The medical record database of a veterinary teaching hospital was searched from 2000 through 2014 for records of client-owned rabbits with positive cultures from odontogenic abscesses. Data reviewed included sex, age, abscess location, sampling technique, previous antimicrobial treatments, microorganisms identified and antibiotic susceptibility of aerobic bacteria. Forty-eight client owned rabbits with one or more odontogenic abscesses and culture results were evaluated. One hundred and eighty-five isolates (52 aerobic, 133 anaerobic) were identified from 61 positive cultures from odontogenic abscesses. The most common aerobic bacterial isolates were (14/52), species (10/52), species (8/52) and species (7/52). The most common anaerobic bacterial isolates were species (36/133), species (27/133) and species (27/133). Mixed aerobic and anaerobic isolates were detected in 73.3 per cent of cultures and 50.8 per cent of the samples had greater than three isolates. was susceptible to amikacin and gentamicin, had variable resistance to enrofloxacin, and resistance to chloramphenicol. species, species and species isolates were susceptible to most antibiotics tested. The bacterial isolates from rabbit odontogenic abscesses are a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms and without culture and susceptibility testing, it is difficult to predict appropriate antimicrobial treatment.

Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are kept in zoological collections, maintained as companion pets, and aretested in field and laboratory settings. Biochemical analysis for routine health and research purposes can be performed byusing point-of-care (POC) testing; however, analyzer- and species-specific reference intervals need to be determined. In this prospective study, 50 captive-raised sexually intact prairie dogs (16 females, 34 males) underwent plasma biochemical analysisby using a veterinary POC biochemical analyzer. We used a manufacturer-predetermined profile of 14 analytes: albumin, ALP,ALT, amylase, BUN, calcium, creatinine, glucose, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, total bilirubin, total protein and globulin.A subset of 17 samples was tested concurrently for the same 14 analytes by using a reference laboratory analyzer, and wedetermined RI for the POC analyzer for these 14 biochemical analytes. Sex had a significant effect on albumin and creatininevalues, which were higher in females than males, and on ALT, which was lower in females. In addition, age had an effect on9 plasma analytes: juvenile animals had higher plasma concentrations of albumin, ALP, ALT, BUN, and glucose than adultanimals, whereas adults had higher concentrations of creatinine, sodium, total protein, and globulins. Only calcium and BUNhad acceptable analytical agreement between the POC and reference analyzers. The reference intervals determined in this study can aid clinicians and researchers performing POC plasma biochemical analysis in prairie dogs, providing that they consider potential analyzer-, sex-, and age-related effects.

Carp edema virus (CEV) is the causative agent of carp edema virus disease (CEVD), also referred to as koi sleepy disease, which is an emerging disease of global concern that may cause high rates of morbidity and mortality in common carp and ornamental koi ( Cyprinus carpio). This article reports the third confirmed outbreak of CEVD in California. In June 2015, three koi presented with clinical signs of cutaneous lesions, severe lethargy, and signs of hypoxia. All fish tested positive for CEV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Euthanasia and complete necropsy were performed on two fish. The most significant necropsy findings included necrotizing branchitis with marked interstitial edema, multifocal cutaneous ulcerations, and severe cutaneous edema. Treatment of the pond with 0.3-0.5% salt was recommended to the owner. Approximately 7 wk later, a recheck visit was made to the pond. No mortalities had been noted since the initiation of the salt treatment. Physical examination revealed a vast improvement but not complete elimination of the clinical signs of hypoxia and intermittent lethargy in the affected fish. Gill biopsy samples from the two most affected fish were tested and remained PCR positive for CEV. Subsequent recheck visits over 11 mo postdiagnosis and initiation of treatment showed continued improvement in most fish. Gill samples from all fish in the pond ( n = 9) were repeatedly tested by quantitative PCR for CEV, and all samples were negative. This case series further confirms the global spread of CEV and the need for practitioners to be vigilant for outbreaks of this disease. If CEVD is suspected, treatment with 0.3-0.5% salt can be recommended to potentially mitigate the effects of this disease. However, fish may remain potential carriers of this pathogen, and strict biosecurity measures should continue to be enforced for any pond that has had a confirmed CEV outbreak.

Background: Lipid accumulation disorders, such as atherosclerosis and hepatic lipidosis, are common in psittacine birds and associated with various dyslipidemias. Gel-permeation high-performance liquid chromatography (GP-HPLC) is a reference method for advanced lipoprotein profiling based on particle size separation, followed by an analysis of lipid contents. Objectives: The objectives were to (a) characterize Quaker parrot lipoproteins using a commercial GP-HPLC method (Liposearch panel), and (b) obtain preliminary information on the reliability of the Friedewald formula for low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) measurements. Methods: Plasma samples were collected from 12 fasted healthy Quaker parrots. Cholesterol concentrations, triglyceride concentrations, particle sizes, and particle numbers were determined by GP-HPLC for four classes and 20 sub-fractions of lipoproteins. The LDL-C concentrations obtained using the Friedewald formula and direct measurements were compared with Bland-Altman plots. Alternate formulas were determined using multiple linear regression. Results: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) was the predominant lipoprotein in Quaker parrots, and most particles were of medium-to-small sizes belonging to two subfractions (average size, 10.6 nm). LDL was the second most common lipoprotein and included large-to-small particles belonging to three sub-fractions (average size, 24.9 nm). Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and portomicrons were present in low concentrations. The Friedewald formula underestimated LDL-C concentrations with a significant bias of 0.44 mmol/L. An alternate formula was proposed: LDL-C = 0.75*Non-HDL-C. Conclusions: GP-HPLC allowed unprecedented characterization of plasma lipoproteins in Quaker parrots. Characterizing psittacine lipoprotein is useful for validation and interpretation of routine clinical tests as well as for use in epidemiologic and experimental research on psittacine lipid accumulation disorders. K E Y W O R D S cholesterol, Friedewald formula, HDL, LDL, lipoprotein particle number, triglycerides How to cite this article: Beaufrère H, Gardhouse S, Ammersbach M. Lipoprotein characterization in Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) using gel-permeation highperformance liquid chromatography.

