Johannes S Siedenburg, Stefanie I Weiß, Viktor Molnár, Julia Tünsmeier, Merav Shamir, Veronika M Stein, Andrea Tipold
{"title":"RESOLUTION OF CALVARIAL HYPEROSTOSIS IN AFRICAN LION CUBS (<i>PANTHERA LEO LEO</i>) AFTER VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENTATION.","authors":"Johannes S Siedenburg, Stefanie I Weiß, Viktor Molnár, Julia Tünsmeier, Merav Shamir, Veronika M Stein, Andrea Tipold","doi":"10.1638/2021-0107","DOIUrl":"10.1638/2021-0107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Two female (FL 1, FL 2) and one male (ML) 11-wk-old, intact, captive African lion cubs (<i>Panthera leo leo</i>) were presented with a history of mild vestibular signs. Initial serum vitamin A concentrations were low (140 nmol/L) for ML. Calvarial hyperostosis was confirmed using computed tomography (CT) of the head and cervical vertebrae in each cub. CT measurements were adapted in relation to the skull width. ML showed the most pronounced thickening of the tentorium cerebelli and occipital bone, represented by a tentorium cerebelli to skull width ratio (TCR) of 0.08 (FL 1: 0.06, FL 2: 0.05) and a basisphenoid to skull width ratio (BBR) of 0.07 (FL 1: 0.06, FL 2: 0.04). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed cerebellar herniation and cervical intramedullary T2-weighted hyperintensity from C1, extending caudally for at least two cervical vertebrae in all cubs. Treatment was initiated with subcutaneous vitamin A supplementation and feeding of whole carcasses. Improvement in ataxia was noticed 3 wk later. Follow-up CT and MRI examinations were performed in ML after 3 and 8 mon. The affected bones appeared slightly less thickened and TCR and BBR had decreased to 0.05 after 3 mon. The cerebellum remained mildly herniated, accompanied by amelioration of cervical T2w hyperintensities. After 8 mon, evaluation and diagnostic imaging revealed further improvement regarding the neurologic status and measurements (TCR 0.05, BBR 0.04) despite persistence of a subtle cerebellar herniation. In conclusion, bone remodeling and improvement in clinical signs may be achievable in young lion cubs presented with calvarial hyperostosis and may be attributable to high-dose vitamin A supplementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140059789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hannah Sylvester, Jan Raines, Anne Burgdorf-Moisuk, Maren Connolly, Sandra Wilson, Lauren Ripple, Sam Rivera, Stephanie McCain, Erin Latimer
{"title":"SELECTED INSTANCES OF ELEPHANT ENDOTHELIOTROPIC HERPESVIRUS SHEDDING IN TRUNK SECRETIONS BY AFRICAN ELEPHANTS (<i>LOXODONTA AFRICANA</i>) IN COMPARISON TO SHEDDING BY ASIAN ELEPHANTS (<i>ELEPHAS MAXIMUS</i>).","authors":"Hannah Sylvester, Jan Raines, Anne Burgdorf-Moisuk, Maren Connolly, Sandra Wilson, Lauren Ripple, Sam Rivera, Stephanie McCain, Erin Latimer","doi":"10.1638/2022-0046","DOIUrl":"10.1638/2022-0046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined the viral shedding kinetics of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) in African elephants (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) compared to viral shedding behavior in Asian elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>). Little is known about the transmission dynamics and epidemiology of this disease in African elephants. In light of recent clinical cases and mortalities, this paper aims to identify trends in viral biology. Trunk wash samples were collected from 22 African elephants from four North American zoological institutions that had recently experienced herd viremias or translocations. Processing of these samples included DNA extraction followed by qPCR to quantitate viral DNA load. The results were then compared with available literature that chronicled similar cases in Asian and African elephants. Minimal EEHV shedding was detected in response to varied herd translocations. Increased shedding was recorded in herds in which an elephant experienced an EEHV viremia when compared to baseline shedding. These index infections were followed by subsequent viremias in other elephants, although it is not known if these were recrudescence, transient controlled viremias, and/or primary infections via transmission to other elephants. When compared to historically published data, it was observed that EEHV3 cases in African elephants and EEHV1A cases in Asian elephants had consistently higher levels of viral DNA in the blood than were shed in trunk secretions, a fact that is seemingly inconsistent with such severe cases of disease and the high mortality rates associated with those respective types. The findings produced in this study highlight the need for more routine monitoring of viral shedding in African elephant herds to elucidate possible EEHV transmission and recrudescence factors for ex situ population management.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140059791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ashlyn C Heniff, Alex M Lynch, Laura K Ruterbories, Larry J Minter, Timothy A Georoff, Julie A Balko
