VetRecord Case Reports

Question 1

What is the reported cause of bilateral corneal descemetocele in a ferret?
A) trauma
B) corneal dystrophy
C) infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer 1

B) corneal dystrophy
Corneal graft and conjunctival flap resulted in full resolution.

Question 2

What medical treatment has been used to manage bilateral upper eyelid entropion in a rabbit?

Answer 2

Injection of sodium hyaluronate subdermally
Well tolerated, resulted in immediate resolution of clinical signs
Partial Entropion recurred 4 months later in one eyelid only

Question 3

When should a peribulbar block be considered in rabbits?

Answer 3

As an alternative to retrobulbar blocks for locoregional analgesia in enucleation surgeries; reduced risk in penetration of the venous plexus and still effective

Question 4

What was found in a study of intraocular D-dimer measurement in rabbits before and after induction of fibrin clots and following fibrinolytic therapy?

Answer 4

D-diner was neither predictive for differences in induced fibrin formation or drug efficacy. Large variation between samples. Not useful in this species for this application.

Question 5

What surgical tool was used to reduce hemorrhage in an enucleation procedure in a 10 year old castrated male holland lop rabbit with a luxated cataract and glaucoma in one eye and severe ulcerative stromal keratitis in the other eye?

Answer 5

Ligasure

Question 6

What was the cause of a large heterogenous mass in the rostral aspect of the left mandible of a 10 year old male castrated Vietnamese potbellied pig?

Answer 6

Severe mandibular osteomyelitis, food impaction, hair impaction, and an exfoliated left mandibular canine tusk.
Right tusk present with evidence of moth eaten bone and periapical lysis. Animal was asymptomatic for dental disease.

Question 7

What secondary infection has been documented to infect pigs with Sarcoptes scabei infestations?

Answer 7

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (found in 5 pigs) - multidrug resistant, susceptible to oxytetracycline and cotrimoxazole

Question 8

What infection was diagnosed in Iberian pigs with immunosuppression secondary to stress of changing group dynamics, and was transmitted through bites?

Answer 8

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis

Question 9

A ferret underwent a total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy for treatment of what disorder? What was the outcome?

Answer 9

Treatment of aural ceruminous gland neoplasia. After surgery to remove the mass (which was diagnosed as an aural ceruminous gland adenoma), the ferret was symptom free for 6 months, then developed swelling around the previous surgery site and was diagnosed with a ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma that was unresectable. The ferret was euthanized 7 months after the initial surgery.

Question 10

What endoscopic treatment was used to treat otitis media and interna in 3 guinea pigs?

Answer 10

Myringotomy to permit culture sampling and therapeutic irrigation of the tympanic cavity.
2/3 of the guinea pigs had complete resolution of clinical signs. The other showed clinical improvement from a 90 degree head tilt to a 30 degree head tilt. All guinea pigs recovered quickly from the procedure and survived for at least 6 months.

Question 11

What is a potential complication of ear punching as a method of identification in lab rodents?

Answer 11

A mouse caught its left forelimb through its ear punch up to the level of the shoulder.
Ear notches are recommended over punches.

Question 12

In a case report of an adult female rat with bilateral otitis externa/media, what bacterial organisms were identified? What was the underlying cause for the infections?

Answer 12

Pasteurella pneumotropica, Streptococcus merionis, Bacteroides fragilis, and Fusobacterium sp.
Auricular cutaneous epitheliotropic T cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides)

Question 13

In a case of portal vein thrombosis in a rabbit, what was the most useful diagnostic test? What was the outcome?

Answer 13

Patient presented with inappetance and lack of stool production with markedly elevated ALT. Abdominal ultrasound with color Doppler showed focal hyperexchoic structure in the right intraheoaric portal venous branches. Rabbit was treated with clopidogrel and rivaroxaban. 32 days later, the thrombus had resolved. The rabbit was normal for at least 17 months afterwards.

Question 14

How did a free floating intraabdominal necrotic lipoma in a guinea pig present clinically?

Answer 14

3 yo neutered male Guinea pig that was apparently healthy and presenting for a wellness check. Mass found on mid abdomen and workup declined. The patient represented 2 months later with mild abdominal pain. Ex lap was performed and mass was removed (there were no attachments or blood supply). Patient made a full recovery.

