The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Approach to Assessing and Promoting Animal Welfare in Collaboration with Universities.

Good zoos have four aims-to conserve species, educate the public, engage in research, and provide recreation-all of which can only be achieved when underpinned by high animal welfare standards. In this paper, we share the approach that The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park take to animal welfare. We highlight the role that animal welfare research, in collaboration with universities, has had in enabling the zoo to take an evidence-based approach to welfare and to put findings into practice.

Development and validation of a versatile non-invasive urinary steroidomics method for wildlife biomonitoring.

Wildlife conservation is often challenged by a lack of knowledge about the reproduction biology and adaptability of endangered species. Although monitoring steroids and related molecules can increase this knowledge, the applicability of current techniques (e.g.

APPLICATION OF A NOVEL LATERAL-FLOW DEVICE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASPERGILLOSIS IN CAPTIVE GENTOO PENGUINS ().

Aspergillosis is the primary fungal disease affecting captive penguins globally. Its diagnosis remains challenging, and currently no tests are both sensitive and specific for the detection of early infection. The present study evaluated a recently developed lateral-flow device (AspLFD) for the detection of spp.

The novel use of urinary androgens to optimise detection of the fertile window in giant pandas.

Abstract: Giant pandas are mono-estrus seasonal breeders, with the breeding season typically occurring in the spring. Successful fertilization is followed by an embryonic diapause, of variable length, with birth in the late summer/autumn. There is a need for additional understanding of giant panda reproductive physiology, and the development of enhanced biomarkers for impending proestrus and peak fertility.

Long-term follow up of 44 cats undergoing total hip replacement: Cases from a feline hip registry (2010-2020).

Objective: To report indications, complications, and long-term outcomes following feline total hip replacement (THR) using a client-based clinical metrology questionnaire, the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI), and owner satisfaction.

Study Design: Multi-institutional retrospective cohort study.

Animals: Cats (n = 44) that underwent THR (n = 56).

Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) health surveillance in Britain: Assessing a disjunctive reintroduced population.

Background: Numerous translocations of Eurasian beavers have occurred with little implementation of standardised health screening. Pre-release health screening enables the selection of individuals with the best survival prospects and reduces potential health risks, but this is by-passed during unofficial releases. Beaver reintroduction to Britain has been haphazard and currently disjunctive populations of varying status exist.

HYPERVITAMINOSIS D IN A GIANT ANTEATER () AND A LARGE HAIRY ARMADILLO () RECEIVING A COMMERCIAL INSECTIVORE DIET.

Hypervitaminosis D was diagnosed in a giant anteater () and a large hairy armadillo () being fed a commercial insectivore diet. Clinical findings included weight loss, reduced appetite, vomiting, and suspected abdominal discomfort. Hypercalcemia (3.

USE OF CLINDAMYCIN IN PALLAS' CATS [ () ] TO REDUCE JUVENILE TOXOPLASMOSIS-ASSOCIATED MORTALITY RATES.

Pallas' cat [ () ] experiences a high mortality rate from toxoplasmosis. During the period 2006-2016, the overall mortality rate for this species from all causes during the first year of life was 71.59% in European Association of Zoos and Aquaria institutions, with the most significant infectious cause from systemic toxoplasmosis (20.

Urinary estrogens as a non-invasive biomarker of viable pregnancy in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Female giant pandas show complex reproductive traits, being seasonally monoestrus, displaying a variable length embryonic diapause and exhibiting pseudopregnancy. Currently, there is no confirmatory non-invasive biomarker of blastocyst implantation or pregnancy. This study aimed to monitor urinary estrogens across gestation in pregnancy (n = 4), pseudopregnancy (n = 4) and non-birth cycles (n = 5) in the giant panda.

Evidence of species and their significance during reintroduction of Eurasian beavers () to Great Britain.

The Scottish Beaver Trial (SBT) reintroduced the Eurasian beaver () in 2009 using wild-caught Norwegian beavers. This included a six-month prerelease quarantine in Devon, England. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and government guidelines for health screening were followed, including testing for species.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training for US Service Members and Veterans with Symptoms of PTSD.

Introduction: The United States has been actively involved in major armed conflicts over the last 15 years. As a result, a significant proportion of active duty service personnel and returning veterans have endured combat, putting them at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disabling disorder that may occur after exposure to a traumatic event. Current therapies often require long-term, time-intensive and costly commitment from the patient and have variable degrees of success.

Absence of hantavirus in water voles and Eurasian beavers in Britain.

Hantaviruses are RNA viruses (order , family ) found in rodent, bat and insectivore reservoir-hosts and have been reported as an emerging significant zoonotic risk in Europe. As part of two native semiaquatic rodent restoration projects, tissue and urine samples were tested for hantavirus from water voles () (n=26, in 2015) and Eurasian beavers () (n=20, covering 2010-2015) using a pan-hantavirus nested real-time PCR test. Kidney and lung samples were also analysed by light microscopy after haematoxylin and eosin staining of formalin-fixed paraffin wax sections.

MANDIBULAR SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN A ROCK HYRAX ( PROCAVIA CAPENSIS).

  A 9-yr-old, entire female captive rock hyrax ( Procavia capensis) was presented with a 1-wk history of sialorrhea. On clinical examination, a mass was identified, encompassing the rostral mandible and intermandibular area, with associated mucosal ulceration, marked gingival recession, and loosening or loss of adjacent teeth. Skull radiography and cytology of fine-needle aspirates of the mass were suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma.

