THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES TO PEROSIS (SLIPPED GASTROCNEMIUS TENDON) IN THE CAPTIVE AFRICAN PENGUIN ().

African penguin () chicks in human care can develop perosis, also known as medial luxation of the gastrocnemius tendon. This case series presents four cases of perosis in African penguin chicks and their differing therapeutic approaches. Conservative management appears to have limited success compared to surgical approaches.

COMPARISON OF CIRCULATING AND HEPATIC VITAMIN AND MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS IN ELASMOBRANCHS UNDER MANAGED CARE.

Both blood and liver samples can be used to evaluate vitamin, mineral, and heavy metal concentrations clinically. In elasmobranchs, it is unknown whether circulating concentrations of these analytes reflect concentrations in storage organs such as the liver. The purpose of this study was to report hepatic concentrations of select heavy metals and to compare concentrations of select vitamins and minerals in paired blood and liver samples in captive elasmobranchs.

Acute myeloid leukemia in a genetically related captive population of axolotls ().

Axolotls () are critically endangered paedomorphic salamanders with remarkable regenerative capacity. While nearly extinct in the wild, they are commonly maintained in captivity as companion animals, zoological display animals, and biomedical research colonies, where they serve as an animal model for genetics, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine. This report documents a case series of spontaneous myeloid leukemia in genetically related, co-housed adult axolotls in a zoological collection that resulted in 50% overall mortality over 38 months.

Thyroid Disease of Fishes.

The paraphyletic group referred to as fishes represents several extant and extinct classes that demonstrate the greatest diversity and abundance of any of the vertebrates on the Earth. Anatomically and physiologically, the systems of fish are comparable to those of other vertebrates and the thyroid and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis are no exceptions. This article reviews the current literature on thyroid endocrinology of elasmobranch and teleost fishes with an emphasis on relevance to clinical management and highlights some of the anatomic and physiologic differences of the HPT axis in fishes.

FATAL GASTRIC DILATATION AND VOLVULUS IN THREE CAPTIVE JUVENILE LINNAEUS'S TWO-TOED SLOTHS ().

Linnaeus's two-toed sloth () is one of two extant neotropical species of the family Megalonychidae. Despite their being commonly kept under managed care, the digestive physiology of sloths remains poorly understood. Gastrointestinal disease has been reported as a primary or contributing cause of morbidity and mortality in captive two-toed and three-toed ( spp.

Into the large ears: otitis externa associated with nematodes, mites, and bacteria in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).

Background: The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), which is an endangered species, harbors several parasites. Among the ectoparasites that it harbors, ear mites of the genus Loxanoetus have the potential to cause external otitis, an inflammation that may also be associated with the presence of other microorganisms. We assessed the relationships between ear mites, nematodes, yeast, bacterial rods, and cocci sampled from the ears of captive Asian elephants in Thailand.

EVALUATION OF PLASMA CARDIAC TROPONIN I IN ASIAN ELEPHANTS () USING TWO CLINICAL ANALYZERS.

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is specific to myocardial tissue, highly conserved across taxa, and a reliable indicator of myocardial disease in human and veterinary medicine. Biomarkers, like cTnI, may be useful for cardiac evaluation of elephants because the application of other modalities is complicated by the size of the animal. The goal of this study was to establish observed ranges for plasma cTnI in Asian elephants () measured by two point-of-care analyzers.

POINT-OF-CARE AND STANDARD LABORATORY REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR COAGULATION VALUES IN ASIAN ELEPHANTS (): VARIATION BY AGE CLASS, SEX, AND TIME TO CENTRIFUGATION.

In Asian elephants (), elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus causes significant calf mortality. Coagulation testing may aid veterinarians in early identification and management of hemostatic disorders. This study sought to establish reference intervals for select coagulation and platelet values.

Hematologic and plasma biochemical prognostic indicators for stranded free-ranging phocids presented for rehabilitation.

This retrospective study used data obtained from medical records of 530 stranded free-ranging harbor (Phoca vitulina), grey (Halichoerus grypus), harp (Pagophilus groenlandicus), and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) presented to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey from January 1998 through December 2016. The objective was to identify hematological and plasma biochemical parameters of seals at time of presentation that were associated with successful rehabilitation and with duration of hospitalization using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. At presentation, animals that subsequently survived rehabilitation had greater alkaline phosphatase activity and absolute lymphocyte and total calcium concentrations and lower blood urea nitrogen, sodium, chloride, phosphorus, and total bilirubin concentrations and lower aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities than animals that eventually died or were euthanized while under care.

Point-of-care ketone meters may be used to estimate serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in healthy African penguins (Spheniscus demersus).

