Differential Progression of Lymphoma in Two Captive Steller's Eiders ().

This report details 2 different presentations of lymphoma in captive Steller's eiders (). A female Steller's eider, at least 10 years old, developed lameness and lethargy. A complete blood cell count (CBC) revealed a severely elevated total white blood cell (WBC) count with a lymphocytosis.

Complete genome sequence of a novel sea otterpox virus.

Members of the Poxviridae family are large, double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm of their host cells. The subfamily Chordopoxvirinae contains viruses that infect a wide range of vertebrates including marine mammals within the Balaenidae, Delphinidae, Mustelidae, Odobenidae, Otariidae, Phocidae, and Phocoenidae families. Recently, a novel poxvirus was found in a northern sea otter pup (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) that stranded in Alaska in 2009.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in six harbor seals (Phoca vitulina spp.).

Six cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were identified in six captive adult Pacific (Phoca vitulina richardsii; n = 2) and Atlantic (Phoca vitulina concolor; n = 4) harbor seals. These seals presented with intermittent dysphagia, regurgitation, inappetence, and abnormal posturing. Common clinical pathology findings in these seals included azotemia, hyperproteinemia, hyperglobulinemia, and leukocytosis.

Novel poxvirus infection in northern and southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni and Enhydra lutris neiris), Alaska and California, USA.

Small superficially ulcerated skin lesions were observed between October 2009 and September 2011 during captive care of two orphaned sea otter pups: one northern (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Alaska and one southern (Enhydra lutris nereis) in California. Inclusions consistent with poxviral infection were diagnosed by histopathology in both cases. Virions consistent with poxvirus virions were seen on electron microscopy in the northern sea otter, and the virus was successfully propagated in cell culture.

Genotypic characterization of Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli isolates from sea otters with infective endocarditis and/or septicemia and from environmental mussel samples.

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to type 128 Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli isolates from sea otters and mussels. Six SmaI PFGE groups were detected, with one predominant group representing 57% of the isolates collected over a wide geographic region.

Vitamin A deficiency and hepatic retinol levels in sea otters, Enhydra lutris.

Vitamin A deficiency has rarely been reported in captive or free-ranging wildlife species. Necropsy findings in two captively housed southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) included irregular thickening of the calvaria characterized by diffuse hyperostoses on the internal surface. One animal also had moderate squamous metaplasia of the seromucinous glands of the nose.

Chemical immobilization of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) by ketamine/midazolam combination.

Objective: To provide reliable, effective immobilization for Weddell seals under extreme field conditions using an injectable ketamine/midazolam combination.

Study Design: Observational study.

Animals: Thirty adult Weddell seals (12 male, 18 female) in Erebus Bay, Antarctica, body mass (mean +/- SD) 412 +/- 47 kg, aged 9-27 years.

Effects of ACTH, capture, and short term confinement on glucocorticoid concentrations in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus).

Little is known about baseline concentrations of adrenal hormones and hormonal responses to stress in sea ducks, although significant population declines documented in several species suggest that sea ducks are exposed to increased levels of environmental stress. Such declines have been observed in geographically distinct harlequin duck populations. We performed an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge to evaluate adrenal function and characterize corticosterone concentrations in captive harlequin ducks and investigated the effects of capture, surgery, and short term confinement on corticosterone concentrations in wild harlequin ducks.

Assessment of ultrasound imaging as a noninvasive measure of blubber thickness in pinnipeds.

Portable ultrasound imaging was examined as a noninvasive measure of skin including blubber thickness in captive subadult Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and adult harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). This method was validated through comparison with blubber biopsy. Ultrasound images provided depth measurements that were accurate to 99.