First description of demodicosis in 12 galagos (Galago senegalensis)

Twelve Galago senegalensis from the Moscow Zoo were presented with papular to nodular (2-11 mm) lesions on the pinnae, containing a white, waxy material. Microscopic examination revealed large numbers of mites consistent with the morphology of Demodex spp. mites. Nine animals were treated with ivermectin, 600 μg/kg/day topically, orally or subcutaneously for 3-10 months, while one remained untreated. All the treated animals achieved clinical remission. The control animal was still affected and died 11 months later due to pneumonia and possible eosinophilic leukaemia. No adverse effects were noted in any animals during the treatment. No animal relapsed in the 13-19 months follow-up period. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of demodicosis in G. senegalensis. The use of ivermectin in G. senegalensis was safe, although its effectiveness in the treatment of demodicosis needs further investigation.     

Demodex cuniculi in dwarf rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Demodex cuniculi in a number of dwarf rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is reported. In contrast to previous reports the findings suggest that the mite should be considered as a normal resident of the epidermis and hair follicle of the rabbit.     

Identification of immunohistochemical localization of irisin in the dwarf hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) tissues

Irisin is mainly secreted by heart and skeletal muscle cells. It is an exercise‐induced protein that converts white adipose tissue to brown. Increased irisin expression was lead to weight loss and improved glucose tolerance. We investigated irisin immunoreactivity in various tissues of the dwarf hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii). Tissues were processed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 μm and stained immunohistochemically for irisin. In the retina, irisin was found almost all layers, except outer nuclear layer. Also, irisin immunoreactivity was observed in the skin, cornea, striated muscle, parotid gland, tongue, oesophagus, stomach and small intestine. The findings from this study support the notion that skeletal muscle is not the primary source of irisin.     

Serum biochemical reference intervals for wild dwarf ornate wobbegong sharks (Orectolobus ornatus)

Background: Sharks are important to sport and commercial fishing, public aquaria, and research institutions. However, serum biochemical reference values have been established for few species. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish serum biochemical reference intervals for wild‐caught dwarf ornate wobbegong sharks (Orectolobus ornatus). Methods: Fifty wobbegongs were caught, and their health status, sex, length, and weight were evaluated and recorded. Following collection of blood, serum biochemical analytes were measured and analyzed using standard analytical and statistical methods. Combined samples generated means, medians, and reference intervals. Results: For the measured analytes, means (reference intervals) were as follows: sodium 287 (284–289) mmol/L, chloride 277 (274–280) mmol/L, potassium 5.2 (5.0–5.3) mmol/L, total calcium 4.6 (4.5–4.7) mmol/L, magnesium 1.9 (1.7–2.0) mmol/L, inorganic phosphate 1.8 (1.7–1.9) mmol/L, glucose 2.6 (2.4–2.8) mmol/L, total protein 46 (45–47) g/L, urea 396 (392–401) mmol/L, creatinine ≤0.02 mmol/L, total bilirubin 2.0 (1.9–2.1) μmol/L, cholesterol 1.3 (1.2–1.4) mmol/L, triglyceride 0.5 (0.4–0.6) mmol/L, alkaline phosphatase 24 (21–28) U/L, alanine aminotransferase 3 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase 28 (25–31) U/L, creatine kinase 49 (38–59) U/L, and osmolarity 1104 (1094–1114) mmol/L. Serum values were not affected by sex, length, or weight. Conclusions: Established reference values will assist with clinical evaluation and treatment of dwarf ornate wobbegongs in aquaria, research institutions, and the wild.     

