Sperm cryopreservation and reproductive characteristics in the beauty snake (Elaphe taeniura) as a model for endangered Colubridae.

Sperm collection and cryopreservation are key technologies for assisted reproduction, with post-mortem sperm collection being the main tool to prevent the decline of endangered species. The present study describes post-mortem sperm collection and two cryopreservation protocols in beauty snakes (Elaphe taeniura), as a model for Colubridae. The vasa deferentia of 18 snakes were collected post-mortem and incubated for 30 min at room temperature to retrieve sperm by float up.

Clinical features, surgical management and outcome of squamous and basal cell carcinoma in squamates and chelonians.

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed neoplastic disorders in reptiles. Recently, however, it has been demonstrated that basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are frequently misclassified as SCCs. Several histological SCC and BCC variants have been characterised and their classification may allow the establishment of appropriate prognosis estimation and treatment approaches.

Histological Variants of Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinoma in Squamates and Chelonians: A Comprehensive Classification.

In the present study, the histological characteristics of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) obtained from 22 squamate and 13 chelonian species were retrospectively evaluated. While the examined tissues were originally diagnosed as 28 SCCs and 7 BCCs based on histological evaluation by a specialty diagnostic service, eight SCCs could be re-classified as BCCs and three SCCs proved to be non-neoplastic lesions. In addition, all SCCs and BCCs were classified into distinct histological variants.

Anatomy, Physiology, and Disorders of the Spectacle, Subspectacular Space, and Its Lacrimal Drainage System in Squamates.

Various squamate species have completely fused eyelids that make up a transparent spectacle. The spectacle is a continuation of the integument that is renewed with each shedding cycle and creates a narrow subspectacular or corneospectacular space that is filled with lacrimal fluid. The latter is considered as the analogue of the conjunctival sac in other vertebrates.

Establishment of a Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of in Lizards.

(1) Background: () is a potential cause of dermatitis and cheilitis in lizards. The aim of this study was to establish a real-time PCR assay for the detection of . (2) Methods: Primers and probe were selected targeting the 16S rRNA gene, using sequences of 16S rRNA genes of as well as of other bacterial species derived from GenBank.

Gross, Histologic and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Keratoacanthomas in Lizards.

The present study describes the clinical behavior as well as the histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of keratoacanthomas (Kas) in three different saurian species. While Kas presented as two dermal lesions in a bearded dragon (), multicentric Kas were observed in three panther chameleons () and a veiled chameleon (). Macroscopically, Kas presented as dome-shaped skin tumors with a centralized keratinous pearl and a diameter ranging from 0.

Infection of juvenile falcons (Falco spp.) with intestinal Lawsonia intracellularis.

Intestinal infection of many host species with Lawsonia intracellularis are widely reported. Analyses of infections among carnivorous falcons have not previously been reported. Fifty juvenile captive falcons (Falco spp.

The Use of Prefemoral Endoscope-Assisted Surgery and Transplastron Coeliotomy in Chelonian Reproductive Disorders.

Throughout the last decades, the increased popularity of the keeping of reptiles has led to a better understanding of the captive needs of a wide variety of species. Although this is reflected by the successful captive reproduction in many of those species, reproductive disorders such as preovulatory follicular stasis, postovulatory dystocia, secondary yolk coelomitis, and prolapse of the oviduct and male copulatory organ are commonly encountered in veterinary practice. In comparison to squamates, chelonians with postovulatory dystocia seem to be more responsive to oxytocin treatment, even in cases of chronic dystocia.

Cheilitis Associated with a Novel Herpesvirus in Two Panther Chameleons (Furcifer pardalis).

Intracellular epidermal inclusions were detected within histological sections of skin biopsies from two panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) with chronic cheilitis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the abundant presence of icosahedral intracytoplasmic and intranuclear viral particles in infected keratinocytes, with an average diameter of 120-125 nm, consistent with herpesviruses (HVs). TEM also revealed the presence of virions in intercellular spaces and keratinocyte nuclei and features suggestive of capsid assembly, nuclear egress with primary envelopment and anterograde transport leading to virion assembly and release.

PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS OF PLASMA SAMPLES FROM BOA CONSTRICTORS WITH AND WITHOUT REPTARENAVIRUS INFECTION.

Reptarenaviruses infect a variety of boid and pythonid snake species worldwide and have been shown to be the cause of inclusion body disease (IBD). Little is known about the correlations between virus infection and clinical disease, as well as the effects of viral infection on the immune system and the blood protein fractions. The goal of this study was to examine the differences in the plasma protein fractions in reptarenavirus reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-negative and -positive tested snakes with and without clinical signs of disease.

Prevalence of inclusion body disease and associated comorbidity in captive collections of boid and pythonid snakes in Belgium.

