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Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species: Structure and Function of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians
Literature Review Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species: Structure and Function of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians Edited by Bairbre O’Malley Publisher—Elsevier Saunders, 2005. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species: Structure and Function of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians is the first clinical text I am aware of that focuses on exotic companion species. When one thinks about anatomy and physiology books, thick, text-heavy volumes come to mind, with small line drawings complementing the written material. Many veterinarians may also think that the anatomy and physiology learned in school are sufficient for clinical cases. Anatomy and physiology with “clinical” in the title should generate interest for a glance from the most skeptical of veterinarians. One may wonder why he or she needs the text, and this book does a good job in trying to sell itself. The cover art is impressive, with a coiled green snake as the background, calling for one to open the book. The contents are divided into 4 sections: amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. The reptile section is subdi-
vided into general anatomy and physiology of reptiles, tortoises, lizards, and snakes. The small mammal section is subdivided into introduction, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, and ferrets. Both the amphibian and bird section discuss anatomy and physiology within those 2 large groups of animals. Each one of the 4 sections has color-coded bars on the outside upper half of each page, allowing for quick access to the desired section. If one is looking for detailed descriptions of the anatomy and physiology of the animals included in this book, the material is not there. Again, this is a clinical text for basic information and understanding of anatomy and physiology as it would relate to physical examination, sample collection, surgical procedures, and medical treatment. The book is short on words, but the extensive use of line drawings and color images is a strength. In each chapter, there are referenced “Clinical Notes,” highlighted in text boxes, as well as “Key Point” boxes that condense the material into important items to remember or address. The multitude of exotic animal species is compared within each section through images and line drawings. This anatomical and physiological comparison is helpful not only to the budding avian/ exotic practitioner, but to experienced veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and board review for
certification examinations. Some of the material highlighted relates to common concerns posed by clients, such as, “How Can Sperm Develop at the High Avian Temperature of 40 to 42°C?” and “Sexual Determination in Snakes.” There are anatomic and physiologic descriptions of not only normal but also abnormal clinical presentations, from metabolic bone disease in reptiles, to articular gout in avian species, and adrenal disease in ferrets. It is difficult to write a reader/ user friendly text on anatomy and physiology on one species, much less the many that comprise avian and exotic animal companion medicine. Bairbre O’Malley and the authors give a valiant attempt with this book. Although most veterinarians may not see a need for an anatomy and physiology text on their often used bookshelf, this one should be considered. As mentioned, it will help with client communication and the training of new veterinary technicians, and may be beneficial to any veterinarian when that unusual animal is presented. Again, this book does not go into detail on the basic anatomy and physiology of the species covered, but that is to be expected when the book is only 269 pages. It does highlight the important clinical aspects of exotic animal anatomy and physiology, primarily in line drawings and color images. Based on this observation and review, I would have to say that Bairbre O’Malley, the authors, and
Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, Vol 14, No 3 ( July), 2005: pp 221–223
221
222 Elsevier produced a book that lived up to its title. Because clinical anatomy texts are so rare, especially in the exotic animal arena, I recommend this book for practices treating these challenging patients.
