Featured Case Archives

Cinnamon, a 1-year-old female hamster

Cinammon: after surgeryCinnamon came in for an appointment when her owner noticed that she was looking bloated and had a decrease in bowel movements. Her owner also noticed some bloody discharge on her hind end a few days prior, which subsequently stopped. Cinnamon was still eating some of her hamster food but her appetite had been decreasing.

On physical exam, the doctor found that she was quite thin despite a very distended belly, which contained what felt like a fluid filled mass. Her weight was 55 grams, however it was likely that a large amount of that weight was due to the growth in her abdomen. She also had a broken top incisor resulting in her teeth not occluding normally. Hamsters have continuously growing incisor teeth and this can be a common finding, however if left untreated it can make eating difficult. Her broken tooth could have been from an injury such as from biting on cage bars or hard objects and during her exam the doctor trimmed the other teeth in order to make them even. We suspected that the broken tooth was secondary to the abnormal growth in her abdomen, which was the main reason she was not feeling well. Two common causes of abdominal masses in hamsters are either large abscesses (infections) or growths/tumors. Cinnamon’s owner was informed that Cinnamon needed surgery to explore the abdominal growth and the owner agreed.

The next day, Cinnamon was dropped off for surgery.

Cinammon: before surgery under anesthesia

Cinnamon was treated with antibiotics, pain medication, and fluids prior to anesthesia. The doctor decided to use a very safe anesthetic gas called Isoflurane to keep her unconscious and free of pain during surgery. Our anesthetist recorded Cinnamon’s vital signs and monitored that she was doing well by using anesthetic equipment that measures oxygen levels, heart rate, and respiration rates. Because little pets get cold very quickly during anesthesia, Cinnamon was kept warm using a forced hot-air-blanket. The surgeon very carefully made an incision on her abdomen and it was revealed that Cinnamon had 2 large growths in her uterus. We proceeded to surgically excise the diseased uterus and ovaries which is a procedure called a “spay” or ovariohysterectomy. Due to her small body size, it was indeed very challenging to separate the tissues and place sutures around the tiny blood vessels in her reproductive tract. Regardless of our challenges, the surgery went very well and there was hardly any loss of blood.

Cinammon after surgery: still under anesthesia

After the surgery was complete, we gave her 100% oxygen until she was fully awake. Her body temperature was slightly cold so we continued to provide heat support until it was normal. Her weight after the spay was 31 grams, which meant that the growths were 24 grams; equivalent to 40% of her entire weight!

Cinammon's tumors: after removal

Cinnamon made a quick recovery and we were very happy to see her moving around after 5 minutes. She had been given a strong pain medication before the surgery and did not seem too uncomfortable. The doctor also gave her an injection of an anti-inflammatory after she woke up to help her recover even faster. Amazingly, Cinnamon started munching on a piece of blueberry 1 hour after she was finished with surgery! She stayed in the hospital for one night and was discharged the next day since she was doing so well.

Cinammon: eating later that day
Female rodents such as hamsters, rats, mice, and guinea pigs have a tendency to develop growths in their reproductive tracts. Some species such as rats and mice also have a tendency to develop mammary tumors. These diseases are due to feedback of estrogen from their ovaries. As prevention, we recommend that all rodents be spayed at a young age to remove the source of the estrogen. The risk of a spay on a young healthy pet is low when performed by an exotic pet veterinarian. Anesthesia on exotic pets is a very routine procedure at our hospital.

Cinnamon is a very fortunate hamster to have such a dedicated owner and she is now happily enjoying her new-found health. She has been steadily gaining weight and has been eating like a champ! We hope that she will continue to do well and look forward to seeing her at her wellness check-up in 3 months!

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Bea, a very lucky ferret!

Bea, a four year old female spayed ferret, presented on emergency when she collapsed after a traumatic fall. She had been playing with her owner and accidently fell to the floor. On physical exam, Bea was unresponsive, hyperventilating and not able to move. Her body temperature was sub-normal at 96.1°F, she had a very pale bluish pallor, shallow rapid breathing and an elevated heart rate. Her abdomen also felt slightly distended, although Bea has a history of a large spleen which can be normal for ferrets.

BeaThe team of doctors and nurses at the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine quickly recognized that Bea needed emergency supportive stabilization. Bea was placed in 100% oxygen and she was put on a forced hot air blanket. Her vital signs were carefully monitored via a blood pressure machine and her oxygen levels were measured using a pulse oxymeter. An IV catheter was placed in her front arm to deliver an IV bolus of fluids for shock, and she was maintained on a steady infusion of IV fluids to slowly increase her blood pressure. Bea was treated with opioid pain medication as well as steroids which can help patients in shock. At this point, her pulse felt slightly stronger and she was deemed stable for diagnostics to be performed in order to find out why she had collapsed.