Inclusion body disease (IBD) is caused by reptarenaviruses and constitutes one of the most notorious viral diseases in snakes. Although central nervous system disease and various other clinical signs have been attributed to IBD in boid and pythonid snakes, studies that unambiguously reveal the clinical course of natural IBD and reptarenavirus infection are scarce. In the present study, the prevalence of IBD and reptarenaviruses in captive snake collections and the correlation of IBD and reptarenavirus infection with the clinical status of the sampled snakes were investigated.

Isolation of Burkholderia pseudomallei from a Pet Green Iguana, Belgium.

We isolated Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, from liver granulomas of a pet green iguana (Iguana iguana) in Belgium. This case highlights a risk for imported green iguanas acting as a reservoir for introduction of this high-threat, zoonotic pathogen into nonendemic regions.

associated cheilitis in a North African spiny-tailed lizard () in Spain.

An 11-year-old, male North African spiny-tailed lizard () was presented with hyperkeratotic cheilitis. Based on clinical examination, histology and microbiological testing, was identified as the causative agent of the dermal disorder. Moreover, an abundant culture of was obtained following sampling of the oral cavity.

Co-occurrence of Mycoplasma Species and Pigeon Herpesvirus-1 Infection in Racing Pigeons ( Columba livia).

Oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from 438 live racing pigeons ( Columba livia), with and without signs of respiratory disease, that were housed in 220 lofts in 3 provinces in the western part of the Netherlands. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify Mycoplasma species and pigeon herpesvirus-1 (PHV-1) from the samples. In 8.

Future of keeping pet reptiles and amphibians: towards integrating animal welfare, human health and environmental sustainability.

The keeping of exotic pets is currently under debate and governments of several countries are increasingly exploring the regulation, or even the banning, of exotic pet keeping. Major concerns are issues of public health and safety, animal welfare and biodiversity conservation. The keeping of reptiles and amphibians in captivity encompasses all the potential issues identified with keeping exotic pets, and many of those relating to traditional domestic pets.

A virulent clone of Devriesea agamarum affects endangered Lesser Antillean iguanas (Iguana delicatissima).

Infectious diseases affecting wildlife are drivers of global biodiversity loss. Here we report a bacterial threat to endangered wild reptiles. Since April 2011, a severe skin disease has affected free-ranging, endangered Lesser Antillean iguanas (Iguana delicatissima) on the French Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy and we identified Devriesea agamarum as the causative agent.

Basal cell carcinoma in two Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni).

Neoplastic disorders are frequently encountered in the practice of reptile medicine. Herein we report the clinical behavior, antemortem diagnosis, and histopathologic characteristics of a recurrent intraoral keratinizing basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and a metastatic BCC of the carapace in 2 Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni). Although squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in tortoises show similar predilection sites and gross pathologic features, the BCCs described in our report were characterized by a remarkably fast and highly infiltrative growth in comparison to SCCs.

Comparative Pharmacokinetics and Allometric Scaling of Carboplatin in Different Avian Species.

The use of chemotherapeutics as a possible treatment strategy in avian oncology is steadily increasing over the last years. Despite this, literature reports regarding dosing strategies and pharmacokinetic behaviour of chemotherapeutics in avian species are lacking. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of carboplatin in a representative species of the order of Galliformes, Anseriformes, Columbiformes and Psittaciformes.

Marek's disease virus associated ocular lymphoma in Roulroul partridges (Rollulus rouloul).

Two 1-year old Roulroul partridges (Rollulus rouloul), one male and one female, were presented because of eye problems and anorexia. Twenty of the 30 Roulroul partridges in the owner's collection had already died. The affected birds stopped eating, became thinner, and eventually died.

Mycoplasma columbinum Isolated From a Racing Pigeon ( Columba livia ) With Arthritis.

A juvenile racing pigeon ( Columba livia ) was presented with drooping of the wing and inability to fly. On physical examination, the right shoulder joint was swollen. The pigeon was euthanatized and submitted for necropsy.

Detection of arenavirus in a peripheral odontogenic fibromyxoma in a red tail boa (Boa constrictor constrictor) with inclusion body disease.

A captive bred red tail boa (Boa constrictor constrictor) was presented with a large intraoral mass originating from the buccal gingiva, attached to the right dentary teeth row. Based on the clinical features and histological examination, the diagnosis of a peripheral odontogenic fibromyxoma was made. Sections of liver biopsies and circulating lymphocytes contained relatively few eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, indistinguishable from those observed in inclusion body disease-affected snakes.

Autovaccination confers protection against Devriesea agamarum associated septicemia but not dermatitis in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).

Devrieseasis caused by Devriesea agamarum is a highly prevalent disease in captive desert lizards, resulting in severe dermatitis and in some cases mass mortality. In this study, we assessed the contribution of autovaccination to devrieseasis control by evaluating the capacity of 5 different formalin-inactivated D. agamarum vaccines to induce a humoral immune response in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).