Hepatic capillariasis (Capillaria hepatica) in porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) in Pennsylvania.

Tissues of 53 adult porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) from Pennsylvania were obtained for histopathologic examination. Hepatic capillariasis was recorded in 9% of the porcupines. An additional 11% of the liver sections showed lesions that were compatible with migration by Capillaria hepatica. Because only 1 section of the liver per animal was examined microscopically, the documented prevalence of C. hepatica in Pennsylvania is considered conservatively low. However, this condition was subclinical, because none of the infected animals showed clinical signs, and none revealed severe pathologic changes in the affected livers. This seems to be the only report of C. hepatica in porcupines.     

Trophoblast-like cells in the tissues of porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum)

During development and subsequent field evaluation of an oral vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein (V-RG) recombinant virus vaccine, 53 adult porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum; 38 females and 15 males) were examined. Microscopic examinations revealed the presence of giant epitheloid cells in various tissues (adrenal glands, spleen, liver, and lungs) of 4 (11%) female animals. These giant cells were approximately 20 times the size of the surrounding cells of the parenchyma. The cells were found singly and were not associated with any inflammatory cellular infiltrate and appeared to be located within vascular lumina. Morphologically these cells were typical of uterine epitheloid trophoblasts. This is the first record of the presence of trophoblast-like cells in nongenital tissues of porcupines.     

Baylisascaris procyonis encephalitis in Patagonian conures (Cyanoliseus patagonus), crested screamers (Chauna torquata), and a western Canadian porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum epixanthus) in a Manitoba zoo

Neurological disease occurred in 4 Patagonian conures (Cyanoliseus patagonus), 2 crested screamer chicks (Chauna torquata), and 1 western Canadian porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum epixanthus) at a Manitoba zoo. Baylisascaris procyonis, the common raccoon roundworm, not previously identified in Manitoba, is considered the likely cause of neural larval migrans in these cases.     

Molecular findings of disseminated histoplasmosis in two captive snow leopards (Uncia uncia)

This paper reports two cases of disseminated histoplasmosis in captive snow leopards (Uncia uncia). Histoplasmosis was diagnosed based on histopathology, immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, and molecular findings.     

Pathological findings in a captive colony of maras (Dolichotis patagonum)

This paper describes the causes of death of 54 maras (Dolichotis patagonum) in a captive colony in Mexico over a period of seven years. There were 35 adults, 11 juveniles, five neonates, two fetuses and one stillbirth--27 males, 21 females and six whose sex was not determined. Trauma was the cause of 25 deaths, and there were eight cases of fatal bacterial infection. Besnoitiosis was the only parasitic disease found frequently (13 cases), and was associated with fatal interstitial pneumonia in three juveniles. Right-sided hypertrophic cardiomyopathy attributed to high altitude was observed in 26 maras, and in three cases death was attributed to acute cardiac dysfunction. Two maras died of disseminated histoplasmosis and two of hyperthermia. Additional causes of death included one case each of uterine torsion, intestinal intussusception, aspiration pneumonia and hydranencephaly. Gastric erosions with luminal haemorrhage were found in 27 of the maras and splenic lymphoid depletion in 20, changes that were attributed to stress.     

Atherosclerosis and ischemic cardiomyopathy in a captive, adult red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

An adult, male, captive red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) of at least 19 years of age presented in dorsal recumbency. The hawk was nonresponsive, and despite initial supportive care, died shortly after presentation. Gross postmortem revealed no abnormal findings. Histologic examination demonstrated atherosclerosis and ischemic cardiomyopathy. This is the first reported case of atherosclerosis in a red-tailed hawk.     

Aspiration pneumonia as a cause of neonatal death in three captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates)

Neonatal weakness of calves is one of the common reproductive-related problems in captive cetaceans; clinical signs can be observed in the first few hours after delivery. Three 3-day-old bottlenose dolphins died with history of weakness since birth. Pathological study demonstrated purulent bronchopneumonia associated with prominent bacterial colonies and foreign substances in alveoli, suggesting aspiration pneumonia as a cause of neonatal weakness and resultant death of the three calves.     

