Evaluation of heart murmurs in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera): 59 cases (1996-2009).

To determine the prevalence of heart murmurs in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and determine whether heart murmurs were associated with cardiac disease.Retrospective multi-institutional case series.260 chinchillas.Medical records of all chinchilla patients evaluated at the Tufts University Foster Hospital for Small Animals between 2001 and 2009, the University of California-Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between 1996 and 2009, and the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between 1998 and 2009 were reviewed.Prevalence of heart murmurs was 23% (59/260). Of 15 chinchillas with heart murmurs that underwent echocardiography, 8 had echocardiographic abnormalities, including dynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, mitral regurgitation, hypertrophy of the left ventricle, tricuspid regurgitation, and hypovolemia. Echocardiographic abnormalities were approximately 29 times as likely (OR, 28.7) to be present in chinchillas with a murmur of grade 3 or higher than in chinchillas without a murmur.Results suggested that heart murmurs are common in chinchillas and that chinchillas with heart murmurs often have echocardiographic abnormalities, with valvular disease being the most common. On the basis of these results, we believe that echocardiography should be recommended for chinchillas with heart murmurs, especially older chinchillas with murmurs of grade 3 or higher. Further prospective studies are needed to accurately evaluate the prevalence of cardiac disease in chinchillas with heart murmurs

Evaluation of heart murmurs in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera): 59 cases (1996-2009).

To determine the prevalence of heart murmurs in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) and determine whether heart murmurs were associated with cardiac disease.Retrospective multi-institutional case series.260 chinchillas.Medical records of all chinchilla patients evaluated at the Tufts University Foster Hospital for Small Animals between 2001 and 2009, the University of California-Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between 1996 and 2009, and the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between 1998 and 2009 were reviewed.Prevalence of heart murmurs was 23% (59/260). Of 15 chinchillas with heart murmurs that underwent echocardiography, 8 had echocardiographic abnormalities, including dynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, mitral regurgitation, hypertrophy of the left ventricle, tricuspid regurgitation, and hypovolemia. Echocardiographic abnormalities were approximately 29 times as likely (OR, 28.7) to be present in chinchillas with a murmur of grade 3 or higher than in chinchillas without a murmur.Results suggested that heart murmurs are common in chinchillas and that chinchillas with heart murmurs often have echocardiographic abnormalities, with valvular disease being the most common. On the basis of these results, we believe that echocardiography should be recommended for chinchillas with heart murmurs, especially older chinchillas with murmurs of grade 3 or higher. Further prospective studies are needed to accurately evaluate the prevalence of cardiac disease in chinchillas with heart murmurs

Comparative Analysis of Methods to Induce Myocardial Infarction in a Closed-Chest Rabbit Model

Objective. To develop a rabbit model of closed-chest catheter-induced myocardial infarction. Background. Limitations of rodent and large animal models justify the search for clinically relevant alternatives. Methods. Microcatheterization of the heart was performed in 47 anesthetized 3-4 kg New Zealand rabbits to test five techniques of myocardial ischemia: free coils (n=4), interlocking coils (n=4), thrombogenic gelatin sponge (n=4), balloon occlusion (n=4), and alcohol injection (n=8). In order to limit ventricular fibrillation, an antiarrhythmic protocol was implemented, with beta-blockers/amiodarone before and xylocaine infusion during the procedure. Clinical, angiographic, and echographic data were gathered. End points included demonstration of vessel occlusion (TIMI flow grades 0 and 1 on the angiogram), impairment of left ventricular function at 2 weeks after procedure (by echocardiography), and pathologically confirmed myocardial infarction. Results. The best arterial access was determined to be through the right carotid artery. The internal mammary guiding catheter 4-Fr was selected as the optimal device for selective intracoronary injection. Free coils deployed prematurely and tended to prolapse into the aorta. Interlocking coils did not deploy completely and failed to provide reliable results. Gelatin sponge was difficult to handle, adhered to the catheter, and could not be clearly visualized by fluoroscopy. Balloon occlusion yielded inconsistent results. Alcohol injection was the most efficient and reproducible method for inducing myocardial infarction (4 out of 6 animals), the extent of which could be fine-tuned by using a coaxial balloon catheter as a microcatheter (0.52 mm) to achieve a superselective injection of 0.2 mL of alcohol. This approach resulted in a 20% decrease in LVEF and infarcted myocardium was confirmed histologically. Conclusions. By following a stepwise approach, a minimally invasive, effective, and reproducible rabbit model of catheter-induced myocardial infarction has been developed which addresses the limitations of rodent experiments while avoiding the logistical and cost issues associated with large animal models

Coccygeal chordoma in a degu: case report and review of the literature

International audienceAn 8-y-old, intact female degu (Octodon degus) was presented with a slow-growing mass on the tail tip. The mass was completely removed by partial caudectomy. Histologically, the last coccygeal vertebra was replaced by a lobulated neoplasm composed of large clear polygonal cells embedded in a myxoid alcian blue-positive matrix with highly vacuolated cytoplasm (physaliferous cells) and intracytoplasmic periodic acid-Schiff-positive granules. The neoplasm exhibited the morphologic features of a "classic" chordoma of humans, which is 1 of 3 distinct chordoma subtypes. Immunohistochemistry revealed dual expression of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and vimentin, consistent with a diagnosis of chordoma. Chordomas are uncommon slow-growing neoplasms in humans and animals, arising from notochordal remnants. Depending on their subtype and location, they can have a high local recurrence rate and metastatic risk. Chordoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a soft tissue mass on the tail of a degu, similar to the clinical situation in ferrets

