Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine RSS feed: Current Issue. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine provides practitioners with a convenient, comprehensive, "must have" resource to enhance and elevate their expertise of exotic pet medicine. Each issue includes a comprehensive, current overview of a special topic in exotic pet medicine, guest edited by an authority in the field. Articles by invited experts focus on topic-related areas and address new treatment techniques that can be immediately applied in the office. Peer-reviewed original research, review articles and case reports; as well as industry news, diagnostic challenges, literature and therapeutic reviews, and practice management articles keep veterinarians up to date on issues affecting their practice. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine is the most complete resource for practitioners who treat avian and exotic pets. 2012 Issues Clinical Anesthesia and Analgesia Management of Avian Disease Presentations Emergency Presentation of Exotic Mammal Herbivores http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine1557-5063212April 2012 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000146/abstract?rss=yesThe Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) Science Grant Review Committee has announced its annual call for proposals from veterinarians. The deadline to submit research proposals is Monday, May 7, 2012. The goal of the AEMV Research Fund is to promote research that will specifically lead to improvements in the clinical care of exotic companion mammals and pertains to the captive health, diet, and husbandry of privately-owned animals. Animal groups that will be considered in the proposals to be reviewed include ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, and other less traditional pet species such as hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and prairie dogs. More information is available from the AEMV web site (http://www.aemv.org) or by contacting Drury Reavill, DVM, Dip. ABVP, Avian Practice, Dip. ACVP, at dreavill@zooexotic.com.Avian & Exotic NewsConnie Orcutt10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.001Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Avian & Exotic News109112http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000158/abstract?rss=yesWhen I accepted the offer to be Guest Editor for the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine and decided to focus the issue on “Management of Avian Disease Presentations,” I sought the advice of colleagues for current practical ideas and options that the avian practitioner would find helpful. Many avian practitioners also treat other exotic species including small mammals and reptiles. Many of the same veterinarians who treat avian/exotic animal species also see dogs and cats in their hospitals. The advantage of treating a wide range of animal species is the ability to use many of the medical techniques across the diverse animal groups. For those so motivated, monitoring the advances in human medicine may similarly benefit our animal patients. Maintaining a knowledge base incorporating the plethora of information that is increasingly available from books, periodicals, seminars, conferences, and online information is a daunting task. I find this diversity of resources both comforting and disconcerting. It is comforting to know that there may be relevant information related to a particular species, problem, or set of problems associated with a patient that presents to your veterinary hospital. It is a little disconcerting in that it is a challenge to keep up with this volume of information and critically evaluate it for use in managing patient care.Introduction: Management of Avian Disease PresentationsStephen Fronefield10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.002Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Topics in Medicine and Surgery: Management of Avian Disease Presentations113114http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000249/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: This article is a current overview of the common presentations of avian pediatric cases. The number of avian pediatric cases as well as the sources of the birds has changed dramatically in the last 5 years. The number of pediatric avian cases has substantially decreased and the source has changed from aviculturists to major pet store chains. Four of the more common avian pediatric disease conditions that are treated in veterinary hospitals are reviewed as well as lesser-identified presenting complaints. Behavior as an important aspect of avian pediatrics is also discussed. Current Trends in Avian PediatricsAmy B. Worell10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.011Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Topics in Medicine and Surgery: Management of Avian Disease Presentations115123http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000262/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Avian reproductive disorders are commonly diagnosed in pet birds, backyard flocks, and commercial aviaries. Birds that are diagnosed with reproductive disorders can present with a variety of clinical signs that range from benign disorders to life-threatening emergencies. In many cases there are underlying husbandry and management issues that need to be addressed. This article will address the presenting signs of common reproductive disorders in avian species and the best approaches to determine appropriate diagnostic and treatment plans. Avian Reproductive DisordersLynsey B. Rosen10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.013Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Topics in Medicine and Surgery: Management of Avian Disease Presentations124131http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000274/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: An avian patient with a history of seizure activity presents a therapeutic and diagnostic challenge to veterinary practitioners. Understanding the stages and types of seizures can aid in differentiating seizures from other types of neurologic abnormalities (e.g., syncope, narcolepsy, vestibular disease). Principal causes of seizure activity in birds include nutritional, traumatic, toxic exposure, cardiovascular, neoplastic, metabolic, and idiopathic. The key to developing an effective treatment plan is to determine the underlying etiology of the seizure activity. Treatment of status epilepticus and idiopathic epilepsy are discussed along with client education and communication, which both serve as cornerstones of successful avian seizure therapy. Clinical Management of Seizures in Avian PatientsKatie Delk10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.014Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Topics in Medicine and Surgery: Management of Avian Disease Presentations132139http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS155750631200016X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Aging