Detection of Ophidiomyces and Nannizziopsis spp. in the dermal lesions of free-roaming native snakes in Taiwan.

Chrysosporium-related fungi refers to an assemblage of fungi belonging to the Nannizziopsis, Ophidiomyces, and Paranannizziopsis genera. Chrysosporium-related fungi infection results in various skin lesions, such as necrosis and ulcers, in both captive and free-roaming reptiles. To update the prevalence of ophidiomycosis in Taiwan, which was first detected in 2019, we conducted a large-scale ecological survey of free-roaming native snakes with skin lesions in Taiwan.

Synovial fluid analysis in healthy green turtles Chelonia mydas in Taiwan.

Septic arthritis is a frustrating disease in sea turtle rehabilitation because of its unclear pathogenesis, delayed onset during rehabilitation, long-term treatment requirements, and potentially poor prognosis. Radiography, blood cultures, and arthrocentesis have been used as diagnostic tools for suspected cases. However, there is currently a lack of data on the characteristics of synovial fluid in healthy sea turtles.

Hematological and plasma profiles and ticks and tick-borne pathogens in wild Formosan black bears (Ursus thibetanus formosanus).

Background: The endangered Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) is the largest native carnivorous mammal in Taiwan. Diseases, poor management, illegal hunting, and habitat destruction are serious threats to the survival of bear populations. However, studies on the impact of diseases on bear populations are limited.

Feasibility and Validity of Postural Reaction Tests in the Neurological Examination in Healthy Rabbits.

Neurological examination remains a fundamental step in the care of patients with neurological disorders. However, studies evaluating the feasibility and validity of neurological examination in rabbits are limited. In this study, postural reaction tests or methods commonly performed in dogs and cats were evaluated in clinically healthy rabbits, and we aimed to postulate a simplified examination list according to the results.

Effect of different injection rates and doses of contrast medium on the image quality of computed tomographic angiography in African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus).

Background: Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disease in parrots but the antemortem diagnosis is challenging. In human medicine, computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been used widely for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. By adjusting the injection rate and total dose of contrast medium, the image quality can be improved.

A Novel Application of 3D Printing Technology Facilitating Shell Wound Healing of Freshwater Turtle.

Numerous cases and a shortage of resources usually limit wild animal rescue. New technology might save these severely injured wild animals from euthanasia by easing the requirement of intensive medication. Three-dimensional (3D) technologies provide precise and accurate results that improve the quality of medical applications.

Relationship Between Arterial and Intraosseous Pressure in African Grey Parrots ().

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between arterial pressure and intraosseous (IO) pressure obtained by conventional IO needle in African grey parrots (). Twelve healthy African grey parrots with mean body weight 465.25 g were anesthetized in an induction chamber with 5% isoflurane and 100% oxygen, followed by intubation and connection to a pressure-limited intermittent-flow ventilator.

Disseminated Fungal Infection and Fungemia Caused by in a Captive Plumed Basilisk ().

spp. are heavily arthroconidiating fungi and widely distributed in nature. Due to the similar fungal morphology, confusion among spp.

Disseminated Candidiasis and Candidemia Caused by in a Green Sea Turtle ().

A sub-adult green sea turtle () was rescued and treated for carapace and plastron shell fractures. The turtle was kept dry-docked for the first 2 months with a placement of a long-term jugular central venous catheter (CVC). Pain management, aggressive antibiotic and anthelmintic therapy, fluid therapy, force feeding, and wound debridement were provided to manage the shell fractures and control bacteremia.

Dynamic changes in mitochondrial 3D structure during folliculogenesis and luteal formation in the goat large luteal cell lineage.

In mammalian ovaries, mitochondria are integral sites of energy production and steroidogenesis. While shifts in cellular activities and steroidogenesis are well characterized during the differentiation of large luteal cells in folliculogenesis and luteal formation, mitochondrial dynamics during this process have not been previously evaluated. In this study, we collected ovaries containing primordial follicles, mature follicles, corpus hemorrhagicum, or corpus luteum from goats at specific times in the estrous cycle.

ENDOPARASITES OF FORMOSAN BLACK BEARS (URSUS THIBETANUS FORMOSANUS) DURING ACORN SEASON IN YUSHAN NATIONAL PARK, TAIWAN.

Parasite infection is one of the most important factors in wildlife conservation. However, fecal parasite profiles of threatened Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are only sporadically reported, and the effect of parasitic diseases on the survival of the locally endangered Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus) in Taiwan remains undetermined. The study objective was to investigate the gastrointestinal parasite profiles of Formosan black bears in Yushan National Park, the only known high-density habitat for the species in Taiwan.

Infection with Nannizziopsis guarroi and Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in reptiles in Taiwan.

Fungal infection is an emerging threat to reptiles. The main pathogens are fungi of the genera Nannizziopsis, Paranannizziopsis and Ophidiomyces. The clinical symptoms range from mild skin lesions to the dissemination of internal organs and even death.

Light Microscopic and Ultrastructural Characteristics of Heterophil Toxicity and Left-shifting in Green Sea Turtles () from Taiwan.

Heterophil toxic change (TC) and left-shifting (LS) are widely used as indicators of accelerated granulopoiesis. However, the ultrastructure of heterophil TC and LS in sea turtles remain poorly understood. This study aimed to describe the ultrastructural characteristics of sea turtle TC and LS heterophils, compare the staining quality of accessible staining methods, and provide a better understanding of the clinical applications and limitations of heterophil TC and LS examinations.

