HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR FREE-LIVING ADULT LESSER KESTRELS () IN SOUTHERN ITALY.

The lesser kestrel () is a small falcon with a Euro-Central and Asian-Mediterranean range wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. In the second half of the 20th century, the European population experienced a steep decline and was classified as at risk; thus, its biological and ecological aspects have been widely investigated. Nonetheless, data on hematology and plasma chemistry are not yet available.

Validation of a Model Estimating the Budget Impact of Video Capsule Endoscopy for Surveillance of Crohn's Disease in an Italian Center.

Crohn's disease is a chronic ailment affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Mucosal healing, a marker of reduced disease activity, is currently assessed in the colonic sections using ileocolonoscopy and magnetic resonance enteroscopy. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) offers visualization of the entire GI mucosae.

HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR REHABILITATED EUROPEAN BADGERS ().

The goal of this study was to establish routine reference intervals (RI) for common laboratory tests for the European badger (). Blood samples were collected from 13 female and 11 male adult European badgers in a wildlife rehabilitation facility and used for standard hematology and biochemistry analyses. The established 95% RI (2.

HEMATOLOGIC AND BIOCHEMISTRY REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR RESCUED RED FOXES ().

Although the red fox () is a widespread free-living species in Europe and is often treated as a patient in wildlife rescue centers, peer-reviewed published reference intervals (RI) for hematologic and biochemistry variables are not available. The aim of this study was to determine routine RI for common clinical analyses for this species. After rescue events, single blood samples were collected from 14 female and 18 male adult red foxes and submitted for standard hematologic and biochemistry analyses.

Capsule endoscopy in Crohn's disease surveillance: A monocentric, retrospective analysis in Italy.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is a potentially debilitating condition that burdens Italian healthcare substantially. The symptomatic management relies on prompt therapy adjustment to reduce flares and follow-up diagnostic inputs to maximise remission. Capsule endoscopy (CE) has introduced advantages in CD diagnostics, allowing the direct inspection of the entire gastrointestinal mucosa.

Clinical use of Anti-Müllerian Hormone to monitor resumption of ovarian activity following removal of a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant in queens.

Objective: The use of deslorelin implants to control reproduction in cats is increasing but because of its prolonged duration, cat breeders often request implant removal before the end of the treatment. Assaying Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations might be useful to predict time of resumption of ovarian activity in deslorelin-treated queens following implant removal. In queens a minimum of 3 weeks during increasing photoperiod after implant removal has been described for resumption of ovarian activity but no information about AMH concentrations were observed for determining ovarian activity.

Emotional States of African Elephants () Kept for Animal-Visitor Interactions, as Perceived by People Differing in Age and Knowledge of the Species.

This study aimed to investigate how three groups of people of differing ages, and with differing knowledge of the species, perceived the emotional state of African elephants () managed in captive and semi-captive environments. Fifteen video-clips of 18 elephants, observed during three different daily routines (release from and return to the night ; interactions with visitors), were used for a free choice profiling assessment (FCP) and then analyzed with quantitative methods. A general Procrustes analysis identified two main descriptive dimensions of elephant behavioral expression explaining 27% and 19% of the variability in the children group, 19% and 23.

Fusarium solani hyalohyphomycosisin loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta): a diagnostic and therapeutical challenge.

Fusarium spp. are pathogens plants, animals and humans, isolated from soil, plants and water systems. They are distributed worldwide and include saprotrophic, biotrophic‑pathogenic or endophytic fungi, or producers of mycotoxins (fumonisins).

Ultrasonographic analysis of fetal gastrointestinal motility during the peripartum period in the dog.

The aim of this study was to investigate fetal gastrointestinal motility (FGM) of dogs using ultrasonic imaging and its association with vaginal and rectal temperature, serum progesterone concentrations and fetal heart rate. Pregnant bitches were examined after day 54 of gestation and there were determinations of vaginal and rectal temperature and serum progesterone concentrations. The fetal abdomen was evaluated for 30 s using longitudinal and transversal assessments, and FGM was scored as 0 (no peristalsis) or 1 (evident peristalsis).

Usefulness of panoramic 344°-viewing in Crohn's disease capsule endoscopy: a proof of concept pilot study with the novel PillCam™ Crohn's system.

Background: A new capsule endoscopy (CE) system featuring two advanced optics for 344°-viewing and a prolonged operative time has been recently developed for Crohn's disease (CD) patients. Hence, we evaluated, for the first time, the performance of this novel CE and the add-on value of the 344°-viewing in a multi-center real-life setting.

Methods: Consecutive patients with suspected or established CD received the PillCam™ Crohn's System as supplementary diagnostic work-up focused on the small-bowel between June 2017 and June 2018.

Pharmacokinetics of injectable marbofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administration in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans).

Fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs are currently used in reptilian medicine because of their broad spectrum of activity including the most frequent pathogens of these species. The disposition kinetics of marbofloxacin (MBX) at a single dose of 2 mg/kg were determined in healthy red-eared sliders after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration. The influence of renal portal system on the bioavailability of the drug was investigated by using forelimb and hindlimb as IM injection sites.

Evaluation of alfaxalone and dexmedetomidine for intramuscular restraint in European hedgehogs ().

The European hedgehogs may require the use of chemical restraint for clinical examination because of their tendency to roll up as a defensive behaviour. This study evaluated the effects of alfaxalone combined with dexmedetomidine for restraint of hedgehogs undergoing pre-release health checks and atipamezole for recovery.Twenty hedgehogs received alfaxalone 2 mg/kg and dexmedetomidine 0.

