Journal Of Zoo And Wildlife Medicine[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
UNILATERAL OVARIAN TORSION IN FIVE GECKOS: CLINICAL AND ULTRASOUND FINDINGS.
Paillusseau C, Gandar F, Francois C … +1 more , Schilliger L
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255226 · Publisher ↗
Few cases of antemortem ovarian torsion and diagnosis have been described in reptiles. This case series reports clinical and ultrasound findings in five adult (aged 1-6 yr) female geckos (three leopard geckos [], one cre...
Few cases of antemortem ovarian torsion and diagnosis have been described in reptiles. This case series reports clinical and ultrasound findings in five adult (aged 1-6 yr) female geckos (three leopard geckos [], one crested gecko [], and one gargoyle gecko []) diagnosed with unilateral ovarian torsion between 2019 and 2023. All animals presented with acute weakness associated with coelomic distension, and one suffered from chronic diarrhea and cachexia. Coelomic ultrasound examination (12-MHz linear probe) revealed signs of bilateral follicular stasis and oophoritis in all cases (heterogenic follicles ≤1.3 cm diameter) associated with a large anechoic periovarian rim and a hyperechoic chord, consistent with twisted ovarian vessels. Blood supply to ovarian structures was not detected using a Doppler flow, and a unilateral ovarian torsion was diagnosed in all geckos. A bilateral ovariectomy was performed under general anesthesia in all five animals. The mass of the excised ovaries varied between 7 to 15 g (12.7-22.2% of body weight). One gecko died 1 d postsurgery; the four remaining animals were healthy 6 mon postsurgery. Gekkonids are unique among reptiles in that they undergo a monoautochronic ovulation (only one follicle is recruited by each ovary during each ovarian cycle); the presence of multiple vitellogenic follicles on each ovary facilitates the diagnosis of follicular stasis. This condition was present in all five geckos and was suspected to have led to ovarian torsion. This case series emphasizes the value of ultrasound examination for antemortem diagnosis of reproductive disorders in reptiles.
AUTOLOGOUS OR ALLOGENIC BLOOD PLEURODESIS AS TREATMENT FOR PNEUMOCOELOM IN FOUR SEA TURTLES (, ).
Dittmer M, Barron H, Kellow L … +5 more , Boylan SM, Hirsch SE, Perrault JR, Zirkelbach B, Norton TM
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255225 · Publisher ↗
Pneumocoelom secondary to primary pulmonary disease was diagnosed via CT (three cases) or radiographs and coelioscopy (one case) in one Kemp's ridley () and three loggerhead () sea turtles. All cases were suspected to be...
Pneumocoelom secondary to primary pulmonary disease was diagnosed via CT (three cases) or radiographs and coelioscopy (one case) in one Kemp's ridley () and three loggerhead () sea turtles. All cases were suspected to be caused by trauma to the lung, and all exhibited positive buoyancy disorders. Coelomocentesis alone was ineffective at resolving each pneumocoelom, suggesting a large and persistent tear in the pulmonary parenchyma. An autologous (in three cases) or allogenic (in one case) blood patch pleurodesis was performed. The pneumocoelom was resolved in all four cases with no noted postoperative complications. Follow-up diagnostic imaging confirmed resolution of the pneumocoelom in three cases, and all four patients were successfully rehabilitated and had normal buoyancy at the time of release. One rehabilitated loggerhead was satellite tagged, and the tracking data demonstrated that the animal was still alive and moving normally 126 d postrelease, when the tag stopped transmitting. In sea turtles, an autologous or allogenic blood patch pleurodesis can be safely performed in cases of persistent pneumocoelom secondary to traumatic primary pulmonary disease.
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT ADENOCARCINOMA IDENTIFIED IN CAPTIVE GILA MONSTERS () IN A NORTH AMERICAN ZOO, 1997-2023.
Holder K, Katzenstein N
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255224 · Publisher ↗
Neoplasia in the Gila monster () is not commonly investigated, and literature regarding the prevalence and type of neoplasms that affect this species is sparse. Gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinoma (GTA) in particular h...
