An International Publication VOLUME 58, 2017vet.abaxis.com/rs/705-OZG-628/images/vetcom_vol58... · cases from around the world, both healthy cases and ill cases. In the pages of

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An InternationalPublication

Alicia McLaughlin DVM

Kendal E. Harr DVM, MS, DACVP

BACKYARD CHICKENS Natural History,

Husbandry and Social Structures

VOLUME 58, 2017

BE THE VOICE FOR YOUR PE

TS

Featured Case

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800.822.2947 www.abaxis.com [email protected]

Abaxis and VetScan are registered trademarks of Abaxis, Inc. © Abaxis 2017. Learn more about all of our products and services at www.abaxis.com

Inspired by you, Innovated by Abaxis.

Discover how Abaxis is investing in the future of Animal Health.

Theaffordability,accuracyandreliabilityoftheAbaxislaboratorysystemmakesyourdiagnosticsflexible,versatile,andpet friendly.

Yourin-cliniclabcanbewhereyourpatientis.

http://www.abaxis.com/veterinary

mailto:[email protected]

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INSIDE VETCOMVolume 58

06 Coming to a Show Near You Abaxis Tradeshow Schedule

08 Abaxis Distributors A comprehensive list of Abaxis distributors

12 Backyard Chickens: Natural History, Husbandry and Social Structures By Alicia McLaughlin, DVM and Kendal E. Harr, DVM, MS, DACVP

18 NORSWORTHY TALKS Episode 1 | Coming January 16, 2017

20 Paraneoplastic Syndrome in a Cat with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma By Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM, DABVP (Feline) and John Mark Russell, 4VM

24 Avian Diagnostics: A Matter of Life and Death By Don J. Harris, DVM

27 Hyperlipemia Secondary to Selenium Deficient Masseter Myopathy in a 5 Year Old Miniature Mare By Thomas J. Divers, DVM, ACVIM, ACVECC and Katharyn Mitchell, DVM, ACVIM

32 Abaxis Veterinary Consulting Program: How a Preventive Care Program made a Huge Difference By Michael Hicks, DVM

34 Client Compliance in Preventive Care has Skyrocketed! By Alex Casuccio, DVM

40 Large Herds, Large Pastures, Science and Conservation By Jan Ramer, DVM, DACZM

44 Chimpanzee Health-Checks at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary By Sophie Moittié

46 Pet Talks: Be the Voice for your Pets By various subscribers

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WHAT’S INSIDE

Featured Case

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ABAXIS TODAYAbaxis Editorial Staff & Advisory Board

Forarticlereprintsandbackissues,[email protected]@abaxis.com

PrintedintheU.S.

Abaxis, Inc. Worldwide Headquarters 3240WhippleRoadUnionCity,CA94587Tel800.822.2947Fax510.441.6150

ABAXIS Europe ABAXISEuropeGmbHBunsenstr.9-1164347GriesheimGermanyTel+496155780210Fax+49615578021111

GLOBAL DIAGNOSTICS

OUR PROMISEtoourcustomers•Excellentcustomer service

•Givingback

•Doingthe‘right thing’

•Respectforallpeople

•Entrepreneurialspirit

•Buildingstrong relationships

•Takingcareofourpeople

•Creatingvaluebyvirtue ofworld-classproducts

ADVISORY BOARD

Dennis ChewDVM ACVIM

Tom DiversDVM ACVIM (Equine)

Tom LewisDVM ACVD

Victoria LukasikDVM DACVA

Mark MitchellDVM MS PhD DECZM

(Exotics)

Kendall Harr DVM ACVP

Kent ThornberryDVM Business Admin

EDITORIAL TEAM

Interested in having your case featured in Vetcom? Send [email protected] or clickwww.abaxis.com/vetcom

Valerie Goodwin-Adams Sr. Director, Global Marketing Editor-in-Chief

Andrew Rosenfeld, DVM, ACVIM Animal Health Director

Alexander Miner Editorial Coordinator

Baerbel KoehlerManager, Wildlife Medicine Abaxis Europe

Andrew GhiringhelliSr. Graphic Designer

Deborah HorwitzDVM ACVB

Gary NorsworthyDVM ABVP (Feline)

Heidi WardDVM ACVIM (Oncology)

Jan BellowsDVM (Dentistry)

Karen RosenthalDVM (Exotics)

Kent AdamsDVM (Equine General Practice)

Mary annA ThrallDVM, MS ACVP

Sharon DialDVM ACVP

followusonFacebook:facebook.com/AbaxisVeterinary

Vetcomisalsoavailableonlineatwww.abaxis.com.

An Abaxis International Publication

http://www.abaxis.com/vetcom



https://www.facebook.com/AbaxisVeterinary/

https://www.facebook.com/AbaxisVeterinary

https://www.linkedin.com/company/abaxis

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https://www.youtube.com/user/AbaxisVetScan


http://www.abaxis.com/vetcom

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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GREETINGSandawarmwelcometothe58thissueofVetcomPublications.

Wecouldn’tbemoreexcitedtopresentthisinterestingissue.Pleasetakesometimetogettoknowthe

layoutofourmagazine.Youwillnoticethefivecategoriesofarticles:OnLocation,PetTalks,ClinicalCases,ontheroadandmore.

Youcanlookatonecategoryatatime,orjustperusethearticlesthendecidewhichtoreadfirst.Vetcomispublishedinprintanddigitally,justaswithourprintmagazine,youmaywanttositandreadthewholeissueatonce,orcomebacktothisissueseveraltimestodigestthearticlesatyourownpace.

Whenwesetouttocreateamagazinefortheveterinaryindustry,ourgoalwastopublishclinicalcasesfromaroundtheworld,bothhealthycasesandillcases.InthepagesofVetcom,youwillfindacollectionofinspiredandinstructivearticleswrittenbyreal,honest,hardworkingveterinarians;whowork

An Abaxis International Publication

WelcometoVetcom,anAbaxisInternationalPublication,volume#58.Vetcomisreadbyveterinarians,veterinarytechniciansandofficestafffromallovertheworld,thereforeourissuesalwayshavesomeinternationalnewsandcases.Vetcomoffersreaderscasestudies,practicetipsfromaclinicalperspectiveaswellaseducationalopportunitiesandrecentnewsfromAbaxis.

Words from the Editor of Vetcom Publications

DISCOVER THE LATEST AND RE-IMAGINED VETCOM!hardtolivedeliberately,onepatientatatime,butwhoareinterestedinsharingtherepracticecasestoourreaders.

Wearehonoredtosharetheworkofsomanycommittedandtalentedveterinariansandcontributors.

WeappreciateyoursupportandaresohappytohaveyouasareaderofVetcom.

Withwarmestthanks,

ValerieGoodwin-AdamsEditor-in-Chief-VetcomPublicationsSr.Director,[email protected]


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01/26/17 – 01/28/17ONTARIO VMA Toronto, ON

02/05/17 – 02/08/17NAVC Orlando, FL

02/23/17 – 02/25/17MIDWEST VET CONFERENCE Columbus, OH

03/03/17 – 03/04/17OREGON VET CONFERENCE Corvallis, OR

03/06/17 – 03/08/17WVC Las Vegas, NV

03/16/17 – 03/18/17AAHA Nashville, TN

04/22/17 – 04/23/17AMVQ Montreal, QB

05/19/17 – 05/21/17CVC IN VIRGINIA BEACH Virginia Beach, VA

06/08/17 – 06/09/17ACVIM National Harbor, MD

07/13/17 – 07/15/17CANADIAN NATIONAL VMA Charlottetown, PEI

07/22/17 – 07/24/17AVMA Indianapolis, IN

08/26/17 – 08/28/17CVC IN KC Kansas City, MO

AAHA 3/16

OREGON VET CONFERENCE3/03

AMVQ4/22

MIDWEST VET CONFERENCE

2/23

NAVC2/05

ACVIM 6/08

ONTARIO VMA1/26

CVC IN VIRGINIA BEACH 5/19

AVMA7/22CVC IN KC

8/26

COMING TO A SHOW NEAR YOU

NORTH AMERICA

WESTERN VET CONFERENCE 3/06

ABAXIS INFORM

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ONTARIO VMA1/26

ABAXIS NORTH AMERICAN & EMEA TRADESHOW SCHEDULES

EMEA

02/06/17 – 02/09/17MEDLAB DUBAIDubai, United Arab Emirates

02/14/17 – 02/15/17AFRICA HEALTHCARE SUMMIT London, United Kingdom

03/08/17 – 03/10/17ARBEITSTAGUNG KOMMANDO REGIONALE SANITÄTSDIENSTLICHE UNTERSTÜTZUNGDamp, Germany

03/13/17 – 03/15/17MÜNCHNER POCT SYMPOSIUM Munich, Germany

03/25/17 – 03/29/17ICAREVenice, Italy

04/06/17 – 04/09/17BSAVA CONGRESS 2017Birmingham, United Kingdom

05/12/17 – 05/13/17DEUTSCHE VET Cologne, Germany

05/29/17 – 06/01/17RESEARCH & INNOVATION CONFERENCELyon, France

10/26/17 – 10/28/17KONGRESS DER DGWMPGladbeck, Germany

11/13/17 – 11/16/17MEDICADüsseldorf, Germany

11/16/17 – 11/17/17LONDON VET SHOWLondon, United Kingdom

MEDLAB DUBAI2/06

ARBEITSTAGUNG KOMMANDO REGIONALE SANITÄTSDIENSTLICHE UNTERSTÜTZUNG3/08

AFRICA HEALTHCARE SUMMIT2/14

MÜNCHNER POCT SYMPOSIUM3/13

ICARE 3/25

BSAVA CONGRESS 2017 4/06

DEUTSCHE VET 5/12

KONGRESS DER DGWMP 10/26MEDICA 11/13

RESEARCH & INNOVATION CONFERENCE5/29

LONDON VET SHOW 11/16

CANADIAN NATIONAL VMA7/13

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AUTHORIZED US ABAXIS DISTRIBUTORS ANIMAL HEALTH INTERNATIONAL, A PATTERSON COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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FIRST VETERINARY SUPPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HAWAII MEGA-COR, INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HENRY SCHEIN ANIMAL HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MERRITT VETERINARY SUPPLIES, INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MIDWEST VETERINARY SUPPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MWI VETERINARY SUPPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NORTHEAST VETERINARY SUPPLY (NEVSCO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PATTERSON VETERINARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PENN VETERINARY SUPPLY, INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VICTOR MEDICAL COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATED VETERINARY PURCHASING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CDMV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MIDWEST VETERINARY DISTRIBUTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VETERINARY PURCHASING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WESTERN DRUG DISTRIBUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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ABAXIS DISTRIBUTORSNORTH AMERICA

