Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine最新文献

This study aimed to perform upper digestive endoscopy in clinically healthy coatis (Nasua nasua), based on descriptions in domestic dogs and cats. In addition, research was carried out for Helicobacter in stomach samples. Five adult male coatis, weighing between 2.8 and 4.2 kg, kept in captivity were used. The examination was performed by using a flexible video endoscope with the animals under dissociative anesthesia and positioned in the left lateral decubitus. In general, endoscopic findings among animals were similar. The opening of the upper esophageal sphincter had an oval shape. The esophagus had a pale pink, smooth, and shiny mucosa, with submucosal vessels along its entire length. The contour of the trachea was evident with the impression of a curved appearance on the esophagus wall. Pulsation of the aortic arch was identified in the midthoracic region. The lower esophageal sphincter had an irregular shape resembling a star. In the stomach, rough folds and a mucous membrane with a darker pink color than the esophageal mucosa were observed. The antrum did not have the presence of mucous folds. The pylorus had an oval appearance with peristaltic movements, and the duodenal mucosa had a light pink color. The rapid urease test and histopathologic examination of stomach samples were negative for Helicobacter spp. In conclusion, upper digestive endoscopy of clinically healthy coatis has several similarities with those of domestic dogs and cats, without Helicobacter identification in stomach samples.

Traditionally, animal preventive medicine programs have been based on reducing health risks to individuals or groups of animals within a zoo or aquarium collection with an emphasis on transmissible pathogens of concern. An alternative risk analysis method of using animal health risks that impact a zoo or aquarium business to drive animal well-being program strategy is suggested. Business risk lenses of value to the individual organization are determined and weighted prior to use for risk analysis. In this example, the lenses used were 1) partial or complete closure of a park, resort, or attraction; 2) damage to brand integrity; 3) disruption to population management; 4) impact on individual animal or population health (the traditional basis of preventive medicine programs); and 5) other organizational concerns. Using these five business risks lenses demonstrates a holistic view of the zoo or aquarium business that engages all parts of the organization in understanding and preventing animal health concerns, thus giving animals the best opportunity to thrive. This approach increases risk tolerance in veterinarians, as they are no longer held solely accountable for morbidity and mortality: the responsibility for protecting the health of the animals and the business is more evenly distributed across the organization. With veterinarians demonstrating more tolerance and flexibility, their value increases and they are engaged for greater influence across the organization.

Three cases of benign ossifying proliferations of the ventral mandible were diagnosed in a 22-month-old female Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), a 12-year-old male Malayan tapir, and a 19-month-old male okapi (Okapi johnstoni) at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. The cases each presented with a firm, nonpainful mandibular swelling that would wax and wane in size and were minimally progressive radiographically. Positive reinforcement training, which included scratch down and station standing techniques, was used to obtain serial radiographs. Radiographs revealed mild periosteal proliferation ventral to cheek teeth with no tooth root involvement. A biopsy of the juvenile tapir's mandibular swelling confirmed benign ossifying exostosis. The other two animals did not have biopsies performed and their diagnoses were presumed to be the same as the juvenile tapir's due to similar radiographic findings. The clinical appearance of these lesions can resemble malignant diseases such as osteomyelitis, tumors, or dental maleruptions of ungulates. However, the lesions in the juvenile okapi and female Malayan tapir were found to be unrelated to adult tooth eruption, and the male Malayan tapir was an adult with complete permanent dentition. The mandibular swellings persist in both the okapi and adult tapir cases, respectively, four and two years after identification of each. No further histopathology has been performed in the three cases and the juvenile tapir was lost to follow-up. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of ossifying exostosis in a Malayan tapir and suspect diagnosis in an okapi. Benign ossifying exostosis should be a differential diagnosis for facial swellings in ungulates and further investigation including histopathology and long-term follow-up is warranted.

