In recent decades, exotic pets are increasingly invited to homes with a wide range of variation in species and requirements that are more specialized. During a one-year period, 2408 exotic animals admitted to the Small Animal Veterinary Hospital, University of Tehran were assessed. Rabbits, hamsters, squirrels, turtles/tortoises, guinea pigs, lizards, hedgehogs, reindeer, monkeys, and snakes were referred, respectively. Owner referral cause and their gender in addition to the disease diagnosis were analyzed. While no statistical significance (P>0.05) was observed in the total number of men and women presenting these animals, gender-based preferences were spotted for owning specific types of animal species in this study (P<0.05). Furthermore, analysis showed that snakes and rabbits were more commonly (P<0.05) presented for checkup; while chelonians, lizards, hedgehogs, and monkeys were more presented with health problems (P<0.05). Other animals’ results did not show statistically significant difference for admission reasons (P>0.05). The health record assessment included 1587 animals with complete health files. The most common diseases diagnosed in most of these animals were metabolic bone disease/musculoskeletal problems and dental problems. In addition, eye problems in chelonians and urinary problems in hedgehogs were the most common diagnosis of those species. In conclusion, since the most common health problems of most participating animals were associated with mismanagement and inappropriate diet, it is highly recommended that owners be thoroughly educated by veterinarians to reduce the possibility of such conditions in exotic captive animals.

This study aimed to investigate the protective influence of olive leave extract zinc oxide nanoparticles (OLEZnONPs) complex against gentamicin–induced kidney dysfunctions in goats. Twenty five adult female goats were randomly divided into five equal groups and treated as follows: control group (C) administered sterile distilled water (IM) for 10 days, group G administered 25 mg/kg BW gentamicin (IM) for 7 days, group Z administered 10 ìg/kg BW of OLEZnONPs (IP) for 3 days, group GTZ administered 25 mg/kg BW gentamicin (IM) for 7 days and then 10 ìg/kg BW of OLEZnONPs (IP) for 3 days, group GWZ administered 25 mg/kg BWs gentamicin (IM) and 10 ìg/kg BW of OLEZnONPs (IP) together for first 3 days and then followed by gentamicin only for 4 days. After seven days of the experiment, the gene expression of kidney injury molcule-1(KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-association lipocalin (NGAL) gene expression of kidney tissue were measured. In addition, samples of kidney were obtained for histopathological examination. Gentamicin medication induced a marked elevation in kidney tissue KIM-1 and NGAL gene expression in G and GTZ groups compared to control and other groups. Intraperitoneal treatment of goats with OLEZnONPs did not significantly affect NGAL and KIM-1 gene expression in Z, GWZ, and control groups. Histologically, in contrast to control, gentamicin induced more extensive kidney damages such as necrotized glomeruli, atrophic glomeruli, and renal tubular epithelial necrosis, while it was found that these alterations in kidney tissues wereimproved in goats given OLEZnONPs with gentamicin compared to group G. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that OLEZnONPs reduce the deleterious effects of gentamicin with significantly decreasing of KIM-1 and NGAL gene expression and remodeling the histological changes of kidney in goats.

This study is carried out to investigate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) infections in cattle using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting IS1111A transposase gene. A total of 130 lactating cows were randomly selected from different areas in Wasit province, Iraq and subjected to blood and milk sampling during the period extended between November 2018 and May 2019. ELISA and PCR tests revealed that 16.15% and 10% of the animals studied were respectively positive. Significant correlations (P<0.05) were detected between the positive results and clinical data. Two positive PCR products were analyzed phylogenetically, named as C. burnetii IQ-No.5 and C. burnetii IQ-No.6; and then recorded in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) under an accession numbers of MN473204.1 and MN473205.1. Comparative identity of the local strains with NCBI-BLAST strains/isolates revealed 97% similarity and 0.1-0.6% of total genetic mutations/changes. NCBI-BLAST Homology Sequence reported high significant identity (P<0.05) between the local, C. burnetii IQ-No.5 and C. burnetii IQ-No.6; strains and C. burnetii 3345937 (CP014354.1) Netherlands isolate at 99.10% and 99.06%, respectively. The current study concluded that the percentage of infected cows with coxiellosis is relatively high, and Coxiella should be listed as abortive pathogen. Therefore, additional studies should be performed including different animals, samples, and regions.