Postponement of puberty in queens treated with deslorelin.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess efficacy of deslorelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist marketed in Europe for the control of male dog reproduction, for the postponement of puberty in queens. Methods Nine prepubertal queens aged 3-9 months were selected for this study; their general and reproductive health was checked through clinical, haematological, vaginal cytology and hormonal tests. Following treatment with a 4.

Proton pump inhibitors: Risks of long-term use.

Proton pump inhibitors are among the most commonly prescribed classes of drugs, and their use is increasing, in particular for long-term treatment, often being over-prescribed and used for inappropriate conditions. In recent years, considerable attention has been directed towards a wide range of adverse effects, and even when a potential underlying biological mechanism is plausible, the clinical evidence of the adverse effect is often weak. Several long-term side effects have been investigated ranging from interaction with other drugs, increased risk of infection, reduced intestinal absorption of vitamins and minerals, and more recently kidney damage and dementia.

Diagnosis and treatment considerations in a case of malignant mesenchymoma in an African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus).

A 20-yr-old African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus) presented with a slowly growing mass located on the dorsum at the level of the last thoracic vertebrae. The mass was hard, 10 cm in diameter, and not adherent to the underlying tissues. Multiple biopsies were collected for histopathology and revealed extensive areas of necrosis, small nodules of malignant mesenchymal proliferation with areas of chondroid metaplasia, and atypical cells in vessel walls.

Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic findings in healthy non-sedated red-eared slider terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans).

Echocardiographic evaluation was performed in six healthy young adult non-sedated terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans). The best imaging quality was obtained through the right cervical window. Base-apex inflow and outflow views were recorded, ventricular size, ventricular wall thickness and ventricular outflow tract were measured, and fractional shortening was calculated.

Botulism in Brazil, 2000-2008: epidemiology, clinical findings and laboratorial diagnosis.

Botulism is a rare and potentially lethal illness caused by Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin. We describe the findings of a laboratorial investigation of 117 suspected cases of botulism reported to the surveillance system in Brazil from January 2000 to October 2008. Data on the number and type of samples analyzed, type of toxins identified, reporting of the number of botulism cases and transmission sources are discussed.

Clinical use of testicular fine needle aspiration cytology in oligozoospermic and azoospermic dogs.

Clinical investigation of canine testicular function is complicated by the difficulty in the evaluation of seminiferous tubules. Until recently, testicular biopsy was the only diagnostic option for dogs with persistent oligo/azoospermia. In human andrology, testicular fine needle aspiration (TFNA) is currently considered a useful method in the evaluation of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia, and has long replaced classical biopsy to evaluate spermatogenesis.

Effect of an injectable cabergoline formulation on serum prolactin (PRL) and milk secretion in early postpartum Beagle bitches.

This study was conducted in order to evaluate effects on prolactin (PRL) concentration and mammary milk secretion of an injectable cabergoline formulation administered to five lactating Beagle bitches during early postpartum (PP). Bitches were bled twice daily (from PP day 3 to PP day 12) and then daily (from PP day 13 to PP day 16) to assay serum PRL. On PP day 6, a subcutaneous (SC) injection of 0.

Clinical use of deslorelin for the control of reproduction in the bitch.

This study was conducted to evaluate clinical efficacy of deslorelin for inhibiting reproduction in the bitch. Ten adult healthy bitches or bitches with mammary neoplasia for which owners were requesting suppression of cyclicity without performing gonadectomy were administered a 4.7- or a 9.

Serum biochemistry and electrophoretic patterns in the Eurasian Buzzard (Buteo buteo): reference values.

In avian medicine, hematologic and biochemical laboratory investigations are still in their infancy, because of the difficulty involved in collecting data. This has led to a lack of reference values and a nonstandardized approach to specimens obtained in critical conditions. The Eurasian Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is one of the most common raptors in Italy, yet little is known about the physiologic blood parameters of this species.

Reversible immobilization of asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) with detomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam and atipamezole.

Chemical immobilization of free-ranging and captive wildlife is often required in many clinical situations. In this trial, tiletamine-zolazepam was combined with the alpha2-agonist, detomidine, in order to use the least amount of anesthetic drug possible to achieve a rapid immobilization; to ensure safety for animals and operators; and to be easily reversible with specific antagonists for a fast recovery. Twelve captive Asiatic black bears were anesthetized for clinical procedures, including clinical examination and blood sample collection, and for electrocardiographic and echocardiographic procedures.

Pathogenic bacteria associated with oysters (Crassostrea brasiliana) and estuarine water along the south coast of Brazil.

Oysters and estuarine water samples were collected monthly, from June 1998 to March 1999, in the Cananéia estuary, on the south coast of São Paulo, Brazil, and analyzed for bacterial hazards with and without depuration in filtered estuarine water. Aeromonas spp., Plesiomonas shigelloides, Vibrio cholerae O1, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus were counted in oyster samples using the most probable number (MPN) and their presence verified in the surrounding estuarine water samples.

Inactivation by ionizing radiation of Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella infantis, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters (Crassostrea brasiliana).

Irradiation is considered one of the most efficient technological processes for the reduction of microorganisms in food. It can be used to improve the safety of food products, and to extend their shelf lives. Oysters are considered one of the most important vehicles for pathogenic bacteria because of their feeding characteristics.