Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine最新文献

While rabies has not been reported in northern sea otters (Enydra lutris kenyoni), it is an infection with severe implications. The World Organization for Animal Health considers a serum titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml as adequate when importing vaccinated domesticated animals into rabies-free areas, a standard often used for zoological species. A few facilities have vaccinated sea otters against rabies, but titers were not analyzed. Production of serum neutralizing antibodies to rabies was evaluated following vaccination of 15 northern sea otters from the Alaska SeaLife Center and the Minnesota Zoo using the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. No animals had measurable titers prior to vaccination, and all 15 animals demonstrated antibody production post-vaccination. Titers were evaluated at different intervals (30-834 days) post-vaccination and were found at or above 0.5 IU/ml in 10/10 otters at approximately one month, 3/3 at two months, 6/7 at three months, 1/2 at five months, and 2/6 at 6-13 months. Three animals received a booster vaccination one year post initial vaccination, resulting in increased titers in all three one year later. No adverse reactions to vaccination were noted. If the prevailing epidemiological landscape deems rabies to be a concern, booster vaccinations could be considered after 3-4 months to increase the likelihood of adequate protection.

This case series describes the presentation, diagnostic, and pathologic findings for mesothelioma in ten Panthera felids at two sanctuaries. Over ten years, seven African lions (Panthera leo) and three tigers (Panthera tigris) were diagnosed with mesothelioma, with a median age of 18 years. The most common clinical signs were nonspecific (lethargy, hyporexia, weight loss) and respiratory (coughing, wheezing, dyspnea), linked to cavitary effusions. Hematology and biochemistry values did not show consistent abnormalities although elevated creatinine (4/10), neutrophilia (4/10), monocytosis (3/10), and hyperglobulinemia (4/10) were most common. Radiographs, echocardiograms, and fluid cytology identified effusion, but did not diagnose mesothelioma specifically. All pericardial fluid samples (collected from 3/10 cases) were hemorrhagic, one of which had mesothelial cells but were not definitively neoplastic and one had neoplastic cells but were not definitively mesothelial. Treatments were only palliative; therapeutic pericardiocentesis provided short-term relief for three animals. Median survival time from the onset of clinical signs was 50 (range 0-176) days. If not euthanized on presentation, cases were managed with a combination of antibiotics, antifungals, immunosuppressives, diuretics, cardiac medications, and supportive care. Cavitary effusions were identified in 8/10 of cases at necropsy, including pericardial (7/10), pleural (5/10), and peritoneal (1/10), and diagnoses were confirmed with cytokeratin and vimentin immunohistochemistry. Further research is necessary to determine true prevalence and causes of this disease in domestic and nondomestic felids and to improve antemortem diagnostic testing and treatments.

Two tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) in a zoological collection of 10 birds presented with signs of weakness, ataxia, and decreased appetite. Diagnostic test results were supportive of zinc toxicosis. The remaining birds in the enclosure (four other tufted puffins, three common murres [Uria aalge], and one rhinoceros auklet [Cerorhinca monocerata]) were assessed, with plasma zinc levels ranging from 2.7 to 5.0 parts per million (ppm; 41.3-76.5 µmol/L). Possible environmental sources of zinc were investigated, including food, medications, seawater, plants, substrates, and habitat lining. Extremely high levels of zinc were found in the habitat sediment and lining (611,365 ppm at one site). A zinc coating had been applied to the habitat decades previously to reduce corrosion; the coating had eroded and contaminated grit was being ingested. All birds received chelation therapy with dimercaptosuccinic acid. A dosage of 50 mg/kg PO q24h appeared most effective and resolved all clinical signs. Long-term pulsatile use (months to years) was not associated with any complications. The birds were moved out of the habitat, the accessible lining was removed, the habitat was resealed, and any remaining sediment was flushed and removed prior to returning the birds. Morbidity and mortality in the group have decreased following this intervention. This case series highlights the importance of including veterinary professionals in the design and renovation plans for zoological enclosures.

