Ryan S. De Voe

RANAVIRUS-ASSOCIATED MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN A GROUP OF CAPTIVE EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA)

Abstract Seven captive eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) from a large collection of North American chelonians in North Carolina became acutely ill in the fall of 2002. Five of the turtles died. Clinical signs included cutaneous abscessation, oral ulceration or abscessation (or both), respiratory distress, anorexia, and lethargy. The predominant postmortem lesion was fibrinoid vasculitis of various organs, including skin, mucous membranes, lungs, and liver. No inclusion bodies were detected by histopathology or electron microscopy of formalin-fixed tissue. An iridovirus was isolated from tissues obtained postmortem from two of the box turtles that died. The virus was characterized by electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, and sequence analysis of a portion of the major capsid protein as a member of the genus Ranavirus.

Preliminary Assessment of the Effect of Diet and L-Carnitine Supplementation on Lipoma Size and Bodyweight in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of diet and L-carnitine supplementation on lipoma size and bodyweight in adult budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Seventeen budgerigars with naturally occurring cervical lipomas and 15 without lipomas were assigned to groups (4–6 birds/group) and fed 1 of 3 diets for a period of 102 days. The diets fed were a 100% seed mixture, a commercially produced low-fat pelleted diet, and the same pelleted diet supplemented with approximately 1000 mg/kg L-carnitine. Birds receiving pellets were also offered a small amount of seed to improve acceptance. Bodyweight and lipoma size were recorded for each bird at 2- to 4-week intervals. Bodyweight increased in all budgerigars (with and without lipomas) receiving 100%-seed diets. Of these birds, 83% gained >10% of their initial bodyweight. Lipoma size decreased in budgerigars that were fed the pelleted diet supplemented with L-carnitine. These data suggest that feeding a 100%-seed diet may result in inappropriate weight gain in budgerigars and that the use of L-carnitine supplementation in the management of lipomas deserves further investigation.

Suspected anaphylaxis to leuprolide acetate depot in two elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi).

Abstract Two adult female elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi) were treated with leuprolide acetate depot injections to prevent egg laying. The birds were treated for several years without complications. Several years into the treatment regimen, both birds died immediately after receiving an injection of leuprolide acetate. Remaining drug was analyzed, revealing 95.7% potency. We suspect that either an immediate Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction occurred or a contaminant was present, resulting in the fatalities of these elf owls. No reports of anaphylaxis to leuprolide acetate in birds were identified in the literature. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of anaphylaxis when administering this medication to avian patients.

Dysplastic Koilin Causing Proventricular Obstruction in an Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus)

Abstract A 7-year-old male eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) was presented for evaluation of acute onset of dyspnea, tachypnea, and lethargy. Proventricular dilatation was observed on survey radiographs. Contrast fluoroscopic examination revealed decreased gastrointestinal motility and retention of contrast material in the proventriculus. Despite supportive care, the bird died. At necropsy, a tubular diverticulum of the ventriculus extended orad into the proventriculus. This diverticulum caused almost complete obstruction of proventricular outflow. No inflammation, infectious organisms, or neoplasia were associated with the lesion. The cause of the ventricular diverticulum in this parrot is unknown.

VENTRICULAR DIVERTICULA FORMATION IN CAPTIVE PARAKEET AUKLETS (AETHIA PSITTACULA) SECONDARY TO FOREIGN BODY INGESTION

A captive parakeet auklet at the North Carolina Zoo evaluated for weight loss, lethargy, and dyspnea had radiographic evidence of a distended, stone-filled ventriculus (bird 1). Multiple stones (n = 76) were removed surgically, but the bird died and a large ventricular diverticulum was diagnosed at necropsy. This bird and seven other parakeet auklets had been transferred 3 yr earlier from a zoo in Ohio. Radiographic investigation revealed that 6 of 7 Ohio birds had stones in their ventriculus (n= 2-26), but only 1 of 7 radiographed North Carolina Zoo auklets had one small stone. Further diagnostic imaging (survey and contrast radiographs, fluoroscopy, CT scans [n = 2]) of six Ohio and two North Carolina birds was conducted to determine if other birds had ventricular abnormalities (birds 2-9). No ventricular diverticula were diagnosed using imaging techniques, although two Ohio birds (birds 6 and 7) required surgical intervention to remove 12-26 stones. A small ventricular diverticulum was identified in bird 6 during surgery. That bird died of unrelated causes 11 mo after surgery, but bird 7 remains clinically normal more than 4 yr later, along with four other auklets with stones (n = 2-15; birds 2-5). It is possible that without surgical intervention, these birds may develop ventricular disease, presumably due to chronic mechanical trauma to the thin-walled ventriculus. It was hypothesized that the Ohio birds ingested stones in their previous exhibit, with a loose stone substrate, and retained them for at least 3 yr. Possible causes for stone ingestion include trituration (for grinding, mixing coarse ingesta), gastric parasite reduction, hunger suppression, accidental ingestion while feeding, or behavioral causes, but the underlying cause in these birds was not determined. Based on these results, parakeet auklets and other alcids should not be housed, or at least fed, on a loose stone substrate.

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.

Intertarsal Joint Stabilization in a Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) Using a Novel Application of a Braided Suture and Titanium Button System

A 32-year-old adult captive male bateleur eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) with a history of laxity, degenerative joint disease, and varus deviation of the distal left hindlimb for several years was presented for evaluation of left hindlimb lameness and was diagnosed with chronic subluxation of the left intertarsal joint. After failing to improve with conservative management and pain medication, surgical stabilization of the joint was performed using a novel application of a braided suture and titanium button system. Unsatisfactory clinical improvement and postsurgical reevaluation indicated that the initial surgical stabilization was unsuccessful. The surgery was repeated, and the animal showed postsurgical improvement in intertarsal joint stability, weight-bearing, and lameness for a period of several years with use and adjustment of chronic pain medications. The novel surgical technique described in this case report represents an additional treatment option for management of avian intertarsal joint subluxations. Presurgical planning should consider the unique anatomic features and variability of the avian tarsometatarsus to avoid surgical complications.

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.