Journal of Wildlife Diseases最新文献

Butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM) is commonly used for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) immobilization in captive and free-ranging populations. It is a federally regulated controlled substance requiring stringent regulatory compliance, complicating field application. A prescription-only drug combination, nalbuphine-medetomidine-azaperone® (NalMed-A) provides a less-regulated alternative for use by wildlife professionals. Efficacy and safety of these drug combinations for immobilization of deer have not been compared in a controlled trial, and reports of dose-specific effects of NalMed-A on white-tailed deer physiology are lacking. Additionally, residual effects of these drugs on deer behavior, food consumption, and stress response have not been reported. In February through April 2021, we immobilized 30 captive female, adult white-tailed deer in three treatment groups (n=10 each). Hand-injected doses were 1.5 mL BAM intramuscularly (IM; 41.0 mg butorphanol, 13.6 mg azaperone, 16.4 mg medetomidine), 1.5 mL NalMed-A IM (60.0 mg nalbuphine, 15.0 mg medetomidine, 15.0 mg azaperone), and 2.0 mL NalMed-A IM (80.0 mg nalbuphine, 20.0 mg medetomidine, 20.0 mg azaperone). We compared quality of immobilizations and reversals and times to induction and reversal among treatments, collected biological samples to measure stress hormones and blood gases, and conducted observations to determine treatment-related variations in behaviors. When an effective dose was administered, both BAM and NalMed-A produced rapid and smooth immobilization and recovery after reversal. All treatments in combination with manual restraint caused some degree of hyperthermia, hypoxemia, hypercarbia, bradycardia, respiratory and metabolic acidosis, and elevated lactate and serum cortisol. At 60 d, all deer were still alive, with no apparent residual effects. Vital signs of deer exposed to manual restraint and these drug combinations should be monitored closely, with supportive therapy provided when needed. We suggest BAM and NalMed-A are safe for immobilizing deer in situations similar to our trials, although doses may perform differently in deer remotely injected without manual restraint.

We investigated the prevalence of arthropod-borne viral diseases in a population of free-ranging mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) in Costa Rica in 1998. Blood samples were opportunistically collected from monkeys anesthetized for another study. Serology was performed on 64 individuals to assess exposure of this population to vesicular stomatitis virus, equine encephalitis viruses, Mayaro virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus, and dengue virus. The New Jersey serotype of vesicular stomatitis (VSV-NJ) was the only pathogen for which the population tested positive (44% [28/64]). This is the first report of antibodies against VSV-NJ in nonhuman primates in Costa Rica.

Rehabilitation and release of wild birds hinge upon a comprehensive understanding of both biologic and nonbiologic factors, including the medical and physical fitness of the animal. The objectives of this study were to determine reference intervals of packed cell volume and plasma chemistry values for healthy Eurasian Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo) and to compare blood values between age and sex classes. There were significant differences between males and females in total protein and globulin mean values, with males having higher values than females. Adult and juvenile Eagle Owls differed significantly in the mean values of calcium, alkaline phosphatase, and uric acid, with juveniles having higher values than adults. The calculated reference intervals for Eagle Owls can be used in Eurasian Eagle Owls admitted to rescue centers to assist veterinarians and wildlife managers to clinically evaluate and monitor the health of Eagle Owls and make decisions about when to release them after treatment.

The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), common in rural and suburban environments, is perceived as declining within its native range, prompting conservation concerns. This study of hedgehogs admitted to a French rehabilitation center aimed to identify causes of death, detect potential emerging diseases, and systematically screen dead hedgehogs for toxicants and hemopathogens. Using clinical information, necropsy examination, and ancillary testing in 159 dead hedgehogs, we identified the primary cause of death of 92% of them. The leading causes of death were impaired general condition (30%); bacterial infections (26%), frequently caused by Salmonella Enteritidis; and trauma (20%). Additional factors contributing to death were identified in 78%, including a high proportion with significant parasite infestations. Toxicologic screening revealed that 42% of hedgehogs had been exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides, including 6.4% hedgehogs with levels compatible with acute intoxication. These hedgehogs were also exposed to trace metals, especially lead, but no pesticides residues were detected. Hemopathogen screening revealed a low diversity and prevalence of blood pathogens with 3.6, 2.9, and 2.9% individuals infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Mycoplasma turicensis, and Mycoplasma wenyonii, respectively. The variety of diagnoses suggests that there is no unique prominent or emerging disease responsible for the mortality of these hedgehogs. This study also highlighted the high exposure of hedgehogs to various toxicants. To further investigate the extent and causes of population declines, health information issued from several centers should be combined with demographic data as well as ecologic assessments on the availability and quality of natural resources.