Although cardiac pathology has been documented in penguin species under managed care, routine or pathologic assessment of cardiac function in penguins is poorly described in the literature. This study assessed cardiac function through transcoelomic (TCE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography in 11 apparently healthy Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). TCE was performed in awake and sedated birds under manual restraint, as well as under general anesthesia (GA). The use of IM midazolam and butorphanol provided an inadequate level of sedation, so only images from awake and anesthetized exams were evaluated. Using TCE, acceptable monoplane images were obtained in 51.5% (17/33) and 75.8% (25/33) of exams during awake manual restraint and under GA, respectively. Under GA, all intended imaging planes were obtained via TEE and 100% (33/33) of examinations resulted in acceptable images. Left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) values were significantly higher in awake penguins than anesthetized penguins regardless of echo technique (p < 0.05). Left ventricular end systolic volume (LVESV) values were significantly higher using TCE than TEE regardless of consciousness state (p < 0.05), but the opposite was true for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p < 0.05). Based on these results, TCE is an adequate imaging modality for basic cardiac assessment in awake and anesthetized penguins, whereas TEE is the preferred modality for more detailed cardiac assessments.

Large colonies of two vulnerable, sympatric pinniped species, Peruvian fur seals (Arctocephalus australis Peruvian subpopulation; PFS) and South American sea lions (Otaria byronia; SASL), reside and reproduce in Punta San Juan, Peru, where they are exposed to stressors such as contaminants and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. The use of cytokines as immune biomarkers can be indicative of an animal's health and function by allowing for the assessment of an individual's cytokine balance as type I helper T cell (Th1) or type II helper T cell (Th2) dominant. Utilizing archived pinniped plasma samples from 2009-2019 (n = 148), 13 cytokines (GM-CSF, IFN-γ, KC-like, MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-18, and IP-10) were analyzed in PFS and SASL. All cytokines analyzed, except for IP-10, were detected in at least one individual of each species. Significant differences in cytokine concentration (pg/ml) were found between sex in SASL for IFN-γ, IL-6, and KC-like, which suggested differences in immune system functioning and/or development between sexes. Significant differences between species were found as PFS females displayed higher concentrations (pg/ml) of Th2 cytokines (IL-6 and IL-10) than SASL females, and SASL males displayed higher concentrations (pg/ml) of KC-like than PFS males. Statistical analysis of PFS dam/pup pair cytokine concentrations suggested an upregulated Th2 response in pups compared to dams, consistent with the immature immune system characteristics of newborn mammals. Although no statistically significant relationships between cytokines and ENSO events were observed, comparisons of Th1/Th2 ratios displayed trends toward upregulated Th2 responses during El Niño conditions. This study shows differing cytokine profiles between sexes, age class, and species in Peruvian pinnipeds, as well as potential Th1/Th2 differences related to ENSO conditions, which may impact their ability to combat extracellular pathogens during stressful El Niño periods.

The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) has become a subject of interest in cardiovascular research due to its unique biological properties. However, the ECG of this species has not been thoroughly described. The objective of this study was to characterize the ECG of ten clinically healthy naked mole-rats. Each animal was anesthetized with ketamine and alfaxalone, and ECGs were recorded in sternal recumbency using a hexaxial lead system. ECG resembled those of other rodents with a median heart rate of 174 beats/min (range: 131-202 beats/min), positive Q wave, R wave, and S wave (QRS) complexes in lead II, and absence of an isoelectric ST segment. All P waves were low amplitude (range: 0-0.05 millivolts (mV)) and <40 milliseconds (ms) in duration (26-33 ms) while the median PR interval was 85 ms (76-100 ms). Peak R wave amplitudes ranged from 0.26-1.15 mV depending on filter settings and QRS complex durations were 26-44 ms. The QT intervals ranged from 168-254 ms. An arrhythmia characterized by sinus rhythm with first- and second-degree atrioventricular block was noted in one animal. Collectively, these results provide baseline values in clinically healthy naked mole-rats, which will be relevant to clinical and research situations.

Cases of exertional myopathy (EM) have been reported following the capture of greater sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis tabida) for research and management purposes. Antioxidants, such as vitamin E and selenium, have been suggested to reduce the risk of capture myopathy in Galliformes, but their prophylactic use against EM development in cranes has not been reported. The objective of this study was to determine if an IM injection of vitamin E and selenium during handling would influence postcapture activity and movement of cannon net-captured greater sandhill cranes. The hypothesis was that antioxidant-injected cranes would show higher postcapture movement, activity levels, and survival rate compared with the control group, indicating a protective effect on muscular integrity. It was also hypothesized that increasing capture time's adverse effects on postcapture movement would be alleviated by antioxidant treatment. Twenty wild adult greater sandhill cranes captured for the deployment of Global Positioning System-Global System for Mobile Communications transmitters were included. Ten cranes received 3.27 ± 0.14 IU/kg vitamin E and 0.072 ± 0.025 mg/kg of selenium IM, and the control group (n = 10) received 0.10 ml saline IM. Specific intervals related to capture time (time to injection and total handling duration), as well as morphological measurements, were recorded. Activity, speed, altitude, and displacement were recorded at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 7 d, and 14 d postcapture for all individuals. There was no mortality in sandhill cranes from either group in the 4 mon postrelease and no difference in postcapture activity indicators between the groups. A significant negative correlation between the 24 h displacement and the time from net capture to injection was detected when both groups were combined and in the treatment group alone. This study does not support the hypothesis that injections of vitamin E and selenium could reduce the risk of EM in cranes handled under these conditions.