An interaction toxicity study was performed to evaluate and compare the effect of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor (captopril) and inducer (spironolactone) on their common substrate (lovastatin) that were done by comparing LD50 of the acute study with their chronic form then with those combined therapeutic doses administered for 90 days. Therefore, isobolographic analysis and chronicity index were used as the parameters for this study. Forty rats were allocated into five groups according to the used treatment into: captopril, spironolactone, lovastatin, captopril + lovastatin and spironolactone + lovastatin using up and down method to determine their acute exposure LD50 while ninety rats were used to perform the chronic stage of the study divided equally into six groups according to daily dosing regimen as following G1- control group administered distilled water orally; G2 administered captopril 0.7 mg/kg BW orally; G3-administered spironolactone 1.4 mg/kg BW orally; G4- administered lovastatin 0.57 mg/kg BW orally; G5-administered spironolactone1.4 mg/kg BW orally and lovastatin 0.57 mg/kg BW, G6- administered captopril 0.7 mg/kg BW and lovastatin 0.57 mg/kg BW orally. The results of isobolographic analysis showed that the sort of interaction between P-gp inhibitor (captopril) and lovastatin alone and as combined administration showed to be antagonistic after acute administration while it was synergistic after chronic administration; for P-gp inducer, spironolactone and lovastatin were additive after acute administration and antagonistic after chronic administration. Chronicity index results showed that both captopril and lovastatin accumulated after administered each alone and showed more accumulation after their combined administration while the chronicity index for P-gp inducer (spironolactone) and lovastatin showed less total concentration in the body burden after their combined administration than alone one. In conclusion, it seems that P-gp inhibitor (captopril) causes accumulation of itself and substrate (lovastatin), while P-gp inducer (spironolactone) causes reduction on the body burden of itself as well as lovastatin possibly due to their effects on the kinetics of the body and this may affect the efficacy and safety of drugs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of trazodone following rectal administration of a single dose to healthy dogs. ANIMALS 6 healthy adult dogs. PROCEDURES Each dog received a single dose of trazodone (approx 8 mg/kg) per rectum. Trazodone tablets were crushed into a powder, mixed with 5 mL of tap water, and injected into the rectum via a red rubber catheter. Sedation scores were assigned, and blood samples were collected for determination of plasma trazodone concentration at predetermined times before and after drug administration. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by noncompartmental analysis. RESULTS Plasma trazodone concentration remained below the detection limit for 1 dog even though it became moderately sedate. Median (interquartile [25th to 75th percentile] range [IQR]) maximum plasma trazodone concentration and volume of distribution and clearance corrected for bioavailability were 1.00 μg/mL (0.66 to 1.40 μg/mL), 10.3 L/kg (7.37 to 14.4 L/kg), and 639 mL/kg/h (594 to 719 mL/kg/h), respectively. Median time to maximum plasma trazodone concentration and elimination half-life were 15 minutes (range, 15 to 30 minutes) and 12 hours (IQR, 7.99 to 12.7 hours), respectively. All dogs became mildly or moderately sedate, and the extent of sedation was maximal at a median of 30 minutes (IQR, 30 to 60 minutes) after trazodone administration. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Rectal administration of trazodone may be a viable option for sedation and treatment of anxiety in dogs for which administration of sedatives and anxiolytics by other routes is contraindicated. Further research is necessary to better elucidate the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of trazodone following rectal administration and determine optimal dosing.

OBJECTIVE To determine the optimal energy profile for and to assess the feasibility and efficacy of ultrasonographic and laparoscopic guidance for microwave ablation (MWA) of clinically normal canine ovaries. SAMPLE 44 extirpated ovaries from 22 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES In the first of 2 trials, 13 dogs underwent oophorectomy by routine laparotomy. Extirpated ovaries underwent MWA at 45 W for 60 (n = 11) or 90 (12) seconds; 3 ovaries did not undergo MWA and served as histologic controls. Ovaries were histologically evaluated for cell viability. Ovaries without viable cells were categorized as completely ablated. Histologic results were used to identify the optimal MWA protocol for use in the subsequent trial. In the second trial, the ovaries of 9 dogs underwent MWA at 45 W for 90 seconds in situ. Ultrasonographic guidance for MWA was deemed unfeasible after evaluation of 1 ovary. The remaining 17 ovaries underwent MWA with laparoscopic guidance, after which routine laparoscopic oophorectomy was performed. Completeness of ablation was histologically assessed for all ovaries. RESULTS 2 ovaries were excluded from the trial 1 analysis because of equivocal cell viability. Six of 11 ovaries and 10 of 10 ovaries that underwent MWA for 60 and 90 seconds, respectively, were completely ablated. In trial 2, laparoscopic-guided MWA resulted in complete ablation for 12 of 17 ovaries. Dissection of the ovarian bursa for MWA probe placement facilitated complete ablation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Laparoscopic-guided MWA at 45 W for 90 seconds was feasible, safe, and effective for complete ablation of clinically normal ovaries in dogs.