Historically, free-ranging musk oxen (Ovibos moschatus) were anesthetized with potent opioids such as etorphine, which are often associated with marked respiratory depression. The goal of this study was to investigate alternatives to the etorphine-xylazine combination (EtXy) traditionally used in this species. First, the potential benefit of postinduction butorphanol administrations to musk oxen anesthetized with EtXy was assessed. Then, the use of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM-II) as an alternative to the use of potent opioids for the immobilization of free-ranging musk oxen was evaluated. Eighty-nine musk oxen were ground darted with either a combination of EtXy (n = 52) or BAM-II (n = 37), and 10 animals from the EtXy group received an IM injection of butorphanol at 1 mg/mg of etorphine (EtXyB). Intranasal oxygen (1 L/100 kg per minute) was administered to all animals. Respiratory rate, heart rate, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂), and rectal temperature were compared between groups. Postinduction butorphanol injection was associated with a decrease in heart rate (P = 0.001) and increases in respiratory rate (P < 0.001), rectal temperature (P < 0.001) and SpO₂ (P < 0.001), but did not affect EtCO₂ (P = 0.069). Musk oxen anesthetized with BAM-II had a significantly lower EtCO₂ (P = 0.009) and heart rate (P = 0.009) compared with musk oxen anesthetized with EtXy or EtXyB, and a higher SpO₂ compared with animals anesthetized with EtXy (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between induction (P = 0.98) or recovery (P = 0.74) time for the three protocols used. This study provides evidence that postinduction butorphanol administration added to the etorphine-xylazine protocol can decrease respiratory depression. Additionally, BAM-II can be used as an affective drug combination to immobilize musk oxen in their natural environment.

African black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are one of the most common penguin species exhibited in zoos and aquariums. Ophthalmic literature published in this species is limited to intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal thickness. The objective of this research was to evaluate IOP (rebound tonometry; dog setting), tear production, corneal fluorescein staining, and ocular lesions from 48 eyes of 24 penguins (aged 4.29-29.58 yr) at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. Statistical analysis revealed that tear production (12.68 ± 4.59 mm/min [mean ± SD], with a modified half strip in 25 eyes) was not affected by sex or weight or between left and right eyes. Schirmer tear measurements were observed to decrease with age (P = 0.008). IOP (29.81 ± 4.88 mm Hg [mean ± SD]) was not affected by sex, weight, or age or between left and right eyes. Faint corneal fluorescein uptake was observed in four eyes, indicating stippled-to-patchy erosions on the corneal epithelium. Cataracts were the most common ocular lesion (50%; 12/24 penguins) and mostly incipient anterior subcapsular. Increased age (P = 0.024) was determined to be a risk factor for cataracts. Other ocular lesions observed in this group were corneal fibrosis, diffuse chemosis, and perilimbal corneal conjunctivalization. This study contributes to species-specific ocular reference intervals for African black-footed penguins and characterizes their most common ocular lesions.

Cardiac disease is a common cause of mortality in many primates housed in zoological settings. At the Bronx Zoo, between 2007 and 2018, there were ten incidences of sudden cardiac death in adult male geladas (Theropithecus gelada), none of which showed premonitory signs. Due to concerns of occult cardiac disease and fatal arrhythmogenic events, complete cardiac examinations were performed in three clinically normal, adult male geladas. Examinations included thoracic radiographs, transthoracic echocardiograms (echo), 12-lead ECG, and continuous ECG monitoring using an Implantable Loop Recorder (Reveal LINQ^TM Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN 55432, USA). Serum lipid profiles, vitamin E concentration, cardiac troponin I isoform (cTnI), and complete blood work were also performed. Wireless downloads from the implantable loop recorders were obtained intermittently for up to 2.5 years after placement. One male had an elevated cTnI level (210 ng/L), reduced ejection fraction (46%), and multiple episodes of supraventricular tachycardia and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Due to the abnormalities on ECG and echo, he was treated with metoprolol and lisinopril. Treatment was continued for nearly two years, until the animal had sudden cardiac death secondary to sustained ventricular fibrillation, which was confirmed by postmortem download of the loop recorder data and correlated with histologic evidence of cardiomyopathy. Implantable loop recorders greatly enhance the ability to diagnose and treat arrhythmias in primates and understand the mechanisms behind sudden cardiac deaths. Further studies are needed to establish cTnI, echocardiogram, and electrocardiogram reference ranges for this species, as well as appropriate treatment protocols.

