Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine最新文献

The aim of this study was to conduct Doppler echocardiography on healthy free-ranging anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and to evaluate the relationship between echocardiographic parameters of diagnostic importance and animal body weight (BW). This work utilized 8 anesthetized adult animals and 4 manually restrained pups. The echocardiographic examinations were performed with the animal in left lateral recumbency. The echocardiographic scans were directed toward the parasternal window. Four cuts of the cardiac silhouette were conducted, two longitudinal and two transverse, to evaluate the systolic and diastolic cardiac parameters. This study recorded the following parameters: interventricular septum (IVS), left ventricular internal diameter (LVID), left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), ejection fraction (EF), shortening fraction (SF), aortic valve diameter (AOD), and left atrial diameter (LAD). The BW data (kg) of each giant anteater were paired with their respective echocardiographic data. These data were analyzed using correlation and linear regression modeling to assess the extent of the associations between the variables and their reliability. The same associations were analyzed with canine data to compare and determine the possibility of extrapolating the findings between dogs and anteaters. The echocardiographic parameters obtained using M-mode ultrasound from the short-axis transverse sections were adjusted to the left parasternal window because of the difficulty in analyzing them in the right parasternal window. The correlations between the echocardiographic parameters and the BW were found to be reliable, indicating that they could potentially be used as a simulation model for anteaters when an adequate number of animals are included in the analysis. The verification of the echocardiographic values obtained in anteaters utilizing reference intervals for dogs demonstrated acceptable hit rates, although the statistical results were not satisfactory.

As top predators, birds of prey play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, making their conservation essential. This retrospective study examined risk factors influencing the release or mortality of raptors treated at three rehabilitation centers in southern Brazil. Of 1,035 raptors admitted, Strigiformes were the most common, particularly Megascops choliba (tropical screech owl). Most admitted birds were adults (46.57%) admitted during the Southern Hemisphere's spring (36.91%). The musculoskeletal system was the most frequently affected (44.84%). Risk factors for mortality or euthanasia included age, with adults more likely to die than chicks. Raptors with one body system affected were 17 times more likely to die or be euthanized than those with none, and this increased to 62 times with two systems affected. Respiratory injuries had a higher fatality rate compared with other systems. Time in captivity was positively correlated with release rates; raptors treated longer had a 0.98 greater chance of being reintroduced into the wild. Compared with younger birds, the prognosis was worse for adult raptors admitted with two affected body systems. These results support veterinarians in rehabilitation centers by aiding decision-making and strengthening conservation efforts.

The garden dormouse is listed as "near threatened" on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Research on this species concentrates primarily on their hibernating strategies and physiology. However, little is known about infectious entities in this species, even less about neoplastic diseases. This case series presents the first report of different neoplasms in a population of garden dormice (Eliomys quercinus) under human care. This report includes six animals (four males, two females, four to seven years old). Four animals were euthanized, and two were found dead in the enclosure. Tissues of the animals were stained with Hematoxylin and eosin. Special staining (methyl green pyronin, desmin, vimentin, and cytokeratin) was performed to confirm diagnoses. Tumors found in these animals consisted of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a plasma cell tumor, an osteosarcoma, and three sarcomas. Because of their declining population trend and efforts of reintroduction, knowledge about diseases is imperative, especially, if there might be a genetic influence, which could hinder the success of conservation efforts.

Chemical restraint, whether remote via dart or via hand injection is essential for many veterinary procedures in captive and wild Panthera spp. but carries risk both to the animal and staff involved. Anecdotal patient safety concerns have been raised for the use of Tiletamine-Zolazepam (TZ), particularly in tigers, that have since been disputed. This investigation assesses the incidence of multiple reported anesthetic complications, including ataxia, respiratory depression/apnea, seizures, bradycardia and retching/vomiting, in captive Panthera spp. immobilized with Ketamine-Medetomidine or TZ-Medetomidine. Three hundred and two anesthetic records were provided by Dr. John Lewis with 44% reporting at least one complication (n = 133). Seventeen sedations using ketamine-medetomidine (9.7%) were reported to provide inadequate depth or require top-up ketamine compared to 12.5% (n = 16) in the TZ-medetomidine group. Species, age, reason for immobilization and requirement for maintenance with isoflurane were identified as significant confounding variables within these data. There was no significant difference in the risk of respiratory depression and seizures in tigers immobilized with ketamine-medetomidine or TZ-medetomidine. However, the TZ group were more likely to be ataxic on recovery. There was no significant difference in risk when immobilizing lions with either protocol. Leopards experienced significantly more complications with TZ-medetomidine than ketamine-medetomidine or TZ as a sole agent, suggesting that this is linked to an unknown confounding variable and not the drugs used. In conclusion, this study identified no justification for the contraindication for TZ in the chemical restraint of Panthera spp. including P. tigris.

