Serum bile acids in captive bustards

Blood samples were collected from clinically normal male and female houbara (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii), kori (Ardeotis kori), buff-crested (Eupodotis ruficrista gindiana) and white-bellied bustards (E. senegalensis) to determine serum bile acid concentrations. Bile acid concentrations were determined by analysis with an Ultrospec 3000 ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometer, using an enzymatic bile acid test. The results provided values of serum bile acid concentrations for the four species, with means +/- standard errors of 35.8 +/- 2.8 mumol; 51.1 +/- 5.0 mumol; 18.4 +/- 2.1 mumol and 20.8 +/- 5.4 mumol for the houbara, kori, buff-crested and white-bellied bustard, respectively. Although no gender or age differences were detected within species, the results demonstrated significant differences in concentrations in clinically normal individuals between the different species.     

Bacterial flora of the conjunctiva and nasal cavity in normal and diseased captive bustards.

A survey was carried out to describe the normal aerobic bacterial flora of the conjunctiva and nasal cavity of captive houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata), kori bustards (Ardeotis kori), and white-bellied bustards (Eupodotis senegalensis) maintained at the National Avian Research Center, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. A total of 58 samples were examined from the nasal cavity and 55 samples from the conjunctiva of healthy bustards. There was no bacterial growth in 45% of conjunctival samples. Bacteria isolated from the conjunctiva of healthy birds included Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus auricularis, Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus warneri, Bacillus spp., and Enterobacter amigenus. Bacteria isolated from the nasal cavity of healthy birds included Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp., S. auricularis, S. xylosus, Staphylococcus simulans, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus hyicus, Staphylococcus cohnii, Staphylococcus sciuri, Aerococcus spp., and Providencia rettgeri. These findings were compared with bacterial isolates from bustards with clinical signs of ocular or upper respiratory tract diseases. Mycoplasma spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Aeromonas hydrophila, and Staphylococcus aureus were the pathogenic bacteria isolated from the conjunctiva of 34.3% bustards with ocular discharges. Mycoplasma spp., P. aeruginosa, Pseudomonas spp., P. mirabilis, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and S. aureus were the pathogenic bacteria isolated from the nasal cavity of 74% bustards with upper respiratory tract diseases.     

An outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza in a mixed-species aviculture unit in Dubai in 2005.

This case describes an outbreak of low pathogenic hemagglutinin 9 neuraminidase 2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in two white-bellied bustards (Eupodotis senegalensis), one stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemius), and a blacksmith plover (Antibyx armatus) in a private zoologic collection in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The four birds showed signs of respiratory disease, and all died as a result of disease or euthanasia. Attention has been paid to the diagnostic process and common differential diagnosis for upper respiratory tract disease in bustards, curlews, and plovers. To the knowledge of the authors, AIV has not been previously described in these species.     

Antibody response of kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) and houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) to live and inactivated Newcastle disease vaccines.

Adult houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) and juvenile kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) were given four regimens of commercially available inactivated and live poultry paramyxovirus type 1 (PMV-1) vaccines. Immunologic response to vaccination was assessed by hemagglutination inhibition assay of serum. Kori bustards, to which a dose of 0.5 ml of a commercially available inactivated vaccine for poultry had been administered intramuscularly (0.15 ml/kg body weight), failed to develop hemagglutinating antibodies, but antibody titers of low intensity and duration were detected following administration of a second and third subcutaneous dose of 2.0 ml vaccine per bird (0.40-0.45 ml/kg). In subsequent trials, when inactivated vaccine was administered subcutaneously at 1.0 ml/kg body weight following two or four live vaccinations administered by the ocular route, juvenile kori bustards developed higher, more persistent titers of antibodies. Kori bustards given four live vaccinations followed by inactivated vaccine developed higher titers of longer duration compared with kori bustards given two live vaccines followed by inactivated vaccine. Antibody titers of kori bustards given inactivated vaccine were higher and more persistent than the antibody response to live vaccination. Houbara bustards, previously vaccinated with inactivated vaccine, that were given a booster dose of inactivated vaccine maintained high mean antibody titers (> or = log, 5) for 52 wk. The authors recommend that inactivated PMV-1 vaccine should be administered by subcutaneous injection of 1.0 ml/kg vaccine to bustards. Adult bustards, previously vaccinated with inactivated vaccine, should be vaccinated annually with inactivated vaccine. Juvenile bustards should receive a second dose of inactivated vaccine 4-6 mo after the first dose of inactivated vaccine. Even though inactivated PMV-1 vaccines induced hemagglutination inhibition antibodies and produced no adverse reactions, further studies will be required to determine the protective efficacy of the antibody.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin after intravenous,intramuscular and oral administration in houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii)

