HEMORRHAGIC DIATHESIS IN AVIAN SPECIES FOLLOWING INTRAMUSCULAR ADMINISTRATION OF POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN

Coagulation Disorders, Testing, and Treatment in Exotic Animal Critical Care

Despite poor recognition in the literature, exotic companion animals are affected by many diseases that can result in disordered coagulation and fibrinolysis. This article outlines current knowledge of hemostasis, common diagnostic tests and reviews reported diseases associated with coagulopathy in small mammals, bird and reptiles. A range of conditions affect platelets and thrombocytes, endothelium and blood vessels, and plasma clotting factors. Improved recognition and monitoring of hemostatic disorders will enable targeted therapy and improved case outcomes.

Treatment of Pain in Birds

This article provides an overview of the current understanding of evidence-based clinical analgesic use in birds. The field of avian analgesia has dramatically expanded during the last 20 years, affording more options for alleviating both acute and chronic pain. These options include opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local anesthetics, and/or other drugs like gabapentin, amantadine, and cannabinoids, acting at different points in the nociceptive system thereby helping to provide greater pain relief while reducing the risk of adverse effects when combined.

Owner Perceptions of Long-Term Systemic Use of Subcutaneous Administration of Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan

Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) is a slow-acting disease-modifying agent used to treat degenerative joint disease. Although labeled for intramuscular use, it is commonly given by owners via a subcutaneous (SC) route. There is little information on adverse events related to SC administration or what other therapies are used concurrently with PSGAG. We hypothesized that SC PSGAG is perceived by owners as having minimal adverse events and that it would most often be given with other therapies. Owners (n = 378) were surveyed about their perceptions regarding SC PSGAG prescribed to dogs at one veterinary rehabilitation clinic. Complete surveys were provided for 69 dogs (two owners had multiple dogs). Overall, 13/69 (18.8%) dogs had an adverse event reported during the use of PSGAG. Most events were considered minor (stomach upset, loose stool, pain at injection site, fear) and did not lead to discontinuation of PSGAG. One dog experienced a moderate adverse event (persistent gastrointestinal symptoms) and one a severe adverse event (thrombocytopenia, bruising), which resolved after discontinuing PSGAG. PSGAG is most commonly administered along with other medications and rehabilitation therapies. The present study demonstrates that SC administration of PSGAG is well tolerated in most of the dogs, with primarily mild, self-resolving adverse events.

Care of the Geriatric Raptor

Despite falconry having been practiced for centuries and with a wealth of published material on the husbandry of captive raptors over that period, there is a paucity of published material on the care of the geriatric raptor. Raptors are often a long-lived species and can suffer a range of age-related conditions that may impact on their welfare. This article seeks to cover some of these conditions and look at welfare considerations in the management of geriatric raptors, including quality-of-life assessments and euthanasia decision making.

Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan as a Novel, Adjunctive Therapy for Pemphigus Foliaceus in Three Dogs

Three dogs who were presented with cutaneous lesions and had histopathologic findings consistent with pemphigus foliaceus were treated with injectable polysulfated glycosaminoglycan as an adjunctive to systemic immune-modulatory therapy. These patients were not adequately controlled with oral glucocorticoids in conjunction with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and/or mycophenolate. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan contributed to induction of remission and reduced glucocorticoid doses in all dogs.