Penciclovir pharmacokinetics after oral and rectal administration of famciclovir in African elephants (Loxodonta africana) shows that effective concentrations can be achieved from rectal administration, despite lower absorption.

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of famciclovir and its metabolite penciclovir following a single dose administered orally and rectally in African elephants (Loxodonta africana).

Animals: 15 African elephants (6 males and 9 females) of various ages.

Methods: Famciclovir (15 mg/kg) was administered orally or per rectum once, with at least a three-week washout period between administrations.

COMPARISON OF SUBCUTANEOUS ALFAXALONE AND SUBCUTANEOUS ALFAXALONE-DEXMEDETOMIDINE FOR SEDATION IN THE HOUSTON TOAD ().

The Houston toad (), a primarily terrestrial amphibian of south-central Texas, has been listed as federally endangered since 1970. Sedation is an important tool for obtaining diagnostics and providing treatment in this species. This prospective, randomized, and blinded study compared the sedative effects of SC alfaxalone (Protocol A) at approximately 12 mg/kg (median [range] = 12.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF PAINTED TURTLES (CHRYSEMYS PICTA) IN A RESTORED WETLAND HABITAT IN NORTHWESTERN INDIANA, USA.

Freshwater turtles are sensitive to environmental changes and can serve as sentinel species for ecosystem health assessments. The Efroymson Restoration at Kankakee Sands in northwestern Indiana, USA has been restored in the past 25 yr from primarily agricultural land to a mosaic of prairie and wetland habitats. Health assessments of 40 free-ranging painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) at Kankakee Sands were performed in May 2021 to evaluate overall health status, screen for infectious diseases, and obtain baseline clinical pathology values in this population.

CAUSES OF MORTALITY AND COMORBIDITIES IN CAIMAN LIZARDS () AT SIX ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS.

An understanding of the main causes of mortality in caiman lizards () under managed care is imperative to promote optimal husbandry, health, and welfare. A retrospective review of morbidity and mortality in caiman lizards from North American zoological institutions between 2005 and 2020 was conducted. Postmortem data, including gross necropsy and histopathology findings, were available for 32 caiman lizards ( = 12 subadults, = 20 adults) from six zoological institutions.

BASELINE HEMATOLOGIC AND BIOCHEMICAL VALUES AND CORRELATIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS IN MANAGED JAPANESE SPIDER CRABS ().

Although the evaluation of hematologic and biochemical parameters is a well-established diagnostic tool in vertebrate medicine, comprehensive understanding of these parameters in invertebrate species is lacking. This study provides baseline hemocyte concentrations and biochemistry values for a population of managed Japanese spider crabs (JSC; ) housed at six different public aquariums. The methodology for obtaining diagnostic hemolymph samples is described.

Comparison of Dilution on Eastern Box Turtle () and Marine Toad ) Blood Parameters as Measured on a Portable Chemistry Analyzer.

Biochemical testing is an important clinical tool in evaluating the physiology of reptiles and amphibians. Suitable point of care analyzers can allow for rapid delivery of results, but small patient size can inhibit sufficient sample collection. This study evaluated the utility of sample dilution with sterile distilled water as a means of biochemical evaluation when sample volume is limited.

Population pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in clinically diseased or injured Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta), and river cooters (Pseudemys concinna).

Enrofloxacin is frequently administered to turtles in wildlife clinics during rehabilitation due to its wide spectrum of antibacterial activity and availability of injectable formulations. However, sufficient pharmacokinetic data to guide dosing are lacking. The objective of this study was to determine pharmacokinetic parameters of enrofloxacin and its active metabolite, ciprofloxacin, in chelonians presenting injured to a wildlife clinic.

Biochemistry and hematology parameters of the San Cristóbal Galápagos tortoise ().

As part of a planned introduction of captive Galapagos tortoises () to the San Cristóbal highland farms, our veterinary team performed thorough physical examinations and health assessments of 32 tortoises. Blood samples were collected for packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), white blood cell count (WBC) differential, estimated WBC and a biochemistry panel including lactate. In some cases not all of the values were obtainable but most of the tortoises have full complements of results.