Connectivity between nidopallium caudolateral and visual pathways in color perception of zebra finches.

Researchers demonstrated an elegant ability for red discrimination in zebra finches. It is interested to understand whether red activates exhibit much stronger response than other colors in neural network levels. To reveal the question, local field potentials (LFPs) was recorded and analyzed in two visual pathways, the thalamofugal and the tectofugal pathways, of zebra finches.

Histopathology, Molecular Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides from a Captive Cuban Rock Iguana (Cyclura nubila).

Chrysosporium-related fungi, the cause of superficial and deep mycoses, are an emerging infectious disease affecting not only reptiles but also immunocompromized humans. However, the information on Nannizziopsis arthrosporioides is extremely scarce. We herein characterized N.

Effects of Focal Radiation on [ F]-Fluoro-D-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography in the Brains of Miniature Pigs: Preliminary Findings on Local Metabolism.

Objectives: It would be a medically important advance if durable and focal neuromodulation of the brain could be delivered noninvasively and without ablation. This ongoing study seeks to elucidate the effects of precisely delivered ionizing radiation upon focal brain metabolism and the corresponding cellular integrity at that target. We hypothesize that focally delivered ionizing radiation to the brain can yield focal metabolic changes without lesioning the brain in the process.

Delayed evoked potentials in zebra finch () under midazolam-butorphanol-isoflurane anesthesia.

Avian animals are visually inclined, which has caused them to attract increasing attention for visual neurophysiology or electrophysiology studies, including the study of the visual evoked potential (VEP). VEP has developed into an investigative tool for understanding the physiology and the pathology of the visual pathway. Chemical restraint is a common method to minimize motion artifacts in animals when acquiring VEP data, but little is known about its influence on the signal in an avian animal.

BLOOD LEAD AND ZINC LEVELS AND THEIR IMPACT ON HEALTH OF FREE-LIVING SMALL CARNIVORES IN TAIWAN, REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

Lead and zinc are recognized as the most widespread trace metals in nature and can, at high levels, compromise the health of wildlife and their habitat. Because of their position in a higher trophic level, wild carnivores can be valuable biological indicator species of trace-metal contamination in the environment. We assessed blood lead and zinc concentrations of four small carnivore species native to Taiwan, the small Indian civet (), the masked palm civet (), the ferret badger (), and the crab-eating mongoose (), from urban and rural areas (Yangmingshan National Park, Xiuguluan River bank, and Da-an River bank).

Demography and welfare status of free-roaming dogs in Yangmingshan National Park, Taiwan.

Free-roaming dogs (Canis familiaris) cause threats to native wildlife and public health and raise concerns for their welfare. Understanding the demography of free-roaming dog populations is essential for developing an effective management plan. An evaluation of their welfare status would be beneficial to earn public support for the management plan.

Hematologic, Plasma Biochemical, Protein Electrophoretic, and Total Solid Values of Captive Oriental Turtle Doves ().

As part of ongoing studies on the blood profiles of Taiwanese avian species, hematology, plasma biochemistry, and serum protein electrophoresis values and hand-held refractometer readings of total solids were determined in Oriental turtle doves (). Blood samples were collected and analyzed from 44 healthy captive adult and sub-adult Oriental turtle doves. There were no significant gender differences in any of the parameters studied.

Comparison of three computed tomographic angiography protocols to assess diameters of major arteries in African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus).

OBJECTIVE To evaluate 3 contrast medium infusion (CMI) protocols for CT angiography (CTA) and measurement of major artery diameters in African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). ANIMALS 9 African grey parrots with no detectable cardiovascular disease. PROCEDURES Each bird was anesthetized and underwent placement of an IV catheter in the left basilic vein and 16-slice CTA scanning (started at peak aortic enhancement) with each of 3 CMI protocols at ≥ 1-month intervals.

Long-term Management of Thymic Lymphoma in a Java Sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora).

A 4-year-old Java sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora) was diagnosed with thymic lymphoma based on the results of histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical staining of a Tru-cut biopsy sample. The bird was treated with chlorambucil (2 mg/kg PO) twice per week for the first 18 weeks, and the mass size, activity level, appetite, bowel function, and body weight were monitored weekly. At week 19, the bird became ill and anorexic, and the chlorambucil treatment was discontinued.

Evaluation of endoscopic salpingectomy for sterilization of female Formosan macaques (Macaca cyclopis).

We evaluated the safety and postsurgical outcomes of endoscopic salpingectomy for sterilization of female Formosan macaques (Macaca cyclopis) as a method of population control. Nineteen adult female Formosan macaques were included in our study. The fallopian tubes of each anesthetized macaque were cauterized and excised endoscopically using a 2.

Seasonal hematology and plasma biochemistry reference range values of the yellow-marginated box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata).

The yellow-marginated box turtle (Cuora flavomarginata) is critically endangered and very few studies have been performed to aid the conservation effort. This study reports the first complete analysis of blood parameters for this species and will provide a reference for future conservation studies. Hematology and biochemistry reference range values were established from 52 (18 males and 35 females) clinically healthy yellow-marginated box turtles (C.