SPINAL NEMATODIASIS IN A LINED FLAT-TAIL GECKO ().

A 5-y-old female lined flat-tail gecko () presented for acute onset of lethargy and paraplegia and was subsequently euthanized. Histologic examination of the spinal cord revealed a verminous myelitis comprising moderate, multifocal, necrotizing myelitis with intramedullary adult and larval nematodes. Molecular data and morphology indicate a cosmocercid nematode, most likely of the genus , a diverse taxon reported to parasitize reptiles, amphibians, and teleost fish.

USE OF INTRACARPAL INTERLEUKIN RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST PROTEIN (IRAP) AND HYALURONIC ACID IN A MULTIMODAL THERAPEUTIC REGIME FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS IN AN ASIAN ELEPHANT ().

An approximately 41-yr-old female Asian elephant ( experiencing forelimb stiffness and decreased range of motion was diagnosed with bilateral carpal osteoarthritis (OA). Standing sedation combined with local anesthesia was used to deliver ultrasound-guided carpal articular injections of an autologous conditioned serum product, interleukin receptor antagonist protein, combined with hyaluronic acid. Within 2 mo of completing therapy, improved range and speed of motion were evident.

REVIEW OF ANESTHETIC PROTOCOLS IN ANDEAN BEARS (), SLOTH BEARS (), AND GIANT PANDAS () AT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK, 1995-2016.

A review of anesthetic procedures used in Andean bears (), sloth bears (), and giant pandas () housed at the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park (NZP) from 1995 to 2016 was performed. A total of 146 anesthetic procedures (55 procedures on 12 Andean bears, 38 procedures on nine sloth bears, and 53 procedures on five giant pandas) occurred at NZP during this time frame. Induction protocols involved some combination of ketamine (K; = 121), tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ; = 91), medetomidine (M; = 67), xylazine (X; = 42), midazolam (Mid; = 9), and butorphanol (B; = 1).

COMPARISON OF ISOFLURANE GAS VERSUS A GUAIFENESIN, KETAMINE, AND MEDETOMIDINE CONSTANT-RATE INFUSION FOR MAINTENANCE ANESTHESIA IN AMERICAN BLACK BEARS ().

Published anesthetic protocols for captive and free-ranging bears are limited to injectable inductions with maintenance via inhalants or additional injectable boluses. Though common in other species, intravenous (IV) continuous-rate infusions (CRI) using guaifenesin combinations have not been evaluated in ursids. This study evaluated the use of a CRI compared to an inhalant for maintenance anesthesia.

BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS IN A CAPTIVE COLLECTION OF GREEN SALAMANDERS ( ANEIDES AENEUS), LONG-TAILED SALAMANDERS ( EURYCEA LONGICAUDA), AND TWO-LINED SALAMANDERS ( EURYCEA BISLINEATA).

  A chytridiomycosis outbreak from Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd) in a mixed-species plethodontid salamander exhibit resulted in four green salamander ( Aneides aeneus) deaths. One green salamander died before treatment, and three died during treatment with daily 0.005% itraconazole baths.

PHARMACOKINETICS OF A SINGLE DOSE OF METRONIDAZOLE AFTER RECTAL ADMINISTRATION IN CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS).

Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antibacterial and antiprotozoal drug with bacteriocidal activity against a broad range of anaerobic bacteria. It is a recognized treatment for elephants diagnosed with anaerobic bacterial infection or protozoal disease or exhibiting signs of colonic impaction, diarrhea, and colic. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of rectally administered metronidazole (15 mg/kg) in five adult female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).

Evaluation of captive gibbons (Hylobates spp., Nomascus spp., Symphalangus spp.) in North American Zoological Institutions for Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus (GALV).

This study evaluated 79 captive gibbons (Hylobates, Nomascus, and Symphalangus spp.) within 30 North American zoological institutions for evidence of exposure to and possible infection with gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) on gibbon serum samples revealed the presence of antibodies against GALV antigens in 28% of animals, indicating previous exposure or possibly protective immunity to GALV.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in captive slender tailed meerkats (Suricata suricatta): 5 cases.

Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed in five slender tailed meerkats (Suricata suricatta) housed at the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park between 1980 and 2013. Animals included four females and one male, ranging from 7 to 15 yr of age. Common clinical signs included weight loss and lethargy.

Blood mineral concentrations in manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris and Trichechus manatus manatus).

Limited information is available regarding the role of minerals and heavy metals in the morbidity and mortality of manatees. Whole-blood and serum mineral concentrations were evaluated in apparently healthy, free-ranging Florida (Trichechus manatus latirostris, n = 31) and Belize (Trichechus manatus manatus, n = 14) manatees. Toxicologic statuses of the animals and of their environment had not been previously determined.

Proximate nutrient analyses of four species of submerged aquatic vegetation consumed by Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) compared to romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia).

Free-ranging Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) consume a variety of sea grasses and algae. This study compared the dry matter (DM) content, proximate nutrients (crude protein [CP], ether-extracted crude fat [EE], nonfiber carbohydrate [NFC], and ash), and the calculated digestible energy (DE) of sea grasses (Thalassia testudinum, Halodule wrightii, and Syringodium filiforme) collected in spring, summer, and winter, and an alga (Chara sp.) with those of romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa var.

Cardiac evaluation of clinically healthy captive maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus).

The objective of this project was to determine radiographic vertebral heart sizes and electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic measurements in healthy anesthetized maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus). The wolves, housed at the White Oak Conservation and Smithsonian National Zoo Conservation and Research Centers, were being anesthetized for annual examinations. Cardiac auscultation, thoracic radiographs, a standard 6-lead ECG, and echocardiography were performed on the wolves while they were under general anesthesia.

Chronic obstipation in a leopard (Panthera pardus) caused by intrapelvic uterine leiomyoma compression of the distal colon.

A 6-yr-old female leopard (Panthera pardus) was evaluated for a history of chronic obstipation of 4-mo duration. Radiographic, ultrasonographic, and computed tomographic evaluation revealed an intrapelvic mass that was compressing the distal colon. Because of the difficulties of postsurgical management of this animal, the owner requested euthanasia.