Question 15

What treatment has been used successfully to treat a severe esophageal structure in a pig?
A) esophageal resection and anastomosis
B) steroids, omeprazole, and dietary changes
C) balloon dilation

Answer 15

C) balloon dilation
Performed under general anesthesia with fluoroscopic guidance

Question 16

What disorder has been diagnosed in 3 Vietnamese potbellied pigs with nonspecific clinical signs including lethargy, hyporexia, and severe progressive lameness?

Answer 16

Abdominal fat necrosis

Question 17

In a rabbit diagnosed with megaesophagus, what was the underlying etiology?
A) obstructive GI disease
B) myasthenia gravis
C) acquired idiopathic

Answer 17

C) acquired idiopathic
Myasthenia gravis remains a possibility as well as congenital
No evidence of obstructive disease, hiatal hernia, or neoplasia seen.

Question 18

In a rabbit diagnosed with megaesophagus, which of the following was not a clinical sign of disease?
A) regurgitation
B) dyspnea
C) teeth grinding

Answer 18

C) teeth grinding
This rabbit regurgitated! It’s possible!
Also developed aspiration pneumonia secondary to regurgitation.

Question 19

In a rabbit diagnosed with megaesophagus, what treatment was prescribed and what was the outcome?

Answer 19

Assist feeding, antibiotics, and sildenafil; rabbit continued to worsen and died approximately 1 month after initial presentation
Sildenafil has been shown to induce a concentration dependent relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter in dogs, causing decreased regurgitation and increased weight gain at 1 mg/kg orally q12h. No improvement seen in this rabbit, unsure if this medication is effective in rabbits or if a different dose is required.

Question 20

What neoplastic disease of rabbits may cause a mild, highly regenerative anemia and widespread mineralization of the entire abdominal cavity?

Answer 20

Primary hepatic hemangiosarcoma
Also had cystic endometrial hyperplasia, hepatic lipidosis, and kidney disease.

Question 21

What bloodwork abnormalities were seen in a sugar glider with hepatic carcinoma?
A) high ALP and moderate hypercholesterolemia
B) high ALP, ALT, and GGT
C) high ALP, BUN, and creatinine

Answer 21

A) high ALP and moderate hypercholesterolemia

Question 22

What treatment was administered in a sugar glider with hepatic carcinoma, and what was the outcome?

Answer 22

Prednisolone and silymarin.
Patient lived >2 years and had persistently elevated ALP and progressive hepatomegaly/hepatic nodules.
Diagnosis not obtained until postmortem. Mass cytology was non diagnostic.

Question 23

What was the diagnosed cause of permanent urinary incontinence in a 1 year old female ferret?

Answer 23

Left extramural ectopic ureter (opened into vagina)
Left nephroureterectomy was performed and urine leakage decreased, although the ferret was still incontinent. CT was required to make the initial diagnosis (not seen on abdominal ultrasound or radiographs).

Question 24

What is a documented cause of urethral stricture in a 5 month old neutered male ferret, and what treatment was performed?

Answer 24

Urethral stricture at the level of the castration site (urethra was severed during orchiectomy 4 weeks prior). Perineal urethrostomy was performed proximal to the stenosis caudal to the pubis and the ferret made a good recovery.

Question 25

What congenital reproductive disorder was diagnosed in a 10 month old female rabbit during a routine OVH?

Answer 25

Agenesis of both uterine horns and cervix

Question 26

What method was used to treat a cranial cruciate ligament rupture in a ferret? A) TPLO B) extracapsular stabilization C) external coaption

Answer 26

B) extracapsular stabilization Complete resolution of lameness by 3 weeks postop. No recurrence or lameness seen at 21 month follow up, although there was moderate osteoarthritis present.

Question 27

What treatment has been described for management of a zygomatic sialocele in a ferret?

Answer 27

Partial caudal zygomatecty for zygomatic sialoadenectomy 3D CT reconstruction helped with surgical planning. Preserving the rostral portion of the zygomatic arch allowed normal globe appearance and avoided enophthalmia.

Question 28

What surgical treatment was used to correct a type 2 atresia ani in a 6 month old guinea pig?

Answer 28

Treatment of rectocutaneous fistula using a pull through technique to reconstruct the anal canal. Treatment was effective.

Question 29

A ferret was diagnosed with Mycobacterium genavense in a unique way: A) PET scan B) MRI C) blood smear

Answer 29

C) blood smear Acid fast bacilli phagocytized by monocytes visualized Diagnosis confirmed on FNA of spleen and liver and PCR/dna sequencing. Ferret survived >16 months post diagnosis.