Neoplasia in the Gila monster () is not commonly investigated, and literature regarding the prevalence and type of neoplasms that affect this species is sparse. Gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinoma (GTA) in particular has only been reported twice in Gila monsters, once in the small intestine and once in the colon. In this case series, 50% (7/14) of the Gila monsters presented to the pathology service at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SNZCBI) over the span of 26 yr (1997-2023) were found to have intestinal and/or colonic adenocarcinoma. The frequency of GTA reported in this collection likely represents a multifactorial etiology including geriatric age of specimens, chronic inflammation, gastrointestinal tract infection, and/or increased cognizance of the disease because of previous reports within the collection. An increased awareness of GTA in this species may lead to improved recognition of the disease.
BILIARY DUCTAL PLATE MALFORMATION WITH SECONDARY PORTAL HYPERTENSION AND MULTIPLE ACQUIRED SHUNTS IN A LITTER OF AMUR TIGERS ().
Minich DJ, Fayette MA, Bowman MR … +4 more , Pisani-Konert M, Ivančić M, Garner MM, Cullen J
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255223 · Publisher ↗
Congenital abnormalities in tigers () are infrequently reported but have included ectrodactyly, cataracts, and vestibular disease. Primary hepatic disease has been documented in multiple nondomestic felid species but is...
Congenital abnormalities in tigers () are infrequently reported but have included ectrodactyly, cataracts, and vestibular disease. Primary hepatic disease has been documented in multiple nondomestic felid species but is considered uncommon in tigers. To the authors' knowledge, there are no previous reports of congenital abnormalities of the liver in tigers. In May 2022, two male Amur tiger cubs () were born at a zoological institution via cesarean section to address dystocia, following the natural birth of a female cub. Between two and six months of age, all three cubs developed progressive lethargy, inappetence, and neurological signs consistent with hepatic encephalopathy, including obtundation and ataxia. In all three cases, serum biochemical values revealed progressive, marked elevations in hepatic enzyme levels with reduction in hepatic synthetic products (albumin, urea, cholesterol). Computed tomographic imaging showed a large cluster of aberrant tortuous vessels craniomedial to the left kidney in all three tigers, consistent with acquired extrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Histologic examination of the livers identified biliary ductal plate malformations. This report details the presentation, clinical findings, diagnoses, and therapeutic interventions attempted in three Amur tiger cubs with biliary ductal plate malformation and subsequent portal hypertension with multiple acquired portosystemic shunts, an unusual abnormality not previously reported in non-domestic felids.
USE OF SOLENSIA (FRUNEVETMAB) IN NONDOMESTIC FELIDS () GUIDED BY PROTEIN SEQUENCE ANALYSIS.
Richard R, de Camargo MM, Bruyette D
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255222 · Publisher ↗
Osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease affect many species of nondomestic felid and negatively impact quality of life in managed care settings. Previously, pain management options were limited because of the frequ...
Osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease affect many species of nondomestic felid and negatively impact quality of life in managed care settings. Previously, pain management options were limited because of the frequency of comorbidities such as renal disease and common difficulty encountered in medication administration. Solensia (frunevetmab) is a felinized monoclonal antibody that binds to nerve growth factor in arthritic joints, thereby inhibiting pain response cascades, and produces marked improvement in clinical signs and quality of life in domestic cats diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Protein sequence analysis was performed to inform the application of frunevetmab in four individuals from three nondomestic felid species () diagnosed with degenerative joint disease to predict safety, contraindications, and likely response to treatment. Patients were then treated utilizing doses extrapolated from domestic cats and following manufacturer guidelines for administration, and clinical response was evaluated over a minimum 2-mon period. Significant improvement was noted in clinical signs in all four animals, resulting in marked improvement in mobility, lameness, activity level, demeanor, and overall quality of life. Frunevetmab presents an excellent adjunctive therapeutic alternative for nondomestic felids suffering from degenerative joint disease and may complement or decrease the need for other conventional therapeutic regimens.
CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC ORANGUTAN RESPIRATORY DISEASE SYNDROME IN THREE ADULT MALE BORNEAN ORANGUTANS ().