A canine adenovirus type 2 vaccine vector confers protection against foot-and-mouth disease in guinea pigs

Vaccination is a key element in the control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The majority of the antigenic sites that induce protective immune responses are localized on the FMD virus (FMDV) capsid that is formed by four virus-encoded structural proteins, VP1 to VP4. In the present study, recombinant canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV2)-based FMD vaccines, Cav-Pl/3C R degrees and Cav-VP1 R degrees, respectively expressing the structural P1 precursor protein along with the non-structural 3C protein or expressing the structural VP1 protein of the FMDV strain O/FRA/1/2001, were evaluated as novel vaccines against FMD. A strong humoral immune response was elicited in guinea pigs (GP) following immunization with Cav-P1/3C R, while administration of Cav-VP1 R degrees did not induce a satisfying antibody response in GP or mice. GP were then used as an experimental model for the determination of the protection afforded by the Cav/P1 R degrees vaccine against challenge with the FMDV strain O-1 Manisa/Turkey/1969. The Cav-P1/3C R vaccine protected GP from generalized FMD to a similar extent as a high potency double-oil emulsion O-1 Manisa vaccine. The results of the present study show that CAV2-based vector vaccines can express immunogenic FMDV antigens and offer protection against generalized FMD in GP. This suggest that Cav-P1 R FMDV vaccine may protect natural host species from FMD. In combination with an appropriate diagnostic test, the Cav-P1 R degrees FMDV vaccine may also serve as a marker vaccine to differentiate vaccinated from infected animals

Avis de l'Anses portant sur « des recommandations relatives à la réduction du risque de diffusion du virus Monkeypox aux animaux en France ». Première partie

Citation suggérée : Anses. (2022). Avis de l’Anses portant sur des recommandations relatives à la réduction du risque de diffusion du virus Monkeypox aux animaux en France. Réponse à la première question (saisine 2022-SA-0102). Maisons-Alfort : Anses, 12 p.Depuis le début du mois de mai 2022, de nombreux cas autochtones d’infection à virus Monkeypox (MPXV) ont été signalés dans plusieurs pays non endémiques, dont la France. Ainsi, au 8 juin 2022, 703 cas humains ont été confirmés dans l’Union européenne/Espace économique européen (UE/EEE), et 473 cas hors UE/EEE (source : ECDC). En France, au 7 juin 2022, 66 cas confirmés de Monkeypox ont été rapportés : 48 cas en Ile-de-France, 8 en Occitanie, 5 en Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 2 en Normandie, 1 dans les Haut-de- France, 1 en Centre-Val de Loire et 1 en PACA. À ce jour, en Europe, ces cas sont survenus sans contact avec un animal importé de zone endémique et dans un contexte de transmission interhumaine, principalement, mais pas uniquement, chez des hommes ayant des relations sexuelles avec des hommes (HSH), sans lien direct avec des personnes de retour de zone endémique (source : Santé publique France SPF). Avec l’appui des agences d’expertise, les autorités sanitaires françaises ont mis en œuvre des mesures de santé publique cohérentes avec les recommandations internationales.Le MPX est une zoonose endémique en Afrique du Centre et de l’Ouest, où le MPXV ou des traces d’infection (moléculaires ou sérologiques) ont été mises en évidence chez différentes espèces animales sauvages sans que le réservoir en ait été formellement identifié. Un épisode de cas humains est survenu aux Etats-Unis en 2003, suite à la transmission du virus à deschiens de prairie (Cynomys ludovicianus) détenus comme NAC (Nouveaux animaux de compagnie) par des cricétomes des savanes (ou rats de Gambie, Cricetomys gambianus) importés d’Afrique pour être utilisés comme NAC. Le virus a été éliminé suite aux mesures mises en œuvre au niveau des cas humains, des personnes-contacts et des animaux atteints.Les autorités sanitaires au Royaume-Uni ont émis récemment des recommandations visant à l’éviction et à la mise en observation des animaux de compagnie des cas confirmés.Il est demandé à l’Anses, « afin d’être en capacité d’adapter les mesures de santé publique :- Dans un premier temps, d’émettre des recommandations destinées respectivement aux vétérinaires et aux propriétaires, relatives à la conduite à tenir pour les animaux de compagnie (chiens, chats, rongeurs notamment) au contact d’un cas confirmé de MPX ; une réponse est attendue pour le 10 juin 2022 ;- Dans un second temps, de documenter le risque de transmission du virus par un malade à ses animaux de compagnie, à la faune péridomestique et, par l’intermédiaire des effluents domestiques notamment, à l’environnement, et d’émettre desrecommandations relatives à la réduction de ce risque.Vous préciserez également les éventuelles mesures de surveillance associées à mettre en place. Il vous est également demandé d’évaluer le risque d’importation du virus avec des animaux contaminés et d’émettre des recommandations relatives à la réduction de ce risque.Les recommandations de l’Anses sont attendues pour le 1er septembre 2022. Dans l’attente du rendu définitif de l’avis, il lui est demandé de transmettre les mesures conservatoires qui pourraient être mises en place pour limiter ces différents risques. »Le présent avis porte sur la réponse à la première question