{"title":"INVESTIGATION OF A POINT-OF-CARE VISCOELASTIC COAGULATION MONITOR AND ITS COMPARISON TO THROMBOELASTOGRAPHY IN CLINICALLY HEALTHY AFRICAN ELEPHANTS (<i>LOXODONTA AFRICANA</i>).","authors":"Ashlyn C Heniff, Alex M Lynch, Laura K Ruterbories, Larry J Minter, Timothy A Georoff, Julie A Balko","doi":"10.1638/2022-0158","DOIUrl":"10.1638/2022-0158","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) can induce fatal hemorrhagic disease (HD) in African elephants (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>). Once clinical signs develop, progression is rapid, even with aggressive treatment. There is a critical need to develop point-of-care diagnostic tests to aid in identification of EEHV-HD prior to the onset of overt clinical signs. Study objectives were to investigate a novel, point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation monitor (VCM Vet), compare the results to thromboelastography (TEG), and report traditional hemostatic analytes in adult African elephants. Whole blood was collected from seven clinically healthy elephants (four females and three males, 18-47 yr) and analyzed in duplicate via VCM Vet and kaolin-activated TEG 1-3 and 30 min following collection, respectively. Separated plasma was frozen for ancillary coagulation testing. Both analyses generated quantifiable clotting reactions with variables (median [range]) describing clot formation rate (VCM Vet, clot time = 682 s [530-987 s], clot formation time = 244 s [186-744 s], Alpha = 40° [14-47°]; TEG, reaction time = 6.2 min [3.7-11.8 min], kinetic time = 1.3 min [0.9-2.6 min], Alpha = 70° [57-77°]), clot strength (VCM Vet, maximum clot formation = 34 units [20-45 units]; TEG, maximum amplitude = 75 mm [69-80 mm], shear elastic modulus strength = 14.7 Kdynes/s [11.3-19.5 Kdynes/s]), and clot lysis (VCM Vet, lysis index at 30 min = 100% [100-99%], lysis index at 45 min = 98% [95-100%]; TEG, lysis index at 30 min = 0% [0-0.4%], lysis index at 60 min = 1.4% [0-2.6%]) recorded. Additional testing (median [range]) included D-dimer concentration (33 ng/ml [28-94 ng/ml]), prothrombin time (12.4 s [12.2-13.2 s]), activated partial thromboplastin time (17.2 s [14.2-18.8 s]), and fibrinogen concentration (297 [282-383] mg/dL). Tracings generated by VCM Vet and TEG were clinically similar, and there was visual agreement and minimal difference between quantitative variables for duplicate tests. VCM Vet is a promising, user-friendly tool for use in identification and management of coagulopathies in African elephants.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140059754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alyssa G Palmer, Nicole I Stacy, Jorge A Hernandez, Alexandra Goe
{"title":"DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMANCE OF BLOOD ANALYTES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF RENAL DISEASE IN BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS (<i>MUSTELA NIGRIPES</i>) AT THE PHOENIX ZOO (2001-2020).","authors":"Alyssa G Palmer, Nicole I Stacy, Jorge A Hernandez, Alexandra Goe","doi":"10.1638/2023-0038","DOIUrl":"10.1638/2023-0038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Renal disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in managed black-footed ferrets (BFF; <i>Mustela nigripes</i>).<sup>4,6,12</sup> The objectives of this study were to establish reference intervals for blood analytes of clinically normal BFF (1-2 yr old), summarize the frequency of various renal histopathologic findings in a managed population of BFF, assess the diagnostic performance of blood analytes and urine specific gravity (USG) for the diagnosis of renal disease, and assess if comorbidities or age affects the performance of these analytes in diagnosing renal disease. Reference intervals were established using a cohort (n = 35) of clinically normal, young adult BFF. Postmortem records for all BFF at the Phoenix Zoo between 2001 and 2020 were reviewed, and those with available blood analyte data within 2 wk of death were included (n = 89). Ferrets were placed into one of three groups, based on the organ location of histopathologic abnormalities following necropsy: renal disease as the primary change; those with renal disease and at least one other affected major organ system; or absence of abnormalities in the kidneys. In ferrets with substantial renal changes, the primary diagnosis was amyloidosis (29 of 39; 74.4%). Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), Ca:P ratio, USG, globulins, and cholesterol were the best-performing analytes for the diagnosis of renal disease, with an area under the curve of at least 0.90 (95% CI $ 0.80, 1.00). Serum renal markers were within reference intervals in BFF that died without histologic evidence of renal disease. Several blood analytes were significantly affected by age in animals that died of renal disease. This study provides reference intervals for blood analytes in young adult clinically normal BFF and illustrates the clinical utility for the diagnosis of renal disease in this species, particularly creatinine, USG, and P.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140059773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lily Parkinson, Henrike Kuder, Alexandra Kehl, Amie Koenig, Jennifer Good, Jennifer Hausmann, Urs Giger
