Marion Desmarchelier

• Université de Montréal

OBJECTIVE To evaluate rabbit behavioral responses and activity after gabapentin administration. METHODS In this study, 5 intact female and 3 intact male New Zealand white rabbits aged 8 to 12 months were administered a single oral 25-mg/kg dose of gabapentin. This study was conducted from December 2020 to February 2021. Effects on individual behav...

No study has determined the minimal effective dose of trazodone required to induce behavioral changes and its safety profile in rabbits. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the minimal effective dose of trazodone to improve compliance to handling, and to evaluate associated changes in motor activity, physiological and arterial blood gas parame...

Acoustic telemetry is extensively used for studies of habitat use and survival of wild aquatic animals. The most frequently used acoustic transmitters, which are either externally-attached or surgically-implanted into animals, produce a short succession of acoustic “pings” at 69 kHz at a predetermined interval and between 137-158 dB, which can then...

Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic disturbances that may increase their stress levels with unknown consequences for the overall population dynamics. The validation and measurement of chronic stress biomarkers could contribute toward improved understanding and conservation efforts for this species. Dehydroepiandro...

The fin whale behavioural repertoire is still largely unknown. As part of a larger focal study on the welfare and health assessment of individual fin whales found in the Gulf of St-Lawrence near Sept-Îles (Québec, Canada), we encountered a large group of 13 individuals swimming and diving in synchrony. Here, we present the detailed encounter throug...

Trazodone is a dose-dependent serotonin antagonist and agonist used to treat anxiety-related conditions. Trauma has been identified as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in several nondomestic ruminant species and can be exacerbated by stress. In a recent study in domestic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus), trazodone reduced activity levels w...

Trazodone reduces stress in many species. In rabbits, however, no study has determined the minimal effective dose of trazodone required to induce behavioral changes and its safety profile. This study aimed to determine the minimal effective dose of trazodone on handling and activity in rabbits and to evaluate changes in physiological and arterial b...

Published research on the health status of wild bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in Eastern Canada is limited. This study examined the health status of 53 nestling bald eagles on Prince Edward Island in the summers of 2012 and 2013, including biochemistry reference intervals, a summary of hematological parameters, and background lead accumula...

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association between pet ownership and quality of life (QoL), loneliness, anxiety, stress, overall health, and mental health of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic using a One Health perspective. An online bilingual survey was completed by 1500 Canadians in April–May 2021. Socio-demogr...

Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and potent σ1-receptor agonist, commonly used in human medicine to treat major depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, as well as other anxiety disorders. To our knowledge, its clinical use in canine behavior medicine has not been well-studied. The purpose of this retrospe...

Guinea pigs share many similarities with other small rodents. However, recognizing some of their physiological peculiarities as well as understanding several species‐specific conditions is critical to diagnose and treat them adequately when presented in emergency situations. This chapter covers the most common emergency presentations (anorexia, dys...

Atherosclerosis is frequently diagnosed in captive parrots. Recent studies have highlighted the potential role of high fructose intake in the development of human cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary fructose on the lipid profile in psittacine birds. Six macaws, composed of 3 green-winged mac...

A retrospective study was performed to describe patient and fracture characteristics, treatments, complications, and outcomes associated with femoral fractures in free-ranging birds of prey. Cases were identified from the electronic database and included raptors admitted with femoral fractures at the Bird of Prey Clinic of the Université de Montréa...

Trazodone is an antianxiety medication commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. Stress-related trauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in wild ruminant species. Trazodone could reduce stress and allow safer capture and handling, thus having a positive effect on their welfare. The objective of this study was to describe the cli...

Reptile behavior varies widely among the approximately 11,000 species of this class. The authors' objective is to allow practitioners to discriminate between normal and abnormal behaviors in reptiles. Some of the most common reasons for presentation of behavioral issues are discussed, including hyperactivity, self-mutilation, biting, repetitive beh...

Literature regarding the clinical use of psychotropic drugs in exotic animals remains scarce. Psychotropic drugs acting on serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid pathways work by decreasing fear and anxiety, reactivity, and hypervigilance, and by improving impulse control. They are indicated for some cases of aggression, s...

Contraception is needed to prevent overpopulation and inbreeding in highly fecund captive bat colonies. Reports on surgical contraception in bats are limited. The objective of this study was to describe surgical castration techniques in a megachiropteran and a microchiropteran fruit bat species. Open orchiectomy by transfixing ligation of the sperm...

Horner syndrome, which results from oculosympathetic denervation, has rarely been reported in birds. A retrospective study was conducted in a raptor rehabilitation program to gain further insight into Horner syndrome in birds. Data from 5128 live raptors admitted over 20 years were reviewed. Horner syndrome was identified in 22 individuals from 13...

Introduction. This study aimed to collect and describe items considered important for the quality of life (QoL) in owned rabbits; the proportion of these items that involve mobility; and to evaluate what factors (including presence of painful disease) affect this distribution. Authors hypothesized that overall QoL is negatively influenced by decrea...

An onset of respiratory disease in a captive bachelor group (n = 3) of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) was concomitant with peak attendance of visitors at the institution and with unwanted occurrences of food items being thrown in the gorillas' enclosure. While the condition of two individuals improved with supportive therapy and...

Los objetivos de este estudio son describir y caracterizar las actividades que los propietarios de conejos consideran indicadoras de calidad de vida (QoL en inglés) en sus mascotas, así como la proporción de estas actividades que implican movilidad y como se distribuyen en animales sanos o sintomáticos. Los resultados obtenidos resaltan la necesid...

Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of trazodone and its effect on the activity of domestic pigeons (Columba livia). Animals: 6 healthy adult male domestic pigeons. Procedures: During the first of 3 experiments, birds received orally administered trazodone at doses ranging from 3 to 30 mg/kg to determine the dose...

Walruses are a challenging species to anesthetize as a result of their large mass, limited access for drug delivery, unique physiology, and small number of reports describing anesthetic procedures. Three aquarium-housed walruses ( Odobenus rosmarus) ranging in age from 3 to 11 yr old (344-1,000 kg) were anesthetized for dental or ophthalmic surgica...

A 4-year-old spayed female ferret was presented with acute diarrhea and partial anorexia. Pneumatosis coli and segmental enteropathy were identified by ultrasonography and radiography. Fecal culture did not identify any pathogenic bacteria. Medical management of concurrent diseases and antibiotic therapy resulted in resolution of clinical signs and...

A 3-year-old female gerbil developed a non-healing skin wound due to a malignant neoplasm. Histology, immunohistochemistry (cytokeratin 19 positive; vimentin, estrogen, and progesterone receptor negative), and electron microscopy (no desmosomes or melanosomes) revealed an undifferentiated carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis. Unlike in previous repo...

A 3.5-year-old spayed female ferret, fed a diet high in refined sugar, was referred for lethargy, polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. Diabetic ketoacidosis was diagnosed. Treatment included insulin therapy and a low carbohydrate diet. Diabetes mellitus resolved 54 d later, and insulin therapy was discontinued. There has been no recurrence of the...

Although endoscopy is part of the basic standard of care in most avian practices, many wildlife rehabilitation centers do not have access to the equipment or do not use it on a regular basis. Endoscopic equipment is easily available at a lower cost on the used market or can be acquired through donations from local human hospitals. Several medical c...

A wild orphaned male American black bear cub ( Ursus americanus ) presented with hind limb gait abnormalities and was found to have bilateral grade 3 laterally luxating patellas. There were no other significant abnormalities detected on neurologic, radiographic, or hematologic examinations. The trochlear grooves were deepened with a chondroplasty,...

Abstract: A 6-year-old male veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) was presented for mass removal on the right mandible. Histopathology revealed an iridophoroma, a subclassification of chromatophoromas. Several months later the chameleon was euthanized and the necropsy, combined with histopathology, indicated metastasis of a mixed chromatophoroma...

An approximately 6-mo-old female bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was presented for an inability to fly and bilateral drooped wings. Pectoral muscle atrophy with a moderate polycythemia was present. Over the course of 3 wk, there were no improvements in flight capacity, although the bird gained substantial weight. Further investigation reveale...

A hatching-year bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was presented for clinical examination after being found unable to fly. Upon admission, routine wet-mount microscopy detected no trichomonads. Five months later, oral cavity inspection found no abnormalities, but the eagle was swabbed for research on trichomonosis in maritime birds. The swab was...

To validate a model of postfracture pain in perching birds. 21 adult domestic pigeons (Columba livia). In each bird, a standardized osteotomy of 1 femur was performed and the fracture was immobilized with an intramedullary pin. Degree of postoperative pain was evaluated 6 times/d for 4 days by use of 3 methods: an electronic perch for assessment of...

To assess the analgesic effects of 2 doses of meloxicam on the degree of postoperative orthopedic pain in pigeons. 21 domestic pigeons (Columba livia). In each bird, a standardized osteotomy of 1 femur was performed and the fracture was immobilized with an intramedullary pin. Birds were randomly allocated to receive saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (con...

Although raptors have been protected for decades in Quebec they are still regular victims of poaching. The objective of this study was to characterize cases of raptor shootings in Quebec over the last 2 decades. We reviewed clinical files, radiographs, and pathology reports on 4805 free-flying birds of prey admitted to the Faculté de médecine vétér...

L’évaluation de la douleur chez les oiseaux est difficile, puisque la plupart se comportent comme des proies et ont tendance à masquer tout signe extérieur de douleur. Les doses et les drogues utilisées pour traiter la douleur des oiseaux sont la plupart du temps basées sur une extrapolation d’autres espèces, ainsi que sur l’expérience clinique. Pe...

A 7-mo-old female cougar (Puma concolor) was presented with a 2-wk history of anorexia and a 1-wk history of regurgitation. Barium contrast esophagogram and gastroesophagoscopy revealed the presence of a segmental intraluminal esophageal stricture in the middle third of the esophagus. The stricture was potentially secondary to a previous anesthetic...

A 3-year-old male nanday conure (Nandayus nenday) was presented with acute lethargy, polyuria, and polydipsia. Marked persistent hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and ketonuria were also noted. The serum insulin concentration (< 3 microU/ml) was lower than reference ranges described for other psittacine birds. Initial treatment included insulin, antibioti...

A 6-year-old spayed female domestic ferret was evaluated because of lethargy, alopecia, pruritus, and an abdominal mass. On initial examination, nonregenerative anemia, mild azotemia, and a large left adrenal gland mass were identified. However, deterioration of the ferret's general condition prevented excision of the mass, and dyspnea, weakness, h...

We evaluated the effectiveness and practicality of using isoflurane as an inhalation anesthetic with oxygen as a gas carrier for American martens (Martes americana) in a field setting. Sixty-eight martens were trapped in the Waswanipi Cree Model Forest (Québec, Canada) from October to November 2005 and anesthetized with isoflurane in 100% oxygen (1...

The relationship between end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PETCO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and blood pH in isoflurane-anesthetized raptors was evaluated. PaCO2 and pH were determined in serial arterial samples from isoflurane anesthetized birds and compared with concurrent end-tidal partial pressure of carb...