Ferlaviruses have been associated with significant mortality events in squamates. Over a 5-month period in 2012, a mortality event at the Phoenix Zoo involved seven rattlesnakes (Crotalus spp.), a Sonoran gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer affinis), and a Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum). All individuals had been managed within the same group of enclosures at the zoo, and many of the affected individuals had previously been housed together. Clinical signs during the outbreak included sudden death, agonal behavior, anorexia, regurgitation, and loss of body condition. Histologic findings were similar in all animals, with lesions primarily in the respiratory tract and pancreas; these findings were consistent with viral infection, and in five of the seven cases for which samples were submitted, RT-PCR identified a genogroup C Ferlavirus. The findings in this outbreak support the possibility of cross-species viral transmission and clinical disease associated with genogroup C Ferlavirus infection and suggest persistence of paramyxoviral infection within captive reptile populations. These findings have widespread implications for the management of mixed reptile species habitats in zoological and private collections, and suggest a need to include all reptiles, not just snakes, in preshipment and quarantine investigation of potential ferlavirus infection.

The aim of this study was to descriptively characterize the ophthalmic findings identified in 43 adult sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) rescued from the dancing bear trade in India and examined at two sloth bear rehabilitation centers in Agra and Bannerghatta nr. Bangalore. Animals were selected where ocular disease was suspected except for two bears which were examined while anesthetized for other reasons (fight wound, health check). Full ophthalmic examinations were undertaken under general anesthesia. Ocular ultrasonography, electroretinography, and photography were also performed. Forty-three bears (86 eyes) were examined. Mean Schirmer tear test (STT) = 12+/-6.2 (median 12, 95% CI -0.4-24.4) mm/min. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) = 11.4+/-3.7 (median 12, 95% CI 4-18.8) mmHg excluding phthisical or grossly hydrophthalmic eyes. Ocular disease perceived to result in uni- or bilateral blindness was common (35 bears) with one or more of the following: phthisis bulbi (19 eyes; 13 bears), cataract (28 eyes; 17 bears), retinal detachment (29 eyes; 21 bears), and retinal degeneration (19 eyes; 16 bears) recorded frequently. Ocular ultrasound recorded mean axial globe diameter in non-phthisical/non-hydrophthalmic eyes as 16.5 +/-1.4 (median 16.4, 95% CI 13.7-19.3) mm and mean axial lens diameter of 4.9 +/-0.1 (median 4.7, 95% CI 4.7-5.1) mm. Blinding ocular disease was common, in particular, phthisis bulbi, retinal degeneration, and retinal detachment. Retinal detachment and phthisis bulbi may relate to blunt force ocular trauma prior to rescue, but ocular tuberculosis (TB) cannot be excluded, and retinal degeneration could result from a poor diet prior to rescue.

