Fatal anemia and dermatitis in captive agoutis (Dasyprocta mexicana) infested with Echidnophaga fleas

Two captive agoutis (Dasyprocta mexicana) died of anemia with centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis (2/2), severe flea ectoparasitism (2/2), and cardiomegaly attributed to anemia (1/2). Other agoutis were similarly parasitized and one had anemia. Fleas were manually removed and all agoutis treated topically with propoxur and selamectin and moved to another enclosure. No additional cases of fatal anemia were seen. Cutaneous lesions suggestive of hypersensitivity were observed in three additional agoutis with dorsal alopecia (3/3), a penetrating wound associated with pruritus and self-mutilation in the flank (2/3), flea ectoparasitism at the time of morphologic diagnosis (1/3), and hyperplastic perivascular dermatitis (3/3). One of these died of bacterial infection of the wound. Similar but milder skin disease was seen in 3 out of over 30 maras (Dolichotis patagonum) housed in the same exhibit. Fleas collected from all the fatal agouti cases and maras were classified in the genus Echidnophaga based on the angular front margin of head, contracted thorax, absence of genal and pronotal combs, and the fact that fleas did not jump. These findings suggest that flea ectoparasitism may be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in captive rodents.     

Feather-picking psittacines: histopathology and species trends

Histologic findings are described for 408 feather-picking or self-mutilating psittacines with the use of biopsies from clinically affected and unaffected skin. Inflammatory skin disease was diagnosed in 210 birds, and traumatic skin disease was diagnosed in 198 birds. Criteria used for the diagnosis of inflammatory skin disease included the presence of perivascular inflammation in the superficial or deep dermis of clinically affected and unaffected sites. The primary histologic criteria for the diagnosis of traumatic skin disease were superficial dermal scarring with or without inflammation in the affected sites and an absence of inflammation in the unaffected sites. The inflammatory cells associated with the lesions were typically lymphocytes and occasionally plasma cells, histiocytes, and granulocytes. A preponderance of inflammatory skin disease was seen in macaws (Ara spp.) and Amazon parrots (Amazona spp.). A preponderance of traumatic skin disease was seen in cockatoos (Cacatua spp.) and African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). The prevalence of each was approximately equal in several other species, including conures (Aratinga and Pyrrhura spp.), eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus), quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus), cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), parakeets (Cyanorhamphus and Psittacula spp.), and caiques (Pionites spp.). No geographic or gender-based trends were identified. These findings could be helpful for identifying and treating birds with feather-picking disorders.     

Xanthomatosis in geckos: five cases.

Five cases of xanthomatosis in geckos were evaluated, one in a northern green gecko (Naultinus grayi) and the remaining four in three species of leaf-tailed geckos (two Uroplatus henkeli, one U. sikorae, one U. fimbriatus). All geckos were females 3-11 yr of age, were clinically ill on presentation, and either died or were euthanized. Necropsies showed emaciation in three geckos, with white nodular foci on coelomic surfaces in two of these geckos. The other two geckos had no gross abnormalities. Histopathologic examination revealed xanthomatosis involving the coelomic surfaces of four geckos and the ventricles of the brain in all geckos. Xanthomas in the brain were associated with various degrees of hydrocephalus. The lesions were comprised of stacks of clear clefts consistent with cholesterol crystals, and these structures were surrounded by epithelioid macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, and lymphocytes. Four geckos had active folliculogenesis, and two had foci of follicular degeneration and localized yolk coelomitis. In all cases, xanthomatosis was believed to have contributed significantly to morbidity and mortality.     

Ibex-associated malignant catarrhal fever in a bongo antelope (Tragelaphus euryceros).

A 4-yr-old male bongo antelope (Tragelaphus euryceros) died after an acute clinical course involving a febrile illness, anorexia, lethargy, minor oculonasal discharge, and diarrhea. Histologic lesions were compatible with malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed an amplified region of a herpesviral DNA polymerase gene sequence nearly identical to that of a MCF virus previously identified in Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana). The bongo had been housed across from an exhibit containing Nubian ibex that tested positive for MCF viral antibodies by competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Further testing of the zoo's ibex via PCR also revealed viral DNA sequences nearly identical to those found in the bongo's tissues.     

Cytologic diagnosis of diseases of hedgehogs.

This article focuses on neoplastic diseases because they may be the most frequent disease processes in captive hedgehogs according to the literature and authors' case files and the most common cases submitted for cytologic diagnosis in these species, particularly the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).     

Intracecal endotoxin and lactate during the onset of equine laminitis: a preliminary report.

Cecal fluid from two adult horses was assayed by the limulus amebocyte lysate system for endotoxin before and after carbohydrate overload of the gastrointestinal tract. There were increases in cecal fluid endotoxin concentrations at the 3-, 6-, and 12-hour samplings when compared with base-line values. Concomitant cecal fluid lactate concentrations and pH values increased and decreased, respectively. Both horses subsequently developed clinical signs of acute laminitis.