Bea was taken to radiology for chest and abdominal x-rays and a small blood sample was taken to check her organ function and blood cell counts. The x-rays revealed a slight loss of detail in the borders of her spleen but no broken bones or obvious injuries were visible. Her blood tests showed that she was in shock, anemic, had a mild decrease in kidney function, and low blood protein values. The doctors diagnosed that Bea was in circulatory shock and that she was suffering from internal hemorrhage (bleeding). She was given a dose of iron, gastro-protectants, and antibiotics. After 4 hours of intensive care and monitoring, Bea started showing mild signs of improvement. Her pallor was now a pale pink. Her breathing was improved and she appeared more comfortable. Bea was able to sit up and stand slowly and she was taking small amounts of liquid food. Overnight, the night nurse continued to monitor her vital signs and Bea steadily gained her strength.
Bea
The next morning, everybody was thrilled to see that her color was visibly more pink. Her blood concentration was re-checked and it did show a persistent severe anemia. When a pet suffers blood loss, it takes about 24 hours for the blood concentration levels to fall as the body adjusts to the loss of blood volume. We had expected to see this drop in blood concentration, and it further supported our diagnosis of internal bleeding. A repeat x-ray showed mild ascites, or free fluid in the abdomen, as well as a continued blurring of splenic margins. At this point we were highly suspicious of splenic bleeding. An abdominal ultrasound was subsequently performed, and this confirmed a diagnosis of abdominal bleeding with splenic hemorrhage and hematomas. A fine needle aspirate of the fluid in her abdomen showed that the ascites was blood. However, we had good news in that there were clots which had formed on her spleen suggesting that the bleeding had stopped. A blood test called a reticulocyte count was performed next to make sure Bea was able to produce new red blood cells to replace the ones that she had lost. The test results also brought more good news showing that her body was producing new blood cells normally.

BeaBea continued to gain her strength and was discharged to her dedicated owners after 3 days in the hospital. At her recheck 1 week later, Bea was doing very well; she was back to her normal cheerful and playful self. All the staff at the Center for Avian and Exotic medicine wishes her well and are very happy for her complete recovery!

Rocky - Jardine parrot

Rocky is a 2-year old Jardine’s parrot who presented to our clinic’s emergency service because of lethargy and anorexia of 4-days duration. On initial examination Rocky was found to be in serious condition. He was thin, extremely weak, had pale mucous membranes and had an inflamed tongue with multiple pustules. Rocky was the only pet in the house and lived in a bird safe cage with safe toys, and was only out of his cage under supervision. The owners were not aware of any trauma or other conditions that might have explained Rocky’s lack of appetite. They did however report that Rocky’s tongue had been bothering him for several days.
Rocky: the Jardine Parrot
At this time it was believed that the most likely cause of Rocky’s anorexia and secondary lethargy was his tongue. When we questioned the owners about Rocky’s diet they reported that he only ate sunflower seeds because that’s all he liked. This immediately aroused suspicion that Rocky’s condition might be due to a severe dietary deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals. Seeds are deficient in many vitamins, minerals and amino acids- particularly vitamins A, D, E and K. They are also high in fat and cholesterol, and low in calcium. Of particular importance to Rocky’s case are the low levels of vitamins A in sunflower seeds.

Vitamin A is extremely important for the overall health and wellbeing of all animals. It is particularly important in areas of the body where cells are frequently regenerated -such as the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, intestines, airways, and urogenital system. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to a weakening in these areas of the body and allow bacteria to invade the tissue causing inflammation and infection. These types of infections can be made worse and easily spread in the vitamin deficient A patient because this vitamin also plays a key role in immune system health. Finally, certain fruit and vegetable sources of vitamin A may also play a role as antioxidants. Antioxidants function to reduce the inflammatory effects of oxygen free radicals which are produced during normal metabolism and may contribute to certain chronic diseases.

As previously mentioned seeds, particularly sunflower seeds, are a poor source of vitamin A. On average sunflower seeds contain one-tenth of the required amount of vitamin A for parrots. Therefore a bird eating predominantly sunflower seeds, like Rocky, may sooner or later succumb to a one or more serious side-effects of this deficiency. To prevent this problem it is important to offer your parrot a diet rich in vitamin A. Good sources of vitamin A include: dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach, carrots, apricots, cantaloupe, mango, papaya, peaches and peppers. It is important to offer a variety of these and other fruits and vegetables to your parrot daily or at least a few times a week. Additionally, we strongly recommend that at least 70% of your parrot’s diet be comprised of commercial bird pellets. These foods are formulated to provide adequate levels of vitamin A, in addition to all major vitamins and minerals.