Dredging is commonly used to maintain navigational channels in freshwater lakes such as Lake Erie, and the dredged material may be discarded in confined disposal facilities (CDFs). The effects of these CDFs on wildlife health are largely unknown. We compared health assessments of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) at two sites in southwestern Lake Erie, Ohio, USA in May 2022: CDF for dredged material (n=27), and a protected coastal marsh (PCM; n=24). Each turtle underwent a physical examination, blood collection for hematology and plasma biochemistry profiles, and testing for Chlamydia spp., herpesviruses, ranavirus (frog virus 3), and Mycoplasmopsis spp. via oral and cloacal swabs. Six turtles were positive for Chlamydia spp. (11.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.4%-23.9%), two from the CDF and four from the PCM. One Chlamydia-positive turtle was co-infected with herpesvirus (2.0%; 95% CI: 0%-10.5%) with 96.3% homology with emydid herpesvirus. No ranavirus or Mycoplasmopsis species were detected (0%, 95% CI: 0%-6.7%). Turtles captured from the CDF had significantly higher heterophil percentages, heterophil/lymphocyte ratios, and glucose levels, but significantly lower total protein and calcium/phosphorus ratios than turtles from PCM. Turtles living in the CDF were hyperglycemic, potentially indicating increased stress levels compared to the normoglycemic turtles from PCM. As humans continue to alter wetland habitats, the impact of anthropogenic sites such as CDFs on freshwater chelonian health and welfare should be monitored.

Effects on physiology were evaluated in 49 free-ranging moose (Alces alces), 11 adult males, 36 females, two of unknown sex) in Minnesota, USA, immobilized by helicopter darting with thiafentanil (10 mg) and xylazine (30 mg) in February 2020 and March 2021. Pursuit time (PT), induction time (IT), recumbency time (RT), recovery time (RC), temperature (T), and body position were recorded. For 14 females, respiratory rate (RR), pulse rate (PR), and pulse oximetry (SpO2) were obtained before and at 1, 5, and 10 min after 4 L/min nasal oxygen supplementation was started; pH, lactate (Lac), arterial oxygen (PaO2), and carbon dioxide (PaCO2) tensions were obtained pre-treatment and 5 min post-treatment. Immobilizations were reversed with naltrexone (200 mg) and tolazoline (800 mg) intramuscularly. Median PT and IT were 4 min; a longer dart needle significantly reduced IT (P=0.0274). Most (98%) remained sternal; 77% held their head upright. Median RC was 3 min. Temperature remained ≤41.2 C. Median RR, PR, and SpO2 were RR=20 breaths/min, PR=70 beats/min, SpO2=91% pre-treatment and RR=30 breaths/min, PR=72 beats/min, SpO2=97% 5-min post-treatment. Median blood gas values were pH=7.45, Lac=5.62 mmol/L, PaCO2=44 mmHg, and PaO2=65 mmHg pre-treatment and pH=7.48, Lac=4.99 mmol/L, PaCO2=41.1 mmHg, and PaO2=78 mmHg 5 min post-treatment. Physiologic improvement from oxygen supplementation was clinically relevant but not statistically significant. All moose survived immobilization. Thiafentanil and xylazine combination provided safe and effective immobilization in free-ranging moose.

