Buprenorphine
is a slow-onset, long-acting synthetic opiate derived from thebaine, an alkaloid of the poppy Papaver somniferum. The United States Food and Drug Administration does not currently approve buprenorphine for veterinary use, but it is common practice to use this drug in animal patients. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 24, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Kelly Rockwell Tags: Therapeutic Review Source Type: research

Gould A, Molitor L, Rockwell K, et al: Evaluating the physiologic effects of short duration ultraviolet B radiation exposure in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius). J Herp Med Surg https://doi.org/10.5818/17-11-136.1
The objective of this study was to determine how exposure to short periods of UVB radiation affect serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in leopard geckos. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Sadar MJ, Knych HK, Drazenovich TL, Paul-Murphy JR. Pharmacokinetics of buprenorphine after intravenous and oral transmucosal administration in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Am J Vet Res 79(3):260 ‒266, 2018.
The oral transmucosal (OTM) route of buprenorphine administration has been used in a number of species, but to date has only been determined to be effective in dogs, cats, rats, and humans. Salivary pH may affect the absorption of buprenorphine and has not previously been reported for guinea pigs. Note: buprenorphine, as a base, may be better absorbed in an environment with a relatively basic pH. The goal of this study was to determine whether a selected dose of buprenorphine delivered intravenously (IV) and OTM would provide plasma concentrations of buprenorphine ( ≥1 ng/mL) that have been established as analgesic in ot...
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Zehnder AM, Swift LA, Sundaram A, et al. Clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of cutaneous and oral squamous cell carcinoma in avian species. J Am Vet Med Assn 252(3):309 ‒315, 2018.
Oral and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are common in avian species but have been poorly characterized in terms of treatment outcomes and survival. The goal of this study was to tabulate treatment responses, concurrent conditions, and disease outcomes in a retrospective cohort of avian species with SCC diagnosed and treated at various institutions, with the aim of providing information on species predilection and concurrent conditions. Case information was collected by means of an online survey from 3 veterinary universities as well as general and specialized private veterinary practices in 11 states. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Sasai H, Fujita D, Seto E, et al. Outcome of limb fracture repair in rabbits: 139 cases (2007 ‒2017). J Am Vet Med Assoc 252(4):457‒463, 2018.
The authors of this study cited previous reports suggesting that surgical methods used for fracture repair in dogs and cats may be inappropriate for rabbits. Further, they stated that high-quality advanced diagnostic imaging is necessary for optimal repair by external skeletal fixation [ESF], because plain radiography is often insufficient to properly assess rabbit fractures. The goal of this study was to analyze the outcome of limb fractures in rabbits that were repaired by several techniques, including the use of micro-computerized tomography (m-CT) for surgical planning. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Wiggans KT, Sanchez-Migallon Guzman D, Reilly CM, et al. Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of and risk factors for ophthalmic disease in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) at a veterinary teaching hospital: 52 cases (1985 ‒2013). J Am Vet Med Assoc 252(3): 316‒,323, 2018.
Leopard geckos are unique among geckos by having movable eyelids and no spectacles. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the diagnosis, treatment, outcome of and risk factors for ophthalmic disease in leopard geckos evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital. During the period of January 1985 through October 2013, a total of 144 leopard geckos were evaluated at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California-Davis. Of these, 112 animals had sufficient medical record documentation to be included in the study. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Piasecki T, Chrzastek K, Kasprzykowska U. Mycoplasma pulmonis of rodents as a possible human pathogen. Vector-borne Zoonotic Dis 17(7):475 ‒477, 2017.
The objective of this study conducted in Poland was to evaluate the prevalence and seropositivity to M. pulmonis in humans who had direct contact with rats. The prevalence of M. pulmonis in laboratory and pet rats was also assessed. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Souza MJ, Bergman JB, White MS, et al. Pharmacokinetics and egg residues after administration of a single dose of meloxicam in domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus). Am J Vet Res 78(8):965 ‒968, 2017.
The goal of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in domestic hens and the duration and quantity of drug residues in their eggs following oral administration of a single dose of 1 mg meloxicam/kg. The study used 8 healthy adult White Leghorn hens. A blood sample was collected from each hen immediately before the administration of meloxicam (1 mg/kg) into the oral cavity behind the glottis. Additional blood samples were collected at 10, 20, and 30 minutes, and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours after meloxicam administration. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Allen M, Nietlisbach N, Johnson RA. Evaluation of self-injurious behavior, food intake, fecal output, and thermal withdrawal latencies after injection of a high-concentration buprenorphine formulation in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Am J Vet Res 79(2):154 ‒162, 2018.
The current recommended dose of buprenorphine hydrochloride in rats is 0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) or intravenously (IV) every 6 to 12 hours. Repeated injections often predispose rats to signs consistent with stress, decreased food intake and weight gain, altered activity, and heightened sensitivity to pain stimuli (hyperalgesia). Adverse effects of buprenorphine administration can also include a slow-down in gastrointestinal function, pica, and opioid tolerance. Self-biting, cage biting, and other stereotypic behavior have been reported in rats after administration of other opioids. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Avian & Exotic News
Veterinary Meeting and Expo 2019, formerly the North American Veterinary Conference, will take place January 19 ‒23, 2019 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, USA. Additional information can be found on the conference website at: https://navc.com/vmx/. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Edited by Connie Orcutt Source Type: research

JEPM October 2018 —Abstracts
The primary objective of this retrospective study was to identify the outcome of birds anesthetized at a veterinary referral hospital, and the secondary goal was to determine if patient factors or other variables were associated with an increased risk of anesthesia-related death. Medical records of birds that underwent inhalation anesthesia from 2004 through 2014 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Georgia were reviewed. Data collected included date of visit, age, species, sex, and type of bird (e.g., pet, free-ranging, wild kept in captivity); body weight and body condition score; diagnosis; procedure...
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Connie Orcutt Source Type: research

Editorial Board
(Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Table of Contents
(Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - October 1, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research

Diagnostic Challenge: Gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma in a bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)
A 2-year-old sexually intact male bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presented to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine avian and exotics service for anorexia, weight loss, and lethargy of three-week duration. On physical exam, the bearded dragon was lethargic, thin (body condition score of 1/5), weighed 249 grams, and was mildly dehydrated (7-8%). The abdomen was very thin and no masses or thickenings could be palpated. A blood sample was drawn for a complete blood count (CBC), advanced reptile chemistry panel, and serum electrophoresis. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - September 15, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Sara N. Collins Tags: Case Report Source Type: research

Ornamental Fishes and Aquatic Invertebrates (Self-Assessment and Color Review), 2nd Edition Gregory A. Lewbart, MS, DVM, Dip. ACZM (ed). Publisher – CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group ISBN 13: 978-1-4822-5886-8 236 pages, $ 36.76 paperback
Ornamental Fishes and Aquatic Invertebrates (Self-Assessment and Color Review), 2nd edition, is a 234-page book edited by Dr. Gregory A. Lewbart, MS, DVM, Diplomate ACZM and published by CRC Press in 2017. Dr. Lewbart's first edition of this text was published in 1998 by Manson Publishing and the Iowa State University Press. This updated edition is comprised of 221 new cases with 1-5 open-ended questions per case. A total of 36 contributors from numerous aquatic facilities and institutions contributed to the content of this valuable study guide. (Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine)
Source: Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine - September 14, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Joanna K. Webb Tags: LITERATURE REVIEW Source Type: research