Hi there! I am back with more news from the veterinary world.

First, here’s a paper on the influence of levels of abrasiveness of the diet on tooth wear for guinea pigs. This study showed that while teeth lengths depended on dietary abrasives, only the upper incisors were additionally affected by the feeding of whole hay. Diet effects were most prominent in anterior cheek teeth, but less abrasive diets did not affect the cheek teeth angles. Their findings suggest that other factors than diet abrasiveness, such as mineral imbalances and hereditary malocclusion, are more likely causes for dental problems observed in this species.

Second, a paper on the comparison of DV erect (DVE) and VD supine radiographs for evaluating the coelomic cavity of African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Our takeaway from this paper is that the DVE view (meaning, the bird is perched, and not restrained) might be an interesting addition to the regular, 3-views, radiograph examination (under sedation) when evaluating the proventriculus and ventriculus. The way I will be incorporating this to my daily practice is by adding this view before trying a contrasted series, when I am trying to differentiate the liver from the proventriculus, which can be challenging in the VD view.

Lastly, a compilation of papers on radiography and ultrasonography of poultry! There is one reviewing the most commonly documented radiographic and ultrasonographic signs in backyard poultry and waterfowl, another on the echocardiographic characteristic of chicken with ascites syndrome, and a third on the aetiology considerations on ascites in broilers based on echocardiographic findings.

On VETAHEAD related news, we just released our first course for owners! Yes! You can actually send this to someone you know that loves their pet rabbit, but is not in the veterinary field. This online course offers great insight on what a specialist has to teach about rabbit care, going from what they need to know before getting a rabbit, what to do (and not to do), preventive medicine, common diseases, older bunny care, and much more.