The in-vitro activity of enrofloxacin against 117 strains of bacteria isolated from bustards was determined. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for 72% of the Proteus spp., E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella spp. (n = 61) and for 48% of the Streptococci spp. and Staphylococci spp. (n = 31) were 0.5 μ g/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 76% of Pseudomonas spp. (n = 25) was 2 μg/mL. Fourteen strains were resistant to concentrations 128 μg/mL. The elimination half-lives (t½ elim β) (mean± SEM) of 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin in eight houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) were 6.80± 0.79, 6.39± 1.49 and 5.63± 0.54 h after oral (p.o.), intramuscular (i.m.) and intravenous (i.v.) administration, respectively. Enrofloxacin was rapidly absorbed from the bustard gastro-intestinal tract and maximum plasma concentrations of 1.84± 0.16 μg/mL were achieved after 0.66± 0.05 h. Maximum plasma concentration after i.m. administration of 10 mg/kg was 2.75± 0.11 μg/mL at 1.72± 0.19 h. Maximum plasma concentration after i.m. administration of 15 mg/kg in two birds was 4.86 μg/mL. Bioavailability was 97.3± 13.7% and 62.7± 11.1% after i.m. and oral administration, respectively. Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin 0.5 μg/mL were maintained for at least 12 h for all routes at 10 mg/kg and for 24 h after i.m. administration at 15 mg/kg. Plasma enrofloxacin concentrations were monitored during the first 3 days of treatment in five houbara bustards and kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) with bacterial infections receiving a single daily i.m. injection of 10 mg/kg for 3 days. The mean plasma enrofloxacin concentrations in the clinical cases at 27 and 51 h (3.69 and 3.86 μg/mL) and at 48 h (0.70 μg/mL) were significantly higher compared with the 3 h and 24 h time intervals from clinically normal birds. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max)/MIC ratio was ranked i.v. (10/mg/kg) > i.m. (15 mg/kg) > i.m. (10 mg/kg) > oral (10 mg/kg), but it was only higher than 8:1 for i.v and i.m. administrations of enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, respectively, against a low MIC (0.5 μg/mL). A dosage regimen of 10 mg/kg repeated every 12 h, or 15 mg/kg repeated every 24 h, would be expected to give blood concentrations above 0.5 μg/mL and hence provide therapeutic response in the bustard against a wide range of bacterial infections.     

Ventricular septal defect in a houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii)

A ventricular septal defect was found in a juvenile captive-bred houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) that died suddenly. The case history indicated that the bird had a retarded growth and maturation rate. Gross pathology demonstrated massive internal hemorrhage, an enlarged heart with an interventricular septal defect, one shrunken liver lobe, and hypoplastic kidneys. Histologically, the liver was characterized by fatty degeneration, and there was hydropic degeneration of the cardiac muscle fibers. We suggest that the occurrence of this defect led to cardiac insufficiency, which resulted in sudden death caused by hemorrhage from the liver.     

内蒙古图牧吉自然保护区大鸨资源现状及保护

大鸨属大型草原鸟类,过去曾广泛分布于黑龙江省西部及内蒙古的东部,目前,已经处于濒危状态。图牧吉国家级自然保护区是大鸨的主要栖息地,繁殖数量约200多只。1998年开始记录到越冬大鸨个体,2003年冬季越冬数量达到165只,近几年由于环境变化,大鸨数量有所减少,但均保持在100只左右。本文对图牧吉自然保护区大鸨数量变化原因进行了分析,并对大鸨保护和恢复保护提出了建议。     

Postnatal limb bone growth in relation to live weight in pigs from birth to 84 days of age.

Long limb bones were dissected from 30 Camborough x Canabrid pigs serially slaughtered at birth, 14, 28, 56, and 84 d of age to determine the growth patterns of long limb bones (humerus and radius for the forelimb and femur and tibia for the hindlimb) in relation to live weight from birth to 84 d of age, weighing up to approximately 31 kg. Relationships between individual long limb bone measurements (Y) and live weight or transformations of live weight (X) were evaluated using allometric analyses. Hindlimb bones tended to have higher growth coefficients than forelimb bones (P < .05), suggesting an anterior-posterior gradient of long limb bone growth. However, centripetal gradients of growth for long limb bones were not evidential (P > .05). Greater diameter growth compared with length growth of the long limb bones indicated that the differentiation in growth for diameter and length of the long limb bones was an effective response to the functional requirements of standing, walking, and running following birth.     

