Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine最新文献

{"title":"HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR FREE-RANGING PRONGHORN (<i>ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA</i>) IN WEST TEXAS.","authors":"Ashley M Reeves, Shawn S Gray, Louis A Harveson, Clayton D Hilton, Cary M Springer, Warren C Conway, Robert O Dittmar","doi":"10.1638/2023-0119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pronghorn (<i>Antilocapra americana</i>) are considered a keystone species of North American grasslands and an important economic source for many landowners in Texas. Pronghorn restoration projects routinely capture and translocate individuals from surplus populations to restoration areas. The objective of this study was to generate normal hematological and biochemical reference intervals (RI) for free-ranging pronghorn populations in Texas as a health monitoring tool for pronghorn restoration efforts. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture and divided among an EDTA tube, serum separator tube, and a single blood smear on site. Complete blood counts and biochemical profiles were completed at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. In total, 417 individuals (41 males, 376 females) were included in the analysis. RI were determined by robust methods (R Studio) and mixed models' analysis of variance (SPSS 28) to examine differences in blood parameters due to fever, sex, age (adult versus yearling [<1 yr of age]), cell abnormalities, and pathogen exposure reported by the testing laboratory. Sex, age, and pathogen exposure affected mean blood values, but did not warrant development of separate RI by class. Bluetongue virus was identified in 46.8% (195/417) of pronghorns and epizootic hemorrhagic disease in 89.4% (194/217) of pronghorns; 84.8% (184/217) of the pronghorns tested positive for both diseases. This information provides baseline hematology and biochemical parameters to assess the health of free-ranging pronghorn and guide wildlife managers in decision-making for future translocations and restoration objectives.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"573-584"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290247","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":"PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS AND REFERENCE INTERVALS OF SERUM PROTEINS OF A CAPTIVE POPULATION OF ROTI ISLAND SNAKE-NECKED TURTLES (<i>CHELODINA MCCORDI</i>).","authors":"Shin Min Chong, Guillaume Douay","doi":"10.1638/2023-0104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Protein electrophoresis (PEP) is an important tool in mammals to characterize specific dysproteinemias and detect acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In reptiles, PEP is the gold standard method for globulin fraction determination and albumin measurement. In this study, preliminary reference intervals were established for serum PEP in 22 clinically healthy adult Roti Island snake-necked turtles (<i>Chelodina mccordi</i>), a critically endangered species, kept in captivity and sampled over two monsoon seasons. The species has a prominent prealbumin fraction and β-globulins were the dominant globulin fraction. Significant differences between females and males were found in prealbumin (<i>P</i> < 0.01), albumin (<i>P</i> = 0.02), α1-globulin (<i>P</i> = 0.05) and γ-globulin (<i>P</i> = 0.01). Gravid females had significantly lower total protein (<i>P</i> < 0.01), prealbumin (<i>P</i> < 0.01), albumin (<i>P</i> < 0.01) and albumin:globulin ratio (<i>P</i> = 0.01). These preliminary reference intervals should aid in clinical investigation in this species as well as further research studies seeking to understand the application of PEP in reptilian species.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"694-703"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290256","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":"SERIAL CHANGES IN METABOLIC ACID-BASE STATUS IN THREE SPECIES OF ANESTHETIZED CAPTIVE LARGE FELID.","authors":"Nigel Dougherty, Brett Gartrell, Vicki Walsh, James Chatterton, Baukje Lenting","doi":"10.1638/2022-0072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2022-0072","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Determination of acid-base status contributes important information about patient health, including for patients under anesthesia. There is a paucity of information about the determinants of acid-base status of large felids managed under anesthesia, and advancement of such knowledge may contribute to patient safety. This study serially monitored the individual metabolic acid-base status of 11 large felids, including lions (<i>Panthera leo</i>), tigers (<i>Panthera tigris</i>), and cheetahs (<i>Acinonyx jubatus</i>), under general anesthesia. We analyzed the contributions of measured strong ions (sodium, chloride, potassium, lactate), weak acids and buffers (albumin, phosphate and bicarbonate), and unmeasured anions to standardized extracellular base excess (SBE). A general linear model assessed for species differences in these parameters, with time since immobilization, SBE, and mean arterial pressure as covariates. By employing a Stewart-based analytical approach, it was possible to separate chloremic and unmeasured anion contributions to metabolic acid base status. This provided a basis for identifying mixed metabolic processes, generating differentials for underlying causes. Using normal acid base parameters for domestic felids, metabolic acidosis was found to be prevalent. Frequent evidence of unmeasured anion accumulation was also found, with unmeasured anions occasionally exceeding 5mmol/L. These findings warrant further inquiry into the drivers and clinical significance of metabolic acidosis and unmeasured anion accumulations in anesthetized large felids, encouraging further anion identity studies to elucidate possible causes. Reference ranges need to be established for acid-base parameters in large felids as a foundation for interpreting more controlled, prospective research into determinants of metabolic acid-base status in these animals under anesthesia.