Abstracts
THOMAS N. TULLY, JR., DVM, MS, DIP. ABVP (AVIAN), ECAMS Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University–School of Veterinary
Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 1055-937X/05/1403-$30.00 doi:10.1053/j.saep.2005.06.009
Abstracts Klarsfeld J, Mitchell M. An evaluation of the gray cricket, Acheta domestica, as a source of oxyurids for reptiles. J Herpe Med Surg 15(1):18-20, 2005 Oxyurids, or pinworms, are a common finding in reptile fecal examinations. They are not usually considered pathogenic, but clinical signs and disease have been reported. The most likely route of infection in reptiles is fecal-oral; however it is a commonly held belief among herpetoculture hobbyists that the gray cricket is a source of infection. The gray cricket is the most widely available and common feed source for insectivorous reptiles because of their ease of care and nutrient makeup. Five hundred gray crickets from each of 5 different commercial insect facilities were obtained, for a total of 2,500 crickets. Each group of crickets was killed with hypothermia and divided into 3 subgroups of equal weight. Each subgroup was then homogenized, had water added to it, and was poured through a series of filters with decreasing hole sizes. The backwash from the final filter was then centrifuged, the supernatant discarded, and the pellet resuspended and examined via a typical fecal flotation examination method. No oxyurid eggs were detected for any of the groups of gray crickets. This may have been due to a low level of sensitivity for the assay used. However, eggs were detected
from known positive controls. It is not known if oxyurids or their eggs are even able to survive in the digestive tract of the gray cricket. These results suggest that the gray cricket is not a source of oxyurid infection in reptiles. Reviewed by Trevor Zachariah, DVM
Padilla L, Flammer K, Miller R. Doxycycline-medicated drinking water for treatment of Chlamydophila psittaci in exotic doves. J Avian Med Surg 19(2):88-91, 2005 Chlamydophila psittaci infection in many avian species has been described and is commonly associated with pigeons worldwide. Susceptibility of Columbiformes to the disease is a concern to these and other particularly threatened species. C. psittaci infections are difficult to diagnose, and there are few practical treatment protocols. The disease is also zoonotic. Medicated feed and parenteral and oral treatment protocols have been attempted but are associated with high stress levels. This study examined the use of doxycycline administered in the drinking water at 0.5 g/L for 45 days in a group of exotic doves potentially exposed to C. psittaci. Choanal-cloacal swabs of 9 of 15 fruit doves were found to be positive for C. psittaci by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay during routine screening at the Saint Louis Zoo. None of the birds showed clinical signs but were housed with 85 other exotic birds;
therefore, all 100 of the animals were treated prophylactically via the drinking water. Eighteen doves (of which 5 had tested positive for C. psittaci) were monitored during treatment and housed individually. Blood was drawn from each bird on days 3, 8, 14, 21, 35, and 42. White blood cell counts were performed, as well as plasma doxycycline assays, via reverse-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography. After the 45 days of therapy, 3 lacrimo-choanal-cloacal swabs from each bird were assayed for C. psittaci by PCR. During the 6 months after treatment, 49 such swabs were collected from the larger group of birds and were also tested. Birds were monitored for clinical signs daily, and weights were recorded weekly. Doxycycline levels were at least 1 g/mL for approximately 66% of all individual plasma samples, and the mean ⫾ SD was 1.56 ⫾ 1.3 g/mL. No clinical signs or changes in weight were noticed in any of the birds. Some birds developed a thin, flaky coating on their feathers that resolved after treatment. No significant changes in white blood cell counts were noted. All swabs taken after treatment were negative for C. psittaci via PCR. The investigators suggested that this finding was indicative of a successful treatment. This was despite the variability in drinking habits of the doves and the possible chelation of doxycycline by dietary calcium and other cations. There
vided into general anatomy and physiology of reptiles, tortoises, lizards, and snakes. The small mammal section is subdivided into introduction, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, and ferrets. Both the amphibian and bird section discuss anatomy and physiology within those 2 large groups of animals. Each one of the 4 sections has color-coded bars on the outside upper half of each page, allowing for quick access to the desired section. If one is looking for detailed descriptions of the anatomy and physiology of the animals included in this book, the material is not there. Again, this is a clinical text for basic information and understanding of anatomy and physiology as it would relate to physical examination, sample collection, surgical procedures, and medical treatment. The book is short on words, but the extensive use of line drawings and color images is a strength. In each chapter, there are referenced “Clinical Notes,” highlighted in text boxes, as well as “Key Point” boxes that condense the material into important items to remember or address. The multitude of exotic animal species is compared within each section through images and line drawings. This anatomical and physiological comparison is helpful not only to the budding avian/ exotic practitioner, but to experienced veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and board review for
certification examinations. Some of the material highlighted relates to common concerns posed by clients, such as, “How Can Sperm Develop at the High Avian Temperature of 40 to 42°C?” and “Sexual Determination in Snakes.” There are anatomic and physiologic descriptions of not only normal but also abnormal clinical presentations, from metabolic bone disease in reptiles, to articular gout in avian species, and adrenal disease in ferrets. It is difficult to write a reader/ user friendly text on anatomy and physiology on one species, much less the many that comprise avian and exotic animal companion medicine. Bairbre O’Malley and the authors give a valiant attempt with this book. Although most veterinarians may not see a need for an anatomy and physiology text on their often used bookshelf, this one should be considered. As mentioned, it will help with client communication and the training of new veterinary technicians, and may be beneficial to any veterinarian when that unusual animal is presented. Again, this book does not go into detail on the basic anatomy and physiology of the species covered, but that is to be expected when the book is only 269 pages. It does highlight the important clinical aspects of exotic animal anatomy and physiology, primarily in line drawings and color images. Based on this observation and review, I would have to say that Bairbre O’Malley, the authors, and
Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, Vol 14, No 3 ( July), 2005: pp 221–223
221
222 Elsevier produced a book that lived up to its title. Because clinical anatomy texts are so rare, especially in the exotic animal arena, I recommend this book for practices treating these challenging patients.
