Occurrence and molecular diagnosis of Cryptosporidium serpentis in captive snakes in S?o Paulo, Brazil

The present study aimed to determine whether Cryptosporidium oocysts were present in stools from captive snakes at Funda??o Parque Zoológico (Zoological Park Foundation) in S?o Paulo, Brazil. Two collections were performed; the first in July 2008 and the second in February 2009. Fecal samples were collected from 74 enclosures that housed 101 individuals of 23 snake species. The stool specimens collected from 16 out of the 74 enclosures (21.6%) contained Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts; all of them were confirmed as Cryptosporidium serpentis, using molecular techniques. Only in three (18.7%) out of the 16 enclosures with positive samples were there animals with clinical signs compatible with infection by C. serpentis, such as regurgitation and significant progressive weight loss. From the results, it was concluded that diagnostic examinations need to be performed periodically, even on clinically healthy animals, as a preventive measure.     

Effect of Zn binding to phytate and humic substances on its uptake by wheat (Triticum durum L.) as affected by carbonates and Fe oxides

Although complexation with soil organic matter may improve zinc (Zn) bioavailability to plants, the effect of Zn sorbent surface on the use of complexed Zn by plants remains unknown. The objective of this research was to elucidate how Zn complexation with humic substances (HS) and phytate affects the uptake of Zn by wheat plants depending on the main sorbent surface in growth media, i.e., carbonates and Fe oxides. To this end, two pot experiments were performed, one using Fe oxide-coated siliceous as the siliceous growth medium sand and the other using a mixture of calcareous sand and siliceous sand as the calcareous growth medium. Each experiment involved three Zn sources, Zn-HS complex, Zn phytate, and ZnSO₄. All sources were applied with surface irrigation at two Zn rates (0.25 and 2 mg kg^-1 growth medium). The Zn-HS complex significantly increased Zn uptake by plants in both media, relative to the other two Zn sources, but no significant difference was observed between Zn phytate and ZnSO₄. In the calcareous medium, Zn-HS complex and Zn phytate resulted in significantly higher dry biomass yields of wheat than ZnSO₄. In the siliceous medium, spike and shoot dry biomass yields with Zn-HS complex at the low rate and Zn phytate at both rates were not significantly different from those with ZnSO₄ at the high rate. After harvest, approximately 50% of the Zn applied as Zn-HS complex remained extractable by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), while this proportion was less than 20% for the other Zn sources. Thus, Zn-HS complex and Zn phytate are sources of available Zn for plants, and they are more effective than ZnSO₄ in increasing plant growth, particularly when carbonates are the main Zn sorbent surface.     

Dilated cardiomyopathy and amebic gastritis in a giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla).

An approximately 11-mo-old female giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) exhibited anorexia, lethargy, hypothermia, depression, and minimal response to external stimuli. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed an enlarged heart, with free gas and fluid in the abdomen. Abdominocentesis produced a clear brown fluid with an acute to subacute septic suppurative exudate. Cardiac ultrasonography revealed a dilated, thin-walled left ventricle with a comparatively low fractional shortening. Despite intensive supportive care, the anteater died. Postmortem findings included gastric ulceration with perforation near the pylorus. Entameba spp. and Acanthamoeba spp. were both identified in large numbers at the site of the gastric ulceration and perforation.     

Impact of surgical preparatory rinses with isopropyl alcohol or water on perioperative body temperature in pediatric female dogs and cats

ObjectiveTo describe the effects of presurgical preparation with an isopropyl alcohol or water rinse on the perioperative rectal temperature (RT) of puppies and kittens.Study designRandomized clinical trial.AnimalsA total of 48 intact female mixed breed puppies and 43 intact female Domestic Short Hair kittens aged 8–18 weeks.MethodsAll animals were premedicated with intramuscular buprenorphine (0.02 mg kg^–1) and acepromazine (0.05 mg kg^–1). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous propofol (4 mg kg^–1 to effect) for puppies or ketamine (5 mg kg^–1) and midazolam (0.25 mg kg^–1) for kittens. RT was measured every minute for the first 15 minutes at the beginning of hair/fur removal, then every 5 minutes for 45 minutes (dogs) and 35 minutes (cats). All animals were prepared for surgery using a 1.6% chlorhexidine solution, then rinsed with either isopropyl alcohol (group CA) or water (group CW).ResultsMean RT difference between the groups was not significant at any time point. The mean RT at 45 minutes for dogs was 35.9 °C and 36.0 °C in groups CA and CW, respectively (p = 0.74). The mean RT at 35 minutes for cats was 35.1 °C in both groups (p = 0.84).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe use of either water or alcohol as a rinsing agent results in the same degree of perioperative temperature change. Other factors that contribute to perioperative hypothermia should be considered when choosing between these rinsing agents in surgical preparation of pediatric and small animals.     

ADRENAL NEOPLASIA IN SEVEN FERRETS

Medical records from 7 ferrets presented to the VMTH with histologically confirmed adrenal neoplasia were reviewed. Three neutered female ferrets had adrenal cortical adenoma; four ferrets (2 neutered females, 2 neutered males) had adrenal cortical carcinoma. Ultrasound identified unilateral enlargement or abnormal shape of the adrenal gland in all ferrets. Only 1 ferret had adrenomegaly on abdominal radiographs. Adrenomegaly was identified in 1 ferret by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All ferrets were treated by adrenalectomy followed by a tapered dose of prednisone. Surgical complications were limited to fatal hemorrhage from the caudal vena cava in 1 ferret. Remission of clinical signs occurred in all 6 ferrets which survived surgery. The time of follow up varied from 3 to 16 months. The 3 ferrets with adrenal adenomas were still alive 3 to 7 months after surgery. AH 3 ferrets with adrenal carcinoma developed metastasis and were euthanized from 2 to 16 months after surgery.     

Results of vaccination of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) with monovalent inactivated rabies vaccine

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the humoral immune response of Asian elephants to a primary IM vaccination with either 1 or 2 doses of a commercially available inactivated rabies virus vaccine and evaluate the anamnestic response to a 1-dose booster vaccination. ANIMALS: 16 captive Asian elephants. PROCEDURES: Elephants with no known prior rabies vaccinations were assigned into 2 treatment groups of 8 elephants; 1 group received 1 dose of vaccine, and the other group received 2 doses of vaccine 9 days apart. All elephants received one or two 4-mL IM injections of a monovalent inactivated rabies virus vaccine. Blood was collected prior to vaccination (day 0) and on days 9, 35, 112, and 344. All elephants received 1 booster dose of vaccine on day 344, and a final blood sample was taken 40 days later (day 384). Serum was tested for rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies by use of the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. RESULTS: All elephants were seronegative prior to vaccination. There were significant differences in the rabies geometric mean titers between the 2 elephant groups at days 35, 112, and 202. Both groups had a strong anamnestic response 40 days after the booster given at day 344. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results confirmed the ability of Asian elephants to develop a humoral immune response after vaccination with a commercially available monovalent inactivated rabies virus vaccine and the feasibility of instituting a rabies virus vaccination program for elephants that are in frequent contact with humans. A 2-dose series of rabies virus vaccine should provide an adequate antibody response in elephants, and annual boosters should maintain the antibody response in this species.