BRAZIL DISTRIBUTORSTECNEW PRODUTOS AGROPECUÁRIOS LTDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LATIN AMERICA DISTRIBUTORS – VETCHILE: ECD VETERINARIA LTDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MEXICO: DIFARVET S.A DE C.V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BOLIVIA: SAN ANTONIO ABAD EQUIPAMIENTO VETERINARIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ECUADOR: VETERINARY EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES VETES CIA. LTDA . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COLUMBIA: GABRICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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56-2-27896240

01-33-38360070

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571-519-00-40

LATIN AMERICALATIN AMERICA DISTRIBUTORS – VET & HUMANCOSTA RICA: SERVICIOS INTEGRALES DE REPRESENTACION EUROPEA (SIRE)

HUMAN Y VET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PERU: SUIZA LAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LATIN AMERICA DISTRIBUTORS – HUMANMEXICO: TECNOLOGIO MEDICA INTERAMERICANA AKA GRUPTO DE MEDICO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHILE: ALATHEIA MEDICAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

506-2290-2974

+51-1-6126666

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562-2-3435122

AUSTRALIA: REM SYSTEMS PTY LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HONG KONG: ALFAMEDIC LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INDONESIA: MEGA UTAMA MEDICA, P.T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

JAPAN: CENTRAL SCIENTIFIC COMMERCE, INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NEW ZEALAND: REM SYSTEMS LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ASIA AND OCEANIA+02 9878 0992

+852 2982 2345

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PHILIPPINES: INFINNOMED ENTERPRISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

REPUBLIC OF KOREA: CALXIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SINGAPORE: ALFAMEDIC ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TAIWAN: PROCESS BIO TECH CO., LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THAILAND: A.P. TEC (THAILAND) CO., LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

+632 7386609/4305441

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UNITED KINGDOM: ABAXIS UK LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TURKEY: AKO SAGLIK SANAYI VE TICARET A.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SLOVENIA (ALSO COVERS CROATIA): FELIVET, NINA CIZEJ S.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ISRAEL: PETVET BIOMED LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: GERMAN STANDARD GROUP FZC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RUSSIA: PETROLAB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CZECH REPUBLIC (ALSO COVERS SLOVAKIA): INLAB MEDICAL S.R.O. . . .

BELGIUM: SCIL ANIMAL CARE COMPANY FRANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DENMARK: E-VET. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SWITZERLAND: MEDICAL SOLUTION GMBH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SPAIN (PENINSULA): SCIL ANIMAL CARE COMPANY S.L.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, AND AFRICA +44 1904 488507

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. +386 (0)40 887 803

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SPAIN (CANARY ISLANDS): SUMINISTROS DE ZOOTECNIA S.L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PORTUGAL: QUILABAN QUIMICA LAB ANALITICA LDA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GERMANY (ALSO FRANCE, ITALY, NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM ): SCIL ANIMAL CARE COMPANY . . . .

FRANCE: SCIL ANIMAL CARE COMPANY FRANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SWEDEN: TRIOLAB AB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FINLAND: TRIOLAB OY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: UNIVERSAL VETERINARY COMPANY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NORWAY: KRUUSE NORGE A/S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NETHERLANDS: SCIL ANIMAL CARE COMPANY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

AUSTRIA: LAB TECHNOLOGIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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+43-(0) 1-419 10 27

LedbyaVeterinarianwhoknowswhatitmeanstomanageseveralpracticesandunderstandstheVeterinarian’sobjectives.

We manufacture in the United States of America and produce state-of-the art diagnostics for Human and

Animal Health customers around the world.

It’snotjustbetterdiagnostics,it’saBetterway.

TheinnovativeenvironmentatAbaxis,headquarteredinSiliconValley,Californiais

trulyinnovativeandcuttingedge,witharigorousQualityPolicywhichrequires

thehigheststandardsofproductdevelopmentanddeliveryrequiredbytheFDA/

USDA.InnovationatAbaxismeansacontinuedinvestmentintoR&Dtoinsuredeliveryof

cuttingedgenewproducts-wellintothefuture.

AtAbaxis,ourgoalistoprovidediagnosticresults,atthepoint-of-care.Whywaitforresultsfromalabwhenyoucanprovidetreatmentoptionswiththeclientnow.WHY WAIT?

Craig Tockman, DVMVice President Sales & Marketing

70%ofpetownerswouldchoose

aveterinarianbasedonreceivingimmediatelabresults.

EASY TO USE

FAST

ACCURATE

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COMPACT &PORTABLE

REAL-TIME BLOOD RESULTS

source: Trone Brand Energy, Inc.

To watch the Abaxis story, visitwww.abaxis.com/reference-center

http://www.abaxis.com/reference-center

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F R O M C O A S T T O C O A S T

Veterinary Facilities & Foundations

MSPCA Angell|Boston,MA

The Gabriel Foundation|Denver,CO

Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership|EasternNorthAmerica

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute|Lexington,KY

Red Bank Veterinary Hospital |NewJersey

Animals Asia Foundation|SanFrancisco,CA

Pandas International|Littleton,CO

Human Society of Silicon Valley |Milpitas,CA

MERCK|Kenilworth,NJ

CDC|Atlanta,GA

Pfizer|NewYorkCity,NY

National Institute of Health |Bethesda,MD

Schering-Plough |Kenilworth,NJ

Medical/Research

ABAX

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CUST

OMER

S

*ThisexampleisonlyaFEWofournotedcustomers.

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Zoo Atlanta|Atlanta,GA

Columbus Zoo|Columbus,OH

National Aquarium Baltimore|Baltimore,MD

Oakland Zoo|Oakland,CA

Monterey Bay Aquarium|Monterey,CA

Palm Beach Zoo|PalmBeach,FL

Georgia Aquarium|Atlanta,GA

Disney’s Animal Kingdom |Orlando,FL

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo|ColoradoSprings,CO

Zoos/Aquariums

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University and Conservation customers throughout the globe.

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Backyard poultry flocks have become popular in recent years. Depending on the owner, chickens in backyard flocks may be production animals or pets, and desire for medical services fluctuates accordingly.

Veterinarians are expected to provide care for these birds, regardless of prior experience, especially in certain parts of the country.

To meet standards of care, veterinarians should have a working knowledge of basic anatomy, husbandry, common diseases and legalities involved with medical treatment of these animals.

Natural History, Husbandry and Social Structures | Series 1

Contributing Authors:Alicia McLaughlin, DVM, and Kendal E. Harr, DVM, MS, DACVP

Feeling a little chicken about caring for these increasingly popular pets? Let’s dive into this particular avian world on the practical veterinary care

of domestic chickens.

Featured Case

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BACKYARD CHICKENS: NATURAL HISTORY, HUSBANDRY AND SOCIAL STRUCTURES

Natural history of domesticated chickens

All chickens are descended from the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus; RJF), which was domesticated more than 5,000 years ago (Figure 1).1 When the natural history and behavior of the domestic chicken’s ancestry is understood, it is easier to optimize its habitat.

Wild RJFs live in bamboo forests in Southeast Asia. These animals are highly social and follow well-developed dominance hierarchies within each flock. At least 24 vocalizations are used to communicate with flock members.2

Males tend to be aggressive toward one another, particularly during breeding season.

RJFs are omnivorous, and forage for a myriad of plants and insects by pecking and scratching through leaf litter on the forest floor. They roost in trees at night to avoid predators. Wild RJFs interbreed and produce fertile offspring with modern chickens—a conservation concern for the species.3

Over the centuries, domesticated chickens have been used as fighting animals and meat and egg producers. Many breeds of domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) have been developed and selected for characteristics that include egg production, meat production, physical characteristics, and behavior. Some breeds are highly specialized and not well-suited for lives as production animals in backyards. Others are “dual-purpose”—bred for both egg and meat production.

Best husbandry practices

The most critical part of keeping a chicken flock healthy is providing the birds with adequate husbandry and preventive medicine. Many health problems can be avoided by providing appropriate environment, social structure, and nutrition.

Housing. Backyard chickens are generally housed in free-range systems, with access to both a covered shelter (coop) for protection against predators and an outdoor yard for foraging. Battery housing is a system used for various animal production methods, but primarily for egg-laying hens. The name arises from the arrangement of rows and columns of identical cages, sharing common divider walls, as in the cells of a battery. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_cage)

Battery cages will not be discussed here. Although free-ranging chickens are exposed to various potential health risks (e.g., predators, parasites, disease), this lifestyle provides the birds with valuable mental stimulation and exercise often lacking in battery housing. By providing an environment in which natural behaviors can be expressed, stress, self-mutilation, and cannibalism are significantly less likely to occur.

Wide open fields are not preferred habitats for chickens. They prefer ranging areas with trees, away from bright sun. They tend to stay close to a house or seek tree cover.4, 5 Perching at dusk, either in trees or in a coop, is a strongly motivated behavior pattern based in predator avoidance. Most lost chickens will find their way home at dusk to roost with their flock mates. Chickens are generally inactive at night; during the day, flocks also will engage in intermittent synchronized rest periods.

Advise clients to select chicken coops made of durable materials and insulated from drafts. At the same time, the coop must be well-ventilated, without providing access to predators. The interior should be easy to clean, both nest boxes for laying eggs and perches should be available. Wire-mesh substrate is not recommended because of risks of pododermatitis. Straw, hay, or wood shavings (not cedar shavings) can be provided as substrate within the coop, and should be changed regularly.

