Trace Elements in Hermann's Tortoises () According to Sex, Season, and Sampling Region in Central Europe.

Some trace elements are essential for the health of vertebrates, but little is known about their function, the amounts required, and the factors influencing their metabolism in tortoises. The aim of this study was therefore to measure trace elements (chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn)) in heparinized blood plasma of Hermann's tortoises () ( = 520) from March to September 2022 using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and to establish specific reference intervals. Additionally, the influence of sex, season, and region of sample collection on the measured values were evaluated.

Successful Treatment of an Acinar Pancreatic Carcinoma in an Inland Bearded Dragon (): A Case Report.

An adult, 362 g, male, intact inland bearded dragon () was admitted to a veterinary clinic due to a temporary cloacal prolapse and a two-week history of reduced overall condition and forage intake. Physical examination revealed an approximately 2 × 1 cm round-shaped, rigid intracoelomic tissue mass. Multiple sand deposits were present on the cloacal mucous membranes, though no signs of cloacal prolapse were present.

Validation of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites as Non-Invasive Markers for Monitoring Stress in Common Buzzards ().

For wild animals, being in captivity in wildlife centers can cause considerable stress. Therefore, it is necessary to establish and validate non-invasive tools to measure chronic stress during rehabilitation. Eight Common Buzzards which lived in permanent husbandry were placed individually into prepared aviaries and their feces were collected before, during and after a stress event for biological validation over a period of seven days.

Human-Wildlife Interaction-A Social Survey.

With the results of a survey presented in this paper, we provide insight into public attitudes towards dealing with wildlife. Based on 1569 data sets derived from participating stakeholders, we inquired about the individual experience the participants had made with wild animals, and asked about their personal engagement, attitude towards management, and emotions involved and tried to evaluate basic contextual knowledge. As a result, we discovered a positive effect showing that a strong opinion about dealing with wildlife is associated with increasing contextual knowledge.

Concurrent Detection of a Papillomatous Lesion and Sequence Reads Corresponding to a Member of the Family in a Bell's Hinge-Back Tortoise ().

An adult male Bell's hinge-back tortoise () was admitted to a veterinary clinic due to a swelling in the oral cavity. Physical examination revealed an approximately 2.5 × 1.

in reptiles: a review of occurrence, interactions, shedding and risk factors for human infections.

are considered a part of the normal reptile gut microbiota, but have also been associated with disease in reptiles. Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) can pose a serious health threat to humans, especially children, and an estimated 6% of human sporadic salmonellosis cases have been attributed to direct or indirect contact with reptiles, although the exact number is not known. Two literature searches were conducted for this review.

The Role of Host Species in Experimental Ferlavirus Infection: Comparison of a Single Strain in Ball Pythons () and Corn Snakes ().

Ferlaviruses are a cause of respiratory disease in snakes. Four genogroups (A, B, C, and tortoise) have been described. Disease development is believed to depend on virus, host, and environment-specific factors.

Radiation Dose Reduction in Different Digital Radiography Systems: Impact on Assessment of Defined Bony Structures in Bearded Dragons ().

Three different digital detector systems were used to study the effect of a defined radiation dose reduction on the image quality of digital radiographs in bearded dragons (). A series of radiographs of seven bearded-dragon cadavers with a body mass ranging from 132 g to 499 g were taken in dorsoventral projection. The digital systems employed included two computed radiography systems (CR) (one system with a needle-based and one with a powdered-based scintillator) and one direct radiography system (DR).

Urothelial carcinoma in a Russian tortoise (Testudohorsfieldii).

An adult female Russian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) was admitted to a veterinary clinic with a 1-week history of anorexia and lethargy. Physical examination revealed significant dehydration and generalized dysecdysis. Blood parameters were all within species-reported limits.

Evaluation of diagnostic criteria in grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) with suspected atherosclerosis.

Objective:  Atherosclerosis is a common disease in older psittacines living in captivity with inadequate housing conditions. However, diagnosis in the living bird remains difficult and the disease is often only recognized during post mortem examination. In this context, we aimed at investigating the diagnostic value of currently reported methods in African grey parrots ().

Comparative Assessment of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Spider Morph and Wild Type Ball Pythons (Python regius) for Evaluation of the Morphological Correlate of Wobble Syndrome.

There is general awareness of artificial selection and its potential implications on the health and welfare of animals. Despite growing popularity and increasing numbers of reptile breeds of atypical colour and pattern variants, only a few studies have investigated the appearance and causes of diseases associated with colour morphs. Ball pythons (Python regius) are among the most frequently bred reptiles and breeders have selected for a multitude of different colour and pattern morphs.

Malformations of the sacculus and the semicircular canals in spider morph pythons.

Spider morph ball pythons are a frequently-bred designer morph with striking alterations of the skin color pattern. We created high-resolution μCT-image series through the otic region of the skulls, used 3D-reconstruction software for rendering anatomical models, and compared the anatomy of the semicircular ducts, sacculus and ampullae of wildtype Python regius (ball python) with spider morph snakes. All spider morph snakes showed the wobble condition (i.