Given Rocky’s serious condition, and our suspicions as to the possible cause of his illness we admitted him to the hospital for additional tests, treatment and supportive care. We performed a complete blood count and chemistry panel on Rocky to allow us to better evaluate his general health and organ function. The main finding was an elevated white blood cell function, indicative of a moderate to severe infection. Rocky also had a serious anemia, likely explaining his pale color and weakness. Fortunately Rocky’s organ function appeared to be adequate and additional tests for lead poisoning, psittacine beak and feather disease, psittacosis and polyoma virus were all negative.

Rocky was treated with a vitamin A injection, broad spectrum antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and a special feeding formula to speed his recovery. In total Rocky required one week of intensive care and over 2-weeks of hospitalization in total before his condition stabilized. During his first week in the hospital Rocky needed to be assist fed and medicated three times a day. Over the second week his treatments were reduced and his body was able to start to repair and regenerate owing to the vitamin A injection and supportive care received during the first week.

Despite being a prime example of a bird who would ‘only eat’ seeds, over a period of 2-3 weeks Rocky was converted to a more appropriate diets consisting of 70% commercial pellets, 20% fruits and vegetables, 6% grains and nuts and less than 4% seeds and healthy human treats.

Four months later, Rocky is in excellent health and thoroughly enjoys his new, healthier diet and lifestyle.

Gingko - Egyptian Uromastyx

Gingko is a beautiful Egyptian Uromastyx who has lived with his owner for 5 ½ years, mostly roaming free in an apartment. His owner brought him here after he noticed that Gingko was eating less and losing weight over a period of several weeks. He was also lethargic and not acting like his usual self.
Gingko
Uromastykes are native to Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia and eat a variety of plants and occasional insects. They love to bask in the sun during the day and can tolerate temperatures up to 120 degrees. They are known for their large, spiked tails, and are often referred to as “spiny-tailed” lizards.

On physical exam Gingko was quiet, but alert. He was moderately dehydrated and had some areas where he was having trouble shedding his skin. Lethargy, decreased appetite, and dehydration are common clinical signs in reptiles that are ill with many different diseases ranging from infections to cancer. It was not until we took an x-ray of Gingko that we were able to figure out what was making him sick.

Gingko - xray

Gingko had a 2cm long foreign object in his digestive tract. The owner did not recognize the object on the x-ray, but because Gingko was loose in the apartment he could have easily swallowed something that was on the floor. Due to the large size of the object, the only option was to surgically remove it from Gingko’s digestive tract.

There are many theories about why reptiles swallow things that aren’t food. Here at the Center we have performed surgery on hundreds of animals suffering from this unfortunate problem. One theory is that in captivity we are unable to provide the exact kind of diet and environment needed by a reptile, so they eat things because of underlying nutritional deficiencies. Sometimes it seems accidental, or may result from curiosity in “tasting” something that looks like food.

Gingko - surgery
Gingko - surgery

Gingko was a very lucky lizard and is now back at home doing well. His owner now knows to keep a much closer eye on him while he is out of his tank. While all reptiles deserve some time out to explore and get exercise, it should be done under direct supervision. When you are not able to be with your pet reptile, they should be housed in a safe and comfortable enclosure. The staff here at the Center is specially trained to answer questions about appropriate reptile enclosures. If you have any questions about lighting, temperatures, humidity, size, and safety of cage accessories please call us and schedule an appointment.

Goldfish Surgery

Riitta is a 2 ½ year old Oranda Goldfish who was brought to our hospital because her owner was concerned that Riitta was unable to find her food and had stopped eating. Oranda Goldfish are known for having a distinctive cap of ornamental flesh on their heads called a Wen. Riitta’s vision had become impaired when her Wen had overgrown to a point where her eyes were completely covered. Troubled for her beloved pet, Riitta’s owner resorted to feeding her by hand to maintain her health.
Riita: before surgery
Riitta’s owner elected to have a cosmetic surgical procedure performed to attempt to restore her vision. The procedure began by setting up multiple tanks with strictly regulated water conditions in which to house Riitta during anesthesia and recovery phases. The anesthesia used was a powder form that was diluted into the water of the surgery tank. This allowed Riitta to be both sedated and pain free during the procedure.
Riita: during surgery
Riitta wasn’t the only one in the surgery tank, so was Dr. Alix Wilson. The whole procedure took place under water! The overgrown tissue was carefully removed using specialized surgical instruments. Fortunately, this tissue is not heavily vascularized, meaning there are not many blood vessels to disrupt, and bleeding was kept to a minimum.
Riita: - during Surgery
Recovery went “swimmingly” for Riitta. Her vision has greatly improved since the surgery and she is able to find her food on her own once again. Her post-surgical care included keeping her tank water exceptionally clean, and required her owner to administer antibiotics by injecting the medication into a pea and hand feeding Riitta the prescription!
Riita: post surgery

Egg Binding in Birds

Egg binding or dystocia refers to a condition in which a female bird has trouble laying an egg. This condition can be life threatening and is unfortunately common in our smaller pet birds (budgerigars, cockatiels, lovebirds, finches, canaries). At the Center we see many cases of egg binding each year, and we believe most of them could have been prevented.

