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A male gerbil is presented with a distinct oval area of alopecia on the mid-ventral abdomen.
The animal has been observed rubbing this area on objects around its terrarium.
What is the most appropriate interpretation?
A - Normal, do nothing
B - Common site of mammary gland adenocarcinoma, biopsy can confirm
C - Sarcoptic mange, do a skin scrape
D - Trichophyton mentagrophytes, do a fungal culture
E - Demodex merioni infestation, treat with ivermectin - ANSWER A - Normal, do
nothing
This is the normal location of the ventral marking gland (or pad) in gerbils. It is normal and
more pronounced in males than females.
Gerbils are often seen rubbing this area on things. This rubbing is thought to be a form of
territorial marking.
Demodex merioni occurs occasionally in older, debilitated gerbils.
A 5-month old steer is presented that is unthrifty-looking and failing to gain weight. He
appears somewhat lame, has a rough, light-colored hair coat and depigmented hair around
his eyes like spectacles.
1
, The steer has a watery dark diarrhea full of gassy bubbles.
What is the diagnosis?
A - Selenium toxicity
B - Copper deficiency
C - Molybdenum deficiency
D - Quercus (Oak) poisoning
E - Magnesium deficiency - ANSWER B. Copper deficiency
This is copper deficiency, which presents with "Ain't Doin' Right" ( ADR ) signs :
ACHROMOTRICHIA (depigmented hair, especially around the eyes= "SPECTACLES") rough
coat, decreased milk yield, lameness and decreased fertility, libido and "Peat Scours" also
called "Teart" (severe scours with gas bubbles).
Molybdenum toxicosis causes a secondary DEFICIENCY in Copper.
Oak poisoning is more a gradual, multisystemic disease (nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic), can see
PU/PD, hematuria, weight loss.
Tetany is the classic presentation of Hypomagnesemia in cattle, along with hyperexcitability,
ataxia, convulsions and death.
Selenium toxicosis has many presentations depending on species, dose and length of time
exposed.
An 8 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback neutered male dog is presented with a complaint of a
chronic concretion of hair, sebum, and discharge on the dorsal midline.
2
A male gerbil is presented with a distinct oval area of alopecia on the mid-ventral abdomen.
The animal has been observed rubbing this area on objects around its terrarium.
What is the most appropriate interpretation?
A - Normal, do nothing
B - Common site of mammary gland adenocarcinoma, biopsy can confirm
C - Sarcoptic mange, do a skin scrape
D - Trichophyton mentagrophytes, do a fungal culture
E - Demodex merioni infestation, treat with ivermectin - ANSWER A - Normal, do
nothing
This is the normal location of the ventral marking gland (or pad) in gerbils. It is normal and
more pronounced in males than females.
Gerbils are often seen rubbing this area on things. This rubbing is thought to be a form of
territorial marking.
Demodex merioni occurs occasionally in older, debilitated gerbils.
A 5-month old steer is presented that is unthrifty-looking and failing to gain weight. He
appears somewhat lame, has a rough, light-colored hair coat and depigmented hair around
his eyes like spectacles.
1
, The steer has a watery dark diarrhea full of gassy bubbles.
What is the diagnosis?
A - Selenium toxicity
B - Copper deficiency
C - Molybdenum deficiency
D - Quercus (Oak) poisoning
E - Magnesium deficiency - ANSWER B. Copper deficiency
This is copper deficiency, which presents with "Ain't Doin' Right" ( ADR ) signs :
ACHROMOTRICHIA (depigmented hair, especially around the eyes= "SPECTACLES") rough
coat, decreased milk yield, lameness and decreased fertility, libido and "Peat Scours" also
called "Teart" (severe scours with gas bubbles).
Molybdenum toxicosis causes a secondary DEFICIENCY in Copper.
Oak poisoning is more a gradual, multisystemic disease (nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic), can see
PU/PD, hematuria, weight loss.
Tetany is the classic presentation of Hypomagnesemia in cattle, along with hyperexcitability,
ataxia, convulsions and death.
Selenium toxicosis has many presentations depending on species, dose and length of time
exposed.
An 8 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback neutered male dog is presented with a complaint of a
chronic concretion of hair, sebum, and discharge on the dorsal midline.
2