Objective: To evaluate the agreement between 3 point-of-care (POC) devices and a reference laboratory for measuring β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB) concentration in African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) whole blood (WB) and plasma samples and the precision of each POC device for measuring β-HB concentration in plasma samples.

Animals: 48 healthy African penguins.

Procedures: Blood was obtained from the right jugular vein of each penguin, and β-HB concentration was measured on each POC device using fresh WB and heparinized plasma and at the reference laboratory using plasma.

Pathology in Practice.

In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

Local and Regional Anesthesia in Zoological Companion Animal Practice.

Local anesthetics provide analgesia and can be incorporated into multimodal anesthetic protocols. They work by blocking the voltage-dependent sodium ion channels along neurons that mediate nociception. Systemically, these drugs can be cardiotoxic in a dose-dependent manner.

Verminous meningoencephalomyelitis in a red kangaroo associated with infection.

is a zoonotic parasitic helminth that normally resides in the pulmonary arteries and the right ventricle of rats ( sp.), the definitive host, where it causes little disease. Humans, dogs, opossums, and various zoo animals are "accidental" hosts.

Outcomes of 4819 cases of marine animals presented to a wildlife rehabilitation center in New Jersey, USA (1976-2016).

Understanding marine animal stranding patterns can aid rehabilitation efforts and evaluations of ecosystem health. The goal of this retrospective study was to identify factors associated with outcome of marine animals presented to a rehabilitation facility in Brigantine, New Jersey, USA. Records of 4819 phocids, cetaceans, and sea turtles were reviewed.

Updates on Thyroid Disease in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs.

Hyperthyroidism seems to be a rare, but likely underdiagnosed disease of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Diagnosis is confounded by nonspecific clinical signs, lack of validated assays, and species-specific reference intervals. With increasing English-language publications on the topic, naturally occurring thyroid disease is likely to be increasingly diagnosed in exotic small mammals.

DETECTION OF SP. IN INDOCHINESE BOX TURTLES ().

species are important pathogens of captive and free-ranging chelonians. Bourret's box turtle () is a critically endangered species of Indochinese box turtle in the family Geoemydidae. Four privately owned wild-caught Bourret's box turtles were presented for clinical evaluation for anorexia and lethargy following shipment from a reptile wholesaler 3 wk prior.

Orthopedics in Reptiles and Amphibians.

Musculoskeletal disorders are a common cause for presentation of reptiles and amphibians to the veterinarian. A clinical approach to orthopedic cases starts with a thorough history and review of husbandry, and identification of any underlying or concomitant disease. Medical management is indicated for pathologic fractures.

COMPARISON OF ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE ( MACROCHELYS TEMMINCKII) PLASMA BIOCHEMICAL PROFILES FROM TWO CLINICAL ANALYZERS.

The interpretation of plasma biochemical profiles can be confounded by the methodologies by which samples are analyzed. The goal of this study was to compare agreement between two biochemical analyzers for plasma samples from alligator snapping turtles ( Macrochelys temminckii). Blood was obtained from the dorsal coccygeal vein of captive-reared, juvenile turtles ( n = 34), stored in lithium heparin tubes, and centrifuged to separate plasma from whole blood.

Serosurvey for Influenza Virus Subtypes H3N8 and H3N2 Antibodies in Free-Ranging Canids in Pennsylvania, USA.

Canine influenza virus (CIV) subtypes H3N8 and H3N2 are endemic among domestic dog ( Canis lupus familiaris ) populations in the northeastern US. Infection of free-ranging carnivores with influenza virus has been sporadically reported. Generalist mesocarnivores that exploit anthropogenic, peri-urban habitats share a wide interface with domestic dogs that allows for the transmission of infectious disease.

Pneumonia in a Captive Central Bearded Dragon With Concurrent Detection of Helodermatid Adenovirus 2 and a Novel Mycoplasma Species.

A 4-year-old captive male central bearded dragon ( Pogona vitticeps) was presented for recurrent episodic dyspnea and anorexia with occasional expulsion of oral mucoid discharge. Despite empirical antimicrobial therapy and supportive care, the animal died and was submitted for autopsy. Defining histologic features included heterophilic and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, with occasional amphophilic intranuclear inclusions and prominent type II pneumocyte hyperplasia.

Diabetes Mellitus With Concurrent Cerebellar Degeneration and Necrosis in a Domestic Goose ( Anser anser domesticus).

A 5-year-old sexually intact male Toulouse goose ( Anser anser domesticus) was presented for ataxia, polyuria, and polydipsia. The goose was cachectic and exhibited head tremors. Results of plasma biochemical analysis and point-of-care glucometry revealed persistent hyperglycemia.