Depending on geographic location, it may be necessary for clients to provide supplemental heating within the coop during winter. Although chickens are relatively cold-tolerant, if temperatures dip below freezing, they can develop frostbite or other health problems. A heat lamp or ceramic heater can provide additional warmth. (Of course, heating sources should be carefully placed to prevent accidental burns and fire hazards.) In severe weather, clients should ensure that water sources do not freeze to prevent potentially life-threatening dehydration. Some facilities also provide supplemental lighting within the coop in the winter to help prolong hens’ laying cycles.

Predation. The most common predator of backyard flocks in the United States is the raccoon. Stray or pet dogs and cats also commonly attack chicken. Certain species of snakes are attracted to eggs, and birds of prey occasionally target backyard flocks. Uncommon predators include coyotes, foxes, opossums, mustelids (e.g., weasels, skunks, stoats) and bobcats. Although rodents are more commonly seen as disease-carrying pests, they also may steal eggs or chicks in addition to eating chicken feed.

Advise clients that preventing predation can be difficult. Chicken owners should regularly and carefully monitor their enclosures for potential access points and lock the birds in the coop every night. Because traditional latches can be opened by clever raccoons, padlocks may be required. To prevent predators from digging into the coop, clients should place a pavement slab base under the coop and/or bury wire mesh around the enclosure perimeter. They should place hardware cloth or wood between the chickens and wire mesh in night roosts to prevent raccoons from reaching in and grabbing chickens through the mesh. Raccoons can rip out staples, so screws and washers and other heavy-duty hardware should be used to fix these protective structures in place. Zoning requirements may detail standards for chicken structures, and should be followed in order to obtain permits required by law.

Nesting. In the wild, a hen preparing to lay eggs usually moves away from the flock to find a secluded nesting place (Figure 2). Clients should provide backyard flocks with nesting boxes and a covered nesting area, preferably within the coop. Chickens generally choose not to lay eggs in dirty nest boxes. There are individual and breed differences in nesting requirements among wild and domestic poultry, and choice is influenced by experience and social factors.6

Behavior. The main activities of free-range hens are grazing, ground pecking, ground scratching and dust bathing. Behavior expression is weather-dependent.7 Free-range chickens will spend time foraging for food even when poultry feeds are provided ad libitum.8 This may result in intoxication with ground contaminants such as leaves and pine needles and any debris in the coup. Gastrointestinal impaction due to ingestion of debris in the enclosure is commonly seen.Dust bathing is a natural behavior that functions to help maintain healthy plumage and control ectoparasites. Chickens will scratch and bill-rake at the ground, then squat with their feathers erected. To thoroughly coat itself with dust, a chicken

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Figure 1. Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) is the evolutionary ancestor of the domestic chicken.

will exhibit several behaviors, such as wing-shaking, head-rubbing, bill-raking, scratching, and side-rubbing. This may take up to 20 minutes. After its bath, the bird shakes itself vigorously and preens.

When allowed free access to appropriate substrate, chickens typically dust bathe at least every other day. They are more likely to dust bathe in the middle of the day, in warmer weather, if they see other birds dust bathing, or if they have been denied access to a dusty substrate.9 Birds that are denied access to dust will sham dust bathe, suggesting the behavior is highly motivated and has important welfare benefits.

Chickens are naturally highly social animals, and should be housed in a flock. Domestic chickens are commonly housed in flocks of hens with no roosters, often due to local ordinances forbidding rooster ownership because of noise concerns. If rooster(s) are kept, it is important to have a high hen-to-rooster ratio (ideally, only one rooster should be kept per small flock) to help minimize conflicts. Birds within the flock will establish a dominance hierarchy that may change over time.

It is important for owners to monitor flock behaviors, as occasionally individual chickens can become dangerously bullied to the point of being denied access to food or water, or being seriously injured. Roosters tend to fight each other, and may aggressively harass hens during breeding season. Within the flock hierarchical structure, subordinate hens are often bullied, particularly when seeking nest boxes.10 This can be minimized by providing an adequate number of nesting boxes from which to choose; typically, two nesting boxes for every four or five chickens. Some hens are highly motivated to reproduce, and when they are reproductively active (e.g. “going broody”) they will attempt to steal chicks or eggs from other hens.

Nutritional concerns

Poultry convert feed into food products quickly and efficiently. Their high rate of productivity results in relatively high nutrient needs. Poultry require the presence of at


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Figure 2A. An RBJ nesting in underbrush (natural substrate).


Figure 2B. A domestic hen mimicking RJF behavior by seeking a secluded dark nest box. The dual nest box provides choices for the hens and prevents aggression and bullying.

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References1. Storey AA, Athens JS, Bryant D, et al. Investigating the global dispersal of chickens in prehistory using ancient mitochondrial DNA signatures. PLoS ONE 2012;7(7):e39171.2. Collias NE. The vocal repertoire of the red junglefowl: a spectrographic classification and the code of communication. Condor 1987;89:510-524.3. Fernandes M, Sathyakumar S, Kaul R, et al. Conservation of red junglefowl Gallus gallus in India. Int J Galliformes Conservation 2009;1:94-101.4. Dawkins MS. Behaviour as a tool in the assessment of animal welfare. Zoology 2003;106(4):383-387.5. Jones TA, Donnelly CA, Dawkins MS. Environmental and management factors affecting the welfare of chickens on commercial farms in the United Kingdom and Denmark stocked at five densities. Poult Sci 2005;84(8):1155-1165.6. Mills AD, Wood-Gush DG. Pre-laying behaviour in battery cages. Br Poult Sci 1985;26(2):247-252.

7. Hughes BO, Dun P, McCorquodale CC. Shell strength of eggs from medium-bodied hybrid hens housed in cages or on range in outside pens. Br Poult Sci 1985;26(1):129-136.8. Nicol C, Dawkins MS. Homes fit for hens. New Scientist 1990;125(1708);46-51.9. Olsson IAS, Keeling LJ. Why in earth? Dustbathing behaviour in jungle and domestic fowl reviewed from a Tinbergian and animal welfare perspective. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2005;93:259-282.10. Appleby MC, Walker AW, Nicol CJ, et al. Development of furnished cages for laying hens. Br Poult Sci 2002;43(4):489-500.11. Poultry. In: The Veterinary Merck Manual, 2012. Available at: merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry.html. Accessed Jan. 11, 2015.

least 38 nutrients in their diets in appropriate concentrations and balance. Detailed information on age-dependent nutrient criteria for both meat and laying birds is available elsewhere.11

Criteria used to determine the requirements for a given nutrient include growth, feed efficiency, egg production, prevention of signs of deficiency and quality of poultry product. These requirements assume the nutrients are in a highly bioavailable form, and they do not include a margin of safety. Nutrient requirements may be surprisingly high. For example, meat birds require 3,200 kcal/kg daily, and egg layers require 5 percent of their ingested diet to be calcium alone. Dietary adjustments should be made based on production and bioavailability of nutrients in various feedstuffs. A margin of safety should be added based on changes in rates of feed intake due to environmental temperature or dietary energy content, genetic strain, husbandry conditions (especially the level of sanitation), and the presence of stressors, including infectious diseases and other illnesses. Chickens allowed access to a yard will forage extensively for themselves and may consume myriad plant and animal material; however, that should be considered supplemental to the diet offered, rather than a staple.

Hens mobilize massive amounts of calcium from their skeletons when producing eggs. As a result, hypocalcemia is a real threat in egg-laying birds, even when they are provided a calcium-rich diet. Magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D are also very important. A high-quality pelleted feed formulated for laying chickens, with oyster shell added as an additional mineral source, will meet energy and calcium requirements for most laying hens.11 Clients may feed clean egg shells back to the chicken but break the egg shells into small pieces so that the chicken do not realize that their own eggs may be a food source.

Advise clients that, although frequently difficult to provide, chickens should have ready access to clean water at all times. Because water sources are easily contaminated, they must be cleaned frequently to minimize risk of disease spread and maximize usage. Gastrointestinal impaction seems to be common in certain backyard flocks, and likely revolves around substrates and lack of clean water as causative factors. Although some owners add bleach tablets to the water source to help reduce microorganism load, this is not advisable. Ingestion of chlorine may have deleterious health effects, and birds may refuse to drink tainted (yes chlorine as well as dirty water) water. Though challenging, providing a clean water system is the best option.

Chicken owners often want to provide supplemental food items to break up the routine of their flocks’ diets. However,

table scraps may or may not be appropriate. Healthy treats include small pieces of vegetables or fruits and bugs, including mealworms or crickets. Onions, garlic, avocado, chocolate and alcohol should be avoided because of potential toxicity risks.

It is common for backyard pet chickens to become severely obese. This can lead to many of the same disease conditions seen in obese people and animals, including hepatic lipidosis and cardiovascular disease. Obesity can be assessed by both visual and tactile methods. Due to the thin skin layers in avian species, clinicians may see yellow fat pads under the skin of fat birds. This is abnormal, especially in laying hens, and indicates obesity. When palpated, the keel should be moderately prominent in most laying hens. If the keel is indistinct, the animal is obese. Monitoring body condition score is recommended.

Stay tuned: Future installments of this series will cover preventive and production medicine, legalities associated with food animal practice, and treatment of common diseases.

Alicia McLaughlin, DVM, is an associate veterinarian at The Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine in Bothell, Washington. [email protected]

Kendal E. Harr, DVM, MS, DACVP, is a clinical pathologist and quality assurance specialist at URIKA in Bothell, Washington. [email protected]

Sidebar: Which breed is that?

Familiarity with common breeds of domesticated chickens enables the veterinary practitioner to better address production, behavior and nutrition-related etiologies common in background flocks. Good resources include Oklahoma State University’s Poultry Breeds website (ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/poultry/index.htm) and the American Poultry Association (amerpoultryassn.com), which have pictures of common breeds and descriptions.






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Dr. Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM, DABVP (Feline)

Alamo Feline Health Center | San Antonio, TX.

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P R E S E N T S

JANUARY 16, 2017 |vet.abaxis.com/norsworthy

E P I S O D E 1The Hyperthyroid Patient

In this episode, NORSWORTHY TALKS about the hyperthyroid patient and simple, effective, office protocols that turn the reception experience into a well-polished, efficient process that generates better testing compliance.

In this episode, NORSWORTHY TALKS to his client about the problems with protein restriction and the benefits of testing for hyperthyroid disease in-house.