{"title":"NONDOMESTIC FELID <i>ABC</i> BLOOD PHENOTYPING, GENOTYPING, AND CROSSMATCHING.","authors":"Lily Parkinson, Henrike Kuder, Alexandra Kehl, Amie Koenig, Jennifer Good, Jennifer Hausmann, Urs Giger","doi":"10.1638/2023-0025","DOIUrl":"10.1638/2023-0025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Based upon previous clinical experience with domestic cats (<i>Felis catus</i>), the ability to assess <i>ABC</i> blood types and blood (in-)compatibilities of nondomestic felids, and adequately consider and plan for blood transfusions, may be important. Although nondomestic felids appear to have an <i>ABC</i> blood group system similar to domestic cats, typing with point-of-care kits and by <i>CMAH</i> genotyping for domestic cats have not been reported. In this study, 162 blood samples from 18 different nondomestic felid species (cheetah [<i>Acinonyx jubatus</i>, <i>n</i> = 42], lion [<i>Panthera leo</i>, <i>n</i> = 33], tiger [<i>Panthera tigris</i>, <i>n</i> = 23], Canada lynx [<i>Lynx canadensis</i>, <i>n</i> = 11], snow leopard [<i>Uncia uncia</i>, <i>n</i> = 10], puma [<i>Puma concolor</i>, <i>n</i> = 7], clouded leopard [<i>Neofelis nebulosa</i>, <i>n</i> = 6], serval [<i>Leptailurus serval</i>, <i>n</i> = 5], jaguar [<i>Panthera onca</i>, <i>n</i> = 5], fishing cat [<i>Prionailurus viverrinus</i>, <i>n</i> = 4], Pallas cat [<i>Felis manul</i>, <i>n</i> = 3], bobcat [<i>Lynx rufus</i>, <i>n</i> = 3], ocelot [<i>Leopardus pardalis</i>, <i>n</i> = 3], black footed cat [<i>Felis nigripes</i>, <i>n</i> = 2], leopard [<i>Panthera pardus</i>, <i>n</i> = 2], African wildcat [<i>Felis lybica</i>, <i>n</i> = 1], caracal [<i>Caracal caracal</i>, <i>n</i> = 1], and sand cat [<i>Felis margarita</i>, <i>n</i> = 1]) were <i>ABC</i> blood typed by laboratory and point-of-care tests, genotyped for four known <i>CMAH</i> variants for type <i>B</i> and type <i>C</i> (<i>AB</i>) phenotypes, and crossmatched with one another and domestic type <i>A</i> cats. Traditional tube typing identified blood type <i>A</i> (<i>n</i> = 106), type <i>B</i> (<i>n</i> = 8), type <i>C</i> (<i>n</i> = 43), and no discernible <i>ABC</i> type (<i>n</i> = 4). Several discrepancies were found between point-of-care and traditional typing test results. None of the tested felids possessed the four CMAH variants responsible for type <i>B</i> and <i>C</i> (<i>AB</i>) in domestic cats. Crossmatch incompatibilities (≥2+ agglutination) were identified within and between nondomestic felid species and beyond <i>ABC</i> incompatibilities. Of 26 crossmatches performed between domestic cats and various nondomestic felids, only 7 (27%) were compatible. In conclusion, point-of-care typing kits and <i>CMAH</i> genotyping, successfully used in domestic cats, may not identify the correct <i>ABC</i> blood type in nondomestic felids. Prior crossmatching is recommended to increase the likelihood of compatible transfusions between any nondomestic felids.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140059756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Geoffrey R Browning, Mads Kjelgaard-Hansen, Lauren L Howard, Laura Keener, Mindy LaFarga, Kathryn L Perrin
{"title":"BIOLOGICAL VARIATION OF HEMATOLOGY PARAMETERS AND CLINICAL APPLICATION IN AFRICAN ELEPHANTS (<i>LOXODONTA AFRICANA</i>).","authors":"Geoffrey R Browning, Mads Kjelgaard-Hansen, Lauren L Howard, Laura Keener, Mindy LaFarga, Kathryn L Perrin","doi":"10.1638/2023-0055","DOIUrl":"10.1638/2023-0055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Detailed knowledge of biological variation can facilitate accurate interpretation of clinical pathology parameters. A recent biological variation study in Asian elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) found that hematology parameters had high individuality, which suggests that population-derived reference intervals may be an insensitive diagnostic tool. In elephant medicine, sensitive hematology-related diagnostics are crucial for clinical decision-making, particularly in elephants at risk for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus hemorrhagic disease (EEHV-HD). The objective of this study was to assess biological variation of hematology parameters in African elephants to determine whether population-derived reference intervals are a sensitive diagnostic tool for interpreting results and to provide a useful