Combination of lidocaine/prilocaine with tramadol for short time anaesthesia-analgesia in chelonians: 18 cases

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the practical use of lidocaine/prilocaine cream as the local anaesthetic in combination with tramadol anaesthesia for the surgical treatment of prolapsed penis in chelonians. Eighteen animals were included in this study. After administration of tramadol, prolapsed penis was cleaned and disinfected. Lidocaine/prilocaine cream at a dose of 1g/10 cm2 was applied on the penile mucosa. The time interval from lidocaine/prilocaine application to a loss of hind limb withdrawal reflex and the response to penile mucosa pinching was recorded as the induction time for surgical anaesthesia. The time interval from lidocaine/prilocaine application to full restoration of tail and hind limb withdrawal reflex was recorded as the recovery time. In two male chelonians the response to pain stimuli persisted for more than 20 min after lidocaine/prilocaine cream application, and the anaesthetic cream had to be re-administered. After this second application of lidocaine/prilocaine cream, surgical anaesthesia was reached within 28 and 32 min. The mean induction time for surgical anaesthesia was 19.22 ± 4.36 min. The mean recovery time was 40.83 ± 7.68 min. In all 18 male chelonians the surgical treatment of prolapsed penile was uneventful. Topical application of lidocaine/prilocaine cream can be used as a feasible form of local anaesthesia in combination with tramadol analgesia management for minor surgical procedures in chelonians

First record of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, Lepidochelys kempii (Garman, 1880) (Cheloniidae), from the Italian waters (Mediterranean Sea)

In this work the authors describe the first case of Lepidochelys kempii stranding (Garman, 1880) happened in Italian waters (Sicily, Messina) and considered to be the fifth in the entire Mediterranean Sea. A young individual was recovered with a longline hook in its oesophageal

Endoscopy of cloaca in 51 Emys trinacris (Fritz et al., 2005): morphological and diagnostic study

In this work the authors are describing cloaca anatomy, pathological findings and endoscopic technique applied to Emys trinacris (Fritz et al., 2005). The study has been performed on 51 wild subjects of different age and size hosted in a rescue center. Cloacoscopy is proposed as a tool for sexing turtles with reduced sexual dimorphism

Description of cloacoscopy in the loggerhead sea turtle ( Caretta caretta )

The aim of the study was to describe cloacoscopy in the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and to evaluate its efficacy in clinical practice. Cloacoscopy was performed on 31 turtles, 23 females and 8 males. Thirty minutes before anaesthesia, meloxicam (0.4 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly. Turtles were anaesthetised with a combination of 0.04 mg/kg dexmedetomidine and 4 mg/kg ketamine administered intramuscularly. Cloacoscopy was performed with a diagnostic telescope (10 mm diameter, 30 cm long, 0°, with an operating sheath) or with a flexible colonoscope (13 mm diameter, 160 cm long). Turtles were placed in dorsal recumbence and endoscope was inserted through the vent. In the distal part of the proctodeum, phallus or clitoris were easily visualized. A finger and thumb were placed around the vent to act as a valve in order to control the fluid infusion. Flushing the cloaca with warm saline and 0.6% lidocaine allowed clear view. The urethral orifice was located centrally within the urogenital sinus. Further proximally, the slit of the urodeum with the distal sphincter of the colon could be visualized. Passing gently through the urethral orifice allowed direct visualization of the urinary bladder. After withdrawing and re-directing the endoscope into the coprodeum, the terminal part of the intestine was reached. From 31 loggerhead turtles examined, fishing lines were found in 23 animals. Cloacoscopy proved to be a feasible diagnostic method and it is suggested as a routine diagnostic tool for clinical assessment of loggerhead turtle patients

Complete albinism in a Podarcis muralis newborn

The authors describe a case of complete albinism in a Podarcis muralis newborn, from Chieti (Abruzzo, central Italy) in September 2004. This is the first complete albinism case in a Podarcis spp. In the world

Primjena alfaksalona za indukciju anestezije “tepih” pitona iz džungle (Morelia Spilota Cheynei)