Through evaluation of serum and plasma buterylcholinesterase (BChE) and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, we investigated the possibility of the involvement of an acute organophosphate toxicosis in the pathogenesis of ongoing annual outbreaks of paresis and paralysis that in some cases progress to death, in endangered Western Australian Carnaby's cockatoos (Zanda latirostris). The condition, named Carnaby's hindlimb paralysis syndrome (CHiPS), was first described in 2012. Following initial investigations involving clinical, epidemiologic, toxicologic, gross necropsy, and histologic evaluation, a toxic etiology, specifically an organophosphate toxicosis, was considered most likely. The study aimed to validate the BChE assay for use in serum and plasma in Carnaby's cockatoos. This study found no evidence of changes in serum or plasma BChE or brain AChE that indicate an acute organophosphate toxicosis as the cause of CHiPS. Although these results render an acute organophosphate toxicosis unlikely, an organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy has not been ruled out. Based on the results from the BChE validation study, the authors can recommend this assay for the evaluation of BChE measurement in plasma and serum from Carnaby's cockatoos with results showing excellent accuracy and precision.

Infectious diseases can have detrimental effects on wildlife populations, particularly those that persist at small sizes, have low genetic diversity, and are affected by fragmented habitat. One such example is the endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi), which has been intensively managed since the early 1980s, with the current population ranging between 120 and 230 individuals. For more than three decades, panthers have been captured, demographics recorded, and blood samples collected to monitor for multiple infectious diseases; however, an updated comprehensive study of many of these pathogens has not occurred since 1991. Our goal was to identify temporal patterns and spatial clustering in seroprevalence; determine if the pathogens of interest tend to co-occur; and describe relationships between an individual's genetic assignment (admixed or canonical) and seropositivity. We analyzed serology data for eight pathogens representing different modes of transmission (direct, indirect, vector borne) and infection duration (acute, chronic) from 232 panthers collected between 1992 and 2017. Panthers held consistently high seropositivity for feline calicivirus (62.3%) and panleukopenia virus (79.7%) throughout the study, whereas feline herpesvirus and feline leukemia virus were at lower prevalence (3.1% and 2.4%, respectively), although neither had been noted prior to 1992. Panthers were frequently seropositive for canine distemper virus and feline immunodeficiency virus, and seroprevalence fluctuated through time. West Nile virus seropositivity increased over the study period following its introduction in North America in 1999. Panthers were consistently negative for feline coronavirus, which causes feline infectious peritonitis. Genetics and demographics (sex and age) had little influence on serostatus, and coexposure among pathogens did not tend to occur. Both feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus appeared to have spatial clusters of seropositive individuals. Our findings enhance the understanding of pathogen exposure in panthers, informing and supporting ongoing surveillance efforts for timely detection and management of potential disease threats in vulnerable populations.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, or prion disease, poses a serious threat to wildlife; however, the susceptibility of apex predators is still being assessed. We investigated variation in the prion protein gene in Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) and found that admixture from Central American pumas probably introduced a novel, albeit benign, prion allele.

Wildlife may be infected with a high diversity of piroplasms and may serve as hosts or reservoirs for piroplasms of importance for domestic animals and public health. In the US, some piroplasms (e.g., Babesia spp. and Theileira cervi) have been associated with disease in native and exotic ungulates. Blood from 447 ruminants in Nevada were PCR tested for piroplasms, with 115 individuals from five species or subspecies found positive: 28/46 California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana), 1/16 desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelson), 70/255 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), 14/53 elk (Cervis canadensis nelsoni), and 2/55 pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Six mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) and four moose (Alces alces) were negative. Four piroplasm species were detected-Babesia duncani, Babesia sp. RD63, Babesia odocoilei, and Theileria cervi-like spp.-but three B. duncani strains were detected, giving seven unique species or strains. Babesia duncani, the most common piroplasm detected (83%), occurred in California and desert bighorn sheep, elk, and mule deer. Bighorn sheep were only infected with B. duncani, whereas mule deer and elk were each infected with three piroplasm species or strains. The single Theileria sp. and B. odocoilei detections were in pronghorn. Free-ranging ruminants in Nevada are infected with a high diversity of piroplasms, several of which are zoonotic or reported to cause disease in both wild and domestic ruminants.