alternative. Eight healthy African elephants had blood collected under behavioral training every other week for 8 wk. Complete blood cell count (CBC) analysis was performed in duplicate to assess analytical variation. Previous methods were used to determine between-individual variation, within-individual variation, index of individuality, and reference change values (RCV). This study found that most hematology parameters displayed intermediate-to-high individuality, which suggests that alternatives to population-derived reference intervals are necessary to detect pathologic changes. To test the results of our biological variation data, a case of EEHV-HD was retrospectively evaluated. Individual normal values and calculated RCV detected a clinically significant monocytopenia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia associated with EEHV2 viremia. However, none of these parameters fell outside a population-derived reference interval. This study highlights the utility of biological variation in clinical decision-making and demonstrates that individual normal values and RCV may be important diagnostic tools for CBC interpretation in African elephants.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140059765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"THE IMPACT OF SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING OF PIG CARCASSES ON PLASMA VITAMIN E CONCENTRATIONS IN CAPTIVE CAPE VULTURES (<i>GYPS COPROTHERES</i>).","authors":"Vinny Naidoo, Lauren N Havenga, Kerri Wolter","doi":"10.1638/2022-0127","DOIUrl":"10.1638/2022-0127","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With vulture population numbers on the decline globally, many countries resort to supplementary feeding to maintain colony health. Despite what is perceived as adequate feeding in South Africa, colonies are still characterized by poor breeding success. One reason could be that supplementary sites fail to meet micronutrient needs of birds. With results from zoological gardens indicating that some carcasses are low in their vitamin E concentrations, vitamin deficiencies may be an underlying problem. For this study it was determined if the feeding of whole pig carcasses, a common food item, could have a negative effect on plasma vitamin E concentrations in a captive colony. Plasma vitamin E concentrations were 7.38 ± 2.92 and 4.51 ± 1.24 after feeding whole pig carcasses (<i>n</i> = 14). Behaviorally, the birds also avoided the viscera and fat when feeding. Reasons for their low vitamin E concentrations could have resulted from the birds consuming only the pork meat, which is known to be low in vitamin E, or from natural peroxidation because of the high fat content of the carcasses. The study thus highlights the need for further research to ascertain the impact of feeding pig carcasses on wild vultures feeding routinely at supplementary feeding sites and also for considerations towards vitamin E supplementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140059794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carol Bradford, Julie Blossom, Kim Reiten, John Ragsdale
{"title":"MULTISPECIES SHIGELLA FLEXNERI OUTBREAK IN A ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTION COINCIDING WITH A CLUSTER IN THE LOCAL HUMAN POPULATION","authors":"Carol Bradford, Julie Blossom, Kim Reiten, John Ragsdale","doi":"10.1638/2022-0116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2022-0116","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Shigella flexneri is a nonmotile gram-negative bacillus that affects humans and nonhuman primates. In August 2021, 15 primates at the ABQ BioPark demonstrated clinical signs of Shigella infection: 3 out of 4 Sumatran and hybrid orangutans (Pongo abelii), 6 out of 8 gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), 2 out of 9 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), and 4 out of 4 siamangs (Hylobates syndactylus). Three siamangs and one gorilla succumbed to complications of shigellosis during the initial outbreak and a chimpanzee died 10 mon later. Although it is well documented that Shigella may cause morbidity and mortality in nonhuman primates, the rapid and devastating nature of the outbreak, the difference from previous reports in zoological collections (enzootic vs outbreak), and the chronological overlap with the increase in human cases in the region makes discussion of this Shigella outbreak of significance. The cases presented here are significantly different than previous reports, because these were part of an outbreak that arose and subsided, versus other reports where the authors describe an enzootic disease with persistently infected animals. Close communication with the New Mexico Department of Health allowed for the investigation into possible sources of the outbreak, recommendations regarding biosecurity protocols, and staff education.","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139443194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marion Stettler, Christian Lotz, Alexandra Probst, N. Marreros, Britta Lundström-Stadelmann, Caroline F. Frey, Jennifer Keiser, Andreas Hofer, Stefan Hoby
