UTILITY OF URINE ANTIGEN TESTING FOR DIAGNOSIS OF BLASTOMYCOSIS IN NONDOMESTIC FELIDS.

Blastomycosis caused by the fungus has been reported to cause disease in numerous species of nondomestic felids. Diagnosis of blastomycosis in domestic species often relies on the combination of clinical signs, radiographic findings, and commercial urinary antigen testing. In this report, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for urine blastomyces antigen testing for use in nondomestic felids were examined and compared with findings on postmortem examination.

Endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra in captive lions () and tigers ().

Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is a pathologic condition of the uterus with increased endometrial gland to stroma ratio compared to normal cyclic uterine proliferation. In domestic animals, EH often involves cystic distension of proliferating endometrial glands and may be concurrent with pyometra. In large captive nondomestic felids, an association between EH and pyometra is common; however, detailed species differences between the histological uterine findings in lions () and tigers () and clinical manifestations have yet to be described.

MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF FREE-RANGING AMERICAN BLACK BEARS (URSUS AMERICANUS) UNDERGOING REHABILITATION IN EASTERN TENNESSEE, USA, 1996-2021.

Free-ranging American black bears (Ursus americanus) often share habitat with humans and domestic animals, predisposing them to anthropogenic conflicts. Rehabilitation under professional care is a management option for orphaned, injured, and/or ill bears. Across several southeastern states, rescued bears are assessed and treated at the University of Tennessee and rehabilitated at Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR).

CANINE DISTEMPER AND PARVOVIRUS VACCINATION WITH RECOMBITEK C3 IN AFRICAN WILD DOGS ().

Infectious disease threats are increasingly recognized as a major contributor to mortality in wild populations of African wild dog ( AWD). Canine distemper virus (CDV) infection has been implicated as a cause of pack mortality in both captive and wild AWD populations. Ten animals were vaccinated with Recombitek C3, a vaccine containing a recombinant CDV, and modified live canine parvovirus (CPV) and adenovirus-2 components, at 8, 12, and 16 wk of age.

EXOCRINE PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY-LIKE SYNDROME IN FOUR CAPTIVE TIGERS ().

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a condition characterized by a decreased synthesis and secretion of pancreatic enzymes, which results in weight loss, poor hair coat, and diarrhea. The diagnostic test of choice for EPI in domestic cats is feline serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (fTLI). This paper details four tigers () with clinical signs compatible with EPI.

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF BRAIN LESIONS IN CAPTIVE NONDOMESTIC FELIDS.

This retrospective study identified and characterized brain lesions in captive nondomestic felids from a large cat sanctuary. Necropsy reports from January 2002 through December 2018 were examined, and gross images and microscopic slides were reviewed from individual cats, where available. In total, 255 cats met the following inclusion criteria: complete necropsy report available, brain examined grossly or microscopically, and age of >1 mon.

HISTOPLASMOSIS IN NONDOMESTIC FELIDS: A REVIEW OF SIX CASES.

One adult leopard () and five adult tigers () presented with a range of nonspecific clinical signs, including lethargy (6/6), mobility deficits (4/6), and hyporexia (3/6). Hematology and biochemistry revealed a hyperproteinemia characterized by hyperglobulinemia (4/6), hepatocellular enzyme activity increases (3/6), azotemia (3/6), leukocytosis (2/6), hyperbilirubinemia (2/6), or a combination of conditions. Further diagnostics and management varied with the presenting signs and clinicopathological findings, including supportive care, diagnostic imaging, and blastomyces urine antigen analyses.

HISTOLOGIC EVIDENCE OF SPONTANEOUS OVULATION IN TIGERS ().

Spontaneous ovulation has been identified in several wild felid species and domestic cats previously thought to undergo only induced ovulation. Two studies have assessed ovulation patterns in tigers () and have not found evidence of spontaneous ovulation in this species. However, uterine pathology typically associated with prolonged progesterone exposure has been identified in unbred tigers, suggesting spontaneous ovulation occurs.

THE EFFECTS OF PROCEDURE DURATION AND ATIPAMEZOLE ADMINISTRATION ON HYPERKALEMIA IN TIGERS () AND LIONS () ANESTHETIZED WITH α-2 AGONISTS.

A retrospective analysis of 40 extended (>2 hr) anesthetic events in eight lions () and 32 tigers () was performed using a hierarchical linear growth curve model to assess the effects of anesthetic time, α-2 adrenoreceptor agonist dosages, administration of atipamezole, and biochemical parameters on rising plasma K concentrations. Hyperkalemia was first noted at a mean time of 187 min (range: 131-226 min), with time under anesthesia as a statistically significant predictor of K concentration ( < 0.0001).

TRANSCUTANEOUS OXYGEN MONITORING IN LOUISIANA PINE SNAKES ().

Hypoxic physiological states may occur during anesthetic events of snakes but accurate monitoring of oxygenation is challenging. Oxygenation levels of nine Louisiana pine snakes () were assessed using transcutaneous regional oxygen saturation (rSO) at the level of the liver (rSO) and at the halfway point of the body (rSO ). Reflectance pulse oximetry measured SpO, with a sensor overlying the heart.

TIGER () AND DOMESTIC CAT () IMMUNE RESPONSES TO CANARYPOX-VECTORED CANINE DISTEMPER VACCINATION.

Two methods for delivering a canarypox-vectored canine distemper vaccine to tigers () and domestic cats () were investigated. Eight tigers were divided randomly into two vaccination groups: subcutaneous injection or topical tonsillar application. Each tiger received 2 ml of canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccine (Merial Ferret Distemper Vaccine).

