Numerous inflammatory cells were migrating through the endometrium. Within the myometrium there were moderate to marked neutrophilic infiltrates, with lower numbers of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and occasional eosinophils. The epithelium was cuboidal to short columnar with prominent cytoplasmic vacuolation. The uterine wall was markedly attenuated with rare endometrial glands remaining ( Figure 2). Sections were routinely stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). The uterus was fixed in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned at 4 μm. The rat died suddenly 2 h after surgery and a postmortem examination was declined by the owners. An ovariohysterectomy was performed as previously described ( 7) and the uterus submitted for histopathology. The rat was premedicated with buprenorphine (Vetergesic Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare, Slough, Berkshire, United Kingdom), 0.03 mg/kg BW, SC, and anesthesia was induced and maintained via mask with isoflurane (IsoFlo Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA) and oxygen (flow rate: 0.8 to 1 L/min).Įxploratory laparotomy revealed a fluid-filled uterus ( Figure 1). Due to financial limitations of the owner, it was decided to bypass further diagnostics and proceed to exploratory laparotomy. When the rat was handled the following morning the discharge returned. The rat was placed in an incubator and was offered water and a palatable commercial canned diet (Hill’s a/d Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Mississauga, Ontario) she ate and drank readily. Subcutaneous fluids (Normosol-R Hospira, Saint-Laurent, Quebec), 60 mL/kg body weight (BW) per day were administered in multiple sites in boluses every 6 h ( 10, 11). Attempts at blood collection and catheter placement were unsuccessful. Stabilization was attempted overnight prior to further diagnostic tests. Based on the clinical signs and physical examination findings, differential diagnoses included neoplasia, pyometra, and metritis. There was no discharge from the anus or the urethral opening. Vaginal discharge was evident and appeared to be sanguineous. On abdominal palpation a tubular shaped, firm, non-painful mass was located in the ventral mid to caudal abdomen. Evidence of porphyrin secretions was found around her right eye. Pulse rate was > 400 beats/min and respiratory rate was 100 breaths/min.
#DUMBO RATS SKIN#
She was estimated to be at least 5% dehydrated based on skin and eyelid tenting. Her mucous membranes were pale, as were her pinnae and feet. On physical examination the patient was quiet and lethargic. Her enclosure had aspen shavings as a substrate. Her diet consisted of commercial rodent pellets, various fruits, vegetables, grains, and an occasional small piece of cooked poultry. No information was known about the strain of the rat. There was another rat in the household which was healthy. The rat had been acquired from a shelter approximately 5 mo prior to admission and had no known medical or surgical history. The owner had treated the patient with a store-brand hamster “wet tail” medication (brand and dose unknown) for 3 d prior to presentation due to her abnormal behavior. During this time the patient had become lethargic, anorexic, and adipsic. The owner had noticed progressive blood loss over the previous 24 h. In an effort to address this deficit in the literature, this case report outlines the diagnosis, management, and outcome of 2 pet rats with the presenting complaint of vaginal bleeding.Īn ~ 18-month-old intact female rat weighing 332 g was presented on emergency for acute onset of vaginal bleeding. To the authors’ knowledge, the clinical presentation of the above-mentioned diseases is rarely discussed in the literature, nor are diagnostic tests and treatment option details. Most spontaneous tumors in the female genital tract of laboratory rats are neoplasms of the vagina and uterus and can be of wide histological variance ( 1). Ovariohysterectomy is an ideal example of such a procedure and is indicated in a variety of circumstances, including control of mammary and pituitary tumors, masses, and ovarian disease such as cystic ovaries, pyometra, and dystocia ( 6, 7). As the popularity of small mammal pets increases, however, so does the need for more advanced medical care, diagnostic tests, and surgical procedures.
This includes research regarding reproductive tract pathology in female rats ( 1, 2– 5) which have typically been based on postmortem diagnoses. Most reported research on rodents is based on work done in laboratory settings.