Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in a cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) with cranial cruciate ligament ruptures.

A 13-yr-old female Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) presented with an acute mild right pelvic limb lameness that progressed to a non-weight-bearing lameness. Diagnosis of a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) was made based on positive cranial drawer during physical examination and was supported by radiographs. A surgical repair with a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and bone anchor with an OrthoFiber suture was performed.

Esophageal dissection and hematoma associated with obstruction in an Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus).

A 42-year-old female Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) developed a sudden onset of excessive salivation and dysphagia. Esophageal obstruction was suspected; possibly related to palm frond ingestion. Esophageal endoscopy revealed a mat of plant material in the distal esophagus.

The avian neurologic examination and ancillary neurodiagnostic techniques: a review update.

The purpose of this article is to guide the avian clinician in the assessment of neurologic function in birds. Physical and neurologic examinations that evaluate cranial nerves, postural reactions, and spinal reflexes identify neurologic dysfunction and the corresponding anatomic location of the lesion. Ancillary diagnostic tests, such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis, diagnostic imaging, muscle and nerve histology, and electrodiagnostics, are tools to confirm and clarify conclusions from the neurologic examination and to identify the cause of disease.

Preliminary evaluation of blood lipid profiles in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

Published serum cholesterol values in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are much higher than human ranges, with a national mean of 7.36 mmol/L (284 mg/dl, n = 863). Complete blood lipid profiles were examined in 15 captive gorillas.

Systemic disease in Vaal rhebok (Pelea capreolus) caused by mycoplasmas in the mycoides cluster.

In the winter of 2002, an outbreak of mycoplasma infection in Vaal rhebok (Pelea capreolus) originating from South Africa occurred 15 weeks after their arrival in San Diego, Calif. Three rhebok developed inappetence, weight loss, lethargy, signs related to pulmonary or arthral dysfunction, and sepsis. All three rhebok died or were euthanized.

Chemical immobilization of rhebok (Pelea capreolus) with carfentanil-xylazine or etorphine-xylazine.

Twelve adult rhebok (Pelea capreolus) were immobilized using a combination of 0.4 mg/kg xylazine and either 0.01 mg/kg of carfentanil (n = 6) or 0.

An outbreak of West Nile virus in a New York City captive wildlife population.

An outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) in and around New York City during the late summer of 1999 was the cause of extensive mortality among free-ranging birds. Within the Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park, viral activity was also observed and produced some morbidity and mortality among specimens in the zoo's bird collection and probably caused morbidity in at least one specimen from the zoo's mammal collection. To determine the extent of the outbreak and attempt to ascertain the temporal appearance of virus within the park, a serologic survey of birds and mammals was performed.

Penetrating keratoplasty for treatment of corneal protrusion in a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus).

A young adult great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) was examined following presumed trauma. The owl had soft tissue injury to its left wing as well as corneal protrusion, lens subluxation, and iridodialysis of the right eye. The bird's eye was treated surgically with a large, rectangular penetrating keratoplasty.

Mycoplasma alligatoris sp. nov., from American alligators.

Mycoplasmas were isolated from multiple tissues of diseased American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). This paper presents biochemical, serological and molecular genetic characterizations of a lethal pathogen of alligators for which the name Mycoplasma alligatoris sp. nov.

Morbidity and mortality associated with a new mycoplasma species from captive American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

Nine of 74 American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) from a captive Florida herd of 3-4-m-long, 200-350-kg, adult males greater than 30 yr of age died within a 10-day period during 1995. Nonspecific clinical signs included anorexia, lethargy, muscle weakness, paraparesis, bilateral white ocular discharge, and various degrees of periocular, facial, cervical, and limb edema. Pneumonia, pericarditis, and arthritis were found on postmortem evaluation of the spontaneously dead and euthanatized alligators.

Pathology of fatal West Nile virus infections in native and exotic birds during the 1999 outbreak in New York City, New York.

West Nile fever caused fatal disease in humans, horses, and birds in the northeastern United States during 1999. We studied birds from two wildlife facilities in New York City, New York, that died or were euthanatized and were suspected to have West Nile virus infections. Using standard histologic and ultrastructural methods, virus isolation, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we identified West Nile virus as the cause of clinical disease, severe pathologic changes, and death in 27 birds representing eight orders and 14 species.

Electrodiagnostic evaluation of peripheral nerve function in rheas and barred owls.

Objective: To establish reference values for electrodiagnostic evaluation of peripheral nerve function in birds.

Animals: 6 rheas and 6 barred owls.

Procedure: Birds were anesthetized with propofol or isoflurane in oxygen.

Cranial edema associated with a protein-losing nephropathy in a golden-mantled flying fox (Pteropus pumilus).

An adult golden-mantled flying fox (Pteropus pumilus) was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome on the basis of the findings of proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, and cranial edema. Membranoproliferative glomerulitis and interstitial nephritis were confirmed antemortem by renal biopsy. The bat had received seven injections of oxytocin in the period immediately prior to presentation.

Removal of a thymoma via median sternotomy in a rabbit with recurrent appendicular neurofibrosarcoma.

A 9-year-old rabbit was evaluated for a mass on the right elbow. As a result of preoperative radiography, another mass was identified in the cranial portion of the mediastinum. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration was used for cytologic evaluation of the mass in the mediastinum and resulted in a presumptive diagnosis of thymoma.