Fecal microbiota and antibiotic resistance in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) from two captive breeding facilities in Italy

The microbiota of the intestinal tract plays important roles in the overall health, productivity and well-being of the animals. We have characterized the intestinal microbiota of the ferret because its human cohabitation may increase the possibility of new zoonosis. The presence of anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria has been evaluated in fresh fecal specimens of 40 ferrets in apparently good health. The bacteria most frequently isolated were Clostridium acetobutylicum (25/40 samples, 62.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.81–76.83%) and Helicobacter spp. (16/40 samples, 40.0%; 95% CI: 25.28–56.61%), as anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria, respectively. The Kirby–Bauer disc-diffusion method showed penicillin, streptomycin and vancomycin resistances in high percentages (>80%) of the bacterial isolates, both in anaerobic and microaerophilic groups. Furthermore, the microaerophilic-bacteria group exhibited a significantly higher antibiotic-resistance profile compared to that of anaerobic-bacteria group. The presence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in the microbiota of the ferret gastrointestinal tract is a great concern for public health.     

Clinical and pathological findings related to malnutrition and husbandry in captive giant tortoises (Geochelone species)

A biomedical survey was carried out on the population of giant tortoises housed in some of the major zoological collections in the United Kingdom. Wasting syndrome was diagnosed in individuals which were kept under suboptimal conditions of housing and diet. Clinical manifestations and laboratory and post mortem findings are discussed.     

Investigation of a syndrome of sudden death, splenomegaly, and small intestinal hemorrhage in farmed deer

A newly recognized syndrome, characterized by sudden death of farmed deer that are in good to excellent nutritional condition, with lesions of small intestinal mucosal hemorrhage and splenomegaly, is described. Other frequently observed lesions were small intestinal mucosal necrosis, abomasal hemorrhage, random hepatic necrosis, and multifocal hepatic congestion. Clostridium perfringens type A was isolated in high numbers from the intestines of many of the deer affected by the syndrome; however, the numbers were not significantly different from those of control deer. The syndrome did not appear to be related to dietary or any other specific management factors and a definitive cause of the syndrome was not identified.     

Hematologic and serum biochemistry values in two species of free-ranging porcupines (Coendou prehensilis, Coendou melanurus) in French Guiana.

Individuals of two porcupine species (Coendou prehensilis and Coendou melanurus) were translocated during the flooding of a forest at a hydroelectric dam site in French Guiana. Blood samples were collected for 11 mo to determine hematologic and serum chemistry reference mean values and ranges and to look for blood parasites. Male C. prehensilis had significantly higher hemoglobin levels, packed cell volumes, and creatinine and potassium values than did females of the same species. Coendou prehensilis had significantly lower amylase levels but higher creatinine, calcium, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma glutamyl transferase levels than C. melanurus.     

Preliminary findings of Salmonella spp. in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and their environment

Captive reptiles are routinely identified as reservoirs of Salmonella spp. and reports of reptile-associated salmonellosis are increasing. Unfortunately, little is known about the epidemiology of Salmonella spp. and green iguanas. We did a limited survey of a green-iguana farm in El Salvador to identify sources of Salmonella spp. in green iguanas and their environment. A limited number of samples for microbiological culture were collected from iguanas (adult, hatchling, and embryos) and their environment (food, water, soil, shelter, insects, and wild-caught lizards). Salmonella spp. was isolated from the intestine of both adult (3/20) and hatchling iguanas (8/20). There was no evidence of Salmonella spp. in the reproductive tracts of female iguanas (0/10). Salmonella spp. was isolated from the surface of 40% (7/16) of the egg surfaces tested. Salmonella spp. was not identified from the externalized yolk-sac of the iguana embryos tested. Soil samples from a breeding pen and a nest were both positive for Salmonella spp. Eight different Salmonella spp. serotypes were identified in this survey. These results suggest that horizontal transmission of Salmonella spp. is a potential source of exposure to hatchling iguanas at this facility.