The aim of this investigation was to assess the clinical use of alfaxalone as a short-acting anaesthetic agent for induction to inhalation anaesthesia in jungle carpet pythons (Morelia spilota cheynei). Ten healthy, captive, sub-adult jungle carpet pythons (1.1±0.32 kg bw) were anaesthetised using a dose of 10mg/kg of alfaxalone, administered intravenously to the ventral tail vein. Heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded before administration (T0), and every 5 minutes until the snakes fully recovered from the anaesthesia. The induction time, time of tail-pinch reflex loss, tracheal tube insertion time, interval of deep anaesthesia, and the time of full recovery were recorded. The induction time occurred within 3.1±0.8 minutes. The tail-pinch reflex loss was lost within 5.6±0.7 minutes. The mean tracheal tube insertion time, the interval of deep anaesthesia, and the time of full recovery were 6.9±0.9 minutes, 18.8±4.7 minutes, and 36.7±11.4 minutes, respectively. A prolonged time of full recovery was recorded in two snakes (61.3 and 62.6 minutes, respectively). Their mean heart rate was statistically higher (P<0.05) at T5, T15 and T20 when compared with the basal HR at T0. The respiratory rate of the snakes dropped at T5 and was statistically lower (P<0.05) from T5 until T20 when compared with RR at all other time points. In two snakes apnoea was recorded at T5. Intravenous administration of alfaxalone proved to be a valuable method of induction, suitable for a subsequent inhalation anaesthesia in jungle carpet pythons.Cilj istraživanja bio je procijeniti kliničku primjenu alfaksalona kao kratkodjelujućeg anestetika za uvođenje u inhalacijsku anesteziju “carpet” pitona iz džungle (Morelia spilota cheynei). Deset zdravih, subadultnih pitona (tjelesne mase 1,1 ± 0,32 kg ) iz zatočeništva anestezirano je aplikacijom 10 mg/kg alfaksalona u ventralnu venu repa. Broj srčanih otkucaja (HR) i učestalost disanja (RR) zabilježeni su prije primjene anestetika (T0) i svakih 5 minuta sve dok se zmije nisu u potpunosti oporavile od anestezije. Također, registrirani su vrijeme indukcije u anesteziju, vrijeme gubitka repnog refleksa, vrijeme umetanja trahealne cijevi, interval duboke anestezije i vrijeme potpunog oporavka od anestezije. Vrijeme indukcije u anesteziju nastupilo je unutar 3,1 ± 0,8 minuta. Gubitak repnog refleksa uslijedio je unutar 5,6 ± 0,7 minuta. Prosječno vrijeme umetanja trahealne cijevi, zatim prosječni interval duboke anestezije i prosječno vrijeme potpunog oporavka od anestezije iznosili su kako slijedi 6,9 ± 0,9 minuta, 18,8 ± 4,7 minuta odnosno 36,7 ± 11,4 minuta. Produljeno vrijeme potpunog oporavka od anestezije (61,3 odnosno 62,6 minuta) zabilježeno je u dvije zmije. Njihov prosječni broj srčanih otkucaja bio je statistički znakovito veći (P <0,05) pri T5, T15 i T20 u usporedbi s bazalnim HR u vremenu T0. Učestalost disanja zmija je u vrijeme T5 je pala i u razdoblju od T5 do T20 u usporedbi s RR-om u svim drugim vremenskim točkama ostala statistički znakovito niža (P<0,05). U dvije zmije, u vremenskoj točki T5, zabilježena je apneja. Intravenska primjena alfaksalona pokazala se kao vrijedna metoda za indukciju anestezije odnosno za naknadnu inhalacijsku anesteziju “carpet” pitona iz džungle

Correction to: Turtle remains from the late Miocene of the Cessaniti area, southern Italy—insights for a probable Tortonian chelonian dispersal from Europe to Africa

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Splenic metastasis in a bitch affected by an ovarian dysgerminoma - a case report