Radiological and osteological study of the pelvic limbs in free‐ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

This study aimed to describe the radiographic anatomy and osteology and to evaluate angular radiographic measurements—Norberg angle, inclination angle and anteversion angle—of the pelvic limbs in free‐ranging capybaras. Twenty cadavers of free‐ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), including five adults and 15 subadults, were studied. Ventrodorsal, craniocaudal, dorsoplantar and mediolateral radiographic views of the pelvic limbs were obtained. The radiographic features were described together with bone samples. The hip bone (os coxae), shaped like an isosceles trapezoid, was elongated and narrow with the presence of an oblong obturator foramen, sagittal ilial wing and rectilinear ilial body. The femoral shaft was relatively straight, while the greater trochanter was projected above the femoral head. No sesamoid bones of the gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles were observed radiographically or for those animals used in gross macroscopy. The fibula was located lateral and parallel to the tibia. Eight tarsal bones, four metatarsal bones and three digits were identified. The mean radiographic measurements included Norberg angle of 125.9°; respective angles of femoral inclination by the Hauptman B and Tomlinson methods of 139.9 and 141°; anteversion angle of the femoral head and neck of 29.80°. The bones of the pelvic limbs in capybaras have several anatomical characters and radiological features that are shared with members of the caviomorph superfamily Cavioidea. The radiographic angles measured in this study help characterize the functional morphology of this species.     

Orthopedic radiography in exotic animal practice.

Radiographic examination of exotic animal species provides significant diagnostic information to the practitioner so long as attention is paid to positioning and radiographic detail and if variations in normal radiographic anatomy are contemplated. Fracture of pneumatic bones (humerus or femur) in avian patients often results in subcutaneous emphysema, much like an open fracture. If fracture alignment is anatomical, there is generally little callous formation visible in avian and reptile patients; however, if malunion occurs, then certainly callous can be visualized. Aggressive or excessive periosteal proliferation in exotic species often predicts osteomyelitis. Practitioners can increase their diagnostic capabilities and thereby decrease any preconceived anxiety by applying the same general interpretive concepts used in the radiography of more routine small animal patients and by evaluating the resultant radiographs in a systematic manner. With the exception of certain anatomical differences and alterations in response to injury, exotic animal species suffer the same types of orthopedic disease do dogs and cats.     

Clinical, radiographic, pathologic, and genetic features of osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish deerhounds

Clinical, radiographic, pathologic, and genetic features of a form of osteochondrodysplasia in 5 related Scottish Deerhound pups from 2 litters were evaluated. All pups appeared to be phenotypically normal at birth. At approximately 4 or 5 weeks, exercise intolerance and retarded growth were observed. Kyphosis, limb deformities, and joint laxity gradually developed. Radiography of the affected pups revealed skeletal changes characterized by abnormalities in long bones and vertebrae, with involvement of epiphyses, growth plates, and metaphyses. Short long bones and vertebrae and irregular and delayed epiphyseal ossification were most noticeable in younger pups; in older pups, bony deformities became more prominent. In skeletally mature dogs, osteopenia and severe deformities were seen. The histologic changes of the growth plate were compatible with a diagnosis of chondrodysplasia. Growth plate chondrocytes contained periodic acid Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant cytoplasmic inclusions. A single autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was suspected.     

Some observations on the development of the long bones of ratite birds

Observations were made on the long bones of 16 young ratite birds (10 rheas, 3 emus and 3 ostriches), from 1-day-old to 12 weeks of age.
At hatching all long bones contained large cartilaginous cones which were continuous with the growth plates, and an osseous cortex. At one week of age ossification had commenced on the periphery of these embryonic cones and in some bones the cones had become separated from the growth plates. At 3 weeks of age the embryonic cones of cartilage were still present in the proximal and distal tibio-tarsi and narrow cartilaginous bridges connected the cones to the growth plates. Embryonic cones were not present in other long bones of this 3-week-old rhea nor in the long bones of ratites 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age. Other praecocial birds such as turkey poults and chickens have cones of embryonic cartilage in their long bones at hatching and these persist in the tibio-tarsi till one to 2 weeks of age. The presence of large cones of embryonic cartilage in the tibio-tarsal bones of 3-week-old ratite birds is probably a normal phenomenon. Awareness of this feature is necessary for the correct differential diagnosis of the prevalent musculoskeletal disorders of ratite birds.     

