Juergen Schumacher

PCR Prevalence of Ranavirus in Free-Ranging Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) at Rehabilitation Centers in Three Southeastern US States

Ranaviruses (genus Ranavirus) have been observed in disease epidemics and mass mortality events in free-ranging amphibian, turtle, and tortoise populations worldwide. Infection is highly fatal in turtles, and the potential impact on endangered populations could be devastating. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of ranavirus DNA in blood and oral swabs, report associated clinical signs of infection, and determine spatial distribution of infected turtles. Blood and oral swabs were taken from 140 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) that were presented to the wildlife centers at the University of Tennessee (UT; n=39), Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV; n=34), and North Carolina State University (NCSU; n=36), as well as a free-ranging nonrehabilitation population near Oak Ridge, Tennessee (OR; n=39) March–November 2007. Samples were evaluated for ranavirus infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a conserved portion of the major capsid protein. Two turtles, one from UT and one from NCSU, had evidence of ranavirus infection; sequences of PCR products were 100% homologous to Frog Virus 3. Prevalence of ranavirus DNA in blood was 3, 0, 3, and 0% for UT, WCV, NCSU, and OR, respectively. Prevalence in oral swab samples was 3, 0, and 0% for UT, WCV, and NCSU, respectively. Wildlife centers may be useful in detection of Ranavirus infection and may serve as a useful early monitoring point for regional disease outbreaks.

Fungal diseases of reptiles.

Fungal infections affecting the integumentary system, the upper and lower respiratory system and the gastro-intestinal tract have been reported in many species of captive reptiles. Systemic mycoses are diagnosed rarely in reptiles, and in most cases, they are a postmortem finding. Commonly, immunocompromised reptiles, kept in suboptimal environmental conditions are affected. In many cases, mixed bacterial and fungal infections of opportunistic organisms may be present. A diagnosis of a primary fungal infection is based on proper selection and collection of diagnostic specimens such as biopsies of infected tissues. Treatment of fungal infections in reptiles includes administration of effective antifungal agents and correction of inappropriate environmental conditions such as poor hygiene, too high or too low temperature and humidity, inadequate diet, and stress from overcrowding. Few studies have investigated effective dosages and dosage intervals of antifungal agents in reptiles.

Reptile respiratory medicine.

Respiratory tract disease is commonly diagnosed in captive collections of reptiles and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Improper environmental conditions are often contributing factors for the development of respiratory disease in reptiles. A detailed knowledge of the unique reptilian respiratory morphology and function is essential to successfully diagnose and treat respiratory disease. A variety of noninfectious and infectious causes have been identified in the etiology of reptile respiratory disease. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of reptilian diseases is increasing, and with the availability of new therapeutic agents and advanced diagnostic techniques, the diagnosis and treatment of reptile respiratory tract disease has become more successful.

Comparative antinociception of morphine, butorphanol, and buprenorphine versus saline in the green iguana, Iguana iguana, using electrostimulation

ABSTRACT Pain management in reptiles is poorly understood and most published reptile opioid doses are empirically derived. In this study, five adult (3 male, 2 female) green iguanas, Iguana iguana, were given either 0.5 ml saline or an opioid analgesic agent intramuscularly 30 min prior to electrostimulation of the tail to compare responses. Opioid analgesic agents evaluated were butorphanol at 0.4, 1.5, 4.0 and 8.0 mg/kg, buprenorphine at 0.02 and 0.1 mg/kg, and morphine at 0.4 and 1.0 mg/kg. Electrostimulation was administered with a Grass stimulator® with the two electrodes placed 1 cm apart at the measured junction of the first and second thirds of the tail, randomly delivering currents of 2, 10, 20 and 40 mA for a duration of 500 mS, 10 min apart. The iguanas responses were recorded on videotape so three evaluators, blinded to the agent given, could determine a score (0–20) based on a response scale developed for this study. Increasing scores correlated with increases in heart rate, and movement of ...

Respiratory Medicine of Reptiles

Noninfectious and infectious causes have been implicated in the development of respiratory tract disease in reptiles. Treatment modalities in reptiles have to account for species differences in response to therapeutic agents as well as interpretation of diagnostic findings. Data on effective drugs and dosages for the treatment of respiratory diseases are often lacking in reptiles. Recently, advances have been made on the application of advanced imaging modalities, especially computed tomography for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of reptiles. This article describes common infectious and noninfectious causes of respiratory disease in reptiles, including diagnostic and therapeutic regimen.

Infection with Aleutian disease virus-like virus in a captive striped skunk.