{"title":"SAFETY AND PHARMACOKINETICS OF PRAZIQUANTEL IN EUROPEAN POND TURTLES (EMYS ORBICULARIS)","authors":"Marion Stettler, Christian Lotz, Alexandra Probst, N. Marreros, Britta Lundström-Stadelmann, Caroline F. Frey, Jennifer Keiser, Andreas Hofer, Stefan Hoby","doi":"10.1638/2023-0031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0031","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Spirorchiidosis, caused by blood flukes of the genus Spirorchis, is a disease of great concern for the critically endangered European pond turtle (EPT; Emys orbicularis) in Switzerland. The endogenous life cycle of the parasite often leads to systemic inflammatory reactions, thrombosis, and death. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the treatment of choice against adult Spirorchis spp. in green (Chelonia mydas) and in loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles and is therefore considered for the treatment of EPT. This study aimed to establish a safe, easily applicable PZQ treatment for EPT, based on pharmacokinetics and tolerability. Three application methods were tested in a total of 12 adult EPT. Each turtle received a total of 75 mg/kg PZQ (three doses of 25 mg/kg in 3-h intervals [q3h × 3]) via IM (n = 3 turtles), SC (n = 3 turtles), or PO (n = 6 turtles) administration. Blood was collected 3, 6, 24, and 48 h after the first administration to determine the plasma concentration of PZQ using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Maximum measured R-PZQ concentrations (Cmax) were reached after 6 h. The mean Cmax of the total PZQ (sum of R- and S-PZQ) in the PO-treated EPT group was 1,929 ng/ml. Significantly higher concentrations were measured after IM and SC injection (mean Cmax of total PZQ = 12,715 ng/ml and 10,114 ng/ml, respectively). Transient side effects were evident after IM administration (local swelling and lameness), whereas no adverse drug effects were observed after PO and SC administration. Based on these results and the ease of administration to EPT, SC injection of PZQ at 25 mg/kg q3h times 3 serves as promising treatment application for the future.","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139444327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tamara N. Kruse, Kathryn E. Seeley, Priya Bapodra-Villaverde, Elena Hoellein Less, Randall E. Junge
{"title":"CLINICAL FINDINGS OF DENTAL DISEASE AND POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN PYGMY SLOW LORISES (NYCTICEBUS PYGMAEUS) UNDER HUMAN CARE","authors":"Tamara N. Kruse, Kathryn E. Seeley, Priya Bapodra-Villaverde, Elena Hoellein Less, Randall E. Junge","doi":"10.1638/2022-0070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2022-0070","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Dental disease is a common finding in pygmy slow lorises (Nycticebus pygmaeus) under human care, but the etiology is not fully understood. The small oral cavity in this species can make diagnosis of dental disease difficult. This retrospective study evaluated medical records and diet and husbandry protocols from 18 participating institutions with the objective of describing the signalment, clinical signs, physical exam findings, tooth type, tooth location, diagnostics used, and treatments performed to help guide care for dental disease. In addition, the study aimed to identify potential contributing factors to dental disease in this species. Of 59 animals with medical records evaluated, 42 (71.2%) had dental disease: 19 (44.2%) males, 20 (46.5%) females, and 3 (9.3%) without gender documented. Average age at onset of dental disease was 7.6 yr in males and 9 yr in females. Multiple lorises with dental disease (n = 12; 28.6%) had no premonitory clinical signs, and dental disease was found incidentally on examination. On dental examination, 30 lorises (71.4%) had evidence of gingivitis. In 13 cases skull radiographs were taken, but the majority of images (n = 8; 61.5%) were nondiagnostic for pathologic dental changes. A small proportion of cases with dental abnormalities (n = 4; 9.5%) were diagnosed using computed tomography. In total, 175 teeth were extracted from 31 patients; molars were the most frequently extracted tooth (n = 55; 31.4%). No substantial differences in diets were noted among many of the participating institutions, and not all slow lorises evaluated developed dental disease (n = 17; 28.8%). This retrospective study provides clinical findings on slow loris dental disease and guidance for the veterinary care and management of slow lorises under human care.","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139445136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}