INTESTINAL TYMPANY AND VOLVULUS IN CENTRAL AMERICAN RIVER TURTLES ().

Ten cases of small intestinal tympany with or without volvulus were documented in Central American river turtles (). These turtles were under managed care at the Philadelphia Zoo in Philadelphia, PA, USA, with one case followed after transfer to a different institution. The primary clinical presentation was abnormal buoyancy in nearly all cases (9/10) and anorexia in two cases (2/10).

Comparing different strategies to reduce hepatocellular damage in obese common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

Background: Obesity in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) can lead to various liver pathologies. In other species, reduced caloric intake and weight loss improve prognosis, and, often, hepatoprotectants are used to halt or reverse hepatocellular damage from fat deposition in the liver. There are no published therapies for reducing hepatocellular damage in obese marmosets.

RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF UROLITHIASIS-RELATED MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN ASIAN COLOBINE MONKEYS.

Obstructive and incidental urolithiasis cases were evaluated in 5 Asian colobine monkey species (= 21 individuals) that included 12 silvery langurs (), 6 spectacled langurs (), 1 Javan langur (), 1 François' langur (), and 1 red-shanked douc langur () from eight zoologic institutions. All institutions that responded were Association of Zoos and Aquariums, European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, or World Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited. Males were more commonly represented in the total number of cases (86%), and all cases of obstructive urolithiasis occurred in males.

Metastatic Mixed Germ Cell Tumour with Embryonal Carcinoma and Choriocarcinoma in a Female Eurasian Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus).

Mixed germ cell tumours occur rarely in veterinary species. This report describes a case of metastatic mixed germ cell tumour in a female Eurasian harvest mouse (Micromys minutus). The tumour was extensive in one ovary and the uterus, and was characterized by two distinct tumour cell populations with features typical of embryonal carcinoma (EC) and choriocarcinoma (CC).

Atypical fatal sarcocystosis associated with Sarcocystis neurona in a White-nosed coati (Nasua narica molaris).

The protozoan parasite Sarcocystis neurona is an important cause of disease in horses (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, EPM) and marine mammals. Isolated reports of clinical EPM-like disease have been documented in a zebra, raccoon, domestic cat, domestic dog, ferret, skunk, mink, lynx, red panda and fisher. The predominant disease is encephalomyelitis associated with schizonts in neural tissues.

Fatal Envenomation of a Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) From Eastern Yellow Jacket Wasps (Vespula maculifrons).

A 37-year-old, female Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) presented with severe facial angioedema, bilateral corneal and palpebral edema, nictitating membrane paralysis, bradycardia, bradypnea, hypothermia, and numerous stingers and remnants of eastern yellow jacket wasps (Vespula maculifrons) attached to the feathers of the head, palpebrae, and conjunctiva. Evaluation of 2 complete blood cell counts and results of plasma chemical analysis and serum protein electrophoresis revealed severe increases in creatinine phosphokinase and aspartate aminotransferase activity, electrolyte disturbances, and moderate increases in levels of α1, α2, β1, and γ immunoglobulins when compared with reference interval values and conspecifics. Despite intensive treatment, the bird died 19 hours after presentation.

Severe laminitis in multiple zoo species.

A 10-year record review from a zoological institution in the western USA identified four cases of severe laminitis resulting in rotation and protrusion of the third phalanx through the sole. Laminitis is reported in a Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi), a Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana), a greater Malayan chevrotain (Tragulus napu) and a giant eland (Taurotragus derbianus). This is the first report of severe laminitis with pedal bone rotation and protrusion in multiple species of non-domestic hoofstock, and the first report of this disease in three of these species (takin, chevrotain, and giant eland).

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in aquatic caecilians (Typhlonectes natans): a series of cases from two institutions.

Infection with the fungal organism Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis was documented in two captive populations of aquatic caecilians (Typhlonectes natans), including 24 confiscated animals at the Bronx Zoo's Wildlife Health Center and two captive-born animals at the Phoenix Zoo. The animals at the Bronx Zoo were asymptomatic, and infection was discovered during quarantine polymerase chain reaction screening. Both animals at the Phoenix Zoo were clinically ill, and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection was confirmed in both animals, but it is unclear what role, if any, the infection played in the animals' clinical signs.

Surgical removal of a thymoma in a burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia).

A 12-year-old male burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) was presented for evaluation of a mass in the right cervical region. A thymoma was diagnosed after surgical resection and histopathologic evaluation. Extensive adherence of the thymoma to the esophagus and suspected invasion into the right jugular vein contributed to a poor postsurgical outcome.

Dermatitis in captive Wyoming toads (Bufo baxteri) associated with Fusarium spp.

From May 2007 to June 2008, 30 of 49 Wyoming toads (Bufo baxteri) kept at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo (Nebraska, USA) died showing clinical signs of ventral erythema, inappetance, lethargy, and delayed righting reflex. Treatment with antifungals and antibiotics was unsuccessful in all cases. Histopathologic analyses revealed dermatitis as the primary problem in 20 of 21 toads in which skin was examined.

Pituitary cystadenoma, enterolipidosis, and cutaneous mycosis in an Everglades ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta rossalleni).

An 11-yr-old captive-born male Everglades ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta rosalleni) presented with dysecdysis, hyperkeratosis, and inappetance. Two skin biopsies demonstrated a diffuse hyperkeratosis with both a bacterial and fungal epidermitis. Fusarium oxysporum was cultured from both biopsies and considered an opportunistic infection rather than a primary pathogen.

Scoliosis in a tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) associated with encysted digenetic trematodes of the genus Clinostomum.

A group of 202 tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) was brought into captivity due to habitat destruction. Half of these animals died, over two mo, showing generalized hemorrhages compatible with an infectious disease, but an etiologic agent was not determined. Encysted metacercarial stages of trematodes within the skeletal musculature, coelomic cavity, and subcutaneous space were additional necropsy findings.

Oropharyngeal teratoma in a neonatal sable antelope (Hippotragus niger).

A neonatal male sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) was found dead. A 5 by 12-cm lobulated mass was present in the oral cavity, attached to the caudal border of the soft palate; this mass contained hair, cartilage, bone, nervous tissue, muscle, and multiple gland-like structures. Histopathologic diagnosis was consistent with oropharyngeal teratoma.

Iron storage disease in tapirs.

Recent studies of serum iron and iron binding capacity have indicated that tapirs could be at risk of developing hemochromatosis. However, in recent surveys of pathologic findings in tapirs, hemochromatosis was not reported as a cause of death. This study reviews necropsy reports from three species of tapir (Baird's tapir [Tapirus bairdii], Malayan tapir [Tapirus indicus], and Brazilian tapir [Tapirus terrestris]) at the Philadelphia Zoological Garden between 1902 and 1994.

Reptile neoplasia at the Philadelphia Zoological Garden, 1901-2002.

A retrospective study of neoplasia in reptiles held at the Philadelphia Zoological Garden was conducted. A total of 3,684 original necropsy reports for the period 1901-2002 were reviewed and revealed 86 cases of neoplasia. Original glass slides or re-cuts from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were examined for confirmation of the original diagnosis.