Alberto Rodriguez Barbon

Treatment of atoxoplasmosis in the Blue-crowned Laughing Thrush (Dryonastes courtoisi)

Passerines are frequently parasitized by coccidia, especially species of the genus Isospora, with extra-intestinal stages that can be highly pathogenic causing serious clinical damage in young birds. Whilst there is still no effective treatment to completely clear isosporoid coccidia with extra-intestinal stages from a host species, our results showed that prolonged treatment with toltrazuril (BAYER AG, Leverkusen, Germany) can decrease the oocysts in faeces and thus reduce the extra-intestinal phase of the infection. The toltrazuril treatment is therefore probably indirectly effective against the systemic form of atoxoplasmosis.

RADIOGRAPHIC CARDIAC SILHOUETTE MEASUREMENT IN CAPTIVE LIVINGSTONE'S FRUIT BATS (PTEROPUS LIVINGSTONII)

Abstract Cardiomyopathies have been increasingly noted in the captive population of Livingstones fruit bat (Pteropus livingstonii). The aim of this study was to produce a set of repeatable quantitative reference measurements that could be used to assess the cardiac size during radiographic examination of this species. Ventro-dorsal and lateral radiographs (n = 129) from a total of 42 individual Livingstones fruit bats were examined. The control group radiographs (n = 102) consisted of 34 healthy individuals. Radiographic measurements were taken of structures within the thorax and then converted into ratios. These ratios from radiographs (n = 27) were also calculated for eight individuals with diagnosed cardiomyopathy. Vertebral Heart Scores (VHS) were calculated from right lateral radiographs and compared between the two groups. From all the data, only the width of the cardiac silhouette to the width of the thorax (the W : T ratio) in the ventro-dorsal view and the VHS were found to be significantly different between both groups (P < 0.05). The group with cardiomyopathies had a mean W : T ratio of 0.59 (±0.005) and a VHS of 9.77 (±0.89), while a mean W : T ratio of 0.54 (±0.004) and a VHS of 8.71 (±0.93) was established for healthy specimens.

A New Species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Blue-crowned Laughingthrush Dryonastes courtoisi (Passeriformes: Timaliidae)

A new species of Isospora Schneider (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from captive Blue-crowned Laughingthrush Dryonastes courtoisi (Menegaux, 1923) (Passeriformes: Timaliidae). Sporulated oocysts of Isospora courtoisii n. sp. are ellipsoidal 24.5 × 14.5 μm. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 15.9 × 8.5 μm, with Stieda and substieda bodies. Sporocyst residuum is scattered composed of hundreds of small granules. Sporozoites are elongate and slightly curved, each with two refractile bodies. The nuclei of the sporozoites were not well discernible. Considering the critically endangered status of Dryonastes courtoisi and assumed high host specificity of described coccidium, also I. courtoisi can be classified as critically endangered organism.

HIGH PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL ADENOCARCINOMA IN A CAPTIVE POPULATION OF AMAZON MILK FROG (TRACHYCEPHALUS RESINIFICTRIX)

Abstract:  A series of eight cases of intestinal adenocarcinoma in Amazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) is described. All cases presented with signs of inappetence and weight loss, and evidence of large intestinal distention on gross postmortem, with six of the eight cases showing a grossly visible large intestinal mass. Histologic examination identified the mass as an intestinal adenocarcinoma in all cases. No specific etiologic agent could be identified. This is the first report of neoplasia in the Amazon milk frog, and the first reported series of amphibian gastrointestinal neoplasia.

DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA IN A PIED TAMARIN (SAGUINUS BICOLOR)

Abstract An intact male pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor) presented with a hunched posture while moving, dysuria, pollakiuria, and hematuria. After diagnostic imaging assessment and prostate biopsy, benign prostatic hyperplasia was diagnosed. Treatments with delmadinone acetate and osaterone caused clinical signs and hematuria to resolve temporarily for a variable period of time. Because of frequent recurrence, elective surgical castration was performed, leading to resolution of the clinical signs.

