FOOT RADIOGRAPHY IN EUROPEAN BISON ().

Bone lengths of paired digits of front and hind limbs from 12 captive European bison () of different ages (from nine to 175 months) and sexes were measured on digital radiographs in palmarodorsal (PaD) and dorsoplantar (DPl) projections of each limb. All bone lengths were measured, and lateral/medial ratios calculated. The bone measurements included length of the canon bone condyle (LCBC), length of the first, second, and third phalanges (LP1, LP2, LP3), and overall digit length (OL).

SAFETY AND PHARMACOKINETICS OF PRAZIQUANTEL IN EUROPEAN POND TURTLES ().

Spirorchiidosis, caused by blood flukes of the genus is a disease of great concern for the critically endangered European pond turtle (EPT; ) in Switzerland. The endogenous life cycle of the parasite often leads to systemic inflammatory reactions, thrombosis, and death. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the treatment of choice against adult spp.

Glomerulocystic kidney in two red piranhas Pygocentrus nattereri.

Glomerulocystic kidney (GCK) is defined by a dilatation of the Bowman's space (greater than 2 times the normal size) of more than 5% of all glomeruli. Although GCK has been occasionally documented in dogs, cats, and humans with renal failure, in fish, reports of spontaneous GCK are rare. For the present study, 2 captive adult red piranhas Pygocentrus nattereri from a closed population were submitted for post-mortem examination.

Reindeer Husbandry in Switzerland-Management, Feeding, and Endoparasite Infections.

The aim of the present work was to provide an overview of management and feeding practices, and the prevalence of endoparasite infections in captive Swiss reindeer. On two visits to eight farms or zoos, a standardized questionnaire was completed. A total of 67 reindeer were weighed, and fecal samples were collected.

Avian haemosporidian parasites in captive and free-ranging, wild birds from zoological institutions in Switzerland: Molecular characterization and clinical importance.

Avian haemosporidian parasites are widespread and infect birds from a broad variety of avian families with diverse consequences ranging from subclinical infections to severe and fatal disease. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and diversity of avian haemosporidia including associated clinical signs and pathomorphological lesions in captive and free-ranging, wild birds from two zoos and the near environment in Switzerland. Blood samples from 475 birds, including 230 captive and 245 free-ranging, wild individuals belonging to 42 different avian species from 15 orders were examined for the presence of avian haemosporidian DNA by a one-step multiplex PCR designed to simultaneously detect and discriminate the genera , and by targeting mitochondrial genome sequences.

Treatment of digital dermatitis using salicylic acid in European bison () reveals promising results.

Digital dermatitis (DD) associated with the presence of multiple spp. was recently described for the first time in European bison (). DD is characterized by skin inflammation in the distal foot area in various ungulates.

Fatal Diplostomum phoxini infection in captive Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica chicks following ingestion of infected European minnows Phoxinus phoxinus.

Conservation of endangered animal species is a major task of zoos. Husbandry and breeding of Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica in captivity is challenging. In 2019, the entire chick population (n = 4 chicks) in Berne Animal Park's Atlantic puffin colony (Bern, Switzerland) died within 7 d.

Case Report: Proximal Phalangeal Fracture Management in a European Bison ().

Fracture of the digits is a well-known orthopedic condition in adult cattle, and mainly the distal phalanx (P3) is involved. To our knowledge, the treatment of fractures of the middle (P2) and proximal (P1) phalanges with orthopedic claw blocks has not yet been described in cattle and other ruminants. This report describes the first case of the successful management of a P1 fracture in an adult European bison.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF CAPTIVE AND FREE-LIVING EUROPEAN POND TURTLES () IN SWITZERLAND.

The highly endangered European pond turtle () was reintroduced in Switzerland in 2010. Up until 2019, no routine medical examinations have been carried out prior to its release or during recapture events. The aim of this study was to assess the health status of captive and free-living populations in Switzerland, taking into account the most important and frequently occurring health threats to freshwater turtles.

Fatal spirorchiidosis in European pond turtles () in Switzerland.

Infections with intravascular digenean trematodes of the Spirorchiidae family (spirorchiidoses) are of great conservation concern both in marine and freshwater turtles due to their pathogenic potential. Between 2014 and 2021, sp. infections associated with granulomatous inflammation and sudden death were detected in European pond turtles () from three conservation breeding facilities in Switzerland.

Detection of treponemes in digital dermatitis lesions of captive European bison (Bison bonasus).

A newly-discovered foot disease of unknown origin in captive European Bison (Bison bonasus) was recently detected at Berne Animal Park. Dermatitis of the interdigital cleft of varying degrees of severity was diagnosed in all animals (n = 10). The aim of this study was to describe the gross and histological lesions of the interdigital cleft found in 10 captive European bison and to identify involved potential pathogens in affected feet using molecular-based methods for Treponema spp.

EQUINE SARCOIDS IN CAPTIVE WILD EQUIDS: DIAGNOSTIC AND CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF 16 CASES-A POSSIBLE PREDISPOSITION OF THE EUROPEAN COHORT OF SOMALI WILD ASS ()?

Equine sarcoids (ES) were diagnosed in 12 Somali wild asses (SWA) () from 10 different institutions of the SWA European Endangered Species Programme from 1976 to 2019. Samples of surgically excised masses, biopsies, or necropsy samples were submitted for histologic and virologic analysis. In addition, tissue samples from one onager (), one kulan (), and two Hartmann's mountain zebras (HMZ) () were examined.

Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins () in Switzerland.

Avian malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by species which may affect a broad spectrum of bird families worldwide. In most endemic and migratory birds, infections seem not to cause severe harm; however, non-indigenous species kept in human care such as penguins may experience high morbidity and mortality rates. Fatal avian malaria may also occur in other non-native seabirds such as puffins ( spp.