Sulistyo F, Lung NP, Sriningsih AP … +2 more , Aronson SA, Taylor-Cousar JL
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255221 · Publisher ↗
Orangutan respiratory disease syndrome (ORDS) is a disease unique to orangutans (), characterized by chronic bacterial infection and inflammation of any region or combination of regions of the respiratory tract, includin...
Orangutan respiratory disease syndrome (ORDS) is a disease unique to orangutans (), characterized by chronic bacterial infection and inflammation of any region or combination of regions of the respiratory tract, including the sinuses, air sacs, cranial bones, airways, and lung parenchyma. Aggressive early intervention during a first episode may prevent progression to chronic disease. However, in the setting of an established chronic disease, intermittent acute exacerbations are associated with worsening symptoms and increased infection and inflammation. ORDS is ultimately fatal due to loss of respiratory function resulting from chronic structural damage. Utilizing potentially lifelong medications to slow the progression of chronic, destructive inflammation in the respiratory tract, chronic treatment is aimed at stabilizing the animals' respiratory function, decreasing the frequency of recurrent exacerbations, and improving their general well-being. Three adult male Bornean orangutans () housed at an orangutan rehabilitation and reintroduction center in Indonesia have long histories of recurrent respiratory disease. Each underwent CT scans confirming ORDS with chronic airway disease prior to initiation of a long-term treatment protocol. Based on data-driven medical management of bronchiectasis in humans, the three orangutans have been treated with long-term combination regimens of oral azithromycin, nebulized salbutamol, and nebulized hypertonic saline. Follow-up CT scans in all three animals at least 1 yr following treatment initiation showed improvements throughout their respiratory tracts. The duration of each exacerbation period decreased, and the orangutans have longer symptom-free periods compared to before the start of treatment. At an average of 5 yr into the long-term treatment protocol, all three orangutans are thriving. Chronic medical management of ORDS modeled after human treatment of bronchiectasis has been efficacious in these three orangutans and encourages further study of this approach.
HEMATOLOGIC AND PLASMA BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE VALUES FOR CAPTIVE LEOPARD SHARKS ().
Arndt AJ, Holst MM, Spangenberg JV
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255220 · Publisher ↗
Leopard sharks () are temperate, Eastern Pacific elasmobranchs popular in public aquariums. Blood analysis is commonly used for assessing animal health, yet reference values have not been established for this species. Th...
Leopard sharks () are temperate, Eastern Pacific elasmobranchs popular in public aquariums. Blood analysis is commonly used for assessing animal health, yet reference values have not been established for this species. This study analyzed population data to characterize blood reference values for a collection of housed at a public aquarium. Twenty-one captive leopard sharks were sampled. Blood was collected during annual health examinations from sedated animals. After collection, blood samples were anticoagulated with lithium heparin, and hematocrit and plasma biochemistry values were analyzed. The minimum-maximum ranges were hematocrit 11-31%, buffy coat 1-2%, glucose 4.94-9.38 mM/L, sodium 244-272 mM/L, potassium 3.7-5.5 mM/L, chloride 214-246 mM/L, aspartate aminotransferase 5-31 U/L, creatine kinase 36-1,136 U/L, calcium 3.65-3.95 mM/L, phosphorus 1.13-2.23 mM/L, total protein 21-38 g/L, and total CO 12-18 mM/L. The values identified will contribute to a better understanding of captive leopard shark physiology and to improved veterinary care for captive leopard sharks. Further research can examine the validity of machines like the Vetscan VS2, which will expand the resources available to care professionals.
IMMOBILIZATION OF BLACK HOWLER MONKEYS () USING BUTORPHANOL, AZAPERONE, MEDETOMIDINE IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR NONINVASIVE PROCEDURES.
Dantino SC, Cushing AC, Hawkins S … +2 more , Poot C, Sheldon J
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255219 · Publisher ↗
Administration of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine (BAM) for immobilization of black howler monkeys () has not been previously reported. In this observational study, 0.02 ml/kg of compounded BAM (butorphanol 27.3...
