SERUM PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS AND ACUTE PHASE PROTEINS QUANTIFICATION IN WITH SARCOPTIC MANGE.

Serum protein analyses are beneficial tools used to evaluate the health status of animals in a clinical veterinary setting. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is becoming more commonly used in diagnostic laboratories, and commercial reagents for the quantitation of acute phase proteins (APP) are available for validation in nondomesticated mammals. With increased numbers of red foxes () presenting to wildlife facilities with sarcoptic mange, there is a potential for a clinically impactful tool in protein electrophoresis and/or APP quantitation in this species.

THE EFFECTS OF ANTICOAGULANT AND TIME ON HEMATOLOGIC VALUES IN RED-TAILED HAWKS ().

Free-ranging red-tailed hawks () 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.

BLOOD LEAD CONCENTRATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN REHABILITATION FACILITY AND PERI-URBAN ENVIRONMENT VIRGINIA OPOSSUMS () OF ILLINOIS.

The Virginia opossum () 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.

ISOLATION FROM HOWLER () AND SPIDER MONKEYS () AT A ZOOLOGIC FACILITY IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

was initially isolated from an asymptomatic black howler monkey () in a routine fecal culture examination. Fecal cultures from other individuals in this group and an adjacently housed black-headed spider monkey () group recovered from all but one of the individuals sampled (1.1 spider monkeys and 2.

Dermatophytosis is uncommon in asymptomatic wild eastern cottontail rabbits in Illinois, Midwestern United States.

Objective: To investigate the presence of dermatophytes on the haircoat of wild eastern cottontail rabbits (ECR) (Sylvilagus floridanus) with and without skin lesions.

Animals: 2-week-old or older ECR admitted to a Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC) in central Illinois, Midwest United States, from September 2021 to August 2022.

Methods: ECR were surveyed over a 1-year period to assess the prevalence and seasonality of dermatophytosis.

COMPARISON OF HEMATOLOGIC DIFFERENCES WITH LITHIUM HEPARIN AND DIPOTASSIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID IN EUROPEAN STARLINGS ().

Preservation of blood through use of anticoagulants allows delayed assessment of hematologic health and is commonly employed in veterinary health assessments. The two most common anticoagulants are lithium heparin (LH) and dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and their effects can vary widely between species. The hematologic effects of these anticoagulants on blood from European starlings () have not been established, and these birds could serve as models for passerine species both in managed collections and in the wild.

Clinical disease and treatment of Leptospira kirschneri sv Grippotyphosa in a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae).

Case Description: A 12-year-old sexually intact male zoo-managed Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) was evaluated for a 3-day history of vomiting, hyporexia, and lethargy. Radiographs were supportive of gastrointestinal obstruction, and an exploratory laparotomy was performed.

Clinical Findings: Diffuse tan foci were present on the liver parenchyma, and the tiger became icteric throughout the procedure.

PHARMACOKINETICS OF PRIMAQUINE PHOSPHATE AFTER A SINGLE ORAL ADMINISTRATION TO AFRICAN PENGUINS ().

Primaquine is an 8-aminoquinolone drug commonly used for the chemoprophylaxis and treatment of avian malarial infections in managed penguin populations worldwide. Little is known about its pharmacokinetic properties in avian species. The objective of this study was to describe the disposition of primaquine phosphate after a single oral dose in 15 healthy African penguins ().

FACTORS AFFECTING ABNORMAL MOLTING IN THE MANAGED AFRICAN PENGUIN () POPULATION IN NORTH AMERICA.

Abnormal molting, including partial or incomplete molt, arrested molt cycle, or inappropriate frequency of molt, is a primary concern for the managed African penguin () population and is documented across institutions. To identify factors associated with increased odds of abnormal molts and characterize intervention opportunities, a comprehensive survey evaluating numerous husbandry and medical parameters was created. Survey results represent 45 North American African penguin holding facilities and 736 unique animals.

COMPARISON OF CIRCULATING IRON, TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY, AND PERCENT TRANSFERRIN SATURATION IN WILD AND CAPTIVE KORI BUSTARDS ( ARDEOTIS KORI).

  The kori bustard ( Ardeotis kori) is one of the largest extant flighted birds and is displayed in zoos primarily in North America and Europe. In captivity, kori bustard diets are primarily based on animal proteins, whereas in the wild these birds eat a wide variety of plants, insects, and small vertebrate prey. The purpose of this study was to compare circulating iron, total iron binding capacity, and percent transferrin saturation levels in apparently healthy wild and captive kori bustards.

CLINICAL EFFECT OF HEMOPARASITE INFECTIONS IN SNOWY OWLS ( BUBO SCANDIACUS).

Vector-borne hemoparasites are commonly found in avian species. Plasmodium spp., the causative agent of avian malaria, are intraerythrocytic parasites that can cause signs ranging from subclinical infection to severe acute disease.

CALCINOSIS CIRCUMSCRIPTA IN A COHORT OF RELATED JUVENILE AFRICAN LIONS (PANTHERA LEO).

Three juvenile, genetically related African lions (Panthera leo) were evaluated for discrete dome-shaped subcutaneous masses present over the proximal lateral metatarsal-tarsal area. The lesions measured 3-8 cm in diameter, were fluctuant to firm, nonulcerated, and attached to underlying structures. On radiographic evaluation, the lesions were characterized by well-circumscribed punctate mineralizations in the soft tissue surrounded by soft tissue swelling without evidence of adjacent bony involvement.

CEREBELLAR AND MESENCEPHALON NEOPLASIA IN A NILE HIPOPPOTAMUS (HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIOUS).

A 52-yr-old female Nile hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibious ) was presented for acute onset anorexia, depression, lethargy, instability, and weakness in the pelvic limbs. Clinical signs were rapidly progressive, despite empiric therapy with anti-inflammatory medications, resulting in the death of the animal. Gross necropsy evaluation revealed two tan, firm masses in the cerebellum and mesencephalon and a single mass in the right cranial adrenal gland.

ACUTE PHASE PROTEINS AS A MARKER OF RESPIRATORY INFLAMMATION IN PRZEWALSKI'S HORSE (EQUUS FERUS PRZEWALSKII).

Acute phase proteins are sensitive markers of inflammation, which are highly conserved across taxa. Although the utility of these proteins are becoming well defined in human and domestic animal medical fields, their role in nondomestic species remains unclear. In this communication, a 20-yr-old Przewalski's horse was presented for unresolving aspiration pneumonia, which cultured a unique Actinomyces-like bacteria.

PHARMACOKINETICS OF A SINGLE DOSE OF METRONIDAZOLE AFTER RECTAL ADMINISTRATION IN CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS).

Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibacterial and antiprotozoal drug with bacteriocidal activity against a broad range of anaerobic bacteria. It is a recognized treatment for elephants diagnosed with anaerobic bacterial infection or protozoal disease or exhibiting signs of colonic impaction, diarrhea, and colic. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of rectally administered metronidazole (15 mg/kg) in five adult female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).

Metronomic Chemotherapy for Myxosarcoma Treatment in a Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori).

A 22-year-old, wild-caught male kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) developed a large, slow-growing subcutaneous mass over the keel. The mass was surgically debulked and histopathologically described as a myxosarcoma. Surgical dehiscence and concurrent local tumor regrowth, with no evidence of metastasis, occurred over the subsequent 3 months, necessitating 2 additional surgical procedures to close the wound.