Carotid Body Tumors in the Dog Eleven Cases (1978–1988)

Case records of 11 dogs with histologically confirmed carotid body tumors were reviewed. Surgical excision had been attempted in ten dogs with carotid body tumors, and one dog had been euthanatized at diagnosis. There were no intraoperative deaths but perioperative mortality was 40%. Horner's syndrome and laryngeal paralysis were the most common postoperative morbidities. The median survival time after surgery alone in the four dogs that survived the perioperative period was 25.5 months (range, 12-45 months). Two dogs treated with postoperative radiation therapy had survival times of 6 and 27 months. Of the six dogs surviving the perioperative period, two dogs are still alive at 19 and 32 months postoperatively. Of the four dogs that died, one was euthanatized 12 months postoperatively for nontumor-related causes. The remaining three dogs died of distant metastases. The carotid body tumors studied were characterized by local tissue invasion, neurovascular complications after therapy, and a propensity to metastasize to multiple sites in the body.     

The effect of sulfaphenazole and sulfadoxine on tolbutamide disposition in dwarf goats (Caprus hircus aegagrus)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of intravenously administered sulfadoxine (5 mg kg ⁻¹ bodyweight) or sulfaphenazole (5 mg kg⁻¹ bodyweight) on the in vivo elimination of i.v. tolbutamide (5 mg kg⁻¹ bodyweight), as both compounds were shown to inhibit tolbutamide hydroxylation in vitro. It was shown that relative large differences in tolbutamide clearance exist among goats (n = 6). A high correlation was seen between tolbutamide and sulfadoxine clearances. Tolbutamide clearance was significantly reduced by concommitant administration of sulfaphenazole. Sulfadoxine ( ) had a less consistent effect. Mean tolbutamide plasma clearance was not significantly affected due to the fact that three animals showed an inhibition, whereas three others apparently did not respond. A negative correlation was found between the amount of N4-acetyl in urine and the clearance. Approximately 93 per cent of tolbutamide was bound to plasma proteins. However, there was no evidence for displacement of tolbutamide from its protein binding sites by sulfaphenazole or sulfadoxine. The results described in the present study confirm previous in vitro data obtained with goat hepatocytes. Although quantitative differences in inhibition exist between in vivo and in vitro results, hepatocytes are a good model to study potential drug-drug interactions at the level of biotransformation processes.     

Fatal pentastomiasis in captive African dwarf crocodile hatchlings (Osteolaemus tetraspis).

Six eggs from a captive African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) nest were artificially incubated. Two abnormal hatchlings with incomplete absorption of their yolk sacs died within 48 hr of hatching. No parasites were detected grossly or histologically in either hatchling. The remaining four apparently healthy hatchlings died without clinical signs at 3 wk of age, 1 wk after being fed live wild-caught fish and commercially raised goldfish. Necropsy revealed multiple white small wormlike organisms within the lungs, liver, and gastrointestinal tract of all four hatchlings. Histopathologic cross sections suggested that pentastomiasis was the cause of death, and whole parasites were identified as Sebekia mississippiensis. This infection was probably contracted by ingestion of live fish intermediate hosts infected with nymphal parasites. Avoiding the use of infected live fish or untreated fish products can prevent mortality of hatchling crocodilians caused by S. mississippiensis within zoological collections.     

Evaluation of the virulence of some strains of peste-des-petits-ruminants virus (PPRV) in experimentally infected West African dwarf goats

Different isolates of peste-des-petits-ruminants virus (PPRV) from outbreaks in Africa and India were investigated for virulence in West African dwarf goats in the Ivory Coast. Six groups of five animals received a virulent suspension of various strains of virus at a concentration of 10³ TCID₅₀/mL and the goats were observed for 15 days after infection. The Côte-d’Ivoire 89 (CI89), Guinea Conakry and Bissau Guinea PPRV strains caused a peracute disease; the India-Calcutta strain caused acute disease; the Sudan-Sennar strain produced an acute to mild disease, while the Nigeria 75/1 wild-type strain caused a mild disease and the animals recovered. The viruses studied contained examples of PPRV from specific lineage groups based on their nucleoprotein PPRV gene. This experiment indicated that virulence characteristics might be a useful marker to help classify PPRV isolates.