In this episode, NORSWORTHY TALKS to his client about the various treatment options for hyperthyroid disease, including the use of radioactive iodine, and the value of patient handouts in client satisfaction and compliance.

Episode 1: The Hyperthyroid Patient January 16, 2017

Episode 2: Diagnosing the Hyperthyroid Patient January 30, 2017

Episode 3: Treating the Hyperthyroid Patient February 13, 2017

Stay tuned to vet.abaxis.com/norsworthy as the web series continues past episode 3.

Inthisexclusivewebseries,followadayinthelifeofworldrenownedveterinarian,Dr.GaryD.Norsworthy.Watchandlearn

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CASEREPORT A 14-year-old, spayed female, domestic medium hair cat was presented with a complaint of sporadic diarrhea and a three-week history of decreased appetite, weight loss, and increased reclusiveness. It had a history of diabetes but had been off insulin for five months. It had not been vomiting.

On physical examination, it was bright, alert, and responsive and weighed 8.4 pounds. The rectal temperature was 100.6 F. No murmurs or arrhythmias were noted on auscultation. Normal bronchovesicular sounds were heard in all quadrants. Focal areas of alopecia were noted around the muzzle, below the eyes, on the ventral abdomen, and on the toes of the right pelvic limb. See Figure 1. She was noted to be shedding excessively, and her hair epilated easily. No other overt abnormalities were noted.

A blood screen was performed, but all parameters were normal or not significantly abnormal. No abnormalities were noted on thoracic radiographs. Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen was performed, and multiple hypoechoic masses were observed in the liver. See Figure 2. Ultrasound guided aspiration of the masses recovered samples that were submitted for cytologic evaluation. The pathologist reported adenocarcinoma with cells of unknown origin.

The cat’s condition deteriorated rapidly and was soon incompatible with life. Euthanasia was performed. Necropsy found multiple masses in the liver (see Figure 3) and a small mass in the pancreas.

PARANEOPLASTIC SYNDROME IN A CAT WITH PANCREATIC

ADENOCARCINOMA

Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM, DABVP (Feline)Alamo Feline Health Center, San Antonio, TX

John Mark Russell, 4VM Auburn University, Auburn, AL

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PARANEOPLASTIC SYNDROME IN A CAT WITH PANCREATIC ADENOCARCINOMA

Figure 1. Alopecia was found in several locations including the A) chin, B) ventral abdomen, and C) toes of the right rear foot.

Multiple small nodules were found in the mesentery. See Figure 4. Histopathology returned a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. See Figure 5. The observed clinical signs were interpreted as manifestations of a paraneoplastic syndrome attributed to the pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Paraneoplastic syndromes are complications of cancer with effects distant from the primary tumor. Clinical signs associated with one of these syndromes are often the first

evidence of disease. Early recognition of a paraneoplastic syndrome may increase the chance for a cure and prevent life-threatening damage to vital organs. A paraneoplastic syndrome often follows the onset of the primary tumor. Therefore, successful management of the primary tumor should result in cessation of the observed clinical signs. Similarly, a recurrence of the clinical signs following treatment of the primary tumor can be a sign that the primary tumor has returned.

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D ISCUSS IONParaneoplastic syndromes can affect many organ systems. Some of the more common feline paraneoplastic syndromes include cancer associated humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, anemia of chronic disease, cutaneous syndromes, anorexia-cachexia syndrome, and paraneoplastic fever. As seen in this case, pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been reported in cats as the cause of alopecia. Hair loss usually begins ventrally and progresses to the extremities. It can develop within a few days or take 1-2 months. The hair epilates easily from the affected areas causing a loss of the stratum corneum and development of a shiny appearance. With the high metastatic rate of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and lack of successful treatment protocols, the prognosis is poor. See Figure 3.

Initial database should include complete blood count, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and retroviral tests. More specific diagnostic tests may be required depending on the syndrome and primary tumor. To identify the primary tumor, radiographs, ultrasound, and biopsies are usually necessary. Thoracic radiographs should be examined carefully for metastatic lesions or a primary lung tumor. If cutaneous lesions are present, a full dermatologic work-up, including skin scraping, cytology, tape preparation,

fungal and bacterial culture, and biopsy, is indicated. Secondary diagnostics, such as more advanced imaging or exploratory laparotomy and biopsy, may be necessary.

Because the clinical signs result from the primary tumor, surgical resection or elimination of the tumor is necessary to see resolution of the paraneoplastic syndrome. Even if the primary tumor cannot be adequately controlled, the syndrome may continue to cause significant patient morbidity and should be addressed with palliative therapy directed at clinical signs.

The prognosis is highly variable and dependent upon the ability to control both the primary tumor and alleviate clinical signs associated with the paraneoplastic syndrome. If the tumor can be effectively treated, the paraneoplastic syndrome will typically resolve and the prognosis is good. However, if the primary tumor cannot be completely treated, palliative management of the paraneoplastic syndrome will improve the quality of life for the patient and owners.

Figure 2. Masses were seen in the liver with ultrasound.

Figure 4. A small mass was found in the pancreas, and multiple masses were found in the mesentery

Figure 5. Histopathology yielded a diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the primary tumor. Magnification = 40X.

Figure 3. At necropsy, multiple masses were found in the liver.


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CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR:Don J Harris, DVM

Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital, Miami, FL

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Point of care diagnostics are as important, in fact, maybe more important, for handling avian patients as they are for any other species. It’s a well-accepted reality that

almost any pet bird presented for illness may actually be on the verge of death. An immediate and accurate assessment is, without exaggeration, a matter of life and death.

Case 1A 7-year-old female cockatiel is presented for acute depres-sion, anorexia, and profound weakness. Physical exam reveals severe emaciation, poor responsiveness, and difficulty righting herself after handling. (It is the doctor’s perception that the bird has been declining for quite some time, in spite of the owner’s recent observation.)

Blood is collected from the jugular and a CBC and Chemistry are performed on site. Results are listed in table 1, column 1.

Case 2A 21-year-old male cockatiel is presented for listlessness, loss of appetite, and perceived weight loss, all developing over the past several days. The physical exam reveals little: the bird shows no physical abnormalities. He seems normally active and responsive… but behavior in a veterinary hospital can be misleading since birds often “pretend” to be ok even when they’re not.

Blood is collected from the jugular and a CBC and Chemistry are performed on site. Results are listed in table 1, column 2.

Case 3A 12-year-old male cockatiel is presented primarily because the owners perceive that he is less active than normal. He still eats, preens, vocalizes, etc., but with less energy than before. Physical exam is largely unremarkable, aside from the fact that he has lost a few grams of body weight compared to his last visit.

Since nothing can be garnered from the physical exam, blood is collected from the jugular and a CBC and Chemistry are performed on site. Results are listed in table 1, column 3.

ABAXIS POINT OF CARE VALIDATION

WBC Total% Heterophils% Lymphocytes% Monocytes% Eosinophils% Basophils

ASTBACKUAGluCaPTPAlbGlobKNa

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0.7

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4.9

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>50

237

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11.3

2.4

1.5

0.9

5

149

Case 1 Case 2 Case 3

The reality in veterinary medicine is that we often produce a tentative diagnosis, or at least initiate what we believe to be an appropriate course of therapeutic action, while waiting on the results of labwork that has been sent to a reference lab. The time between sampling and laboratory validation of the patient’s condition can be as long as 24 hours, or more. Fact is, in avian medicine, the most common tentative diagnosis is a “Baytril” deficiency, and countless patients are started on enrofloxacin or some other antibiotic while await-ing direction from the diagnostics. In the above cases, this may have been beneficial in one of the three.

Case 1 illustrates, renal failure. An appropriate course of action would be immediate and aggressive fluid therapy, although the elevated Phosphorus suggests this patient is terminal. No antibiotics would be of any use here, and the wrong antibiotic, such as amikacin, could even be harmful.

Case 2 also indicates renal compromise, but the normal Calcium:Phosphorus ratio suggests that he has not reached the point of no return. The elevated white cell count offers hope that the renal compromise may be secondary, and resolving the “infection” may allow the renal function to return to normal.

Case 3, the elevated Bile Acids combined with the low Albumin suggests chronic liver failure. The normal white cell count offers little hope that infection is the active cause, so only a liver biopsy will further explain the nature of the prob-lem. It is quite possible that this liver is beyond the point of return, so antibiotics, or any therapeutic for that matter, may have little or no effect.

Each of these cases illustrates not just the role diag-nostics play in elucidating the nature of the illnesses, but the value that having that information immediately

possesses. In many practices these patients would have been treated with antibiotics and generic supportive care while awaiting the results of diagnostics… at best. Some of these presentations are treated symptomatically only without ever incorporating laboratory diagnostics. Case 1 & 3 would likely have received no benefit from such an approach; Case 2 may have responded, but knowing the severity of the condition increases the probability that a more tailored therapeutic approach will be adopted.

Medically speaking, there is no downside to utilizing point-of-care diagnostics. Much can be gained from knowing imme-diately what a patient’s condition is; much can be lost without such insight. A matter of life or death.

Table 1.

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We chose the Abaxis Line of Products because we need reliable and cost effective diagnostic equipment for our busy practice.”

Dr. Lauren WorkPeninsula Equine Medical Center | Menlo Park, CA.Abaxis customer

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A 5-year-old previously healthy Miniature Horse mare developed progressive depression and anorexia following a normal foaling 3 days earlier. There were 37 other animals on the farm and none appeared similarly affected. The mare showed no abnormal clinical

signs prior to foaling other than an increased body condition score of 7/9, but for 2 days post-foaling the mare had difficulty eating and swallowing. The referring veterinarian successfully passed a nasogastric tube ruling out choke. Because of continued difficulty eating and presumed dysphagia, botulism was suspected and the mare was referred for treatment.

