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).

Operative Vaginal Birth of a Critically Endangered Gorilla With Forceps Assistance.

Background: An obstetrician on standby assessed an 18-year-old primiparous captive gorilla with a term singleton fetus with a protracted labor course.

Case: After it was determined that an arrest of descent had occurred, a viable, 2,280 g male neonate was delivered through an operative vaginal birth with forceps assistance without major complications.

Conclusion: Given the numerous anatomic and biochemical similarities of humans and other great apes, it is possible that the high maternal mortality and stillbirth rates of gorillas could be reduced by using the same principles of obstetric management in a multidisciplinary fashion.

Reversible immobilization of giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) using medetomidine-ketamine and atipamezole.

This communication reports a partially reversible chemical immobilization protocol used for translocation and veterinary care in giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis; GO). Six GOs (three males and three females) weighing 24.8 +/- 4.

Tracheostomy in the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla).

Anesthesia in the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) may be complicated by apnea. Although emergent orotracheal intubation may be possible in other species, the particular anatomy of the anteater prevents a smooth intubation. A technique, developed on a cadaver model, is described for a surgical approach to the trachea of the giant anteater that may be used to secure an airway in an anesthetized animal under emergent conditions.