Abstracts
THOMAS N. TULLY, JR., DVM, MS, DIP. ABVP (AVIAN), ECAMS Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Louisiana State University–School of Veterinary
Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 1055-937X/05/1403-$30.00 doi:10.1053/j.saep.2005.06.009
Abstracts Klarsfeld J, Mitchell M. An evaluation of the gray cricket, Acheta domestica, as a source of oxyurids for reptiles. J Herpe Med Surg 15(1):18-20, 2005 Oxyurids, or pinworms, are a common finding in reptile fecal examinations. They are not usually considered pathogenic, but clinical signs and disease have been reported. The most likely route of infection in reptiles is fecal-oral; however it is a commonly held belief among herpetoculture hobbyists that the gray cricket is a source of infection. The gray cricket is the most widely available and common feed source for insectivorous reptiles because of their ease of care and nutrient makeup. Five hundred gray crickets from each of 5 different commercial insect facilities were obtained, for a total of 2,500 crickets. Each group of crickets was killed with hypothermia and divided into 3 subgroups of equal weight. Each subgroup was then homogenized, had water added to it, and was poured through a series of filters with decreasing hole sizes. The backwash from the final filter was then centrifuged, the supernatant discarded, and the pellet resuspended and examined via a typical fecal flotation examination method. No oxyurid eggs were detected for any of the groups of gray crickets. This may have been due to a low level of sensitivity for the assay used. However, eggs were detected
from known positive controls. It is not known if oxyurids or their eggs are even able to survive in the digestive tract of the gray cricket. These results suggest that the gray cricket is not a source of oxyurid infection in reptiles. Reviewed by Trevor Zachariah, DVM
Padilla L, Flammer K, Miller R. Doxycycline-medicated drinking water for treatment of Chlamydophila psittaci in exotic doves. J Avian Med Surg 19(2):88-91, 2005 Chlamydophila psittaci infection in many avian species has been described and is commonly associated with pigeons worldwide. Susceptibility of Columbiformes to the disease is a concern to these and other particularly threatened species. C. psittaci infections are difficult to diagnose, and there are few practical treatment protocols. The disease is also zoonotic. Medicated feed and parenteral and oral treatment protocols have been attempted but are associated with high stress levels. This study examined the use of doxycycline administered in the drinking water at 0.5 g/L for 45 days in a group of exotic doves potentially exposed to C. psittaci. Choanal-cloacal swabs of 9 of 15 fruit doves were found to be positive for C. psittaci by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay during routine screening at the Saint Louis Zoo. None of the birds showed clinical signs but were housed with 85 other exotic birds;
therefore, all 100 of the animals were treated prophylactically via the drinking water. Eighteen doves (of which 5 had tested positive for C. psittaci) were monitored during treatment and housed individually. Blood was drawn from each bird on days 3, 8, 14, 21, 35, and 42. White blood cell counts were performed, as well as plasma doxycycline assays, via reverse-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography. After the 45 days of therapy, 3 lacrimo-choanal-cloacal swabs from each bird were assayed for C. psittaci by PCR. During the 6 months after treatment, 49 such swabs were collected from the larger group of birds and were also tested. Birds were monitored for clinical signs daily, and weights were recorded weekly. Doxycycline levels were at least 1 g/mL for approximately 66% of all individual plasma samples, and the mean ⫾ SD was 1.56 ⫾ 1.3 g/mL. No clinical signs or changes in weight were noticed in any of the birds. Some birds developed a thin, flaky coating on their feathers that resolved after treatment. No significant changes in white blood cell counts were noted. All swabs taken after treatment were negative for C. psittaci via PCR. The investigators suggested that this finding was indicative of a successful treatment. This was despite the variability in drinking habits of the doves and the possible chelation of doxycycline by dietary calcium and other cations. There