Development of a body condition score for the mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax)

The Critically Endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) has undergone drastic population decline due to habitat loss, hunting, invasive species, and chytridiomycosis. In response, several partner institutions initiated a conservation breeding program. It is important to maintain the captive population in good health. Therefore the program partners have recommended establishment of protocols for health examination of the species, including body condition assessment. Visual body condition scoring is a useful means to assess body condition in zoo animals for which regular bodyweight measurements are impractical or associated with capture-related stress. In this study, the authors developed a visual body condition score for the mountain chicken frog based on an ordinal categorical scale from 1 to 5 (1 = lowest body condition, 5 = highest body condition) using anatomical features that vary with total body energy reserves. Veterinary staff, animal managers, keepers, researchers, and students subsequently used the body condition score to assign scores to 98 mountain chicken frogs (41 male, 57 female) aged between 8 months and 12 years housed in five zoos in the UK and Jersey between February and March 2016. Body condition scores showed moderate (rho = 0.54; males) to strong (rho = 0.6; females) correlation with the scaled mass index, an objective measure of total energy reserves. The majority of pairwise comparisons between scores showed slight to substantial intra-observer agreement (93.8%) and slight to almost perfect inter-observer agreement (97.2%). Cases of poor agreement were likely due to limited observer experience working with the species.

Successful treatment of infertility in a female Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii

In 2011, a female Sumatran orangutan housed at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust became infertile following a massive antepartum hemorrhage in labor and the delivery of a stillborn infant. The placenta was infected with Pantoea sp. Hysterosalpingography (HSG) revealed blocked fallopian tubes, and pressurized fallopian tube perfusion was used to reverse the tubal occlusion. She subsequently conceived and following an intensive training program, we were able to measure umbilical artery waveform analysis for fetal well-being and placental localization to exclude placenta previa, which could complicate pregnancy and lead to catastrophic hemorrhage. The female went on to deliver a healthy offspring. We suggest that these techniques should be considered for other infertile females in the global captive population.

FEMORAL HEAD RESECTION IN TWO LIVINGSTONE'S FRUIT BATS (PTEROPUS LIVINGSTONII)

Abstract Two Livingstones fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii) presented with a unilateral partial paresis of the hind limbs. Radiographs revealed luxation of the coxofemoral joint and degenerative joint disease in the right coxofemoral joint in one case. The second case presented with recurrent luxation of the coxofemoral joint with osteoarthrosis of the femoral head. Clinical findings in both cases led to a decision to perform a femoral head resection. The performed surgery led to the recovery of normal function of the limb without any complications in both cases.

SEVOFLURANE ANESTHESIA IN LIVINGSTONE'S FRUIT BATS (PTEROPUS LIVINGSTONII)

Abstract Fourteen captive Livingstones fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii) were anesthetized for routine veterinary health checks, including echocardiography, using sevoflurane. In addition, three specimens suffering from cardiac disease and a pregnant specimen were anesthetized for clinical assessment. No anesthetic complications were observed in any of the specimens. Significant differences in the core body temperature were found between the esophageal and rectal measurements. A significant decrease in blood glucose was noted through the anesthesia, suspected to be related to an extended fasting period prior to the procedure.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN LIVINGSTONE FRUIT BATS (PTEROPUS LIVINGSTONII)

Abstract Eleven cases of dilated cardiomyopathy have been diagnosed and treated in captive Livingstone fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii) in the United Kingdom over the past 7 yr. All but one case received treatment with a diuretic plus an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), and, or pimobendan. One case is still under treatment with pimobendan alone, following diagnosis before onset of clinical signs. Diuretic treatment consisted of furosemide at a dose rate of 0.5–5 mg/kg, one to three times daily, and, or spironolactone at a dose rate of 1–4 mg/kg, once or twice daily. When used, the ACEI imidapril was given at a dose rate of 0.24–0.38 mg/kg q 24 hr, and pimobendan at a dose rate of 0.2–0.5 mg/kg bid. This report is intended to provide anyone seeking to medically manage heart failure in Pteropus species, particularly P. livingstonii, with a review of drugs and doses that have been used.