Administration of butorphanol, azaperone, and medetomidine (BAM) for immobilization of black howler monkeys () has not been previously reported. In this observational study, 0.02 ml/kg of compounded BAM (butorphanol 27.3 mg/ml, azaperone 9.1 mg/ml, medetomidine 10.9 mg/ml) was administered IM in 10 captive black howler monkeys. Time to immobilization was recorded, an arterial blood gas performed, and at 5-min intervals, HR, RR, oscillometric arterial blood pressure, SPO and rectal temperature were measured. Naltrexone and atipamezole were administered IM at procedure completion and recovery times were recorded. If invasive procedures such as surgery were necessary and additional drugs needed, further data from that individual was removed from data analysis. Final BAM dosages were 0.55 ± 0.12 mg/kg butorphanol, 0.19 ± 0.04 mg/kg azaperone, and 0.22 ± 0.05 mg/kg medetomidine. Nine of 10 monkeys achieved sedation allowing for physical exam, venipuncture, and tuberculin skin testing within 4 ± 2 min. No monkeys reached a plane of immobilization allowing for intubation. Physiologic variables were acceptable for this species. Hypoxemia (SPO < 95%) was observed in three monkeys via pulse oximetry, and normoxemia was observed on arterial blood gas. Recovery was smooth and rapid. Therefore, BAM is a viable option for noninvasive procedures or as a premedication prior to induction of anesthesia in black howler monkeys.
DETECTION OF CF. , AND IN CERVIDS OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM.
Lakshminarayana SB, Guthrie A, Blake DP … +5 more , Harley J, MacKintosh A, Lait PJP, Bacon A, Milnes EL
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255218 · Publisher ↗
Outbreaks of suspected tick-borne disease (redwater fever) have been reported in captive deer of the Scottish Highlands. In this pilot study, polymerase chain reaction and amplicon sequencing were used to detect tick-bor...
Outbreaks of suspected tick-borne disease (redwater fever) have been reported in captive deer of the Scottish Highlands. In this pilot study, polymerase chain reaction and amplicon sequencing were used to detect tick-borne pathogens in opportunistically collected blood and spleen samples from 63 (healthy, n = 44; diseased, n = 19) cervids, and 45 questing and feeding ticks () from the outbreak sites in 2021-2022. Potentially pathogenic species were detected in deer but not identified in ticks, was detected in both deer and ticks, and was detected in ticks but not in deer. Sequencing confirmed and cf. parasitemia in clinically healthy red deer (), parasitemia in clinically healthy domestic reindeer (), and two cases of cf. -associated hemolytic anemia in white-lipped deer (), of which one was fatal despite imidocarb treatment. White-lipped deer appear to be highly susceptible to babesiosis caused by cf. . This investigation highlights the importance of disease surveillance, including molecular diagnostics, for the detection of emerging tick-borne pathogens in managed populations of cervids.
HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF SPOTTED () AND PAINTED () TURTLES IN CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A, WITH DETECTION OF A NOVEL ADENOVIRUS.
Vincent LM, Allender MC, Curtis AE … +6 more , Garrison JC, Lance S, McFall A, Simmons A, Moorhead K, Adamovicz L
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255217 · Publisher ↗
Freshwater turtles face numerous anthropogenic threats worldwide. Health assessments are a key component of chelonian population assessment and monitoring but are under reported in many species. The purpose of this study...
Freshwater turtles face numerous anthropogenic threats worldwide. Health assessments are a key component of chelonian population assessment and monitoring but are under reported in many species. The purpose of this study was to characterize the health of spotted turtles (; n = 30) and painted turtles (; n = 24) at Camp Edwards, a military base in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, using physical examinations, hematology, plasma heavy metal analyses, and pathogen surveillance via PCR. Spotted turtles had a high prevalence of carapace (n = 27, 90%) and plastron (n = 14, 46.7%) lesions, and a previously undescribed adenovirus was detected in three animals (proposed as adenovirus-1). Female painted turtles had lower plasma copper (p = 0.012) and higher strontium (p = 0.0003) than males, and appeared to be in a similar plane of health to previous reports. This initial health assessment effort provides useful baseline data for future comparison in these species. Conservation efforts on Camp Edwards should incorporate continued health surveillance of these populations to identify intervention opportunities and determine the conservation threats, if any, of the novel adenovirus.
FUNGAL FLORA OF ROSETTE QUILLS IN THE NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE () IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.