A Spectral Computed Tomography Contrast Study: Demonstration of the Avian Cardiovascular Anatomy and Function.

As part of the cardiovascular examination, all birds underwent clinical and echocardiographic examinations. Radiographs and blood samples were taken. Each bird was premedicated with midazolam and medetomidin and anesthetized with inhalation anesthesia using isoflurane.

Diagnostics of Infectious Respiratory Pathogens in Reptiles.

Methods for the detection of pathogens associated with respiratory disease in reptiles, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, are constantly evolving as is the understanding of the specific roles played by various pathogens in disease processes. Some are known to be primary pathogens with high prevalence in captive reptiles, for example, serpentoviruses in pythons or mycoplasma in tortoises. Others are very commonly found in reptiles with respiratory disease but are most often considered secondary, for example, gram-negative bacteria.

Use of electron irradiation versus formaldehyde fumigation as hatching egg disinfectants - efficacy and impact on hatchability and broiler performance.

Objective: The use of low-energy electron irradiation for hatching egg disinfection was compared to formaldehyde fumigation.

Material And Methods: To assess the efficacy, eggshells were examined for bacteria before and after disinfection. During incubation, hatching and fattening of 1400 Ross 308 broilers per group candling data, hatching rate, mortality rate and body mass development were recorded to evaluate the impact on health and performance.

Influence of Salmonella specific bacteriophages (O1; S16) on the shedding of naturally occurring Salmonella and an orally applied Salmonella Eastbourne strain in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps).

This study determined the passage time and phage propagation time of salmonella specific phages, Felix O1 and S16, in 10 bearded dragons, based on re-isolation from cloacal swabs and faecal samples following oral administration, as a possible tool for reducing salmonella shedding. In Study 1, Felix O1 was administered orally for 12 consecutive days. Over 60 days, swabs were taken from the oral cavity and cloaca and qualitative Salmonella detection as well as salmonella quantification from faecal samples were performed.

Challenges in microbiological identification of aerobic bacteria isolated from the skin of reptiles.

Introduction: Bacterial pathogens are often involved in dermatitis in reptiles. Exact identification of reptile-specific but otherwise uncommon bacterial species may be challenging. However, identification is crucial to evaluate the importance of the detected bacterial species.

Preliminary study: Health and performance assessment in broiler chicks following application of six different hatching egg disinfection protocols.

As part of a Germany-wide project that evaluates strategies for the reduction of multi-resistant bacteria along the poultry production chain, the impact of different hatching egg disinfectants on hatchability and health of the broiler chicks was evaluated. Animal trials were conducted with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL) producing Escherichia (E.) coli contaminated hatching eggs and six disinfection protocols that used formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, low-energy electron irradiation, peracetic acid and an essential oil preparation.

Reproductive tract diseases in female backyard chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) - diagnostic imaging and final outcome during a decade.

Objective: Female reproductive tract disorders are common conditions of backyard poultry with an increasing demand for individual veterinary care. However, only limited case reports are available on diagnostic workup and outcomes of individual cases. This study aims at giving an overview of usually presented reproductive tract disorders, comparing diagnostic imaging findings with final diagnoses, and summarizing the outcome of the respective diseases.

[Aerobic bacteria from skin lesions in reptiles and their antimicrobial susceptibility].

Objective: Bacterial skin infections are common in reptiles. Although many such infections are influenced by multifactorial problems, specific treatment of bacterial infections is an important consideration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the range of aerobic bacteria in skin lesions of reptiles and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility.

The use of a salmonella bacteriophage in bearded dragons: application, passage time and reisolation.

Objective: This study determined the passage time and phage propagation time of a salmonella specific phage, Felix O1, in bearded dragons, based on reisolation from cloacal swabs and faecal samples following oral administration, as a possible tool for reducing the zoonotic risk of salmonella from pet reptiles. An application scheme for this phage in bearded dragons was developed.

Material And Methods: Ten healthy bearded dragons () were used in the study.

Comparison of three different PCR protocols for the detection of ferlaviruses.

Background: Ferlaviruses are important pathogens in snakes often associated with respiratory and neurological disease. The detection of ferlaviral RNA by PCR is considered to be the most reliable method for the diagnosis of infection. The PCRs that have been used most commonly for this purpose have not been properly assessed to determine their sensitivity, specificity and ability to detect the known genetic diversity of this group of viruses.

Needle-based storage-phosphor detector radiography is superior to a conventional powder-based storage phosphor detector and a high-resolution screen-film system in small patients (budgerigars and mice).

This method comparison study used radiographs of 20 mice and 20 budgerigars to investigate comparability between computed radiography (CR) and high-resolution screen-film systems and study the effects of reduced radiation doses on image quality of digital radiographs of small patients. Exposure settings used with the mammography screen-film system (SF) were taken as baseline settings. A powder-based storage-phosphor system (CR) and a needle-based storage-phosphor system (CR) were used with the same settings (D/100%) and half the detector dose (D/50%).