Diversity of avipoxviruses in captive-bred Houbara bustard

Implementation of conservation breeding programs is a key step to ensuring the sustainability of many endangered species. Infectious diseases can be serious threats for the success of such initiatives especially since knowledge on pathogens affecting those species is usually scarce. Houbara bustard species (Chlamydotis undulata and Chlamydotis macqueenii), whose populations have declined over the last decades, have been captive-bred for conservation purposes for more than 15 years. Avipoxviruses are of the highest concern for these species in captivity. Pox lesions were collected from breeding projects in North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia for 6 years in order to study the diversity of avipoxviruses responsible for clinical infections in Houbara bustard. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of 113 and 75 DNA sequences for P4b and fpv140 loci respectively, revealed an unexpected wide diversity of viruses affecting Houbara bustard even at a project scale: 17 genotypes equally distributed between fowlpox virus-like and canarypox virus-like have been identified in the present study. This suggests multiple and repeated introductions of virus and questions host specificity and control strategy of avipoxviruses. We also show that the observed high virus burden and co-evolution of diverse avipoxvirus strains at endemic levels may be responsible for the emergence of novel recombinant strains.     

Quantitative analysis of long-bone growth in the horse

Long-bone growth at the distal ends of the radial bones, the distal ends of the 3rd metacarpal bones, the distal ends of the 3rd metatarsal bones, and the proximal ends of the proximal phalangeal bones (of thoracic and pelvic limbs) was quantitatively analyzed in 9 Thoroughbred-Quarter Horse foals from birth to 2 years of age. Metal growth markers were surgically implanted in the bones of the animals at 2 to 4 days of age. Radiographs of the bones were made on the day of surgical manipulation, the next day, and then once a week for 8 months, and once a month thereafter for an additional 18 months. On each radiograph, the intervals between the growth markers were measured and plotted, and these accumulated growth data were subjected to statistical analyses. Growth curves, cumulative growth, and relative growth rates were determined. The ages of radiographic growth plate closure also were determined. Total bone growth observed in these foals was proportionately greater than that observed in a similar study of Shetland-Welsh ponies, probably indicating a breed difference. The most rapid growth rate at the 5 anatomic sites in the foals occurred from birth to 10 weeks of age; however, in the distal part of the radius, there was a continuous, though declining growth rate until 60 weeks of age, whereas in the distal ends of the 3rd metacarpal and metatarsal bones and the proximal end of the proximal phalanges growth ceased abruptly and nearly plateaued after 10 weeks of age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

BONE LESIONS IN FOUR DOGS WITH VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS

Skeletal radiographs of four dogs with confirmed visceral leishmaniasis were reviewed. The dogs had lived in the Mediterranean area for six to 36 months prior to returning to the United States, where they lived for an additional six to 41 months before clinical signs appeared. Clinical findings included lameness, fever, cutaneous lesions, muscle atrophy, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and weight loss. The dogs exhibited two distinct radiographic patterns. Periosteal proliferation and increased intramedullary radiopacity of long and flat bones occurred in two dogs. Osteolysis of bones of the carpus, tarsus, and stifle was noted in two dogs. Differences in radiographic appearance were presumed to be due to different hematogenous routes of infection. Leishmaniasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dogs that have traveled in endemic areas and exhibit the described radiographic changes.     

Clinical and radiographic study of bone and joint lesions in 26 dogs with leishmaniasis

Twenty-six dogs with parasitologically confirmed leishmaniasis and abnormalities of gait were studied to determine the most common radiological patterns of bone and joint lesions. The clinical findings included either lameness, joint pain and crepitation, soft tissue swelling and/or muscle atrophy. Bone lesions were observed radiographically in 12 of the 26 dogs; the radius and ulna were affected in seven, the tibia in six and the femur in six. Joint lesions were observed radiographically in 15 of the 26 dogs; the carpus and stifle were affected in all 15, and the tarsus in nine. There was a tendency for the bones and joints to be affected bilaterally. The radiographic patterns observed were different in the long bones and the joints. In the long bones, the most common pattern was periosteal and intramedullary proliferation, involving the diaphyses and related to the nutrient foramen; in the joints, two patterns, either non-erosive or erosive polyarthritis with soft-tissue swelling, were observed. The changes observed in the synovial fluid were associated in most cases with osteolytic lesions. However, Leishmania organisms were identified in the synovial fluid from joints without bony radiographic changes.     