Question 30

What was the source of arsenic poisoning in a pig finishing unit?

Answer 30

Contaminated water Clinical signs included lack of coordination, flaccid limb paralysis, and collapse. 2.8% mortality.

Question 31

What clinical signs were seen in a mini pig with multicentric eosinophilic granulocytic sarcoma?

Answer 31

Hindlimb weakness and non regenerative anemia, neutropenia, and lymphocytopenia. Died 7 days after initial presentation. Neoplasia had invaded the bone marrow.

Question 32

What treatment was successful at managing squamous cell carcinoma in both pinna and the left ventral palpebra of an American Yorkshire pig?

Answer 32

Intralesional bleomycin electrochemotherapy, co2 laser surgery, and cryosurgery

Question 33

What topical treatment was reported as successful at treating a rabbit with squamous cell carcinoma of the pinna?

Answer 33

Imiquimod 5% Lesion regressed after 5 months and had not recurred for 12 months after stopping therapy.

Question 34

What was the origin of a osteogenic and fibroblastic osteosarcoma in a rabbit that invaded the zygomatic arch?

Answer 34

The right alveolar bulla

Question 35

In the largest scale retrospective study on disease incidence of hedgehogs, what was the most common neoplasm?

Answer 35

Endometrial stromal cell tumor (23.7%) Oral squamous cell carcinoma second at 13%

Question 36

In the largest scale retrospective study on disease incidence of hedgehogs, what was the most common non-neoplastic disease?

Answer 36

Gingivitis/stomatitis (39.5%) followed by endometrial hyperplasia (18.8%)

Question 37

What treatment was performed in a chinchilla with uterine lymphoma and what was the outcome?

Answer 37

OVH followed by rotating outpatient chemotherapy protocol with oral prednisolone, SQ L-asparaginase, oral cyclophosphamide, and SQ cytosine arabinoside. Patient tolerated chemo well and was euthanized 102 days after initial presentation. Patient had metastasis to the brain, mediastinum, mesentery, liver, and spleen with no adverse effects of chemo seen.

Question 38

What was the conservative treatment and outcome of recurrent intervertebral disc extrusions in a lion head rabbit?

Answer 38

Presented with paraparesis, bilateral proprioceptive deficits, and pain on spinal palpation. Prescribed cage rest and NSAIDs. Normal after 1 month. Recurred 2 months later; same treatment administered and full recovery confirmed at 4 month follow up (confirmed with recheck MRI).

Question 39

What genetic disorder of rabbits results in locomotor disturbances and eye disorders?

Answer 39

Sauteur d’Alfort rabbit-like genetic disorder Dwarf rabbits since first few weeks of life includes walking on thoracic limbs (handstands) and severe ocular abnormalities

Question 40

What clinical sign(s) was/were associated with bilateral renal dysplasia in a ferret?

Answer 40

Obtunded mentation, muscle tremors, severe dehydration, azotemia, severe hypernatremia, hypercalcemia/hyperphosphatemia, and hyperproteinemia

Question 41

Which species has been diagnosed with an extra adrenal paraganglioma and how did it present?

Answer 41

Degu - mass between the cranial thoracic vertebrae and the cranial aspect of the right scapula

Question 42

What condition was associated with a uterine intussusception in a rat? A) dystocia B) adenocarcinoma C) polyp

Answer 42

Benign endometrial stromal polyp in a nulliparous rat

Question 43

What injectable anesthetic protocol was recommended for winter white dwarf hamsters undergoing facial surgery procedures?

Answer 43

Dexmedetomidine 0.1 mg/kg, ketamine 20 mg/kg, midazolam 1 mg/it, and hydromorphone 0.4 or 0.8 mg/kg, all given SQ. Anesthesia induced in <1 minute and surgical plane maintained for duration of procedure. Postop flumaz 0.1 mg/kg and atipamazole 1 mg/kg were administered sq and the hamsters recovered uneventfully.

Question 44

What is the impact of 15 min vs 45 min of isoflurane anesthesia in APH?

Answer 44

No clinically relevant differences

Question 45

Besides vaccines, what is a potential iatrogenic cause for spindle cell sarcoma formation in ferrets?

Answer 45

Deslorelin implant, microchips