Dyslipidemias and lipid-accumulation disorders are common in captive parrots, in particular in Quaker parrots. Currently available diagnostic tests only measure a fraction of blood lipids and have overall problematic cross-species applicability. Comprehensively analyzing lipids in the plasma of parrots is the first step to better understand their lipid metabolism in health and disease, as well as to explore new lipid biomarkers. The plasma lipidome of 12 Quaker parrots was investigated using UHPLC-MS/MS with both targeted and untargeted methods. Targeted methods on 6 replicates measured 432 lipids comprised of sterol, cholesterol ester, bile acid, fatty acid, acylcarnitine, glycerolipid, glycerophospholipid, and sphingolipid panels. For untargeted lipidomics, precursor ion mass-to-charge ratios were matched to corresponding lipids using the LIPIDMAPS structure database and LipidBlast at the sum composition or acyl species level of information. Sterol lipids and glycerophospholipids constituted the majority of plasma lipids on a molar basis. The most common lipids detected with the targeted methods included free cholesterol, CE(18:2), CE(20:4) for sterol lipids; PC(36:2), PC(34:2), PC(34:1) for glycerophospholipids; TG(52:3), TG(54:4), TG(54:5), TG(52:2) for glycerolipids; SM(d18:1/16:0) for sphingolipids; and palmitic acid for fatty acyls. Over a thousand different lipid species were detected by untargeted lipidomics. Sex differences in the plasma lipidome were observed using heatmaps, principal component analysis, and discriminant analysis. This report presents the first comprehensive database of plasma lipid species in psittacine birds and paves the way for further research into blood lipid diagnostics and the impact of diet, diseases, and drugs on the parrot plasma lipidome.

Examination of prairie dogs often requires general anesthesia, with isoflurane currently the inhalation agent of choice. Results suggested respiratory acidosis and relative azotemia may occur during isoflurane anesthesia of prairie dogs. Given the increased risk associated with anesthesia in small mammals and the propensity for respiratory disease in prairie dogs, insight into physiologic changes associated with isoflurane anesthesia in healthy prairie dogs can aid in perioperative evaluation and anesthetic monitoring in this rodent species.

This case report describes the clinical manifestations and ocular pathology of an intraocular sarcoma in a spayed female 7-year-old rabbit that developed clinical signs consistent with phacoclastic uveitis at 6 months of age, which was left untreated for most of the next 6 years. Ophthalmologic examination confirmed pupillary occlusion, aqueous flare, fibrin, and lens debris within the anterior chamber of the right eye. The right eye was blind and phthisical. The tentative clinical diagnosis was chronic phacoclastic uveitis, and a routine transconjunctival enucleation of the right eye was completed. The globe was formalin-fixed and submitted for histologic examination. Light microscopic examination revealed a ruptured cataractous lens, uveitis, retinal detachment, and an intraocular sarcoma centered around the lens. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was positive for smooth muscle actin and vimentin and negative for Desmin and cytokeratin intermediate filaments.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics of a solution containing cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), administered orally in 2 single-dose studies (with and without food), in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). ANIMALS 6 healthy New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES In phase 1, 6 rabbits were administered 15 mg/kg CBD with 16.4 mg/kg CBDA orally in hemp oil. In phase 2, 6 rabbits were administered the same dose orally in hemp oil followed by a food slurry. Blood samples were collected for 24 hours to determine the pharmacokinetics of CBD and CBDA. Quantification of plasma CBD and CBDA concentrations was determined using a validated liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assay. Pharmacokinetics were determined using noncompartmental analysis. RESULTS For CBD, the area under the curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC)0–∞ was 179.8 and 102 hours X ng/mL, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was 30.4 and 15 ng/mL, the time to Cmax (tmax) was 3.78 and 3.25 hours, and the terminal half-life (t1/2λ) was 7.12 and 3.8 hours in phase 1 and phase 2, respectively. For CBDA, the AUC0–∞ was 12,286 and 6,176 hours X ng/mL, Cmax was 2,573 and 1,196 ng/mL, tmax was 1.07 and 1.12 hours, and t1/2λ was 3.26 and 3.49 hours in phase 1 and phase 2, respectively. Adverse effects were not observed in any rabbit. CLINICAL RELEVANCE CBD and CBDA reached a greater Cmax and had a longer t1/2λ in phase 1 (without food) compared with phase 2 (with food). CBDA reached a greater Cmax but had a shorter t1/2λ than CBD both in phase 1 and phase 2. These data may be useful in determining appropriate dosing of cannabinoids in the domestic rabbit.