Contributing Authors:Thomas J. Divers DVM, ACVIM, ACVECC- Cornell University

Katharyn Mitchell DVM, ACVIM – University of Zurich

At presentation to the hospital, the mare was very depressed and was paying little or no attention to her foal, which was healthy and running around the stall. The mare’s rectal temperature was normal (100.8F), her heart rate was increased (64 beats/minute) and she appeared icteric. (Figures 1a and b) The mare’s tongue was noted to be protruding from the front of her mouth (figure 2) but she easily retracted it when it was pinched. Mild bilateral exophthalmos with decreased retropulsion of both eyes was noted and the sclerae were yellow in color. The masseter muscles seemed abnormally large for a mare (figure 3) but were symmetrical in size. The masseter and temporalis muscles were painful upon palpation and the mare resented attempts to open her mouth, although her mouth was never closed completely thus allowing her tongue to protrude. A complete neurologic examination

revealed abnormal (nearly obtunded) mentation. No cranial nerve deficits were noted. Her gait appeared weak but normal and there were no signs of muscle weakness or fasciculations.

Botulism was ruled out based upon the absence of generalized weakness and the findings of profound depression, jaundice and masseter muscle swelling. A severe metabolic disturbance such as hyperlipemia with liver failure was thought to be the likely cause for the mare’s icterus and depression.

The VetScan i-STAT1 was used to measure venous blood gases and lactate, which confirmed metabolic academia (pH 7.23, HCO3 20meq/l) and increased L-lactate (3.5mmol/l). A packed cell volume (PCV) and total solids were measured using a microhematocrit tube and refractometer; these values were 43% PCV and 7.2g/dl respectively, which were in normal

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HYPERLIPEMIA SECONDARY TO SELENIUM DEFICIENT MASSETER MYOPATHY IN A 5 YEAR OLD MINIATURE MARE

reference ranges. Importantly, when the blood was spun down, the plasma in the microhematocrit tube was noted to be milky orange in color, suggesting both hyperbilirubinemia and hyperlipemia. Blood was submitted for a complete blood count and chemistry profile (table 1). Treatment was initiated using intravenously administered crystalloid fluids with 25 grams of dextrose and 40 meq of potassium chloride added per liter. The mare urinated soon after fluid therapy began. Her urine was reddish-brown in color and on dipstick exam the urine tested positive for occult blood and bilirubin. Positive urinary heme (occult blood) may be due to intravascular hemolysis and hemoglobinuria, myopathy with myoglobinuria, or to hematuria with rupture of red blood cells in the urine. Since the mare’s PCV was 43% and her plasma was not discoloured pink, intravascular hemolytic disease was considered an unlikely cause for the strongly reacting urinary occult blood results. The signalment (miniature horse), clinical findings and laboratory confirmation of metabolic acidosis, hyperlipemia with bilirubinuria, and possible myoglobinuria suggested that a myopathy was the primary disease causing the mare’s inability to eat, with hyperlipemia and liver failure (presumed hepatic lipidosis) occurring secondary to her negative energy balance.

TREATMENT ON DAY ONE consisted of intravenously administered balanced crystalloid soultion (500ml/hr) with 2.5% dextrose and 40meq/l of KCl added, plus regular insulin (0.1 IU/kg I.M. q 8 hrs). A nasogastric tube was placed and the mare was fed a low fat (1%), 12% protein (whey based), 70% carbohydrate (glucose and galactose) commercial enteral diet+, mixed with alfalfa meal (2 oz./feeding), fed in a slurry 4 times daily to provide >35 kcal/kg. Additional treatments included intravenously administered B-vitamins once daily and orally administered dietary l-carnitine supplementation (1 g twice daily). Because the mare demonstrated evidence of a myopathy and because she was from a selenium deficient area, EDTA blood was submitted for measurement of selenium and an intramuscular injection of an FDA-approved selenium was administered.

Figure 1a

BY DAY 2, her blood ammonia was decreased to 57 umol/l so an additional whey protein (0.1 grams /kg/day) was added to the enteral feeding and 500ml of 7%

amino acid was added to the daily IV fluids. ON DAY 3 the mare was significantly more alert, her blood lactate had returned to normal range and plasma triglycerides were 120 mg/dl. Blood selenium results from the sample collected shortly after hospital admission were reported to be 0 mg/dl and a remark from the laboratory suggested this was “incompatible with life”. After receiving those results, a second intramuscular dose of selenium was administered to the mare and the referring veterinarian was asked to administer an intramuscular dose of selenium to the foal (discharged home the night that the mare was admitted to the hospital). For the next 3 days intravenous fluids were gradually discontinued and enteral feeding was gradually discontinued over 5 days as the mare began to eat grass and a complete pelleted

feed. BY DAY 8 the mare had resumed eating her normal diet, blood triglycerides were 27 mg/dl, sorbitol dehydrogenase, lactate and bilirubin concentrations were normal and muscle enzymes were decreased dramatically.

DISCUSSION

Selenium is an essential component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase and is present in approximately 25 other selenoproteins found within the body. Glutathione peroxidase is important in reducing lipid peroxidases and hydrogen peroxides to less harmful substances.1 Selenium deficiency is a known cause nutritional muscular dystrophy (white muscle disease) in several veterinary species. Clinical signs are variable because any skeletal muscle may be preferentially affected in an individual animal. The clinical disease is slightly more common in young, growing animals. In foals, limb and pharyngeal muscles seem to be most commonly involved. In weanlings, limb muscles and the tongue seem to be most common, although cardiac involvement can occur and can result in acute death.2 We have examined one

Figure 1b

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HYPERLIPEMIA SECONDARY TO SELENIUM DEFICIENT MASSETER MYOPATHY IN A 5 YEAR OLD MINIATURE MARE HYPERLIPEMIA SECONDARY TO SELENIUM DEFICIENT MASSETER MYOPATHY IN A 5 YEAR OLD MINIATURE MARE

horse with an acute onset of ventricular tachycardia (160 BPM) and distress that had marked elevations in cardiac troponin I (cTnI= 4.2ng/ml), extremely low blood selenium (4.2 mg/dl) and recovery following selenium administration. Masseter myopathy is one form of nutritional myopathy in adult horses.3,4,5 On necropsy of horses with selenium deficient myopathy, cardiac, tongue, and skeletal muscle often have chalky striations and areas of necrosis.2

The most common laboratory biochemical abnormalities seen in horses with selenium deficient acute myopathy are markedly elevated serum muscle enzymes (CK and AST). Creatine kinase decreased more quickly than AST in this case report due to the shorter half-life of CK when compared to AST. The preferred ante-mortem test to determine selenium status in affected patients is measurement of whole blood selenium. Glutathoine peroxidase (GP) measurements can also confirm selenium status but can be confusing and should only be attempted on whole blood if selenium has been given to the patient prior to sample collection. Blood selenium increases quickly after parenteral administration but approximately 7–10 days are needed for selenium to be incorporated into blood GP. In the authors’ experience, muscle biopsy is not always definitive in diagnosing selenium deficient myopathy. Treatment of white muscle disease involves intramuscular injections of selenium and appropriate nursing care. Horses with selenium deficient myopathy may require 2 or 3 intramuscular treatments to attain a normal blood selenium concentration. Repeat treatments with selenium should not be performed unless the diagnosis is confirmed and blood selenium concentrations should be monitored. Unnecessary administration of selenium can be toxic.6 Parenteral injections of selenium should be given intramuscularly rather than intravenously. Some adult horses with

PCV

Total solids

pH (venous)

Bicarbonate

Lactate

Creatinine

Creatine kinase

Aspartate aminotransferase

Sorbitol dehydrogenase

γ-Glutamyl transferase

Ammonia

Total bilirubin

Direct bilirubin

Triglycerides

42

6.9

7.35

26

1.8

1.6

21,984

10,780

118

146

57

2.6

0.3

75

34-46%

5.2-7.8 g/dl

7.32-7.43

25-32 mEq/l

0.8-1.8 mmol/l

0.8-2.0 mg/dl

142-548 U/L

199-374 U/L

0-11 U/L

8-29 U/L

<10 µmol/l

?? mg/dl

?? mg/dl

?? mg/dl

42

6.8

—

26

—

1.5

1,142

4,474

5

103

51

1.9

0.2

27

43

7.2

7.29

20

3.5

2.2

57,040

13,030

362

77

110

6.2

0.7

1,929

Day 1 Day 3 Day 5 Normal

*VetScan i-STAT 1® Abaxis 3240 Whipple Road Union City, CA 94587 USA^ Bayer Multistix 10 SG Urine Test Strips® + MD’s Choice Louisville, Tennessee USA

Table 1. Pertinent CBC and Chemistry Findings

abnormally low blood selenium values do not have any clinical signs of muscle disease; these horses may be best treated with oral administration of selenium. 5 Normal horses should consume 0.2 µg selenium/gram of diet per day. Vitamin E has very little, if anything, to do with white muscle disease in animals.

Adult ponies, especially Shetland or fat ponies, and donkeys and miniature equines of all ages experiencing enhanced lipolysis can quickly develop lipemia and hepatic lipidosis. Without prompt treatment these patients may die from metabolic abnormalities, liver failure, or occasionally rupture of the liver and hemorrhagic shock.7 There is usually a predisposing disorder that causes these equines to mobilize fat. Fat mobilization quickly results in hyperlipemia (gross discoloration of plasma) with triglycerides >500mg/dl and hepatic lipidosis. Treatment should be directed towards any predisposing disease and nutritional support must be provided to combat the hyperlipemia/hepatic lipidosis. Enteral nutrition with a high carbohydrate, moderate protein concentration of essential amino acids (especially branch chain) and some additional fiber is recommended. Parenteral nutrition with amino acids, B vitamins, glucose, and insulin can be life-saving in some cases. Intravenous crystalloids are also needed to maintain hydration and organ perfusion. Blood glucose must be monitored in the first couple of hours if insulin treatment is used. Intravenously administered crystalloid fluids should have glucose added if insulin is being administered; the amount of glucose will depend on blood glucose measurements, the amount of glucose/starch in the enteral diet, and the type and amount of insulin being administered. Serum potassium should be in the normal range before starting insulin and at least 20mEq/l of potassium chloride is usually added to the crystalloid fluid treatments. Some hyperlipemia/hepatic lipidosis cases, like the one in this report, have a dramatic response to

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References1. Kirschvink N, de Moffarts B, Lekeux P. The oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium in horses. Vet J. 2008;177:178–191.

2. Streeter R1, Divers TJ, Mittel L, Korn AE, Wakshlag JJ. Selenium deficiency associations with gender, breed, serum vitamin E and creatine kinase, clinical signs and diagnoses in

horses of different age groups: a retrospective examination 1996-2011. Equine Vet J Suppl. 2012 Dec;(43):31-5.