The golden-mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata palliata) represents an excellent sentinel species for use in One Health modeling because of its extensive natural range, regular contact with humans and domestic animals, and susceptibility to zoonotic diseases. The purpose of this research is to establish baseline health assessments for free ranging golden-mantled howler monkeys in Marino Las Baulas National Park, Costa Rica. In April 2013, seven free ranging golden-mantled howler monkeys were anesthetized for physical examinations and biological sample collection, including blood for hematology and blood gas analysis. All seven howler monkeys studied appeared in good overall health. On physical exams, 4/7 (57%) had some level of dental disease, most notably crown fractures. Fecal samples for endoparasite evaluation were collected from the seven anesthetized animals as well as an additional three animals that were anesthetized but remained in the trees out of reach for full physical exams. Feces were collected from the rectum or collected from the ground immediately after defecation. Fecal analysis showed 9/10 (90%) had one or more species of intestinal parasites, and one animal tested positive for Giardia spp. Hematologic values showed a mild monocytosis and eosinophilia compared to other Alouatta spp. Trypanosoma spp. were present in the blood smear of one animal. Additional vector-borne disease testing found one individual PCR positive to Plasmodium spp., and one individual PCR positive to Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. Antibodies for West Nile virus were found in 5/7 (71%) of the animals; however, PCR testing for West Nile virus and dengue virus was negative for all samples. This represents the first published health assessments for howler monkeys in this region.

Amyloidosis is the pathologic extracellular deposition of amyloid, a proteinaceous substance, in various tissues and organs. The most common form of amyloidosis in domestic animals is amyloid A amyloidosis, though amyloid light chain, amyloid β, and islet amyloid polypeptide amyloidosis have been documented. In reptiles, amyloidosis, or amyloid-like disorders, are considered rare. This research brief reviews an index case in a California kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) with amyloid-like deposition in the liver associated with fatal hepatic hematoma formation. In a review of 9,677 snakes in the archives of Northwest ZooPath from 1998 to 2019, 10 other cases (0.001%) of amyloid-like deposition in snakes were found, colubrids were overrepresented (n = 7; 64%), and most cases (n = 6; 54%) were greater than 15 yr of age at postmortem exam. Histologically, the liver was the most commonly affected organ (n = 10; 91%), with the kidney and heart affected less commonly. Amyloid-like material stained lightly positive with Congo red, was slightly positive with the periodic acid-Schiff reaction and did not stain with Masson trichrome stain. Ultrastructurally, amyloid-like material was composed of unbranched 10.27- to 13.20-nm-wide fibrils. Two cases had concurrent neoplasia, and inflammation was noted histologically in seven total cases. Four of the cases had no evidence of concurrent inflammation. The data described here indicate that amyloidosis in reptiles may be an aging change and not necessarily associated with inflammation or other disease processes.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant epidermal tumor. Biologic behavior and metastasis rate vary according to species and tumor location. The goal of this study was to report the occurrence and behavior of an oral SCC in a Tapirus terrestris treated with electrochemotherapy. The tapir was anesthetized for two electrochemotherapy sessions, six months apart, with intralesional cisplatin (0.25 mL/cm³) and VetCP 125^TM electroporator. Side effects were minimal. Because of tumor relapse, onset of joint disorders, and poor prognosis, the animal was euthanized and submitted to necropsy, followed by histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Electrochemotherapy significantly improved the tapiŕs life quality. Tumor bleeding resolved, and food uptake was improved. Necropsy demonstrated tumor invasion in adjacent soft tissues and bones and submandibular lymph nodes with multiple areas of metastasis. Overall survival time of 35 months was achieved, with good life quality. Histopathologic characteristics were more aggressive in the relapsed tumor.

Free-ranging red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) commonly present to wildlife facilities and veterinary clinics for injury or illness, and bloodwork is often an essential tool in their diagnostic workup. However, the type of anticoagulant used and the sample storage time prior to processing may potentially impact hematological values. This study evaluated differences between EDTA and lithium heparin (HEP) preserved blood samples in packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), estimated WBC counts by smear, and WBC differential counts. Additionally, differences in estimated WBC counts and WBC differential counts between anticoagulant-free (AF) and anticoagulant preserved blood smears were evaluated. Values were compared at time of blood collection and again after refrigeration for two, six, and 24 hours. Packed cell volume and TS were not significantly different between type of anticoagulant or time stored. Statistically significant differences in estimated WBC counts between AF samples and ETDA samples were found at all time points after time of collection (p = 0.025, 0.021, 0.010 for t = 2, 6, 24, respectively), while no differences were noted between AF samples and HEP samples. White blood cell differential count was impacted with variable significance by both time and anticoagulant. Clinically, HEP should be considered the anticoagulant of choice in this species and consideration should be taken to evaluate samples as close to collection time as possible.