Foot health and prevalence of Dichelobacter nodosus in 11 ungulate species at Berne Animal Park.

Dichelobacter nodosus (D. nodosus) is the etiological agent of ovine footrot affecting mainly sheep worldwide, but also free-ranging wild ungulates such as Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) and mufflon (Ovis orientalis orientalis). A nationwide ovine footrot eradication program is planned for the years to come, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-testing of interdigital swab samples and regular footbathing.

Weigh and see-Body mass recordings versus body condition scoring in European zoo elephants (Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus).

Regular body mass (BM) monitoring plays a key role in preventative health care of zoo animals. In some species, including African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), the process of weighing can be challenging, and alternative methods such as visual body condition scoring (BCS) have been developed. We investigated the temporal development of both parameters regarding correlation patterns between them, and their suitability as monitoring measures in dependence of an elephant's life stage.

Novel encephalomyelitis-associated astrovirus in a muskox (Ovibos moschatus): a surprise from the archives.

Background: The small, single-stranded positive-sense RNA astroviruses are mostly known to be enteric viruses. In recent years, though, different astroviruses were reported in association with neurological disease in various species. In cattle, two distinct neurotropic astrovirus genotype species were described in numerous cases of nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis, with one of these viruses also reported in similar circumstances in several sheep.

ALVEOLAR ECHINOCOCCOSIS IN WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLAS (): ALBENDAZOLE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP PROGRESSION OF THE DISEASE.

is the etiologic agent of alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a severe and potentially fatal larval cestode infection primarily affecting the liver. AE is known to occur in dead-end intermediate hosts, including humans and nonhuman primates. Between 1999 and 2016, AE was diagnosed in seven western lowland gorillas (), all from a Swiss zoo.

Locally-curved geometry generates bending cracks in the African elephant skin.

An intricate network of crevices adorns the skin surface of the African bush elephant, Loxodonta africana. These micrometre-wide channels enhance the effectiveness of thermal regulation (by water retention) as well as protection against parasites and intense solar radiation (by mud adherence). While the adaptive value of these structures is well established, their morphological characterisation and generative mechanism are unknown.

MILK COMPOSITION OF INDIAN RHINOCEROS ( RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS) AND CHANGES OVER LACTATION.

The objective of this study was to determine the major nutrient composition of Indian rhinoceros milk ( Rhinoceros unicornis) over the first 13 mo of an 18-mo lactation period and to compare the results to those of previous studies on rhinoceros, African elephant ( Loxodonta africana), and horse milk ( Equus ferus caballus). The following parameters were measured: dry matter (DM), crude ash (ASH), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), nitrogen-free extract (NFE; calculated), lactose, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), fatty acids (FAs), and gross energy (GE). DM, ASH, CP, and EE were determined with a proximate analysis, lactose with infrared spectroscopy and an enzymatic method, minerals with an autoanalyzer, FA with gas chromatography, and GE with bomb calorimetry.

Detection and Characterization of Okapi (Okapia johnstoni)-specific Papillomavirus type 1 (OjPV1).

Papillomavirus-specific DNA was detected in skin lesions collected from an okapi (Okapia johnstoni) in the Zoo Basel. According to the nucleotide sequence analysis, the virus belongs to the genus Deltapapillomavirus. Based on bioinformatics analysis, we propose to designate the newly identified virus as Okapia johnstoni Papillomavirus type 1 (OjPV1).

THE LYSOSOMAL STORAGE DISEASE GM2 GANGLIOSIDOSIS IN CAPTIVE BANDED MONGOOSE SIBLINGS ( MUNGOS MUNGO).

  This study reports the occurrence of the lysosomal storage disease GM2 gangliosidosis (Sandhoff disease) in two 11-mo-old captive-bred, male and female mongoose siblings ( Mungos mungo). The clinical signs and the pathological findings reported here were similar to those reported in other mammalian species. Light microscopy revealed an accumulation of stored material in neurons and macrophages accompanied by a significant neuronal degeneration (swelling of neuronal soma, loss of Nissl substance, and neuronal loss) and gliosis.

When elephants fall asleep: A literature review on elephant rest with case studies on elephant falling bouts, and practical solutions for zoo elephants.

Little attention has been paid to the resting and sleeping behavior of zoo elephants so far. An important concern is when elephants avoid lying down, due to degenerative joint and foot disease, social structure, or stressful environmental changes. Inability or unwillingness to lie down for resting is an important welfare issue, as it may impair sleep.

Detection of taeniid (Taenia spp., Echinococcus spp.) eggs contaminating vegetables and fruits sold in European markets and the risk for metacestode infections in captive primates.

Due to frequent cases of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in captive primates in Europe, 141 samples of food, which consisting of vegetables and fruits, were investigated for contamination with egg-DNA of taeniids. Each sample consisted of at least 40 heads of lettuce as well as various vegetables and fruits. The samples were purchased at different times of the year: either from September to November (autumn), originating from greenhouses or fields in the Basel region in the North of Switzerland, or in April and May (spring) when fruit and vegetables are sourced from throughout Europe from various wholesalers.

DEVRIESEASIS IN A PLUMED BASILISK (BASILISCUS PLUMIFRONS) AND CHINESE WATER DRAGONS (PHYSIGNATHUS COCINCINUS) IN A ZOOLOGIC COLLECTION.

Devriesea agamarum is a Gram-positive bacterium that was first described in 2008 as a causative agent of disease in lizards. Until today, reports from several countries reported the presence of this bacterium in various lizard species, which suggests a wide distribution among lizard collections. Pathologic lesions ranged from proliferative dermatitis and cheilitis to abscesses in multiple organs and septicemia in single animals, as well as entire groups.