Anthony Pilny

Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital · Avian and Exotic Pets

Fur farming involves the captive-breeding, rearing, and killing of between 85 – 100 million animals annually for their pelts. The purpose of this report is to summarise key areas of significance and concern regarding fur farming, and discuss these matters and their one-health considerations. We conducted primary literature searches using Google Sch...

Background: Elephants are exploited for public entertainment tourism throughout Asia and Africa. Areas of concern include public health and safety and animal welfare. Materials and Methods: We examined over 500 scientific publications with respect to our primary objectives, as well as non-peer-reviewed materials relating to other relevant subject...

Mobile zoos are events in which non-domesticated (exotic) and domesticated species are transported to venues such as schools, hospitals, parties, and community centres, for the purposes of education, entertainment, or social and therapeutic assistance. We conducted literature searches and surveyed related government agencies regarding existing prov...

Snakes are sentient animals and should be subject to the accepted general welfare principles of other species. However, they are also the only vertebrates commonly housed in conditions that prevent them from adopting rectilinear behavior (ability to fully stretch out). To assess the evidence bases for historical and current guidance on snake spatia...

Snakes are sentient animals and should be subject to the accepted general welfare principles of other species. However, they are also the only vertebrates commonly housed in conditions that prevent them from adopting rectilinear behavior (ability to fully stretch out). To assess the evidence bases for historical and current guidance on snake spatia...

Emerging infections and re-emerging diseases in birds can be caused by numerous factors and need to be recognized and understood. This article introduces and summarizes author-selected emerging and re-emerging diseases of avian species. These diseases hold significance as they relate to scientific research, disease recognition and identification, a...

Various establishments exist in which animals are held for a variety of reasons. Historically, the management and inspection of animals in commerce and in private keeping have involved a considerable degree of arbitrary evaluation based on the personal experience of the vendor, keeper, advisor, or inspector. Accordingly, relevant protocols and stan...

Exotic pets are essentially animals that are non-native to a region and/or non-domesticated. The trade in and keeping of exotic pets has been frequently criticized for the commonly inhumane and harmful practices that are associated with supply and keeping, including: animal welfare, species conservation, invasiveness, and public health and safety....

A 23-year-old, 425-g male African grey parrot ( Psittacus erithacus) was evaluated for chronic ulcerative dermatitis of the axillary regions under both wings. Initial swab cultures of the sites had revealed a coagulase-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) with marked antibiotic resistance. A second swab culture obtained 8 wee...

Wellness management and environmental enrichment are important components of preventative veterinary medical care. Small exotic mammals represent a diverse group of pets with widely varying types of care, diet, and husbandry considerations; thus, environmental enrichment must go beyond the cage or tank design in order to provide proper mental fitne...

Pet birds suffer from a wide range of reproductive conditions and diseases. Chronic egg laying, egg binding, and excessive reproductive activities are common problems. Veterinarians may prescribe behavior modification, changes in captive care, and medical therapy to curb these behaviors. Surgical removal of the oviduct is effective at stopping egg...

Ovarian cysts are nonfunctional, fluid-filled cysts that develop spontaneously near the ovaries throughout the female guinea pig's reproductive cycle, reducing fertility in females older than 15 months and causing potentially serious uterine disorders. Permanent treatment requires ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy. This article reviews the clinical...

All too often, clients ignore the concepts of environmental enrichment, socialization, and exercise for their small exotic pet mammals. Sometimes, these pets, such as guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, and rats, live most of their lives in cages or tanks with little regard given to their mental and physical stimulation. With poor hus...

A 1-year-old female dwarf rabbit presented for an eye lesion of 2 months' duration. The referring veterinarian had prescribed a course of topical and systemic antibiotics, with no change. The rabbit appeared unaffected by the eye problem, and the physical examination was otherwise unremarkable. The lesion appeared as a whitish-yellow mass protrudin...

The nasolacrimal system of rabbits consists of a single punctum located in the ventral eyelid near the medial canthus. The lacrimal sac is rostral to the punctum and caudal to the nasolacrimal duct aperture. The duct extends from the orbit to the nasal fossa, exiting on the ventromedial aspect of the alar fold just caudal to the mucocutaneous junct...

To determine whether the presence of Chlamydophila psittaci antigen, plasma cholesterol concentration, diet, sex, species, and age are risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis in pet psittacine birds. Retrospective case-control study. 31 psittacine birds with atherosclerosis (study birds) and 31 psittacine birds without atherosclerosis (...

Hepatitis E is recognized as a zoonosis, and swine are known reservoirs, but how broadly enzootic its causative agent, hepatitis E virus (HEV), is remains controversial. To determine the prevalence of HEV infection in animals, a serological assay with capability to detect anti-HEV-antibody across a wide variety of animal species was devised. Recomb...

AbstractA 6-year-old dwarf rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) presented for chronic epiphora and tachypnea. Results of a complete blood count were unremarkable, and a plasma biochemical profile revealed elevated concentrations of blood glucose and alkaline phosphatase and decreased globulin and potassium levels. Thoracic radiography showed a mediastina...

Pet rodents, such as rats, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, differ from more traditional companion animal species in many aspects of their hematologic parameters. Animals within this order have much diversity in size, anatomy, methods of restraint, and blood collection technique. Appropriate sample collection is often the most challenging aspect of th...

The endocrine system of birds is comparable to that of mammals, although there are many unique aspects to consider when studying the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. Avian endocrinology is a field of veterinary medicine that is unfamiliar to many practitioners; however, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding when evaluating com...

The avian endocrine pancreas shares some similarities with mammals but also some clinically relevant differences in anatomy and physiology. Diabetes mellitus, an uncommon disease of pet birds, is a challenging condition because of lack of knowledge of the exact pathophysiology and responses to insulin therapy. This article reviews the anatomy and p...

Air sac cannulas are indicated in birds with upper respiratory obstruction or for ventilation during surgical procedures involving the head and neck. Proper technique, knowledge of potential complications, and an understanding of the indications for air sac tube placement are important for scientists, veterinarians, and technicians who work with bi...

A 4-year-old chestnut-fronted macaw (Ara severa) was examined for polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss. Abnormal clinicopathologic findings, including leukocytosis, anemia, β-globulinemia, hyperglycemia, glucosuria, and ketonuria, were consistent with diabetes mellitus. Increasing doses of neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin had no effect on...

Pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed neoplasms in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Typical clinical signs relate to hyperinsulinemia-induced hypoglycemia and can include lethargy, collapse, hindlimb weakness, and, in severe cases, seizures. Tentative diagnosis is made based on history, clinical signs, a...

The species of prairie dog most commonly found in the pet trade is the black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomus ludovicianus. These prairie dogs are active, playful, and strong rodents that can make wonderful, affectionate pets when they are properly socialized and given attention. However, with a life span of 8 to 12 years, prairie dogs require a lot of...

Lab Animal is a peer-reviewed journal offering information, ideas, methods, and materials for the animal research professional

Lab Animal is a peer-reviewed journal offering information, ideas, methods, and materials for the animal research professional

In all species of mammals, the stages of wound healing are the same, and both host factors and wound characteristics affect how wounds heal. The basic principles of wound care in ferrets, such as lavage, bandaging, and surgical closure, are similar to those in other species; however, knowledge of ferrets' anatomy and pathophysiology, as well as ski...

This pilot study was to determine if early oral flea exposure reduces the incidence of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) in cats. Eighteen kittens, assigned to three groups, received no flea exposure, oral flea exposure or flea infestation for 12 weeks. Then all the kittens were exposed continually to fleas for 31 weeks. Sensitization was monitored usi...