased to normal values within 4 wk of initial presentation, 35 mg/kg dimercaptosuccinic acid was given orally twice weekly for 3 wk. The electric eel made a full recovery