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"602-610"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290257","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":"AEROBIC BLOOD CULTURES AND COMPARISON TO CLINICAL FINDINGS OF FREE-RANGING GREEN TURTLES (<i>CHELONIA MYDAS</i>) IN EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA.","authors":"Alan R Glassman, Trevor T Zachariah, Jessica L Patterson, Katherine L Mansfield, Erin E Seney, Akhilesh Ramachandran","doi":"10.1638/2023-0107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Positive blood cultures have been identified in debilitated, stranded, and deceased green turtles (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>), suggestive of septicemia. Interpretation of these results is often difficult because multiple studies have previously identified bacteremia in clinically healthy reptiles. In this study, paired blood cultures and skin cultures obtained after aseptic preparation of the venipuncture site were collected from 50 immature free-ranging green turtles from Port Canaveral, Florida. Blood culture results were compared with health status (apparently healthy versus unhealthy, based on physical examination findings and appropriate body condition), date of collection, presence of external fibropapillomatosis, healed or unhealed injuries, and presence of barnacles. Weight, body condition score, body condition index, morphometric measures, volume of blood collected, and body temperature were compared between blood culture-positive and blood culture-negative turtles. Positive blood cultures were identified in 14% (7 of 50) of all turtles, including 15.6% (5 of 32) of apparently healthy turtles. <i>Vibrio</i> spp., <i>Bacillus megaterium</i>, <i>Cellulomonas</i> sp., and <i>Staphylococcus pasteuri</i> were isolated in blood culture from apparently healthy individuals. There was a significant association (<i>P</i> = 0.048) between positive skin cultures and positive blood cultures, but isolates obtained were consistently different between paired results. There was no significant association (<i>P</i> > 0.05) between blood culture results and health status, evidence of healed or unhealed injuries, external fibropapillomatosis, or presence of barnacles. Based on the results of this study, positive blood cultures suggestive of nonclinical bacteremia may be present in apparently healthy green turtles. The results of this study will aid the attending clinician in interpretation of blood culture results of apparently healthy or presumed septicemic captive and rehabilitating green turtles as part of the conservation and population recovery of this threatened species.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"665-672"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290215","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":"HEMATOLOGIC AND PLASMA BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE VALUES FOR CAPTIVE LEOPARD SHARKS (<i>TRIAKIS SEMIFASCIATA</i>).","authors":"Amanda J Arndt, Meghan M Holst, Jill V Spangenberg","doi":"10.1638/2022-0097","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2022-0097","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leopard sharks (<i>Triakis semifasciata</i>) are temperate, Eastern Pacific elasmobranchs popular in public aquariums. Blood analysis is commonly used for assessing animal health, yet reference values have not been established for this species. This study analyzed <i>T. semifasciata</i> population data to characterize blood reference values for a collection of <i>T. semifasciata</i> housed at a public aquarium. Twenty-one captive leopard sharks were sampled. Blood was collected during annual health examinations from sedated animals. After collection, blood samples were anticoagulated with lithium heparin, and hematocrit and plasma biochemistry values were analyzed. The minimum-maximum ranges were hematocrit 11-31%, buffy coat 1-2%, glucose 4.94-9.38 mM/L, sodium 244-272 mM/L, potassium 3.7-5.5 mM/L, chloride 214-246 mM/L, aspartate aminotransferase 5-31 U/L, creatine kinase 36-1,136 U/L, calcium 3.65-3.95 mM/L, phosphorus 1.13-2.23 mM/L, total protein 21-38 g/L, and total CO₂ 12-18 mM/L. The values identified will contribute to a better understanding of captive leopard shark physiology and to improved veterinary care for captive leopard sharks. Further research can examine the validity of machines like the Vetscan VS2, which will expand the resources available to care professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"763-768"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290246","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":"POPULATION PHARMACOKINETICS OF CEFPODOXIME IN BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (<i>TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS</i>).","authors":"Barbara K Linnehan, Steven P Lesman, Joseph F Boucher, G Scott Grover, Erin C Brodie, Jennifer M Meegan, Abby M McClain, Kyle P Ross, Eric D Jensen","doi":"10.1638/2023-0139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cefpodoxime