Unilateral Hypermature Cataract and Uveitis in Dwarf Campbell’s Hamster (Phodopus campbelli)

Background: In the ophthalmological examination of a 1.5-year-old male dwarf Campbell hamster, who was examined with complaints of photophobia, pain, weakness and whitening of the eye color, hypermature cataract and chronic uveitis were observed in the left eye. Methods: Local antibiotic therapy was administered to the patient for the first ten days in order to eliminate a possible microbial agent. In addition, local NSAI drugs were applied to reduce pain and inflammation. Then, peros Prednol (methylprednisolone) was administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg for the first ten days and 1 mg/kg for the next ten days in order to suppress the inflammation associated with uveitis. The patient’s body weight and intraocular pressure were measured before the treatment. During the treatment, intraocular pressure values were checked every day. During this period, the patient was fed ad libitum at normal room temperature, in his own cage. Result: As a result of the treatment applied to the patient, who was followed up for more than a month, symptoms such as pain, photophobia and blepharospasm disappeared and the patient’s eating and drinking status improved compared to the past. However, increasing dose of Prednol did not have the expected effect on intraocular pressure values. Due to the very small size of the hamster eye in the treatment of hypermature cataracts, lens removal cannot be performed as easily as in other species.

Cüce Hamsterlerin (Phodopus roborovskii) Genital Dokularında Androjen Reseptör Lokalizasyonu

Androgens perform the their effects on target tissues mainly through the androgen receptor (AR). In this study, AR localization was investigated in female and male dwarf hamsters genital tissues. In the present study, 6 female and 6 male animals were used. After anesthesia, the tissues to be worked were quickly removed from the body and fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained after microwave antigen retrieval for immunohistochemistry. Although AR positive immunostaining was observed only in cell nuclei in testis, caput epididymis, prostate gland and vesicle seminalis tissues, it was observed in cytoplasm or nucleus of the cells in the ovarium and oviduct tissues. AR localization in dwarf hamster male and female genital tissues was similar to other species. The presence of AR in genital tissues supports the idea that androgens are essential for these tissues.

Cutaneous melanomas in rabbits: rare but often fatal

An adult male dwarf rabbit (<em>Oryctolagus cuniculus</em>) was presented to the veterinarian due to hind limb lameness. The rabbit was in a reduced body condition. Clinical examination and cytology identified a cutaneous melanoma in the inguinal region. Whole body radiographs identified multifocal radio-opaque masses in both lungs which where assumed to be lung metastases. The animal was euthanized due to the poor prognosis. Necropsy confirmed a malignant, melanotic melanoma with pulmonary and hepatic metastases. Histopathologically, the primary tumor and the metastases were composed of epitheloid cells which showed infiltrative growth. The rabbit was diagnosed with metastatic, cutaneous, melanotic melanoma. Melanomas in rabbits can be recognized as highly malignant independent on their pigmentation status. Pulmonary tropism seems to be a distinct feature of this tumor type in rabbits and indicates that a comprehensive diagnostic workup is necessary to avoid anesthesia-related incidents.