Brigid V. Troan

VESICULOBULLOUS SKIN REACTION TEMPORALLY RELATED TO FIROCOXIB TREATMENT IN A WHITE RHINOCEROS (CERATOTHERIUM SIMUM)

Abstract:  A 40 yr-old female white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) suffered from chronic nail-bed abscesses. Due to worsening of clinical signs, the animals nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment was switched to firocoxib. Approximately 7 days after this change, the animal developed multifocal vesicles and bullae along the lateral aspects of the thorax and abdomen, the dorsum, and the proximal limbs. Cytology and culture did not identify an infectious etiology. Histologically, the lesions consisted of a severe, subacute vesiculobullous dermatitis with intraepidermal to subepidermal clefting with areas of individual keratinocyte necrosis and minor neutrophilic epidermal infiltrates. These findings are similar to those seen in some drug reactions in people; therefore an adverse drug reaction to the firocoxib was suspected.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Medical and surgical management of reproductive neoplasia in two western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

Background  Reports of female reproductive tract neoplasia are infrequent in great apes.

Malignant hypertension and retinopathy in a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

A 34‐year‐old western lowland gorilla presented with peracute blindness.

Cerebral Xanthoma in a Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)

ABSTRACT A case of cerebral xanthomatosis is described in a long-nosed snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei). A 13-year-old long-nosed snake presented for pronounced lethargy, anorexia, and diminished righting reflex. The snake failed to respond to medical therapy and was euthanized. On histology, a focal cerebral cholesterol granuloma (xanthoma) was found within the lateral ventricle causing mild hydrocephalus, marked compression atrophy of the overlying dorsal cortex, and mild compression and disorganization of the ventral nucleus sphericus. Xanthomatosis is believed to be the cause of the neurological signs and the ultimate lack of response to medical therapy in this case. This case demonstrates another differential for neurologic dysfunction in snakes.

Septicemia, endocarditis, and cerebral infarction due to Staphylococcus aureus in a harp seal (Phoca groenlandica).

Abstract An adult, wild-collected, male harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) was transferred from a rehabilitation center to a display facility because of unilateral phthisis bulbi and decreased use of the right forelimb, which precluded its release. In quarantine, the animal demonstrated limited use of the right forelimb, which acutely progressed to complete disuse of the limb accompanied by intermittent lethargy. One month after transfer, the animal was found dead on exhibit. Necropsy showed septic arthritis of the right scapulohumeral joint, valvular endocarditis with systemic bacterial thromboembolism, and infarction of the cerebrum and myocardium. Culture of the blood and affected joint space revealed Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial polymerase chain reaction of formalin-fixed tissues from the heart and brain were also positive for S. aureus. Staphylococcus aureus infection should be considered as an additional cause of endocarditis and embolic encephalitis in seals.

Chronic Urolithiasis and Subsequent Cystectomy in a San Esteban Island Chuckwalla, Sauromalus varius

ABSTRACT Cystic calculi were detected during physical examination of an adult San Esteban Island chuckwalla, Sauromalus varius. This lizard had developed calculi on five previous occasions, requiring multiple surgical interventions. Cystectomy was elected to resolve the current episode and to prevent any additional calculi from forming. Plasma osmolarity and biochemistry analyses were evaluated at regular intervals before and after removing the bladder. No adverse clinical or biochemical effects were observed. Cystectomy is a viable option for managing chronic urolithiasis in captive reptiles, however, because the bladder can be a site of post-renal modification of urine, it may not be appropriate in certain species or situations.

Amoebic meningoencephalitis and disseminated infection caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris in a Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)

CASE DESCRIPTION A 22-year-old male gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed in a zoo was evaluated for signs of lethargy, head-holding, and cervical stiffness followed by development of neurologic abnormalities including signs of depression, lip droop, and tremors. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination under general anesthesia revealed a tooth root abscess and suboptimal body condition. A CBC and serum biochemical analysis revealed mild anemia, neutrophilia and eosinopenia consistent with a stress leukogram, and signs consistent with dehydration. Subsequent CSF analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis and markedly increased total protein concentration. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Despite treatment with antimicrobials, steroids, and additional supportive care measures, the gorillas condition progressed to an obtunded mentation with grand mal seizures over the course of 10 days. Therefore, the animal was euthanized and necropsy was performed. Multifocal areas of malacia and hemorrhage were scattered throughout the brain; on histologic examination, these areas consisted of necrosis and hemorrhage associated with mixed inflammation, vascular necrosis, and intralesional amoebic trophozoites. Tan foci were also present in the kidneys and pancreas. Immunohistochemical testing positively labeled free-living amoebae within the brain, kidneys, eyes, pancreas, heart, and pulmonary capillaries. Subsequent PCR assay of CSF and frozen kidney samples identified the organism as Balamuthia mandrillaris, confirming a diagnosis of amoebic meningoencephalitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Infection with B mandrillaris has been reported to account for 2.8% of captive gorilla deaths in North America over the past 19 years. Clinicians working with gorillas should have a high index of suspicion for this diagnosis when evaluating and treating animals with signs of centrally localized neurologic disease.

FUNGAL OSTEOMYELITIS IN TWO BUFFLEHEAD DUCKLINGS (BUCEPHALA ALBEOLA).

Abstract:  Over a 25-mo span from a single zoologic collection, two bufflehead ducklings (Bucephala albeola) presented with pelvic limb paresis and were euthanized. On postmortem examination, the first duckling had intralesional fungal hyphae consistent with Aspergillus sp. in the spinal vertebrae and within pulmonary granulomas. In the second duckling, evidence of a thoracic spinal lesion was detected antemortem by using thermographic imaging. At postmortem examination, fungal hyphae consistent with Mucor sp. were found within the vertebrae. Although fungal infections of the respiratory system are commonly reported in waterfowl, infections that involve the spinal cord and vertebrae are unusual. These cases highlight the importance of consideration of axial skeleton fungal disease in neurologic presentations and the use of thermography for noninvasive diagnostic screening.

Ventricular Habronemiasis in Aviary Passerines

A variety of Habronematidae parasites (order Spirurida) have been described as occasional parasites of avian species; however, reports on passerines are relatively uncommon. From 2007 to 2008, 11 passerine deaths at The North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro, NC, USA, were associated with ventricular habronemiasis, which was determined to be the cause of death or a major contributing factor in 10 of the 11 individuals. The number and species affected were 5 Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea), 2 Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus), 2 Golden-headed Manakin (Pipra erythrocephala), 1 Blue-grey Tanager (Thraupis episcopus), and 1 Emerald Starling (Coccycolius iris). Affected animals displayed nonspecific clinical signs or were found dead. The ventricular nematodes were consistent in morphology with Procyrnea sp. Koilin fragmentation with secondary bacterial and fungal infections was the most frequently observed pathologic lesion. Secondary visceral amyloidosis, attributed to chronic inflammation associated with nematodiasis, was present in 4 individuals. An insect intermediate host is suspected but was not identified. Native passerine species within or around the aviary may be serving as sylvatic hosts.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Medical and surgical management of reproductive neoplasia in two western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla): Reproductive neoplasia in lowland gorillas

Background  Reports of female reproductive tract neoplasia are infrequent in great apes.