proxetil is commonly used to treat cetacean patients with suspected or confirmed bacterial infections; however, pharmacokinetic data are needed to guide proper dosing in these species. Cefpodoxime proxetil is a time-dependent, semisynthetic, third-generation cephalosporin, appropriate for once-daily dosing and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved for use in dogs with a broad spectrum of activity including gram-positive and gram-negative species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the population pharmacokinetics of cefpodoxime in bottlenose dolphins (<i>Tursiops truncatus</i>). A sparse-sampling design was used, with serum from dolphins receiving cefpodoxime proxetil at 10 mg/kg orally every 24 h to treat suspected or confirmed bacterial infections. Serum samples (<i>n</i> = 57) from 24 dolphins were analyzed at 12 time points from 0 to 96 h postdose. Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. One- and two-compartment linear models with first order absorption were tested. Covariates including weight, age, and sex were considered for inclusion in the model, and between-subject variability was incorporated. A two-compartment model performed best, where following an oral dose of 10 mg/kg, serum concentration reached a mean maximum concentration of 23.0 µg/ml, mean time to maximum concentration of 5.0 h, and mean half-life of 11.4 h. With daily dosing, accumulation was approximately 18% and steady state was reached by the second dose. Serum protein binding was 82.8% as determined by equilibrium dialysis, similar to plasma protein binding reported in dogs. Based on the population pharmacokinetic model, once-daily oral dosing was systemically absorbed and quickly reached maximum concentrations. The half-life in dolphins appears to be longer than other species studied to date. Given the paucity of antimicrobial pharmacokinetic studies in dolphins, and limited once-daily oral antibiotic options for this species, these data are helpful for clinicians to make informed antimicrobial choices.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"611-619"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290255","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":"EFFECT OF SUBSTRATE AND WALKING SURFACES ON CENTRAL METATARSAL FOOT PAD WEIGHT LOADING IN MAGELLANIC PENGUINS (<i>SPHENISCUS MAGELLANICUS</i>) WITH AND WITHOUT PODODERMATITIS: AN EX VIVO STUDY.","authors":"Su Hyun Faith Yang, Jessica Aymen, Hugues Beaufrère","doi":"10.1638/2024-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2024-0013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pododermatitis is common in penguins kept under human care. Substrate optimization plays an important role in prevention and treatment; however, there is limited information on biomechanical properties of commonly used substrates on penguin feet. The objectives were to test the ability of different substrates to decrease weight loading on the central metatarsal pad of penguin feet in an ex vivo model using feet with and without bumblefoot harvested from two Magellanic penguin (<i>Spheniscus magellanicus</i>) cadavers. Penguin feet were attached to a digital force gauge mounted onto a stand for compression testing at 2.5 and 5 kg. Forces at the central metatarsal pad were measured in triplicate using small force sensors. Tested substrates included five granular surfaces (sand, wet sand, pea gravel, wet pea gravel, and crushed ice), three compliant surfaces (short-leaf Astroturf, long-leaf Astroturf, and neoprene), and three firm surfaces (tile, rubber drainage mat, and 3M Safety-Walk Wet Area Matting). Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. There were multifaceted effects of applied pressures, substrate surfaces, and pododermatitis on central metatarsal measured pressures. In general, doubling compression forces resulted in higher measured pressures in all firm and compliant surfaces but not in granular surfaces. Firm surfaces were associated with higher recorded plantar pressures at 2.5 kg, but different significance groupings emerged at 5 kg with a high-, medium-, and low-pressure cluster of surfaces. Pododermatitis lesions resulted in significant alterations in statistical significance clustering among substrate surfaces and unique substrate behaviors. The results of this study could help in making recommendations pertaining to foot health for penguin exhibits.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"585-594"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290239","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":"EVALUATION OF A BUTORPHANOL-MIDAZOLAM-MEDETOMIDINE PROTOCOL FOR SHORT PROCEDURES IN LESSER CHEVROTAINS (<i>TRAGULUS</i> SP.).","authors":"Guillaume Douay, Yirui Heng, Abraham Mathew","doi":"10.1638/2023-0115","DOIUrl":"10.1638/2023-0115","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Twenty lesser chevrotains (<i>Tragulus</i> sp.), 10 males and 10 females, were anesthetized with a combination of butorphanol-midazolam-medetomidine (BMidM), to assess the efficacy of this protocol for short procedures in this genus. The animals received BMidM (0.32, 0.06, 0.15 mg/kg, respectively) intramuscularly via hand injection. Physiological variables were recorded once the animals reached a working depth of anesthesia that lasted 30 min (range 12-60 min). At the end of the procedure, medetomidine and butorphanol were antagonized with atipamezole (0.75 mg/kg) and naltrexone (0.3 mg/kg) intramuscularly, respectively. Induction and recovery were 9.4 ± 4.0 min and 10.2 ± 4.1 min, respectively. Supplementation with isoflurane via face mask was required in five animals to reach light anesthesia. Times to reach the various stages of anesthesia were compared between sexes. There was no difference between males and females reaching the different stages of anesthesia, except for the time required to reach the ambulatory stage, in which females took a significantly longer time (11.8 min vs 7.8 min for the males) to stand after the injection of the antagonists (<i>P</i> = 0.02). Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and peripheral hemoglobin oxygen saturation were similar between sexes and stable throughout the procedure. At the dosage tested BMidM was a reliable and safe protocol for short, minimally invasive procedures in lesser chevrotains with a fast induction and smooth recovery without complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"730-736"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290240","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":"USE OF THE ZOOLOGICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (ZIMS) DATABASE (2003-2023) FOR EVALUATION OF PRACTITIONER-SELECTED MELOXICAM DOSES AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO AVIAN TAXONOMY.","authors":"Megan Roeder, David Inauen, Yvonne R A van Zeeland, Linda G R Bruins-van Sonsbeek, Ronette Gehring","doi":"10.1638/2023-0084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Meloxicam, a commonly used NSAID, has wide variation in pharmacokinetics between different avian species. The present study hypothesized that meloxicam dosage regimens were similar within, but differ between, groups of avian species with similar feeding habits, habitats, or migratory behaviors. Utilizing the international Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), drug usage extracts were compiled for meloxicam across eleven major orders of birds. The orders were selected based on their prevalence in zoological collections, wildlife rehabilitation centers, the pet trade, and production environments. Each species with a record available in drug usage extracts was classified into broad categories of main habitat, diet, and migratory status. Significant patterns associated with habitat, diet, or migratory status were not identified statistically. An inverse relationship was identified statistically between the practitioner mg/kg dose and body weight in kg in birds that weigh approximately 20 kg or greater. This study includes practitioner-reported summary data of current doses used in the veterinary field to treat many different avian species. Adverse effects of meloxicam were recorded in <5% of individuals evaluated at the species level in this study.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"638-652"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290260","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":"BLOOD LEAD CONCENTRATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN REHABILITATION FACILITY AND PERI-URBAN ENVIRONMENT VIRGINIA OPOSSUMS (<i>DIDELPHIS VIRGINIANA</i>) OF ILLINOIS.","authors":"Alysha McDaniel, William E Sander, Samantha J Sander, Nohra E Mateus-Pinilla, Karyn Bischoff","doi":"10.1638/2023-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Virginia opossum (<i>Didelphis virginiana</i>) is the only marsupial in North America with a natural range north of Mexico. Its range is widespread throughout the United States, including Illinois. Virginia opossums are opportunistic omnivores that will eat a variety of fruits, grains, insects, and even carrion. They are a ground-foraging species, with frequent soil contact allowing for potential exposure to heavy metal contaminants in terrestrial environments. They are also opportunists that thrive in human-altered ecosystems, including peri-urban environments. Lead is a naturally occurring element and highly toxic metal that is abundant in the soil, primarily due to anthropogenic factors such as fossil fuel use, paint, industrial production waste, and battery recycling. Furthermore, carrion and offal piles containing lead bullet fragments remaining from hunting result in environmental contamination of this heavy metal. Few studies exist on lead exposure in the Virginia opossum. This pilot study evaluates the blood lead burden of 16 free-ranging Virginia opossums presented to a wildlife rehabilitation facility, compared with 16 wild-caught Virginia opossums trapped in grassland, maintained forest, or mixed ecotones. In other species, lead toxicosis has been associated with cognitive dysfunction that may increase the likelihood of trauma or injury in a free-ranging setting. In addition, a high incidence of Virginia opossums presenting for wildlife rehabilitation do so as result of human-animal conflict. Therefore, it was anticipated that individuals presenting for wildlife rehabilitation would have significantly higher blood lead concentrations than their free-roaming counterparts. In this study, every Virginia opossum had measurable blood lead concentrations and the average blood lead concentration of the rehabilitated group was 2.7 times higher than that measured in wild-caught Virginia opossums. These results suggest that Virginia opossums are exposed and susceptible to lead toxicosis due to their diet and foraging behaviors, making them more prone to subsequent injury and presentation to wildlife rehabilitation centers.</p>","PeriodicalId":17667,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine","volume":"55 3","pages":"620-628"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290232","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}