3. Conwell R (2010) Hyperlipaemia in a pregnant mare with suspected masseter myodegeneration. Vet Rec 166(4):116–117.

4. Step DL, Divers TJ, Cooper B et al. (1991) Severe masseter myonecrosis in a horse. J Am Vet Med Assoc 198(1):117–119.

5. Pearson EG, Snyder SP, Saulez MN. Masseter myodegeneration as a cause of trismus or dysphagia in adult horses. Vet Rec. 2005 May 14;156(20):642-6.

6. Desta B, Maldonado G, Reid H, Puschner B, Maxwell J, Agasan A, Humphreys L, Holt T. Acute selenium toxicosis in polo ponies. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2011 May;23(3):623-8

7. McKenzie HC 3rd. Equine hyperlipidemias. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2011 Apr;27(1):59-72


treatment with triglycerides decreasing from very high values to near normal values within 36 hours. Unfortunately, some cases may die acutely from a ruptured liver, in spite of aggressive treatment.

The prevention of hepatic lipidosis revolves around identifying “at risk” equines: pregnant or lactating pony mares; obese or geriatric ponies and donkeys; and all small equids with diarrhea and other disorders predisposing them to a negative energy balance. Donkeys that have any change in their social status, including loss of a companion, or older donkeys with dental diseases should be considered at high risk for this disease. Providing adequate caloric intake is important in late pregnant and early lactation mares. Performing routine body condition scoring and periodic sampling of the “at risk” equines to assesstriglycerides and free fatty acids levels may be helpful in identifying metabolic abnormalities before the onset of clinical signs. Proper maintenance health care and husbandry are of utmost importance in “at risk” equines.

TESTING FOR CUSHING’S DISEASE SHOULD BE INSTITUTED IN ALL OLDER “AT RISK” ANIMALS.

Figure 2 Figure 3





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The staff of Hicks Animal Clinic fully supported the concept of Preventive Testing to benefit the patients and clients as well as the practice. Prior to the presentation, the staff ran bloodwork on their own clinically normal pets in order to be advocates of the program when recommending preventive bloodwork to their clients. The value of preventive testing hit home especially with one staff member who found unexpected abnormalities on their own pet.

The AVC presentation stressed the importance of point of care testing as part of the annual physical exam. Client awareness materials to promote their Preventive Testing Program along with Age Equivalency Charts were provided to make explanation of the program and its importance easy for the clients to understand and as a visual reminder for the staff to discuss the program with every client. Customized documents and brochures were provided in order for the clinic to be able to provided clients with important information about their pet’s test results and the importance of routine bloodwork.

Prior to the AVC presentation, the clinic had a 21 percent compliance when they would recommend Preventive Testing to their clients. Monthly testing goals were established for the clinic with the understanding that by tracking their results on a regular basis and for the staff to frequently talk about how the program was doing, we could increase compliance within just 3 months. Generally, it takes about 3 months for a behavior to become “muscle memory” and by helping the clinic reach their 90 day goal, their compliance would continue to grow with time. The 90 day goal that was established for this clinic was a 10% increase in compliance.

After just the first month, the clinic surpassed the monthly goal by 64%. The second month was even more successful by exceeding their goal by 125%. By the end of the 90 days, the clinics had grown their Preventive Testing by 110%.

The Abaxis Veterinary Consulting program provides proven marketing strategies and talking points to assist the clinic in developing a structured preventive care program for the veterinary practice. The ultimate success of the program relies on the entire staff involvement. Adding preventive testing to the practice philosophy must have total buy-in by all staff members in order for the clients to accept this as doing what is in the best interest of their pet. The AVC program stresses the importance of point of care, results while you wait testing to provide the highest quality medicine to the pet while helping the practice grow financially.

ABAXIS VETERINARY CONSULTING PROGRAMHowaPreventiveCareProgrammadeaHUGEdifference

HICKS ANIMAL CLINIC| ROCKY MOUNT, NC.Contributing Author:

Dr. Michael Hicks

VETERINARY CONSULTING

HICKS Animal Clinic is a small animal, 2-doctor practice in Rocky Mount, NC. This fourth generation, family owned veterinary practice has been caring for animals in Rocky Mount since 1920. In January 2016, the son, Dr. Michael Hicks returned to work with his father, Dr. Stuart Hicks, in what is exclusively a small animal practice.

Dr. Michael was looking to develop a preventive care program and the Abaxis Veterinary Consulting (AVC) program is exactly what he was looking for to not only help develop a structured program but to assist with fee structure that would be accepted by his clients.

[email protected]

http://www.abaxis.com/avc


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GLOBALDIAGNOSTICS


PreventiveCareforALLlifestages.

Abaxisannounces

ABAXIS VETERINARY CONSULTING

ExclusivetoNorthAmericanAbaxiscustomers

TheAbaxis Veterinary Consulting Groupisanestablishedgroupofveterinariansandveterinarytechnicianswithbusinessacumenwhosegoalistooptimizeyourpreventivecareforalllifestages.Thecomplimentaryprogramconsistsof:

•StafftrainingfromAVCVeterinarians

•Adedicatedteamtohelpmonitoryoursuccess

•Personalizedformsandclienteducationhandouts

•On-siteVeterinarianstohelpinitiateandoverseetheprograminyourpractice




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Since implementing Abaxis in-house blood testing and the AVC program at Scottsdale Animal Healthcare, our client compliance in preventive care has skyrocketed. Using the tools provided by the Abaxis AVC program, our staff has become quite adept at explaining the need for preventive in-clinic

laboratory testing with a confidence that win’s a client’s approval in most cases.

We have instituted pre-op blood testing that is incorporated into our surgical protocols. We no longer ask clients if they want blood work prior to anesthesia, it is simply included. Clients accept this approach as it takes the burden of the financial decision off of their shoulders and places the decision with the doctor, where it should reside. On the rare occasion where a client questions the need, our staff has been well prepared by Abaxis to answer in a way that clients accept.

Senior profiles are discussed by the staff prior to the doctor entering the room. This is in the form of a sim-ple statement from the nurse like, “Fidoux is entering his senior years now. I’m sure the doctor will want to begin monitoring his blood work regularly to catch issues before they become advanced.” That tees things up for the doctor, as the client has had 5 minutes to sit and think about it before the doctor enters the room. Our senior pet blood work compliance is increasing steadily with this very simple approach.

Contributing Author:Dr. Alex Casuccio

SCOTTSDALE ANIMAL HEALTHCARE| SCOTTSDALE, AZ.

CLIENT COMPLIANCE IN PREVENTIVE CARE HAS SKYROCKETED!

VETERINARY CONSULTING

Sign Up for AVC Nowwww.abaxis.com/AVC

http://videos.abaxis.com/watch/731x342HGY7rzdc7AbFdSv


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800.822.2947 vet.abaxis.com/beinspired [email protected]

GLOBALDIAGNOSTICS


What I really like about Abaxis is that they’re a step above in Quality, and the customer service is extraordinary.” Dr. Alex CasuccioScottsdale Animal Healthcare | Scottsdale, AZ.Abaxis customer

#beinspired

“

Sign Up for AVC Nowwww.abaxis.com/AVC



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Thesurveywasansweredby758petownersand638veterinarians.Thesurveyidentifiedsomesignificant

differencesbetweenhowpetownersfeelabouttheneedandvalueofimmediateresultsvs.thoseofthe

veterinarian.

Petownersweresurveyedanddividedinto2groupsbasedontwoquestions.

1.Wouldyouchooseaveterinaryhospitalthatprovidedbloodresultsin15minutesoveronethatdidnot?

2.Wouldyoupayapremiumfortheabilitytohaveyourpets’resultsin15minutes?

55%ofthepetownerspolledansweredyestobothquestions(identified as Prime Clients)–Theywould

chooseaveterinarianthatprovidedpoint-of-caretestingoveronethatdidnotandwouldalsopaya

premiumfortheimmediateresults.

•Oftheseclients,70%wouldchoosetheirveterinarianbasedontheavailabilityofpoint-of-careblood

testing

•Oftheremaining45%(Standard Clients)thatdidnotansweryestooneorbothoftheabovequestions,

49%wouldstillchooseaveterinarianthatprovidedresultsin15minutesoveronethatdidnot.

A significant disconnect was identified in the perception of the veterinarian as to how important point of

care blood testing was to the pet owner in choosing a veterinary hospital:

A Survey Conducted with Pet Owners and Veterinarians Regarding the Value of Point of Care Blood Testing

Commissioned by AbaxisAdministered by Trone Brand Energy, Inc.

GLOBAL DIAGNOSTICS

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Stand Clients 49%

70%Prime Clients

Veterinarians 27%

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WhileveterinariansoftenbelievethatpreventivecaretestingisnotaSTATtestandoftensendbloodto

areferencelab,89%ofpetownersfindvalueinobtainingtheresultsformosttestswhiletheyareinthe

office.Thiscomparestoveterinariansbelievingonlyabout60-63%oftheirclientswouldfindthevaluein

immediateresults.

The survey found another disconnect between which tests pet owners would find valuable in regards to

immediate results vs. the veterinarians:

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%Wellness HW Tick Pre-surgery Organ Urine Fecal None

Standard Client Prime ClientsVeterinarians

67-78%ofpetownersbelievethattestresultsprovidedwithin15minuteswouldgreatlyaidthemin:

•Havingimmediatediscussionswiththedoctor

•Agreeingtoimmediateadditionaltesting

•Reducingtheneedforadditionalvisits

•Reducingthestressassociatedwiththevisit

Whenveterinarianscouldprovidetestresultswithin15minutes,petownersfeltthefollowingconceptswere

true:

•Increasedrespectfortheveterinarian:44-58%

•Thetestingwasinthepets’bestinterest:59-73%

•Theywouldbemoreloyaltothepractice:47-62%

•Theywouldbemorereceptivetoadvice:46-62%

•Theywouldconsideradditionalservices:47-63%

•Immediateresultsareinthepetownersbestinterest:56-69%

BothVeterinariansandpetownersagreedthatanadditional$15wouldbeareasonablepriceincreasewhen

bloodresultswithin15minuteswouldbeavailable.Whilepriceincreasesmaybetolerated,compliancemay

bebetterservedwithstaticpricingleadingtoanevenhighercompliancerate.