CASE DESCRIPTIONnA 5-month-old captive female striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) was evaluated because of lethargy, signs of depression, azotemia, and erythema of the skin around the eyes.nnnCLINICAL FINDINGSnAntemortem diagnostic tests revealed renal disease but failed to identify an etiologic agent. A diagnosis of severe nonsuppurative interstitial nephritis was made on the basis of results of histologic examination of renal biopsy specimens.nnnTREATMENT AND OUTCOMEnThe skunk was administered isotonic fluids SC daily and later every other day because of the handling-related stress. Because of the skunks deteriorating condition, it was euthanized after 24 days of supportive care. Aleutian disease was diagnosed on the basis of positive results of a PCR assay that targeted the DNA from Aleutian disease virus (ADV); positive results for ADV were also obtained by use of plasma counterimmunoelectrophoresis and an ELISA. Genetic sequencing of the 365-base pair PCR product revealed 90% sequence identity with mink ADV.nnnCLINICAL RELEVANCEnIn the skunk of this report, infection with a skunk-specific parvovirus resulted in clinical signs and pathologic changes similar to those associated with ADV infection in mink. For skunks with signs of renal failure, differential diagnoses should include parvovirus infection. In confirmed cases of infection with this ADV-like virus, appropriate quarantine and biosecurity measures should be in place to prevent spread to other susceptible animals within a zoological collection.

Macroscopic Anatomy of the Heart of the Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida)

Anatomical properties of the ringed seal (Phoca hispida) heart and associated blood vessels reveal adaptations related to requirements for diving. Seven adult ringed seals were embalmed and dissected to document the gross anatomical features of the heart. Computed tomography images of the thoracic cavity were taken on one seal prior to dissection. The shape and position of the heart is different from the typical carnivore heart. The most notable difference is its dorsoventral flattened appearance with its right and left sides positioned, respectively, within the thoracic cavity. The long axis of the heart is positioned horizontally, parallel to the sternum. The right ventricle is spacious with thin walls which extend caudally to the apex of the heart such that the apex is comprised of both right and left ventricles. The cusps of the left atrioventricular valve of the ringed seal heart resemble an uninterrupted, circular curtain making it challenging to distinguish the divisions into parietal and septal cusps.

Development of a method for the determination of cefovecin in plasma by HPLC

A simple high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of cefovecin in small volume plasma has been developed. Following solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB cartridges, samples were separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on an XBridge C8 (3.5 µm) 4.6 × 250 mm column and quantified using ultraviolet detection at 280 nm. The mobile phase was a mixture of 10 mm ammonium acetate (pH 3.5) and acetonitrile (89:11), with a flow rate of 0.85 mL/min. The standard curve ranged from 0.1 to 200 µg/mL. Intra- and Inter-assay variability for cefovecin was <10%, and the average recovery was >90%. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.1 µg/mL. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of cefovecin samples at our institution. This is also the first fully validated method with an internal standard that does not use mass spectrometry.

Radiation and intralesional chemotherapy for a fibrosarcoma in a boa constrictor, boa constrictor ortoni

ABSTRACT A 10-yr-old, female, boa constrictor, Boa constrictor ortoni, with a malignant subcutaneous fibrosarcoma of the body wall was treated with surgery and adjunctive radiation therapy. A total...

Mesothelioma in Two Nondomestic Felids: North American Cougar (Felis concolor) and Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

A 15-year-old male North American cougar (Felis concolor) presented with a 2-day history of anorexia, restlessness, and dyspnea. White blood cell count (u2009cells/μL) and absolute segmented neutrophil count (u2009cells/μL) were increased, and BUN (143u2009mg/dL), creatinine (6.3u2009mg/dL), and phosphorus (8.5u2009mg/dL) concentrations indicated chronic renal disease. Thoracic radiographs showed severe pleural and pericardial effusion. During attempts to remove the fluid, cardiac tamponade developed and the cat died. At necropsy, nodular masses decorated the pericardium at the level of the base of the heart. The final microscopic diagnosis was mesothelioma of the pericardium, tunica adventitia of the main pulmonary artery, left auricle epicardium, and left ventricular epicardium. A 15-year-old female cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) was evaluated for acute respiratory distress. The white blood cell count (u2009cells/μL) and absolute segmented neutrophil count (u2009cells/μL) were increased. Radiographically pleural effusion and a cranial thoracic mass were seen. The cheetah was euthanized, and a gross diagnosis of disseminated pleural mesothelioma with thoracic effusion was made. Histologically, pleural mesothelioma was confirmed with local invasion of the lung and pulmonary arterial emboli and infarction. In both cases, a diagnosis of mesothelioma was made based on cellular morphology, microscopic architecture, and neoplastic cell coexpression of cytokeratin and vimentin.