SUSPECTED HYPOVITAMINOSIS A-ASSOCIATED SALT GLAND ADENITIS IN NORTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUINS ( EUDYPTES MOSELEYI).

  Supraorbital salt-excreting glands are present in at least 10 avian orders and are largest in marine species, including penguins. Diseases of the avian salt gland have been described infrequently. From September 2015, five captive northern rockhopper penguins ( Eudyptes moseleyi) were presented over a 6-wk period for unilateral or bilateral supraorbital swellings.

CLINICAL SIGNS, ANTEMORTEM DIAGNOSTICS, AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS ASSOCIATED WITH MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM SUBSPECIES PARATUBERCULOSIS INFECTION IN MISHMI TAKIN ( BUDORCAS TAXICOLOR TAXICOLOR).

  Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a cause of contagious and typically fatal enteric disease, primarily affecting ruminant and pseudoruminant species. During a MAP outbreak in a captive collection, six of nine adult Mishmi takin ( Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor) showed marked weight loss over 1-3 mo, followed by an acute deterioration. Fecal culture and microscopy failed to identify MAP shedding.

Clinical Pathology of the Vulnerable Gough Moorhen (Gallinula comeri).

The Gough moorhen (Gallinula comeri) is native to Gough Island, Tristan da Cunha, and listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its restricted range and susceptibility to introduced predators. A planned ecosystem restoration by eradication of introduced house mice (Mus musculus) via aerially delivered rodenticide requires a reproductively balanced population of Gough moorhens to be held in captivity to avoid primary and secondary poisoning. To aid disease detection during the period of captivity, Gough moorhens (n = 43; 25 adult females and 18 adult males) were captured, measured and sampled to determine ease of sexing by morphometrics, to establish reference ranges for routine haematological and biochemical parameters and to identify any intestinal and haemoparasites as well as determine which faecal bacteria were present.

Plasma protein electrophoresis as a prognostic indicator in Aspergillus species-infected Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua papua).

Background: Avian aspergillosis presents a significant threat to captive penguin populations. Currently, a lack of objective prognostic factors limits disease staging, objective reassessment throughout treatment, comparative evaluation of treatment regimes, and appropriate timing of euthanasia.

Objective: The study objective was to investigate absolute and relative plasma protein fractions by agarose gel electrophoresis (EPH) as predictors of survival in Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua papua) under treatment for aspergillosis.

Evaluation of variables influencing success and complication rates in canine total hip replacement: results from the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association Canine Hip Registry (collation of data: 2010-2012).

The objective of this study was to assess the variables associated with complications of total hip replacement (THR) and report owner-assessed outcomes. Entries into the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association-Canine Hip Registry (BVOA-CHR) between September 2011 and December 2012 were reviewed separately and in conjunction with previous data (January 2010-August 2011). An outcomes assessment questionnaire was used to collect data from owners.

Clinical Pathology of the Critically Endangered Gough Bunting (Rowettia goughensis).

The Gough bunting (Rowettia goughensis) is indigenous to Gough Island and critically endangered due to predation by invasive house mice (Mus musculus). A planned ecosystem restoration by eradication of house mice via aerially delivered rodenticide requires a reproductively balanced population of Gough buntings being held in captivity to avoid primary and secondary poisoning. To aid disease detection during the period of captivity, Gough buntings (n = 25; five adult females, 15 adult males and five juveniles) were captured, measured and sampled to determine reference ranges for routine haematological and biochemical parameters and to identify any faecal bacterial species and intestinal and haemoparasites.

Outcomes of a 'One Health' Monitoring Approach to a Five-Year Beaver (Castor fiber) Reintroduction Trial in Scotland.

The Scottish Beaver Trial, involving the translocation and release of 16 wild Norwegian beavers (Castor fiber) to Scotland, provides a good example of a 'One Health' scientific monitoring approach, with independent monitoring partners on ecology and public health feeding into veterinary health surveillance. Pathogen detection did not prohibit beaver release, although eight beavers were seropositive for Leptospira spp. Six deaths (37.

Evaluation of brief treatment of symptoms of psychological trauma among veterans residing in a homeless shelter by use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in both homeless and nonhomeless veterans.

Purpose: To examine unique characteristics of being homeless that may influence PTSD treatment completion and clinical success.

Methods: Twenty-three veterans who were homeless and residing in a homeless shelter, along with 94 veterans from the community, were enrolled to receive one to five sessions of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), an emerging trauma-focused therapy for symptoms of PTSD.

An evaluation of the experiences of guide dog owners visiting Scottish veterinary practices.

Guide dogs and their owners will visit a veterinary practice at least twice a year. The aim of this study was to evaluate what guide dog owners thought about these visits, in order to identify areas of good practice which could be incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum. Nine guide dog owners volunteered to take part in the study and were interviewed by the primary researcher.

Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Buccal Mucosa Tissue as a Source of Multipotent Progenitor Cells.

Since the first mammal was cloned, the idea of using this technique to help endangered species has aroused considerable interest. However, several issues limit this possibility, including the relatively low success rate at every stage of the cloning process, and the dearth of usable tissues from these rare animals. iPS cells have been produced from cells from a number of rare mammalian species and this is the method of choice for strategies to improve cloning efficiency and create new gametes by directed differentiation.