Differential coagulotoxic and neurotoxic venom activity from species of the arboreal viperid snake genus Bothriechis (palm-pitvipers).

The viperid snake genus Bothriechis consists of eleven species distributed among Central and South America, living across low and high-altitude habitats. Despite Bothriechis envenomations being prominent across the Central and South American region, the functional effects of Bothriechis venoms are poorly understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the coagulotoxic and neurotoxic activities of Bothriechis venoms to fill this knowledge gap.

Evidence for Resistance to Coagulotoxic Effects of Australian Elapid Snake Venoms by Sympatric Prey (Blue Tongue Skinks) but Not by Predators (Monitor Lizards).

Some Australian elapids possess potently procoagulant coagulotoxic venoms which activate the zymogen prothrombin into the functional enzyme thrombin. Although the activity of Australian elapid prothrombin-activators has been heavily investigated with respect to the mammalian, and in particular, human clotting cascades, very few studies have investigated the activity of their venom upon reptile plasmas. This is despite lizards representing both the primary diet of most Australian elapids and also representing natural predators.

Recommended Health Care and Disease-Prevention Programs for Herds/Flocks of Exotic Animals.

Preventative health care is an essential part of the ownership and veterinary management of exotic animals. This article provides an overview of the current recommendations for health care and disease-prevention programs for herds or flocks of exotic animals, specifically companion and aviary birds, backyard poultry; snakes, lizards, chelonians, and amphibians; rabbits, ferrets, and common exotic small mammals. Husbandry practices, disease screening suggestions and techniques, and vaccination strategies, where appropriate, are reviewed.

MICROSPORIDIA-ASSOCIATED GRANULOMATOUS DISEASE IN TWO AUSTRALIAN COLLECTIONS OF CAPTIVE INLAND BEARDED DRAGONS ().

Microsporidia are obligate, intracellular fungi. In reptiles, they are most commonly reported in squamates. We report the first detection of microsporidiosis in inland bearded dragons () from Australia, and for the first time, mixed infections of microsporidium and adenovirus in asymptomatic inland bearded dragons.

Pets in peril: The relative susceptibility of cats and dogs to procoagulant snake venoms.

Snakebite is a common occurrence for pet cats and dogs worldwide and can be fatal. In Australia the eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) is responsible for an estimated 76% of reported snakebite cases to domestic pets nationally each year, with the primary pathology being venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy. While only 31% of dogs survive P.