ophthalmology & zoonotic disease

Question 1

which breeds of rabbit are predisposed to corneal dystrophies?

Answer 1

American Dutch belted rabbits accumulate cholesterol/lipids in the cornea spontaneously; the Wataabe rabbit has a heritable hyperlipidemia.

Question 2

best option for treatment of pseudopterygium in rabbits?

Answer 2

resect the membrane a few millimeters beyond the limbus, then tx w/ abx/steroid combo drop or cyclosporine drop.

Question 3

abscess in the iris has more than one ddx in rabbits! who knew.

Answer 3

ECUN obvs. Pasteurella abscess as well. Book recommends titers for both to distinguish. Hmmm.

Question 4

congenital glaucoma in rabbits: discuss

Answer 4

Autosomal recessive
IOP high as early as 3 mo old
tx like any other glaucoma
If left untx, pressure on the ciliary body may eventually return the pressure to normal (like end stage in a dog) but owwwwwww

Question 5

ocular signs of distemper in ferrets (4):

Answer 5

mucopurulent oculonasal d/c
blepharitis
corneal ulcers
KCS

Question 6

corneal endothelial dystrophy in old mink

Answer 6

like in a dachshund

Question 7

cataracts are common in ferrets. for why?

Answer 7

partially genetic (both dominant and recessive genes)
dietary/nutritional - too high in fat, too low in protein or vit E (possible, not known for sure)

Question 8

main possible complications of cataracts?

Answer 8

uveitis/glaucoma

lens sub/luxation

Question 9

signs of retinal degeneration in a ferret

Answer 9

progressive blindness
mydriasis, low PLRs
retinal vascular attenuation, tapetal hyperreflectivity

Question 10

infection of which salivary gland will cause exophthalmos?

Answer 10

Zygomatic

Question 11

which type of tear test works better for guinea pigs?

Answer 11

phenol red thread, they make too little for a STT

Question 12

how could you diagnose chlamydia caviae in a GP with conjunctivitis?

Answer 12

conj scraping for cytology - intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies

Question 13

The weird guinea pig eye bone thing. what is it:

Answer 13

osseous metaplasia in the anterior chaber (choristoma). covers the iridocorneal angle
book says incidental finding, everywhere else says glaucoma

Question 14

ddx for red tears in a rat (besides pain and stress):

Answer 14

SIADV - very contagious coronavirus
parainfluenza virus type 3
sendai virus
ammonia buildup in bedding

Question 15

what medication can cause a temporary, reversible cataract in rats and mice?

Answer 15

xylazine! the fuck?

Question 16

which species can transmit campylobacter?

Answer 16

pet hamsters; may also have happened in a research colony of ferrets, no reports in pet ferrets (also dogs, cats and horses)

Question 17

guinea pig respiratory zoonosis

Answer 17

Chlamydia caviae. apparently bordetella is also a very low/theoretical risk

Question 18

corynebacterium kutscheri can be zoonotic from

Answer 18

Ratmice. Single case of chorioamnionitis in a human, so not exactly setting the world on fire, but the bug is ubiquitous in ratmice.

Question 19

francisella tularensis zoonotic from

Answer 19

Cats! or (rarely) wild rodents/lagomorphs. aerosol, direct, ectoparasitic

Question 20

Leptospirosis zoonotic from

Answer 20

pet ratmice. owners and one veterinarian. Handwashing is not enough; wear gloves. Also from ferrets used for hunting.

Question 21

Listeria zoonotic from

Answer 21

Ferrets. It’s ubiquitous sadly. very rare reports though. generally from immunocompromised ferret. can make ferrets very sick.

Question 22

Mycobacterium spp zoonotic from

Answer 22

ferrets. primarily in europe, where they are used for hunting and fed a lot of raw meat.

Question 23

Mycoplasma in humans: fun facts

Answer 23

Lots of people who handle rats have positive titers. clinical significance quite unclear at this time.

Question 24

Pasteurella multocida can affect people how?

Answer 24

primarily through bites or scratches from rabbits/rodents. Young children and immunocompromised adults primary concern.

Question 25

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and chinchillas: what is the deal

Answer 25

Many have it (estimate up to 42%), symptomatic or not. usually MDR. nosocomial infections to people can result, esp from food/water bowls, contamination, etc. Nasty bug, clean carefully

Question 26

Causative agents for rat bite fever?

Answer 26

streptobacillus moniliformis, sprillumn minus. incubation is longer for streptobacillus. Primary route is bite (hence name) but 30% of diagnosed patients do not have a history of a bite wound so fomite/contact transfer appears to be a thing. Can be fatal.

Question 27

Most rodents + ferrets are subclinical reservoirs for salmonella, apart from whom?

Answer 27

guinea pigs who become septic.

Question 28

Strep pneumoniae zoonotic from which spp?

Answer 28

Primarily rats and guinea pigs, but can be any spp.

Question 29

Seoul strain of the hantavirus can be found in

Answer 29

Norway rats & black rats - primarily wild, but research colonies have also been affected, and one owner of pet rats. rats don’t get sick, they just carry it. Test for antibodies.

Question 30

Primary reservoir of LCMV?

Answer 30

House mouse. Hamster and guinea pig also competent reservoirs.

Question 31

Monkeypox virus: fun facts

Answer 31

Single distributor, multiple species - pouched rat, prairie dogs; the pdogs gave it to a rabbit who gave it to a person too. Not an issue in the US since then.

Question 32

Hymenolepsis can affect people through what route?

Answer 32

inadvertent ingestion of feces from a host rodent (rats hamsters, mice)

Question 33

Trixacarus caviae: what is it

Answer 33

guinea pig fur mite. Guinea pigs can be asymptomatic unless stressed! can also cause dermatitis in people (especially children)

Question 34

cheyletiella is zoonotic. Gross.

Answer 34

self-limiting gross skin issues.