Sokolik SJ, Franklin-Guild RJ, Childs-Sanford S
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255216 · Publisher ↗
The North American (NA) porcupine () is a rodent species with specialized hair structures called quills designed to detach and penetrate into tissues of any human or animal coming into contact with them. The objective of...
The North American (NA) porcupine () is a rodent species with specialized hair structures called quills designed to detach and penetrate into tissues of any human or animal coming into contact with them. The objective of this study was to characterize the fungal flora of the quills in the region of the rosette in wild NA porcupines to further define health risks to NA porcupines and any animal coming into contact with the quills. A total of 17 adult NA porcupines were sampled, and fungal culture was performed. Fungal organisms were cultured from 15 (88.2%) of 17 samples. Thirty-three isolates of 10 different fungal genera were cultured. The most frequently isolated fungi were (n = 7, 41.2%), spp. (n = 3, 17.6%), and spp. (n = 2, 11.8%). Eleven (64.7%) individuals grew multiple fungal organisms. In humans and animals quilled by porcupines, fungal culture should be considered in cases of infection, and if isolates resembling spp. are isolated, matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight or molecular methods are necessary to rule out .
EVALUATION OF A BUTORPHANOL-MIDAZOLAM-MEDETOMIDINE PROTOCOL FOR SHORT PROCEDURES IN LESSER CHEVROTAINS ( SP.).
Douay G, Heng Y, Mathew A
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255215 · Publisher ↗
Twenty lesser chevrotains ( sp.), 10 males and 10 females, were anesthetized with a combination of butorphanol-midazolam-medetomidine (BMidM), to assess the efficacy of this protocol for short procedures in this genus. T...
Twenty lesser chevrotains ( sp.), 10 males and 10 females, were anesthetized with a combination of butorphanol-midazolam-medetomidine (BMidM), to assess the efficacy of this protocol for short procedures in this genus. The animals received BMidM (0.32, 0.06, 0.15 mg/kg, respectively) intramuscularly via hand injection. Physiological variables were recorded once the animals reached a working depth of anesthesia that lasted 30 min (range 12-60 min). At the end of the procedure, medetomidine and butorphanol were antagonized with atipamezole (0.75 mg/kg) and naltrexone (0.3 mg/kg) intramuscularly, respectively. Induction and recovery were 9.4 ± 4.0 min and 10.2 ± 4.1 min, respectively. Supplementation with isoflurane via face mask was required in five animals to reach light anesthesia. Times to reach the various stages of anesthesia were compared between sexes. There was no difference between males and females reaching the different stages of anesthesia, except for the time required to reach the ambulatory stage, in which females took a significantly longer time (11.8 min vs 7.8 min for the males) to stand after the injection of the antagonists ( = 0.02). Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and peripheral hemoglobin oxygen saturation were similar between sexes and stable throughout the procedure. At the dosage tested BMidM was a reliable and safe protocol for short, minimally invasive procedures in lesser chevrotains with a fast induction and smooth recovery without complications.
LACK OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN A POINT-OF-CARE BLOOD URIC ACID METER AND A BENCHTOP CHEMISTRY ANALYZER IN EASTERN BOX TURTLES ().
Harkey C, Allender MC, Sheldon JD … +3 more , Moorhead K, Fredrickson K, Adamovicz L
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255214 · Publisher ↗
Uric acid (UA) is excreted as an end product of protein metabolism in many reptiles, including some chelonians. Elevated plasma UA concentrations can occur due to many physiologic and pathologic changes, and determining...
Uric acid (UA) is excreted as an end product of protein metabolism in many reptiles, including some chelonians. Elevated plasma UA concentrations can occur due to many physiologic and pathologic changes, and determining plasma UA concentrations is part of a complete general health assessment in this taxon. UA concentrations are typically measured using benchtop chemistry analyzers, but point-of-care (POC) UA meters have also been developed for human use. However, these POC UA meters have not been investigated for use in any reptile species. The purpose of this study was to assess agreement between UA measurements produced by a standard benchtop chemistry analyzer and a POC UA meter in free-living eastern box turtles (). UA concentrations were measured with a POC meter using fresh whole blood and frozen-thawed plasma and with a standard benchtop chemistry analyzer using frozen-thawed plasma. Poor-to-moderate agreement was present between each of the three methods as evidenced by mixed models, Passing-Bablok regression, Bland-Altman plots, and Cohen's κ. Differences between methods fell outside of clinically acceptable limits, indicating that the POC UA meter should not be used in eastern box turtles.
HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY REFERENCE VALUES IN NESTLING RED KITES () IN SHORT-TERM HUMAN CARE IN ENGLAND.
Common SM, Sainsbury AW, Chang YM … +1 more , Guthrie A
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255213 · Publisher ↗
Between the years 2022 and 2023, 62 red kite () nestlings were translocated from England to Spain to bolster declining populations in mainland Europe as part of a wider conservation initiative. Health examinations were u...
Between the years 2022 and 2023, 62 red kite () nestlings were translocated from England to Spain to bolster declining populations in mainland Europe as part of a wider conservation initiative. Health examinations were undertaken by veterinarians ahead of translocation, including examination of hematology and biochemistry parameters from blood samples. This study aimed to establish reference values for these parameters in nestling red kites for use in future translocations or for other clinical purposes. All individuals included in the analysis were clinically healthy at the time of sampling. Biochemical reference intervals were comparable to published values for other Accipitridae, although differences in hematology were noted: PCV was generally lower; and WBC counts higher than (up to triple) those reported for related species of a similar age. It is hypothesized that these differences reflect species variations or the effects of the stress of recent capture on the immune system of the red kites. A species was identified on blood smears of six of the red kites. The reference intervals presented in this study are representative of free-living red kite nestlings in England that have recently been captured for conservation translocation purposes.
HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR FREE-LIVING ADULT LESSER KESTRELS () IN SOUTHERN ITALY.
Lai O, Gerardi G, Gelli D … +4 more , Visceglia M, Stefani A, Contiero B, Segato S
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255212 · Publisher ↗
The lesser kestrel () is a small falcon with a Euro-Central and Asian-Mediterranean range wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. In the second half of the 20th century, the European population experienced a steep decline and w...
The lesser kestrel () is a small falcon with a Euro-Central and Asian-Mediterranean range wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. In the second half of the 20th century, the European population experienced a steep decline and was classified as at risk; thus, its biological and ecological aspects have been widely investigated. Nonetheless, data on hematology and plasma chemistry are not yet available. Therefore, hematology and biochemistry parameters were investigated in a sampling population of clinically healthy lesser kestrels (21 female and 10 male adults) from an Italian rescue center during breeding season, estimating the 95% (2.5 - 97.5th percentile) reference intervals (RI) for standard tests based on either parametric or robust statistical methods. The effect of sex on the referenced parameters was also tested and showed no statically significant differences. The established 95% RI highlighted values comparable with those of other similar raptors such as American kestrel () and peregrine falcon (). As the first recorded hematology and serum chemistry RI, these clinical data could support conservation efforts and clarify the effects of various environmental and ecological factors on the clinical and health status of lesser kestrels, although they should be reinforced with further data from healthy wild animals.
CARDIORESPIRATORY EFFECTS OF VATINOXAN IN BLESBOK () IMMOBILIZED WITH THIAFENTANIL-MEDETOMIDINE.
Roug A, Smith C, Raath JP … +2 more , Meyer LR, Laubscher LL
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255211 · Publisher ↗
Combinations of a low dose of opioid, such as thiafentanil, and a high dose of medetomidine, are increasingly being used for immobilization of African ungulates. Both drugs can have undesirable cardiorespiratory effects....