avian patients are often presented to veterinary practices for routine physical examination or with geriatric-related diseases. The focus of this article is to review treatment modalities and therapeutic options for common disease presentations in the older psittacine patient, including heart disease, chronic hepatic disease, chronic kidney disease, neoplasia, and chronic pain. Factors involved with the decision of euthanasia are also included as a topic of discussion. Management of the Geriatric Psittacine PatientKatherine Baine10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.003Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Topics in Medicine and Surgery: Management of Avian Disease Presentations140148http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000171/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Veterinarians face many challenges when an avian patient is hospitalized for a prolonged period of time. Debilitated birds are often anorexic, which can quickly lead to severe weight loss and further deterioration of their clinical condition. For these patients, tube feeding becomes an essential part of a complete treatment plan. However, prolonged handling can amplify stress in these birds and a rapid delivery of nutrients is required as part of a treatment plan. To maximize the success of this treatment, a thorough knowledge of general avian restraint and the tube feeding process is necessary for the medical team responsible for treating the patient. Clinical Technique: Tube Feeding the Avian PatientKimberly Roset10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.004Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Topics in Medicine and Surgery: Management of Avian Disease Presentations149157http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000250/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Reptile pain and analgesia is only beginning to be understood in veterinary research and clinical medicine. The diversity of the class Reptilia also makes it difficult to extrapolate analgesic efficacy across species. Many veterinary clinicians argue that the administration of analgesic medication is risky to the patient and may mask behavioral signs of pain, which are considered evolutionarily adaptive for survival. However, veterinarians have an ethical obligation to treat painful conditions in all animals, including reptiles, because effective pain management reduces stress-induced disruption to homeostatic mechanisms and also decreases morbidity and mortality associated with trauma or surgery. Nevertheless, several obstacles limit successful analgesic use, including subjectivity of pain assessment, inadequate knowledge regarding analgesic efficacy across species, pharmacokinetics of analgesic drugs, and the unknown relationship between risks and benefits for this class of drugs. The objective of this review is to provide a current perspective on the practical application of analgesic medication in commonly maintained pet reptile species. Clinical Analgesia in ReptilesKurt K. Sladky, Christoph Mans10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.012Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Topics in Medicine and Surgery: Management of Avian Disease Presentations158167http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000183/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: A 220-g, 3-month-old intact male hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was evaluated for a 3-day history of increased respiratory effort, vocalization, and salivation. Survey and positive-contrast radiographs suggested gastroesophageal intussusception and hiatal hernia as possible differential diagnoses. On endoscopic evaluation, a dilated distal esophagus and everted stomach with fluid regurgitation were observed. The intraesophageal portion of the stomach was returned to the normal anatomic position by the introduced endoscopic tip. The hedgehog died after an episode of severe vomiting 2 days after initial presentation. On necropsy, gross findings included megaesophagus and everted gastric cardia into the distal esophagus; the lower esophageal sphincter was located in the normal anatomic position. Histopathologic examination of the esophagus revealed diffuse ulcers with submucosal hemorrhage and severe inflammation, suggestive of reflux esophagitis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of gastroesophageal intussusception with megaesophagus reported in a hedgehog. Gastroesophageal Intussusception with Megaesophagus in a Hedgehog (Atelerix Albiventris)So-Young Lee, Hee-Myung Park10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.005Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1AEMV Forum168171http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000195/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: A 2-year-old castrated male Holland lop rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented for loss of hind limb motor function after leaping from the owner's arms. Results of a neurologic examination revealed appropriate mentation, normal thoracic limb posture and gait, paralysis in the right pelvic limb, and voluntary movement of the left pelvic limb. Superficial pain perception and withdrawal reflexes were present bilaterally in the hind limbs. Bilateral proprioception was evident in the forelimbs but absent in the hind limbs. Standard radiographs and a myelogram were performed, revealing subluxations at T5-T6, L1-L2, and L3-L4, a comminuted fracture of the T9 vertebral body, fractures of the right articular facets of L3-L4, and spinal cord swelling at T9. The clinical signs continued to decline, resulting in paraplegia with loss of deep pain perception in the left hind limb after the myelogram procedure. The owners of the rabbit were given a guarded-to-poor prognosis for the animal to regain mobility in the hind limbs. The rabbit was hospitalized and medical treatment including pain management, intravenous fluid therapy, nutritional support, and cage rest was initiated. After the initial decline of the clinical signs, the neurologic deficits stabilized during hospitalization. At the time of discharge, partial voluntary movement had been regained in the right hind limb, but there was no movement or pain perception in the left hind limb. This gradually resolved over 3 months of conservative therapy, at which point the rabbit had recovered the voluntary movement in both hind limbs and was able to ambulate by walking and hopping. This case report documents acute spinal cord trauma in a rabbit, as well as recovery of the neurologic deficits after prolonged medical management. Medical Management of Multiple Traumatic Vertebral Subluxations and Fractures in a Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus)Aliya Wilson McCullough, David Sanchez-Migallon Guzman, Dominique Keller, Michelle Ellison, Sophie Petersen, Kurt Sladky10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.006Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1AEMV