Lateral Approach for Excision of Maxillary Incisor Pseudo-Odontoma in Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)
Abstract
Aim: To describe our experience with lateral approach for excision of maxillary pseudo-odontomas and to illustrate surgical outcomes and postoperative complications in seven pet prairie dogs. Materials and methods: Excision of 11 maxillary pseudo-odontomas was performed in seven prairie dogs with a lateral approach technique and clinical presentation, duration of surgery, time and type of post-surgical complications, presence or absence of symptom recurrence, time to follow-up, overall survival time and causes of death of each case were recorded. Results: Duration of surgery, postoperative hospitalization and time to autonomous feeding were 54.8 min, 58 h and 1 day, respectively. Recurrence of respiratory symptoms was observed in four cases. Mean follow-up time was 632 days. Six out of seven cases were still alive at the end of the study. Conclusion: The lateral approach to excision showed good and promising results for treatment of maxillary pseudo-odontomas in prairie dogs.
Minutes of the General Meeting
The general meeting of Prairie Dog Pals was conducted via Zoom on 7 February 2021. The minutes of the meeting can be accessed via the following link:
2021 Meeting: 2021 Meeting Minutes
The good news is that we completed 2020 with a small surplus. We have plenty planned for 2021 and judging by the dry winter, our stewards will be very busy.
Fipronil Pellets Reduce Flea Abundance on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs: Potential Tool for Plague Management and Black-footed Ferret Conservation
Abstract
In western North America, sylvatic plague (a flea-borne disease) poses a significant risk to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and their primary prey, prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.). Pulicides (flea-killing chemicals) can be used to suppress fleas and thereby manage plague. In South Dakota, USA, we tested edible “FipBit” pellets, each containing 0.84 mg fipronil, on free-living black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludivicianus). FipBits were applied along transects at 125 per ha and nearly eliminated fleas for 2 mo. From 9-14 mo post-treatment, we found only 10 fleas on FipBit sites versus 1,266 fleas on nontreated sites. This degree and duration of flea control should suppress plague transmission. FipBits are effective, inexpensive, and easily distributed but require federal approval for operational use.
- PMID: 33631008
- DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-20-00161
Study shows several peridomestic mammal species are potential spreaders of SARS-CoV-2
Of the nine species that had been evaluated, three of them (i.e., deer mice, striped skunks and bushy-tailed woodrats) shed infectious viral particles following challenge. Conversely, the study showed that house mice, raccoons, fox squirrels, Wyoming ground squirrels, cottontail rabbits and black-tailed prairie dogs are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Read More at: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210126/Study-shows-several-peridomestic-mammal-species-are-potential-spreaders-of-SARS-CoV-2.aspx