Original Rhinostomy Technique for the Treatment of Pseudo-odontoma in a Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus)

A 3-year-old, female black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) was presented for complications related to an earlier rhinostomy procedure and placement of a breathing tube for treatment of a pseudo-odontoma. The complaint by the owner was that the prairie dog would constantly remove the breathing tube. The breathing tube was replaced with a human earlobe retractor positioned (partially) under the nasal bones. The patient tolerated the procedure and location of the human earlobe retractor. This is the first reported case using a human earlobe retractor to function as a permanent rhinostomy device in a prairie dog.