Dysgerminomas are infrequent neoplasms resulting from undifferentiated germinal cells, mainly observed in the bitch. Our case describes for the first time a dysgerminoma related splenic metastasis in a bitch. A 14-year-old crossbred bitch was admitted at our facility with a 3-month history of irregular oestrous cycle, vulvar swelling, haemorrhagic vaginal discharge, lethargy and anorexia. Cytological examination showed the presence of superficial epithelial cells of the vaginal mucosa with a high degree of cornification. Vaginoscopy showed the typical pale and crenulated mucosal folds (oestrus). Haematological analysis indicated moderate anaemia and leukocytosis, and increased level of oestrogen. Ultrasound examination showed a mass located caudally to the kidney in the region of the right ovary. Abdominal and thoracic radiographs confirmed the findings and did not reveal metastases. Suspecting an ovarian tumour, we decided to perform a complete ovariohysterectomy. Once located, the right ovary presented an increased volume, irregular shape and reddish colour. Samples collected during the procedure were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and observed under optical microscope. The cells were characterized by a scant cytoplasm, a large vesicle type nucleus with coarsely granular chromatin and distinct cell borders. The neoplastic cells were remarkably similar to those of a testicular seminoma, allowing for the diagnosis of ovarian dysgerminoma. Two years after the ovariohysterectomy, the owner reported history of increased volume of the abdomen and lethargy. A second surgery was performed during which an irregular splenic mass was found. The morphological diagnosis was "splenic metastasis of dysgerminoma". To the authors' knowledge, dysgerminoma related splenic metastasis was never described in the bitch before

Surgical approach and etiopathogenetic considerations to the umbilical tumefactions in cattle: Case review in twenty years (2000/2020)

B S T R A C T Objective: Our investigation was conducted to evaluate the incidence of umbilical pathologies and the result of related surgical interventions in Sicilian cattle. Study design: 320 (214 females, 106 males) cattle with umbilical lesions were collected, anesthetized, operated on and follow-up recorded. We evaluated the injury incidence rate. Population: The animals considered were: high productivity dairy cattle (Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss); meat breeds (Charolaise and Limousine) and some crosses. Results: The highest injury rate was simple omphalocele, followed by purulent omphalitis. A high percentage was found in young cattle. Friesians are the most prone to navel diseases. The dairy breeds, compared to the meat breeds, and double aptitude and crosses, were the most affected. The most common was simple omphalocele, with a small hernial port (1 to 3 cm), while the rest was greater than 3 cm, with severe organs or complications. Methods: the most commonly used surgery was herniorraphy with autologous reinforcement, while classic su- tures and mesh sutures were used in the remaining cases. Follow-up demonstrated healing in most of the treated subjects. Conclusions: The study aimed to estimate some surgical clinical cases in Sicilian cattle. Most injuries are lower abdomen injuries, mostly simple or complicated umbilical hernias. Young dairy females were the most affected. Meaning/Impact: Radical surgery is the treatment of choice in the vast majority of symptomatic or asymptomatic umbilical diseases; moreover, the correct management and the choice of an appropriate surgical approach allow to obtain an effective treatment of the lesions. Simple summary: In cattle farm, the correct management of births is a fundamental step for the future of the breeding. In fact, there are numerous critical factors in this phase: calving area management, umbilical disin- fection, correct administration of colostrum, management of individual pens. Generally, after a few hours from birth, the calf is transferred in individual pens, the walls of this box allow visual and tactile contact but avoid the possibility of mutual sucking of the umbilical region, a risk factor, in that area, of infections and hernias. In the study have been collected umbilical interventions carried out over twenty years by a team operating in south- eastern Sicily: Ragusa. Out of a total of 320 cases, have been reported: the prevalence of types of umbilical tumefactions, anesthetic techniques and surgical techniques performed. The purpose of the work was to highlight any predispositions of race, sex, age regarding the lesion considered and above all, the effectiveness of the surgical therap

Investigation of an Autochthonous Outbreak of Bovine Besnoitiosis in Northwestern Sicily

Abstract Bovine besnoitiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Besnoitia besnoiti, leading to infertility in bulls and abortions in cows. In Italy, it is considered an emerging disease, recently introduced by the importation of animals from Spain and France. In the last decade, many outbreaks have been reported and confirmed in native cattle, mostly in northern and central Italy. This study reports on an autochthonous outbreak of bovine besnoitiosis in two nearby farms located in northwestern Sicily. A 15-month-old Limousine bull born on the farm showed typical clinical signs of the chronic disease phase, such as edema of the scrotum with subsequent hyperkeratosis associated with eschars and thickening of the skin. A histopathological examination revealed the presence of Besnoitia tissue cysts containing bradyzoites in the eyes, tendons, testicles, dermis, and nictitating membrane. A serological investigation using a commercial ELISA kit revealed a high seroprevalence of the antibody anti-B. besnoiti (79.2% for the farms in this study). Clinical disease showed low prevalence (1.5%) despite the high seroprevalence of specific antibodies in the herd, confirming that bovine besnoitiosis is an emergent endemic pathogen in Sicily, but its clinical behavior still remains sporadic