Clinostomum spp. are digenetic trematodes commonly found in piscivorous birds. At the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital in Ithaca, NY, trematode (also known as fluke) infections were identified in six owls admitted to the hospital from 2020 to 2023 representing three species: an Eastern screech owl (Megascops asio) (n = 1), barred owls (Strix varia) (n = 3), and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) (n = 2). All individuals were presented to the wildlife hospital following vehicular trauma except for the two great horned owls. Trematodes observed in the oral cavities of these birds during initial physical examinations were presumptively identified as Clinostomum sp. based on their appearance and location. Molecular characterization based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX1) marker that was performed on specimens removed from the screech owl (Case 1) and a barred owl (Case 3) identified these trematodes as Clinostomum dolichorchum. The specimen from another barred owl (Case 2) did not have a strong match with any reported COX1 sequence and could only be identified to the genus level as Clinostomum sp. There are limited reports of Clinostomum spp. in raptors, and this is the first known documentation of infection in these three owl species. Though these parasites are often considered nonpathogenic, heavy parasitic loads can cause clinical disease and may have contributed to the clinical condition of two of these owls. Further study is needed to understand the effects of Clinostomum spp. in atypical hosts such as owls (Strigiformes).

There are no published data on the occurrence of neoplasia in wild great apes of any species. The aim of this study was to utilize postmortem and histopathology reports collected from wild human-habituated mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) and Grauer's gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) to determine both the incidence and types of spontaneous neoplasms and proliferative lesions that occur in these species. Pathology records of 194 mountain gorillas and 12 Grauer's gorillas necropsied from 1985 to 2020 were examined for all cases of neoplasia or hyperplastic/proliferative disease. Slides and/or scanned images were reviewed to confirm morphologic diagnoses. Data were collected on comorbidities that may have contributed to neoplastic/proliferative transformation. A total of nine malignant neoplasms were identified: large cell anaplastic B-cell lymphoma, gastric adenocarcinoma (two cases), gastric carcinoid, oral mucocutaneous malignant melanoma, gastric carcinoma in situ (two cases), squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, and renal adenocarcinoma. Benign lesions included pheochromocytoma, adrenocortical adenoma (two cases), parathyroid adenoma, mandibular fibroma with gingival hyperplasia, and uterine hemangioma. Proliferative gastritis was commonly identified secondary to gastrointestinal parasitism (n = 35); chronic inflammation from nematodiasis may have led to neoplastic transformation of hyperplastic mucosal epithelium. Other hyperplastic lesions included nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex (n = 9), adrenal medulla (n = 7) and thyroid glands (n = 3), pulmonary reactive lymphoid hyperplasia in infants and juveniles (n = 16), as well as nodular splenic siderofibrosis (n = 5) that may be associated with parasite migration. These findings demonstrate that free-ranging mountain and Grauer's gorillas in a natural environment develop neoplasia and proliferative disease.

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is an endangered herbivorous mammal, with wild populations distributed in the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains. Published scientific work indicates that pneumonia is still an important cause of death in ex situ populations of red pandas, particularly in neonates. This retrospective study used historical necropsy records, systematic necropsies, and pathogen detection methods to identify histopathologic patterns and pathogens in red pandas that had died with fatal respiratory disease at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, China, from 2014 to 2020. Of a total of 62 deceased red pandas, 25 were diagnosed with pneumonia, with an incidence rate of 40.3%. Pneumonia was the cause of death for the six juveniles and eight adults in the study of the 25 that had the diagnosis of pneumonia on record. Microbiologic cultures with sequencing identified Acinetobacter johnsonii, Bacillus ciccensis, Streptococcus gallinaceus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus from individuals with pneumonia. Two other cases involved nematode parasite infections; PCR sequencing identified one nematode as Strongyloides sp.; the other nematode could not be identified. Additional systematic in-depth studies on the epidemiology of disease patterns in managed red pandas are needed to clarify the susceptibility to pathogens, trends in disease occurrence, and identification of other risk factors, such as novel infectious agents, which may affect the stability and welfare of both ex situ and in situ populations.