Forum172180http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000201/abstract?rss=yesTerbinafine is a synthetic allylamine antifungal used commonly in both human and veterinary medicine. Terbinafine inhibits squalene epoxidase, a key enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis, thereby decreasing ergosterol synthesis and causing toxic levels of squalene to accumulate in the fungal cell. Without ergosterol, the cell wall is weakened; this leads to increased cellular permeability and increased squalene levels that are directly toxic to the cells. Because of these mechanisms of action, terbinafine has both fungistatic and fungicidal properties. Moreover, through experimental investigations, terbinafine has shown anticancer and antiangiogenic actions in several neoplastic cell lines, and free radical scavenging properties in vitro.Therapeutic Review: TerbinafineKrista A. Keller10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.007Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Therapeutic Review181185http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000213/abstract?rss=yes A 3-year-old 65 g male pet lemming (Dicrostonyx sp.) was presented with a 5-day history of weakness, anorexia, and lethargy. On physical examination, a mass was observed beneath the right cranial abdominal wall. The mass was firm, smooth, and nonpainful on palpation, and it appeared to originate from within the abdomen. Total body radiographs (dorsoventral and lateral) were obtained. Abdominal ultrasonography also was performed with an 8.5-MHz microconvex transducer ().Diagnostic ChallengeAngela Palumbo Piccionello, Fabrizio Dini, Adolfo M. Tambella, Alessandro Fruganti, Giacomo Rossi, Paolo Scrollavezza10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.008Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Diagnostic Challenge186189http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000225/abstract?rss=yesThe 7th volume of Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine is the latest publication in a series of veterinary medical texts that has been a staple reference for zoological medicine practitioners since the 1st edition was published in 1978. This volume follows a Current Therapy format, similar to the third, fourth, and sixth editions, which emphasizes the latest advances in the field and is thus not intended to be a complete, standalone reference. Readers may note that in contrast to previous versions, this latest publication is labeled a volume, perhaps both to denote the Current Therapy format and to highlight the fact that information contained does not significantly overlap with previous versions of the book. This volume contains contributions from over 100 veterinarians, nutritionists, researchers, and other experts in the field of zoological medicine from around the world.Kimberlee Wojick10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.009Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Literature Review190191http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000237/abstract?rss=yesDirofilaria immitis causes both natural and experimental infections in domestic ferrets; however, the prevalence of natural dirofilariasis in this species has not been determined. As in cats, severe clinical disease and death in ferrets can result from the presence of very few heartworms. Caval syndrome results from the migration of adult heartworms into the right side of the heart and the vena cava along with frequent entrapment of worms in the tricuspid valve. The principal therapy for dogs and cats with caval syndrome is transvenous heartworm extraction. A 10-month-old female spayed ferret was presented to the Texas A&M University Medical Teaching Hospital (College Station, TX USA) for an acute onset of lethargy, trembling, and collapse. The patient was not on a heartworm-prevention treatment program. Clinical examination findings included severe depression, dehydration, pallor, arrhythmia, posterior paresis, ataxia, and mild abdominal distension with pain elicited on palpation. Abnormal diagnostic findings included mild anemia; large, tortuous pulmonary arteries on radiographs; and biliverdinuria. The results of a heartworm antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dirocheck; Synbiotics, San Diego, CA USA) were strongly positive. Echocardiographic findings included the presence of parallel-lined structures in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery, which were consistent with the presence of heartworms, and mild tricuspid regurgitation with an elevated velocity suggestive of pulmonary hypertension. Based on the abnormal radiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical pathology findings, the ferret was diagnosed with caval syndrome. Although adulticide treatment with melarsomine has been described in ferrets, up to 50% of ferrets reportedly develop anaphylaxis after administration; therefore, transvenous heartworm retrieval was recommended in this ferret. The ferret was anesthetized with isoflurane, after which the right jugular vein was isolated by dissection and a venotomy performed. A basket endoscopic retrieval device was inserted into the vein and advanced into the cranial vena cava with fluoroscopic guidance. Three heartworms (2 females and 1 male) were extracted from the cranial vena cava and right atrium, but the animal's small size prevented extraction of worms that had previously been visualized in the right ventricle. An echocardiogram performed after the procedure revealed the persistent presence of heartworms in the right ventricle but none in the right atrium. The ferret was discharged from the hospital the following day on treatment with prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg by mouth every 12 hours) and ivermectin (55 μg by mouth, once monthly). Nineteen days after the procedure, the ferret was presented for a 2-day history of coughing, and radiographs showed an increased opacity in the caudodorsal lung fields. The ferret was treated with furosemide for 14 days and prednisolone at a tapering dose for 2 months. Five months after the procedure, the ferret was presented for a routine recheck. The owner reported no concerns, and physical examination findings were normal. Abnormal findings on the complete blood count included eosinophilia and mild anemia. An echocardiogram documented the continued presence of heartworms in the right ventricle, and a heartworm antigen test remained positive.AbstractsConnie J. Orcutt10.1053/j.jepm.2012.02.010Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1Literature Review191196http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000316/abstract?rss=yesEditorial Board10.1053/S1557-5063(12)00031-6Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1FrontmatterA1A1http://www.exoticpetmedicine.com/article/PIIS1557506312000328/abstract?rss=yesTable of Contents10.1053/S1557-5063(12)00032-8Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 21, 2 (2012)2012-04-01Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine2012-04-01212S1557-5063(11)X0007-1FrontmatterA3A3