REVIEW OF CANINE DISTEMPER VACCINATION USE AND SAFETY IN NORTH AMERICAN CAPTIVE LARGE FELIDS (PANTHERA SPP.) FROM 2000 TO 2017.

Data on canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccination were collected on 812 large felids (351 tigers, ; 220 lions, ; 143 snow leopards, ; 50 leopards, ; and 48 jaguars, ) from 48 institutions to assess vaccine use and safety. The documented individual vaccination events with multiple products numbered 2,846. Canarypox-vectored CDV vaccines were the most commonly used vaccines (96.

RED PANDAS' () SEROLOGICAL RESPONSE TO CANARYPOX-VECTORED CANINE DISTEMPER VACCINES.

Red pandas () are susceptible to canine distemper, with a number of reported vaccine-induced canine distemper cases. Canarypox-vectored recombinant canine distemper vaccines (PureVax Ferret Distemper [PFD] and Recombitek CDV [rCDV]) provide protection without inoculating a live distemper virus, but there are currently no published data regarding these vaccines' safety and efficacy in red pandas. One hundred twenty-two serum samples were collected from 50 captive red pandas and analyzed for antibodies to canine distemper.

HYPERGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA AND MYELOMA IN FIVE TIGERS (): CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS.

Five adult tigers ( presented with a range of clinical signs, including paresis (2/5), lameness (2/5), ataxia (3/5), anorexia (5/5), and lethargy (5/5). Each tiger demonstrated elevated plasma globulin levels (7.8-14.

Use of plethysmographic variability index and perfusion index to evaluate changes in arterial blood pressure in anesthetized tigers (Panthera tigris).

OBJECTIVE To investigate use of the plethysmographic variability index (PVI) and perfusion index (PI) for evaluating changes in arterial blood pressure in anesthetized tigers (Panthera tigris). ANIMALS 8 adult tigers. PROCEDURES Each tiger was anesthetized once with a combination of ketamine, midazolam, medetomidine, and isoflurane.

Lymphocytic Mural Folliculitis Resembling Epitheliotropic Lymphoma in Tigers ( Panthera tigris).

A striking form of lymphocytic mural folliculitis is described in 6 tigers ( Panthera tigris). Clinically, all tigers exhibited regionally extensive chronic, variably waxing and waning alopecia with minimal scaling and crusting most pronounced over the head, neck, and shoulders. More severely affected tigers exhibited marked hyperpigmentation and lichenification.

PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS OF CEFOVECIN SODIUM (CONVENIA) IN CAPTIVE TIGERS ( PANTHERA TIGRIS).

A single 8 mg/kg dose of Cefovecin (Convenia®) was administered intramuscularly in the hindlimb of eight anesthetized captive tigers ( Panthera tigris) and serial blood samples were collected over the next 56 days to determine pharmacokinetic characteristics. High-performance liquid chromatography was utilized to determine plasma levels, and demonstrated a mean terminal half-life of 227.8 ± 29.

INVESTIGATION OF ENROFLOXACIN-ASSOCIATED RETINAL TOXICITY IN NONDOMESTIC FELIDS.

Enrofloxacin is known to cause retinal toxicity in domestic cats. The hallmark lesion of enrofloxacin-associated retinal toxicity in domestic cats is thinning of the outer nuclear layer of the retina. Enrofloxacin is commonly used to treat bacterial infections in nondomestic felids because of its action against a wide spectrum of bacteria and the ability for it to be given orally.

Comparison of Two Methods for Determining Prevalence of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster in a Flock of Captive Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Macrorhabdus ornithogaster is a yeast organism that infects multiple species of captive and wild birds. Diagnosis of infection in vivo has proven difficult historically, as shedding can be intermittent, and not all positive animals are clinically ill. We compared polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cloacal swab samples and fecal Gram's stain (FGS) for diagnosis of active shedding of M ornithogaster in a captive flock of budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus ).

Spontaneous proliferative and neoplastic lesions in thyroid and parathyroid glands of nondomestic felids.

Based on microscopic and immunohistochemical characterization, we documented spontaneous proliferative and neoplastic lesions in the thyroid and parathyroid glands of nondomestic felids. Ten animals (4 leopards, 3 tigers, and 3 cougars), all with a previous diagnosis of thyroid neoplasia were identified from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine database. The mean age of affected animals was 15.

CLINICOPATHOLOGIC FEATURES OF MAMMARY MASSES IN CAPTIVE LIONS (PANTHERA LEO).

A multi-institutional retrospective analysis of 330 pathology accessions from 285 different lions found 15 captive, female African lions (Panthera leo) with confirmed mammary masses. Aside from the presence of a mammary mass, the most common initial clinical sign was inappetence. Histologic diagnoses were predominantly adenocarcinoma (n = 12), though two benign masses (mammary hyperplasia and a mammary cyst) and one squamous cell carcinoma were identified.

Selected clinical, biochemical, and electrolyte alterations in anesthetized captive tigers (Panthera tigris) and lions (Panthera leo).

A prospective study to assess changes in selected plasma biochemistry and electrolyte values, plasma insulin and aldosterone concentrations, and electrocardiography (ECG) was performed on eight female captive tigers (Panthera tigris) and three lions (Panthera leo) undergoing general anesthesia for elective laparoscopic ovariectomy. Each animal was sedated with medetomidine (18-25 microg/kg) and midazolam (0.06-0.