Why Wait? GetStartedwithAbaxisPointofCareDiagnosticstoday.

O n Friday, October 21, 2016 Abaxis attended a reception in Manhattan, KS, for students, faculty and administrators, honoring the ongoing support of Abaxis for The Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases (CEVBD) at Kansas State University. The CEVBD at K-State is an interdisciplinary research center focused on vectors (mosquitoes and ticks) and vector-borne diseases of significant importance to animal and human health. Abaxis first became aware of the CEVBD several years ago during the collaboration with Dr. Roman Ganta for the development and clinical testing of our current suite of vector borne disease rapid diagnostic tests for canine Heartworm, Lyme, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. As Dr. Ganta’s research efforts grew, it became apparent that CEVBD was an area that merited substantial support from Abaxis. Vector borne diseases are having an increasing impact on human and animal health as our communities grow into former habitats of many of the vector hosts (e.g. brown deer), as climate change expands the areas in which these vectors can survive, and as the increase in protein in the diets in developing nations brings humans into closer contact to their production animals in these areas. CEVBD is one of the few centers of excellence addressing the basic underlying science through research into the biology of the diseases, vectors and hosts, diagnostics/ detection, vaccines, treatment and prevention. The research goals of the center include developing investigator-initiated and multi-investigator projects focused on various vector-borne diseases of importance to human and animal health, including foreign animal diseases, with emphasis on pathogenesis, diagnosis, surveillance, vaccine development, and therapeutics. Abaxis is undertaking a major thrust to bring rapid diagnostics for these diseases into the veterinary clinic and we are proud of the ongoing support which we are providing to K-State and CEVBD. Drs. Kenneth Aron and Dennis Bleile from Abaxis were on hand to deliver a 6 foot long check to Dr. Ganta and other luminaries from the University. They also attended the K-State/ Texas Homecoming football game the next day as guests of University President, Richard Myers, who had also been the 15th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

GLOBAL DIAGNOSTICS

Dr. Kenneth AronAbaxis CTO

Kansas StateU N I V E R S I T Y

Abaxis & Open Trends, Spain OpenTrends hosted President of the Generaralitat, Carles Puigdemont as he perused the latest in development efforts with Abaxis Global Diagnostics.

ith the release of our FUSE connectivity system, which combines all our instruments into a single laboratory solution whereby all their data is collected through an advanced web-based interface while providing our users with comprehensive real-time presentations of patient data and history, Abaxis is also concentrating on making all our instruments – our legacy instruments and our instruments which still under development – compatible in the world of mobile-operated devices and in the IOT, the “internet of things.” Abaxis is collaborating with Open Trends, an innovative company based in Barcelona, Spain, specializing in mobile solutions for a wide range of uses. Open Trends has developed apps for phones and tablets for customers ranging from major European banks to the City of Barcelona, for whom they made a “smart city” application which integrates information about traffic, airborne pollutants, congestion, and other factors so that city agencies can make real-time decisions based on city conditions as the conditions change with time. Open Trends is also assisting Abaxis with our FUSE system and also with our VUE Lateral Flow Reader, with its advanced app, compatible with iOS and Android, on phones and tablets. As we move more fully into IOT and mobile-only operated diagnostic devices, Open Trends will be collaborating with us in developing more advanced connectivity and mobile solutions for our full laboratory. The Abaxis collaboration with Open Trends has been recognized by officials from the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, of which Barcelona is the capital. These officials, including Carles Puigdemont, the President of Catalonia, visited Open Trends and in these images they are seen reviewing the operation of the Abaxis VUE and FUSE devices as a highlight of efforts to bring more high tech development work to Catalonia.

WBARCELONA, SPAIN

GLOBAL DIAGNOSTICS

OpenTrends and Abaxis incorporate

mobile into our new devices as we

look to the future in high-sensitivity

immune-assays.

opentrends

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Contributing Author:Jan Ramer, DVM, DACZM Director of Conservation Medicine/Veterinarian

Cumberland, Ohio

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H E W I L D S (www.thewi lds .org) is one of the largest conservation centers in North America located on nearly 10,000 acres of reclaimed mine land in rural southeastern Ohio. It was the brainchild of a group of forward thinking civic leaders and zoo professionals who believed science is a very important aspect of finding realistic solutions to environmental concerns. At the Wilds we combine conservation science and education programs with a very unique guest experience.

Visitors tour large pastures in open air buses to view mixed species herds of herbivores – our specialty is providing habitat for those species that thrive in large herd populations. Visitors can see a large herd of white rhino, including the only fourth and fifth generation offspring outside of Africa! Also in pasture one can see Asian one-horned rhino, giraffe, three deer species including Pere David’s deer, which are extinct in their native habitat. We are breeding endangered Grevy’s zebra, Persian onagers and Przewalski’s horses that roam the pastures mixed with several antelope species. We have a successful breeding herd of scimitar-horned oryx, a species extinct in the wild until very recently, when they were successfully reintroduced to native habitat in Chad and Tunisia. Oryx born at the Wilds contributed to this reintroduction project.

In addition to our large herds, the Wilds also contributes to the conservation of mid- sized carnivores and is a breeding center for cheetah, has packs of endangered African painted dogs and dholes (Asiatic wild dogs).

Our commitment to conservation science is also reflected in strong departments of restoration ecology, wildlife ecology, conservation medicine and education. From hellbenders to burying beetles to prairie grasses, we work together to restore our grounds to native prairie, forest and wetlands, study the plants and animals that call our grounds home, and to teach across generations the thrill of science, discovery and simply being in nature.

Veterinary medicine at the Wilds can be challenging. Our cost benefit decisions on clinical cases are very similar to those we make when working with free ranging wildlife. We must consider the implications for the herd when we move

an animal into the clinic for treatment. Some species will not readily accept an individual back into the herd once they have been away for a period of time. This means we frequently conduct field veterinary procedures, recovering the animal from anesthesia to return to the herd as soon as possible. Unfortunately, sometimes the case is so critical that the benefit of bringing the animal into the clinic for 24 hour care far outweighs the cost of removing her from the group.

A recent case in point is one of our young female African painted dogs (Lycaon pictus), an endangered species that lives in packs with strict social hierarchies. Selina, the subordinate female in our pack, suddenly stopped eating.

Animal management specialists and veterinarians watched her closely and had some long discussions before making the decision to anesthetize her for diagnostic purposes. With painted dogs, it can be

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African Painted Dog

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extremely difficult to get the pack to accept an individual back into its folds if she has been out of the pack for more than a day or two. But Selina developed diarrhea the next day, was clearly sick, and needed medical attention.

She was anesthetized and transported to the clinic where she received a full physical examination including blood and fecal collection, radiographs and ultrasound. She was treated prophylactically with antibiotics, fluids and anti-inflammatory medications, (but unfortunately we would not know until we got the bloodwork results the next day that she was suffering from acute renal disease). Her BUN, creatinine and phosphorus were off the charts. This meant daily anesthesia to deliver IV fluids, phosphate binders, antibiotics, and potassium, and to monitor kidney parameters. We also introduced kidney-friendly food via an orogastric tube, because she was not eating at all. For the next week we were on pins and needles as we treated daily. As expected potassium fell initially, but with our therapies all parameters returned to normal by the end of the week and she was successfully reintroduced to the pack. Her sister, the alpha female, accepted Selina immediately. We still don’t know the etiology of her disease, but are thrilled that she is back in the pack as a contributing member.

While this case ultimately had a good outcome, our jobs on the next critical case will be much more efficient with our new VetScan VS2 Chemistry Analyzer, which will give us immediate blood chemistry results, allowing us to make timely treatment decisions. Many thanks to Abaxis from the veterinarians, animal management specialists and all the animals at the Wilds! Wilds has a new VS2!


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CHIMPANZEE HEALTH-CHECKS

ATTACUGAMACHIMPANZEESANCTUARYFREETOWN,SIERRALEONE.

Contributing Authors:Sophie Moittié, Lic.Vet

Baerbel Koehler, Manager, Wildlife MedicineAbaxis Europe

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary was founded in 1995 by the Government of Sierra Leone with conservationist Bala Amarasekaran to home and rehabilitate confiscated pets, orphaned and abandoned chimpanzees. At present, the

sanctuary cares for more than 70 chimpanzees of the endangered subspecies Pantroglodytes verus (the western chimpanzee) and unfortunately, each year more orphan chimpanzees continue to arrive at Tacugama.

Despite the hunting and trading of chimpanzees having been made illegal in Sierra Leone since 1972, they have continued to suffer from human encroachment of their forest habitat for logging and farming, hunting pressure as a result of the bushmeat trade, and live capture of babies for the entertainment and pet trades. The population is threatened with extinction and their successful conservation requires a multi and interdisciplinary approach. The Sierra Leone National Chimpanzee Census Project (SLNCCP) conducted by the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS) between 2009 and 2010 estimated a total population of 5,500 wild chimpanzees widespread across Sierra Leone; more than half of these were located outside protected areas. The sanctuary has evolved from the rehabilitation of confiscated chimpanzees to include other important dimensions of chimpanzee conservation including local environmental education,

development of methods that can minimize human-wildlife conflicts, surveys and assessments of the wild chimpanzee population nationwide, habitat conservation, community-outreach activities and wildlife law enforcement.

Tacugama veterinary team has undertaken extensive health-checks on all the chimpanzees of the sanctuary in early 2016. The health-checks included full physical examination under anaesthesia, rectal culture, bacteriological swabs, TB testing, blood test with haematology and full biochemistry, 12-lead electrocardiograms, ecochardiography and blood tests with heamatology and full biochemistry. Using a VetScan VS2 and rotors, we were able to perform comprehensive diagnostic profiles to 60 chimpanzees. Troponin I measurements was also performed with an Abaxis i-STAT 1 on loan from Abaxis and The Jane Goodall Institute, Congo.

ON LOCATION

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Most of the chimpanzees at Tacugama have never gone through such an extensive examination, and collecting baseline data about the health status of our animals give us important tools to fight against diseases. The establishment of a strong preventive medicine program also minimizes responsive medicine needs and is a fundamental component of an appropriate chimpanzee health care program.