Combinations of a low dose of opioid, such as thiafentanil, and a high dose of medetomidine, are increasingly being used for immobilization of African ungulates. Both drugs can have undesirable cardiorespiratory effects. In this study we assessed whether vatinoxan, a peripherally acting alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist, can be used to alleviate some of these effects without affecting the immobilization quality. Eight healthy, female, boma-confined blesbok (), weighing a mean (SDtion) of 56.8 (4.4) kg, were immobilized twice in a randomized cross-over study with a 2-wk washout period using (1) 0.5 mg thiafentanil + 1.5 mg medetomidine (TM), (2) TM + vatinoxan: 0.5 mg thiafentanil + 1.5 mg medetomidine + 15 mg vatinoxan per milligram medetomidine (total of 22.5 mg, administered intramuscularly at 10 min post recumbency). Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, oxygen saturation (SpO), arterial blood pressure, and sedation scores from 1 to 5 (1 = limited effect; 5 = excessively deep) were measured every 5 min. Arterial blood gases (PaO and PaCO) were measured at 10, 15, 25, and 35 min postrecumbency and the alveolar--arterial oxygen gradient (P[A-a]O) was calculated. Induction times and immobilization quality did not differ between groups. The heart rate was significantly higher and the mean arterial pressure significantly lower in blesbok after receiving vatinoxan. All animals were hypoxemic and there were no significant differences in the respiratory rates, PaO, PaCO, SpO, or P(A-a)O gradients at any time point. Although vatinoxan did not improve respiratory variables and blood oxygenation in these animals, the change in cardiovascular variables may suggest that it improves tissue perfusion, a positive outcome that requires further investigation.
PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS AND REFERENCE INTERVALS OF SERUM PROTEINS OF A CAPTIVE POPULATION OF ROTI ISLAND SNAKE-NECKED TURTLES ().
Chong SM, Douay G
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255210 · Publisher ↗
Protein electrophoresis (PEP) is an important tool in mammals to characterize specific dysproteinemias and detect acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In reptiles, PEP is the gold standard method for globulin fracti...
Protein electrophoresis (PEP) is an important tool in mammals to characterize specific dysproteinemias and detect acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In reptiles, PEP is the gold standard method for globulin fraction determination and albumin measurement. In this study, preliminary reference intervals were established for serum PEP in 22 clinically healthy adult Roti Island snake-necked turtles (), a critically endangered species, kept in captivity and sampled over two monsoon seasons. The species has a prominent prealbumin fraction and β-globulins were the dominant globulin fraction. Significant differences between females and males were found in prealbumin ( < 0.01), albumin ( = 0.02), α1-globulin ( = 0.05) and γ-globulin ( = 0.01). Gravid females had significantly lower total protein ( < 0.01), prealbumin ( < 0.01), albumin ( < 0.01) and albumin:globulin ratio ( = 0.01). These preliminary reference intervals should aid in clinical investigation in this species as well as further research studies seeking to understand the application of PEP in reptilian species.
A REVIEW OF NEOPLASIA IN PROSIMIANS IN HUMAN CARE FROM 1995 TO 2022.
Henry TN, Garner MM, Powers LV
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255209 · Publisher ↗
This retrospective study of neoplasia in prosimians in human care reports histologically diagnosed cases from the archives of a nondomestic species pathology service between 1995 and 2022, primarily submitted from zoolog...
This retrospective study of neoplasia in prosimians in human care reports histologically diagnosed cases from the archives of a nondomestic species pathology service between 1995 and 2022, primarily submitted from zoological institutions. To date, the only prior retrospective study of neoplasia in prosimians, published in 2009, was conducted with cases from a single institution specializing in prosimian noninvasive research and care. In the present study, a total of 153 neoplasms from 109 individuals were identified in the pathology service archives. The most commonly affected species belonged to the Lemuridae (92/109, 84.4%), particularly ring-tailed lemurs (; 55/109, 50.5%), black-and-white ruffed lemurs (; 19/109, 17.4%), and red ruffed lemurs (; 14/109, 12.8%). The digestive (49/153, 32.0%), reproductive (35/153, 22.9%), and integumentary (30/153, 19.6%) systems were most commonly affected. Hepatocellular neoplasia was the most common neoplasm overall (35/153, 22.9%), with a large proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma (23/35, 65.7%), suggesting a possible predisposition to this tumor in prosimians. The findings support aggressive behavior of these tumors in prosimians, and a majority (13/23, 56.5%) of cases had evidence of metastasis at the time of submission. Mammary neoplasia was also common (25/153, 16.3%) and predominantly malignant (18/25, 72.0%), in contrast with previous literature, although metastasis was uncommonly reported. The most common integumentary neoplasms were papillomas (12/30, 40.0%), and one report identified squamous cell carcinoma arising directly from a squamous papilloma. Several tumor types are reported herein for the first time in prosimian species, to the authors' knowledge. A literature review identifying additional cases reported since 2009 is also reported. This study contributes a large number of prosimian neoplasia cases to the existing literature to help determine trends in zoological collections and to inform captive prosimian health management.
BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES OF THE FOOT IN SOUND RETICULATED GIRAFFES () IN HUMAN CARE.
Muirhead SF, Olds J, Chinnadurai SK … +1 more , Schleining J
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255208 · Publisher ↗
Lameness is an important veterinary and welfare concern for giraffes in human care. To date, there is limited information on the objective weight-bearing characteristics of the foot in giraffes, making evidence-based dec...
Lameness is an important veterinary and welfare concern for giraffes in human care. To date, there is limited information on the objective weight-bearing characteristics of the foot in giraffes, making evidence-based decisions for foot care and lameness treatment subjective. Eleven young-adult reticulated giraffes (; median age, 3.5 yr [range, 13 mon-13 yr]), with no clinical lameness or visible hoof overgrowth when viewed from standing, voluntarily walked across a commercially available pressure-sensitive walkway. Footfalls were analyzed for force, pressure, surface area, and impulse from each foot. The weight-bearing claw was also determined based on pressure in both the front and hind limbs. The data obtained suggest that the main weight-bearing claw is the lateral claw in both the forelimbs and the hind limbs the majority of the time, but is inconsistent. The forelimbs also had greater values for all biomechanical variables than the hind limbs. The higher force and pressure suggest that giraffe forelimbs are subjected to greater biomechanical stress than the hind limbs. The relative maximum force from front limbs to hind limbs was 59:41. For these clinically sound giraffes, the center of force was consistently located in the interdigital space approximately equidistant from the toe and heel correlating with the center of mass of the limb. Furthermore, foot strikes occurred in a heel-first pattern. A pressure-sensitive walkway was well tolerated by all animals in the study and may be used in future research to help further elucidate factors that contribute to lameness in giraffes.
AEROBIC BLOOD CULTURES AND COMPARISON TO CLINICAL FINDINGS OF FREE-RANGING GREEN TURTLES () IN EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA.
Glassman AR, Zachariah TT, Patterson JL … +3 more , Mansfield KL, Seney EE, Ramachandran A
J Zoo Wildl Med · 2024 Sep · PMID 39255207 · Publisher ↗
Positive blood cultures have been identified in debilitated, stranded, and deceased green turtles (), suggestive of septicemia. Interpretation of these results is often difficult because multiple studies have previously...
Positive blood cultures have been identified in debilitated, stranded, and deceased green turtles (), suggestive of septicemia. Interpretation of these results is often difficult because multiple studies have previously identified bacteremia in clinically healthy reptiles. In this study, paired blood cultures and skin cultures obtained after aseptic preparation of the venipuncture site were collected from 50 immature free-ranging green turtles from Port Canaveral, Florida. Blood culture results were compared with health status (apparently healthy versus unhealthy, based on physical examination findings and appropriate body condition), date of collection, presence of external fibropapillomatosis, healed or unhealed injuries, and presence of barnacles. Weight, body condition score, body condition index, morphometric measures, volume of blood collected, and body temperature were compared between blood culture-positive and blood culture-negative turtles. Positive blood cultures were identified in 14% (7 of 50) of all turtles, including 15.6% (5 of 32) of apparently healthy turtles. spp., , sp., and were isolated in blood culture from apparently healthy individuals. There was a significant association ( = 0.048) between positive skin cultures and positive blood cultures, but isolates obtained were consistently different between paired results. There was no significant association ( > 0.05) between blood culture results and health status, evidence of healed or unhealed injuries, external fibropapillomatosis, or presence of barnacles. Based on the results of this study, positive blood cultures suggestive of nonclinical bacteremia may be present in apparently healthy green turtles. The results of this study will aid the attending clinician in interpretation of blood culture results of apparently healthy or presumed septicemic captive and rehabilitating green turtles as part of the conservation and population recovery of this threatened species.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe