Congress on Demand 2021: Exotic Pets

How to approach ENT cases in practice: ENT infections in dogs, cats and rabbits have some similarities but more often differences. In dogs and cats, bacterial rhinitis is generally secondary to a primary nasal disease. In rabbits, the primary nasal disease is bacterial. It is a polybacterial infection, and the most frequent combination is Pasteurella multocida and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Other bacteria often isolated are Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. While plain radiographs and oral/dental examination are common diagnostic steps in all three species, bacterial culture and sensitivity are critical in rabbits. In chronic and advanced cases, a CT scan of the rabbit skull is recommended to evaluate the nasal turbinates and middle ears. Destruction and remodeling of nasal passages and P. multocida spread from the upper respiratory tract to the middle ear frequently occurs in rabbits. Although chronic antibiotic treatment is often used to treat affected rabbits, surgery of the nasal passages and middle ear is required for resolution, as antibiotic treatment failure often occurs. This presentation covers the differences between dogs, cats and rabbits, and what evidence-based medicine has shown to be critical for the diagnosis and treatment of ENT infections in rabbits.

Sinusitis and rhinitis in rabbits – non-antibiotic therapies: Sinusitis/rhinitis syndromes are common in rabbits as a part of the condition usually referred to as “snuffles”. Misleadingly this is often referred to as Pasteurellosis. This is misleading because the implication of a primary bacterial cause would infer that a course of antibiotics will treat and cure – this is rarely the case in the pet situation; Pasteurella is not always isolated and may not even be the most common isolate from diseased cases. Sinusitis and rhinitis are often linked though may also occur separately with sinusitis usually being associated with dental disease and the filling of sinuses with pus. These cases generally require a surgical approach with dental therapy and flushing/curettage of the sinuses. Rhinitis has a wider range of causes which may include airborne irritants and foreign bodies. In most cases, removal of potential irritants forms a major part of investigation and therapy. Other therapies may include anti-inflammatories, nasal flushes, and nebulization. In both cases a holistic investigation should be performed that will include a thorough husbandry review as well as imaging (CT or radiography) and nasal endoscopy/biopsy. This talk covers the investigation and the role of non-antibiotic therapies including sinus surgery.

The dermatologist’s view: Small furries are less commonly seen in small animals practices than dogs and cats, and those that present with alopecia may be slightly daunting to many small animal vets. Small furries are by no means small dogs – however, certain principles apply to all species. Alopecia is a common presentation in small furries and patients affected by it need to be worked up systematically, as we do for canine patients. In house laboratory tests, such as cytology and skin scraping, can be used in small furries and are quick and cost-effective ways to collect valuable diagnostic information. Common alopecic conditions and the general approach to these cases are discussed.

The exotics practice view: Alopecic small mammals are a regular presentation in practice. As in dogs and cats, this condition can be frustrating to investigate and this may be long, involved and expensive – in an older animal it may be difficult to resolve within the expected lifespan of that pet. Particular difficulties include the range of possible prognoses – in many cases, the likely treatments may be worse than the disease – whereas in others, alopecia may reflect a major systemic disease (e.g. demodicosis secondary to internal neoplasia) or skin tumours, e.g. mycosis fungoides; possible welfare issues- especially if pruritic; possible zoonoses – especially dermatophytosis – this is important that many are in the care of immunonaive children; lack of managed expectations – a survival time of 1-2 months in a mouse with a usual lifespan of around 18-24 months for a managed mycosis fungoides case may be a clinical success, but will not be viewed as such unless the client is properly informed; possible budgetary restrictions. The latter factor does not always apply – in which case a thorough systemic and dermal investigation may be carried out. However, where it is a factor a more practical approach based on likely diagnoses should be undertaken, which is the approach discussed in this talk.