ProcedureChimpanzees were anesthetized with a combination of medetomidine (0,02-0,04mg/kg) and ketamine (4 mg/kg) or with Tiletamine-zolazepam (1,5 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0,015mg/kg) injected intramuscularly through blowpipe darting.

Animals became recumbent after 3 to 10 minutes after injection, and preliminary measurements of axilary temperature, blood pressure, heart and respiratory frequencies were made before transporting the animal to the surgery. There, Dr. Aimee Drane from International Primate Heart Project performed a 12-lead ECG as well as heart ultrasound. In the meantime, the animal underwent a full physical examination and blood was drawn from the femoral vein. Blood pressure and heart and respiratory frequencies were measured each five minutes during the procedure. Urine and feces were collected and analysed. Some females were also implanted with contraceptive implants (levonorgestrel 75mg x2) and some animals underwent routine intradermal tuberculin testing.

Most animals were toped-up with 1mg/kg of ketamine IV during the procedure.

After about 40 minutes, the animals were brought back to their den and the anaesthesia was reverted with atipamezol IM. Animals woke up between 5 and 15 minutes after the reversal. They stayed isolated for a few hours or until the next morning and then were

SierraLeone

mixed again with their group and released back into their big forest enclosures.

ResultsIn general, the chimpanzees at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary appeared to be in good health.

Nutritional status was found to be good (Body condition scoring 1-5 and on average is 3), as well as dental health, which means that the diet is likely to be well adapted. Some animals had different species of protozoas in the feces. These animals were treated with oral metronidazol (30mg/kg PO BID for 5 days). Seven animals had leucocytes in urine, two of them had ketonuria and one also proteinuria. These animals received antibiotic treatment for urine infection. Animals which were found to be dehydrated on clinical examination received IV fluid therapy during the procedure. Thanks to the availability of the i-STAT 1, it was detected that three animals had high plasmatic troponin I. This is a cardiac biomarker indicator of myocardial damage that can be elevated when acute septicemia and/or renal failure if severe. These animals had no other abnormal parameters but will be further monitored. Biochemistries were overall within normal ranges except one animal who had elevated creatinine and other few animals with hypernatremia. This was corrected with IV fluid administration as it was probably due to dehydration as the healthchecks were performed during the hot west-african dry season. Heart assessments revealed that Tacugama chimpanzees are in general cardiac healthy. Few slight valvular leaks were detected and in general the alpha males showed a slightly thicker and more trabecular heart (Aimee Drane, IPHP). Results of the healtchecks show that chimpanzees at Tacugama sanctuary are overall healthy.

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is very thankful to Abaxis for the material provided for these health-checks and for the future diagnostic capacitiy of the Sanctuary.

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VETCOM would like to welcome you to PetTalks: Be the Voice For Your Pets. Be a proud owner and shine some light on your pet for possible publication in any issue of Vetcom. We encourage you to get involved and share your PetTalk photos whether they may be funny, inspiring, or just too dang cute. We appreciate your continued readership and participation in Vetcom and look forward to seeing what your pets have to say!

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. Here is what we’re looking for:

Find a photo that captures your pet’s unique look or odd behavior.

Imagine what your pet might be thinking and add a witty caption to the photo.

Email your PetTalk photo to [email protected] for possible publication.

1

2

3

BE THE VOICE FOR YOUR PE

TS

Louie (Australian Shepard) - Contemplating if he should chase the deer or not.


PET TALKS

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Jackson

submitted by Terri Zugoni

“My name is Bad Dog today. I ate all Moms ripe tomatoes off the bushes. I don’t know why she’s so mad. I left the green ones!”

HERE ARE TH

E WINNERS

! PET TALKS: BE THE VOICE FOR YOUR PETS

#RELATIONSHIPGOALS

Petey

submitted by Michelle Scran Ocean County Veterinary Group

EYEBROWS ON FLEEK!

Mandi

submitted by Janet

Harrisonsubmitted by Nathan Sowers

Harrison is a 10 year old exotic Persian. Some of his hobbies include: Sleeping, ignoring me, and scrap booking. I got him in 2005 right after Hurricane Katrina. He’s named after the county I grew up in that was devestated by it. Also, he thinks soy milk is just regular milk introducing itself in Spanish, so he’s a little suspicious of it.

I ESCAPE TONIGHTsubmitted by Jennifer Kiefer LeRoy, MN.

MOOMA’S LOVE

I’M PREPARING TO SHRED YOUR COUCH

AT THIS VERY SECOND!

submitted by Genevieve G Neale, DVM

Louie (Australian Shepard) - Contemplating if he should chase the deer or not.

A recent study performed by Julie Levy, DVM, ACVIM and her team compared the sensitivity and specificity of the IDEXX, Abaxis, and Zoetis FeLV/FIV tests. The paper claims the VetScan and Witness tests demonstrate poor sensitivity for FeLV antigen. It concludes with a strong recommendation for the SNAP Feline Triple Test based on its “superior” sensitivity and specificity.

Like its predecessors, this paper demonstrates biased observations and incomplete technique with attempts to discredit the efficacy of the Abaxis FeLV/FIV test. When evaluating this paper, it is important to note:

1. This study was conducted by IDEXX against two competitors who have taken significant market share from them in this product category.

2. This study utilized an ELISA based method as the gold standard for evaluating the patient results. This test mirrors the IDEXX SNAP methodology very closely. It should be of no surprise the IDEXX tests show high correlation when compared to similar methodology. This, in itself, could and most likely did bias the results.

3. Dr. Levy specifically states in her paper that, “It is recommended that positive screening tests be followed up with confirmatory testing, such as PCR, IFA, Western blot, or different point-of-care tests.” However this study does not have a confirmatory evaluation of the lab subjects completed in this analysis. Therefore, there is no overall confirmation that the cats that tested positive for FeLV/FIV were truly infected or the results themselves a false positive. It is important to note that IFA testing is considered the gold standard among many professionals in the veterinary industry and highly regarded with the USDA.

4. This is now the fifth peer-reviewed paper conducted by IDEXX that attempts to discredit the sensitivity and specificity of the Abaxis VetScan Rapid Tests. Every paper has made claims that the sensitivity and specificity of the Abaxis tests is below average and questionable. One should use discretion when considering data that has an alarming trend of discrediting one particular company’s efficacy and results in conclusions contrary to what has been approved by the USDA.

5. From its inception, Abaxis has worked tirelessly to bring innovation to the veterinary community and provide better diagnostic solutions that benefit the business and the care of the patient. There is no bigger obstacle to IDEXX than Abaxis. It should be no surprise that IDEXX conducts studies against the very products that have taken the most market share from them. 6. No point-of-care test is perfect. All tests will have occasional false positive and false negative tests. However clinical trials must be based on true gold standard and confirmatory testing. Clinical signs and appropriate confirmation testing should be included in the determination of disease and treatment protocols. Dr. Levy’s study has significant errors in its design that bias the results.

FELV/FIV TESTS — COMPARED

FeLV/FIV Test Instructions

1 3Add 1 drop of blood, serum or plasma to the FeLV sample well and wait 5 to 10 seconds.

Read results within 10 minutes.Positive Example

Abaxis, Inc. Worldwide Headquarters

3240 Whipple RoadUnion City, CA 94587Tel 800 822 2947Fax 510 441 6150

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800.822.2947 [email protected]

Singularly Better.

2Add 3 drops of FeLV Chase Buffer (white cap) to the FeLV sample well.

1 3Add 1 drop of blood, serum or plasma to the FIV sample well and wait 5 to 10 seconds.

Read results within 10 minutes.Positive Example

2Add 3 drops of FIV Chase Buffer (purple cap) to the FIV sample well.

Abaxis and VetScan are registered trademarks of Abaxis, Inc. © Abaxis 2015 887-7000 Rev. B

GLOBAL DIAGNOSTICS

www.abaxis.com

FeLV/FIV Sheets Avalable at www.abaxis.com/reference-center

Accurate. Easy. Affordable. Providing the fl exibility you need in rapids.The Abaxis Feline FeLV/FIV Rapid Test is a highly sensitive and specifi c test for the detection of antibodies to Feline Immunodefi ciency Virus and Feline Leukemia Virus antigen in feline whole blood, serum, or plasma. The Abaxis Feline FeLV/ FIV Rapid Test offers the proven VetScan advantages of speed, simplicity, and value.

• Cost effective

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• Whole blood, serum, or plasma

n=93n=140

n=114n=110

FeLV Sensitivity 96%; Specifi city 99%; FIV Sensitivity 99%; Specifi city 97%;

Agreement by IFA and FeLV/FIV commercial kit methodologies.

Abaxis, Inc. Worldwide Headquarters

3240 Whipple RoadUnion City, CA 94587Tel 800 822 2947Fax 510 441 6150

www.abaxis.comAbaxis and VetScan are registered trademarks of Abaxis, Inc. © Abaxis 2015 887-7000 Rev. B

FeLV/FIV Rapid Test

GLOBAL DIAGNOSTICS

800.822.2947

Accurate. Easy. Affordable. ProvidThe Abaxis Feline FeLV/FIV Rapid Test is a hig

[email protected]

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For the qualitative detection of Feline Leukemia Virus antigen and Feline Immunodefi ciency Virus antibodies in feline whole blood, serum, or plasma.

• Fast - results in 10 minutes

• Room temperature storage

• Available in a 25-test kit

Clinical SignsFeLVMay be none or non-specifi c:

• Depression

• Weakness

• Enlarged lymph nodes

• Anemia

• Lymphoma

• Blood in stool

• Chronic or recurring infections

• Weight loss

• Diarrhea

• Excessive drinking and urination

FIV• May be none or signs of

immune defi ciency

causing infections in any

organ system, cancer,

or neurologic issues.

Abaxis and VetScan are registered trademarks of Abaxis, Inc. IDEXX and SNAP are registered trademarks of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. © Abaxis 2017

http://www.abaxis.com/veterinary/products/vetscan-vue/rapid-tests


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An International Publication VOLUME 58, 2017vet.abaxis.com/rs/705-OZG-628/images/vetcom_vol58... · cases from around the world, both healthy cases and ill cases. In the pages of

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