The following xrays are of birds that were seen here this past year and were diagnosed with egg binding. Their owners reported the following clinical signs at home: straining, loss of appetite, weakness, fluffed feathers, difficulty breathing, distended abdomen, and large, wet droppings. If we suspect egg binding, or feel an egg in a bird’s body cavity, taking an xray gives us important information about the size and shape of the egg and where it is located.

Egg binding can occur when an egg is overly large, malformed, broken, joined to other eggs, has a soft shell, or even when the egg appears completely normal. There are many predisposing factors that can lead to egg-binding, but luckily this condition is often preventable. Birds on all seed diets which are deficient in calcium and vitamins have an increased frequency of egg binding. Egg binding is also more common in birds with additional health problems, obesity, lack of exercise, advanced age, poor environmental conditions, and in birds that lay excessive eggs.

In order to prevent egg binding and other serious health issues we recommend that birds have yearly wellness exams. In addition to regular physical exams and health screening, we can guide you on how to properly feed and exercise your bird as well as avoid egg laying behaviors.

Pancake the Bearded Dragon

Pancake, a young bearded dragon, was brought to our hospital because of a problem with his right eye. The lids were swollen and he seemed unable to open or see out of that eye. Despite his compromised vision, Pancake was very active and was still able to hunt insects well using his left eye

Pancake - Bearded Dragon: at the time of his first appointmentOn physical exam, Pancake was in good body condition, but there was a thick, yellow coating on the skin around his right eye, on the right side of his face, and on a small area on his right front leg.

It was obvious that Pancake had some sort of skin infection, but without closer inspection under the microscope it was difficult to tell whether the cause of the infection was bacterial, fungal, or some combination of the two. In order to effectively treat Pancake’s infection, we needed more information. We decided to perform a test called a skin cytology.

Pancake: - CytologyBy gently scraping the diseased skin on Pancake’s face, fixing it to a slide, and staining it, we were able to study his skin under the microscope. This is a photo of what we saw.

Pancake’s skin appeared to be teeming with fungal organisms, and we became suspicious of a condition called Yellow Fungus Disease. Fungal infections can be fatal in young bearded dragons so we were very worried about Pancake. He was immediately hospitalized for treatment. After many weeks of wound care, antibiotics, and antifungal medications Pancake is doing very well! Although his treatments will continue for many more weeks, he has been released from the hospital and is fat and happy with his new owner in Ithaca.

Pancake: - post surgery

Spike Lentini the iguana

Spike is a 1 ½ year old green iguana who presented to our hospital with a decreased appetite and orange-colored urates. (Urates are the typically white portion of reptile eliminations.) He also had not defecated in 4-5 days. Spike was still very active at home and his owners fed him a good diet consisting of 70% dark, leafy greens.

On physical exam, Spike was very bright and alert. “He” had a small head, small dewlap, and small femoral pores characteristic of female green iguanas. Spike’s abdomen was distended and several large masses were felt inside.

We decided to take an xray of Spike’s body cavity.

Egg bound iguana

The xray confirmed that Spike was indeed a female, and she was full of eggs!

Female iguanas can produce a clutch of (infertile) eggs without the presence of a male. These eggs can be laid normally, but can also become stuck. Egg binding, or dystocia, is often difficult to differentiate from a normal pregnancy. Gravid (egg-carrying) females will often stop eating for a 3-4 week period but remain active. While this is considered normal, a quiet and depressed gravid female could indicate a problem.

Spike was still very alert and active so we advised the owners to take her home, provide her with a nest site, and monitor her environment and health daily. There are many reasons why a normal pregnancy can progress to egg binding. Some of the most common causes in captive iguanas are lack of proper diet, less than optimal environmental temperatures, handling stress, improper light sources, and inadequate nesting sites.

After 10 days Spike was slightly less active and her appetite was decreasing. She had been digging in the nest, but no eggs were produced. The decision was made to surgically remove the eggs and Spike’s reproductive tract before she showed any further complications.

The following photos are of the surgery.

Spike Lentiniin surgery

Spike Lentini: - post surgery!