Adaptation and Validation of an Evaluation Instrument for Student Assessment of Veterinary Clinical Teaching.

There is a dearth of validated instruments for assessing clinical teaching in veterinary education. This study describes the development and validation of a veterinary-adapted Stanford Faculty Development Program 26 (SFDP-Vet22) instrument for student evaluation of veterinary clinical educators. Validity evidence was gathered in three specific categories: (a) content, (b) response process, and (c) internal structure.

Microbiome resilience of three-toed box turtles () in response to rising temperatures.

The gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome of chelonians (testudines) plays an important role in their metabolism, nutrition, and overall health but the GI microbiome of three-toed box turtles () has yet to be characterized. How the GI microbiome responds to rapidly rising environmental temperatures has also not been studied extensively in ectotherms, specifically chelonians. In this study, twenty (20) were split into control and experimental groups.

Assessment of visual acuity in Python regius using optokinetic response.

Snakes are known for their unique abilities including infrared reception and their heavy reliance on heat sensors and vibrations. Infrared reception of snakes has gone under immense investigation; however, there have been very few studies that elaborate on their capacity to see. The goal of this study is to determine visual acuity of ball pythons (Python regius) by observing their optokinetic response (OKR).

Quantifying visual acuity of Terrapene carolina triunguis utilizing optokinetic response.

Objective: Quantify visual acuity of a semi-aquatic turtle species, Terrapene carolina triunguis (three-toed box turtles), utilizing optokinetic response/reflex/nystagmus.

Methods: Ten turtles were placed on a custom platform and an image of white and black gratings of varying sized widths was projected onto a white screen in front of the turtles. Optokinetic response (OKR) was observed through a web camera as well as physically by an observer.

Veterinarians' perceptions of COVID-19 pandemic-related influences on veterinary telehealth and on pet owners' attitudes toward cats and dogs.

Objective: To gather and evaluate veterinarians' perspectives about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use of veterinary telehealth and on cat owners' versus dog owners' attitudes toward transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from their pets.

Sample: 93 respondent veterinarians (47 in primary care practice and 46 in specialty practice).

Procedures: An online survey was conducted between June 15 and July 15, 2020, and included 21 questions concerning demographics, use of telehealth before and after the onset of the pandemic (before March 15, 2020, and between March 15 and June 15, 2020, respectively), changes in caseloads, and perception of clients' concerns about potential for transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from pets.

ANALYSIS OF HISTORICAL MEDICAL RECORDS OF CALIFORNIA CONDORS ( GYMNOGYPS CALIFORNIANUS) ADMITTED FOR LEAD EXPOSURE TO THE LOS ANGELES ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDENS BETWEEN 1997 AND 2012: A CASE SERIES STUDY.

Lead toxicosis remains the primary cause of death in wild populations of California condors ( Gymnogyps californianus). Many condors require medical intervention with lead chelation therapy, among other conservation measures, to survive in the wild. An analysis of historical medical records of California condors admitted for lead exposure to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (LA Zoo) between 1997 and 2012 was performed to investigate clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and treatment along with the potential impact of these factors on recovery and successful release back into the wild.

Glucocorticoid measurement in plasma, urates, and feathers from California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) in response to a human-induced stressor.

Vertebrates respond to stressful stimuli with the secretion of glucocorticoid (GC) hormones, such as corticosterone (CORT), and measurements of these hormones in wild species can provide insight into physiological responses to environmental and human-induced stressors. California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) are a critically endangered and intensively managed avian species for which information on GC response to stress is lacking. Here we evaluated a commercially available I125 double antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for measurement of CORT and GC metabolites (GCM) in California condor plasma, urate, and feather samples.

Survey of U.S.-based zoo veterinarians' attitudes on population management euthanasia.

Population management euthanasia, or culling, is a recognized tool for managing animal populations in human care. Previous research in zoos has shown that animal care staff attitudes about culling vary based on gender, job type, awareness of culling, the taxon in question for culling, and situational factors, but the attitudes of zoo veterinarians have not been studied previously, despite the fact that they are often tasked with carrying out euthanasia. We surveyed a sample of currently employed, zoo-based veterinarians in the United States on their knowledge and attitudes about population management euthanasia.

PROSPECTIVE POPULATION MANAGEMENT FOR HEPATITIS B IN THE CHIMPANZEE (PAN TROGLODYTES) SSP® POPULATION.

Hepatitis B virus causes horizontally transmitted infectious hepatopathy of primates and may progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. Historically, a small number of chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) living in accredited North American zoos have been confirmed with positive hepatitis B serology consistent with exposure. However, the overall status for this population and the interpretation of these individual test results have not been established previously.

Integrating Genomic Data Sets for Knowledge Discovery: An Informed Approach to Management of Captive Endangered Species.

Many endangered captive populations exhibit reduced genetic diversity resulting in health issues that impact reproductive fitness and quality of life. Numerous cost effective genomic sequencing and genotyping technologies provide unparalleled opportunity for incorporating genomics knowledge in management of endangered species. Genomic data, such as sequence data, transcriptome data, and genotyping data, provide critical information about a captive population that, when leveraged correctly, can be utilized to maximize population genetic variation while simultaneously reducing unintended introduction or propagation of undesirable phenotypes.

Seroepidemiologic Survey of Potential Pathogens in Obligate and Facultative Scavenging Avian Species in California.

Throughout the world, populations of scavenger birds are declining rapidly with some populations already on the brink of extinction. Much of the current research into the factors contributing to these declines has focused on exposure to drug residues, lead, and other toxins. Despite increased monitoring of these declining populations, little is known about infectious diseases affecting scavenger bird species.

Reproductive activity in the peninsular pronghorn determined from excreted gonadal steroid metabolites.

Fecal hormone monitoring was employed to better define annual patterns of reproductive steroid metabolites from a breeding pair of peninsular pronghorn (Antilocapra americana peninsularis) maintained at the Los Angeles Zoo. Notably in the female, increased excretion of estrogen metabolites occurred during the breeding season (Jun-Aug), and a biphasic pattern in progestagen activity was measured during gestation. Of additional interest, a preterm increase in estrogen that continued for an additional 64 days post partum.

Linking cases of illegal shootings of the endangered California condor using stable lead isotope analysis.

Lead poisoning is preventing the recovery of the critically endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) and lead isotope analyses have demonstrated that ingestion of spent lead ammunition is the principal source of lead poisoning in condors. Over an 8 month period in 2009, three lead-poisoned condors were independently presented with birdshot embedded in their tissues, evidencing they had been shot. No information connecting these illegal shooting events existed and the timing of the shooting(s) was unknown.

Development of a PCR assay to detect papillomavirus infection in the snow leopard.

Background: Papillomaviruses (PVs) are a group of small, non-encapsulated, species-specific DNA viruses that have been detected in a variety of mammalian and avian species including humans, canines and felines. PVs cause lesions in the skin and mucous membranes of the host and after persistent infection, a subset of PVs can cause tumors such as cervical malignancies and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in humans. PVs from several species have been isolated and their genomes have been sequenced, thereby increasing our understanding of the mechanism of viral oncogenesis and allowing for the development of molecular assays for the detection of PV infection.