Association between findings on palmarodorsal radiographic images and detection of a fracture in the proximal sesamoid bones of forelimbs obtained from cadavers of racing Thoroughbreds

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution for limbs and bones in horses with fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones and relationships with findings on palmarodorsal radiographic images. SAMPLE POPULATION: Proximal sesamoid bones obtained from both forelimbs of cadavers of 328 racing Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: Osteophytes; large vascular channels; and fracture location, orientation, configuration, and margin distinctness were categorized by use of high-detail contact palmarodorsal radiographs. Distributions of findings were determined. Relationships between radiographic findings and fracture characteristics were examined by use of chi2 and logistic regression techniques. RESULTS: Fractures were detected in 136 (41.5%) horses. Biaxial fractures were evident in 109 (80%) horses with a fracture. Osteophytes and large vascular channels were evident in 266 (81%) and 325 (99%) horses, respectively. Medial bones typically had complete transverse or split transverse simple fractures, indistinct fracture margins, > 1 vascular channel that was > 1 mm in width, and osteophytes in abaxial wing and basilar middle or basilar abaxial locations. Lateral bones typically had an oblique fracture and distinct fracture margins. Odds of proximal sesamoid bone fracture were approximately 2 to 5 times higher in bones without radiographic evidence of osteophytes or large vascular channels, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Biaxial fractures of proximal sesamoid bones were common in cadavers of racing Thoroughbreds. Differences between medial and lateral bones for characteristics associated with fracture may relate to differences in fracture pathogeneses for these bones. Osteophytes and vascular channels were common findings; however, fractures were less likely to occur in bones with these features.     

Prevalence, serovars, phage types, and antibiotic susceptibilities of Salmonella strains isolated from animals in the United Arab Emirates from 1996 to 2009

The aim of this study was to give some insights into the prevalence, serovars, phage types, and antibiotic resistances of Salmonella from animal origin in the United Arab Emirates. Data on diagnostic samples from animals (n?=?20,871) examined for Salmonella between 1996 and 2009 were extracted from the databases of the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dubai and from typed strains (n?=?1052) from the Robert Koch Institute, Wernigerode Branch in Germany and analyzed for general and animal-specific trends. Salmonella was isolated from 1,928 (9 %) of the 20,871 samples examined. Among the 1,052 typed strains, most were from camels (n?=?232), falcons (n?=?166), bustards (n?=?101), antelopes (n?=?66), and horses (n?=?63). The predominant serovars were Salmonella Typhimurium (25 %), Salmonella Kentucky (8 %), followed by Salmonella Frintrop (7 %), and Salmonella Hindmarsh (5 %). When analyzed by animal species, the most frequent serovars in camels were Salmonella Frintrop (28 %) and Salmonella Hindmarsh (21 %), in falcons Salmonella Typhimurium (32 %), in bustards Salmonella Kentucky (19 %), in antelopes Salmonella Typhimurium (9 %), and in horses Salmonella Typhimurium (17 %) and S. Kentucky (16 %). Resistance of all typed Salmonella strains (n?=?1052) was most often seen to tetracycline (23 %), streptomycin (22 %), nalidixic acid (18 %), and ampicillin (15 %). These data show trends in the epidemiology of Salmonella in different animal species which can be used as a base for future prevention, control, and therapy strategies.     

Osteochondrodysplasia in bull terrier littermates

A four-month-old male bull terrier with an abnormal hindquarter gait was found to have changes suggesting nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, together with unusual large foci of non-ossified material in both femoral necks and similar smaller foci in metaphyses of several long bones. Abnormal cartilage was found in the one femoral neck examined at autopsy six weeks later, with features suggesting impaired vascular remodelling of cartilage due to failure of chondrocyte maturation. Similar clinical and radiographic abnormalities were found in three littermates (one male, two females), but not the dam. The status of six other littermates and the sire is unknown. The femoral neck lesions had healed in two pups re-examined eight months later, but some limb bones remained abnormal in shape. The abnormalities in affected pups suggested osteochondrodysplasia.     

浙江乌岩岭发现红翅绿鸠

2020年2月10日在浙江乌岩岭国家级自然保护区双坑口保护站(119°40′23″E,27°42′37″N,海拔695 m)发现1只红翅绿鸠(Treron sieboldii)雄鸟尸体。该鸟腹部近白色,腹部两侧及尾下覆羽具灰斑,翼覆羽绛红色,上背偏灰,头顶橘黄,脚红色。经查阅相关文献资料后,确定红翅绿鸠为浙江省鸟类分布新纪录。凭证标本保存在浙江乌岩岭国家级自然保护区管理中心。