Acute phase proteins (APPs) are commonly used in domestic equine practice, where they rise rapidly in response to inflammation and decrease soon after resolution. This response provides useful information to identify, monitor, and prognosticate a variety of inflammatory conditions. Asian wild horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) are an endangered relative of the domestic horse, and APP reference intervals (RI) and clinical utility in this species are not well documented. This study used serum samples from clinically healthy Asian wild horses under managed care to establish RI for serum amyloid A (SAA, n = 21) using an equine SAA assay and haptoglobin (HP, n = 23) using a proprietary assay. The utility of SAA and HP in identifying inflammation in clinically abnormal horses was assessed, and storage stability of these analytes under refrigerated conditions was determined. The RIs established in this study were 0.3-6.8 mg/L for SAA and 0-3.25 g/L for HP. Six clinically abnormal cases were retrospectively assessed using the RI established in this study. One case of pituitary neoplasia showed elevated SAA levels, one case of maxillary lip phaeohyphomycosis and concurrent endometritis showed elevations in SAA and HP, and one case of chronic laminitis had elevated SAA. Storage stability of SAA and HP were assessed at 4°C over 7 d. SAA significantly decreased between Time 0 h and Time 72 h, but increased again at 7 d with no significant difference between Time 0 h and Time 7 d. Because of the initial decrease in SAA concentration over the first 72 h, it is recommended that SAA is analyzed within 48 h if freezing or immediate analysis is not possible. There was no significant difference between HP between Time 0 h and Time 7 d, suggesting stability of this analyte over this period if freezing or immediate analysis is not possible.

Wildlife conservation law in Costa Rica protects common motmots (Momotus momota), limiting the specimens available to study their health and biology. This report describes the finding of the trematode Circumvitellatrema momota in the trachea, air sacs, lung, and celomatic cavity of two free-living M. momota. Histiocytic air sacculitis and pleuritis with granulomas containing trematodes, as well as adhesions between the air sacs and pericardium, were observed. In addition, histiocytic pneumonia, air sacculitis, celomitis, ulcerative tracheitis, and necrotizing histiocytic hepatitis showing intralesional parasites were detected. Eggs with morphology compatible with C. momota were found in the feces of both birds. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. momota in motmots of Central America. As may be seen in the second case, severe respiratory compromise was possibly affecting the bird's capacity to fly. Longitudinal studies of the host, parasite, and environment are necessary to understand the implication for C momota infection to the health and survival of the common motmot.

Nematodes of the superfamily Trichostrongyloidea, particularly abomasal species, have severe clinical implications associated with high morbidity and potential mortality of exotic ruminants housed in zoological institutions. The life cycle and ecology of Trichostrongyloid gastrointestinal nematodes (TGN) present challenges in their control including development of anthelmintic resistance and reinfection in high-density managed herds. Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) are used to help control TGN infections in ruminants, administered as a bolus or a feed additive. This study investigated the effects of frequent, low-dose administration of COWP fed as a top dressing on strongyle fecal egg counts (FEC) in gemsbok (Oryx gazella) and sable antelope (Hippotragus niger). Six years of FEC data (n = 33), obtained using a modified McMaster fecal flotation, were analyzed from individuals at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, treated exclusively with commercially available COWP in a topdressing application dosed at 25 mg/kg every 30-60 days. COWP decreased FEC in both species by a mean FEC reduction ratio of 45%, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) using a one-tailed paired t-test log-stabilized to minimize variance; no clinically negative effects, including copper toxicity, were observed. COWP were more effective at reducing FEC in individuals with pre-treatment FEC greater than 1000 eggs/g of feces, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). We conclude that frequent, low dose, top dressing application of COWP is effective at reducing FEC in sable and gemsbok, but COWP should not serve as a stand-alone method or to treat clinically affected exotic ruminants.

The opossum has been recognized as an intermediate host for many parasites including Besnoitia spp., which is a protozoan that infects various mammals, including many wildlife species. A limited number of reports using serology, histopathology, and molecular assays have documented the presence of B. darlingi in opossums. In the present study, samples from three opossum species, including the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana, n = 33) from urban/suburban areas of Florida, USA admitted to rehabilitation centers, and free ranging white-eared and black-eared opossum from two urban areas of Brazil (D. albiventris, n = 33; D. aurita, n = 34, respectively), were examined for antibody reactivity to Besnoitia spp. using indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) and Western blot (WB) assays adapted for the detection of opossum antibodies. While 3/33 (9.1%) samples from Virginia opossum showed positive reactivity by both methods, none of the samples from the opossum from Brazil showed such reactivity. The three Besnoitia-seropositive samples were obtained from Virginia opossums clinically suspected to have besnoitiosis based on the appearance of diffuse skin lesions. These data support the further evaluation of serological testing in future studies of besnoitiosis in the opossum as well as a hypothesis of limited infection in the opossum of South Florida, USA, and southern and southeastern Brazil. Overall, the preliminary data has management implications for rehabilitation centers that commonly treat this species and research implications in the application of these assays in wildlife species.