HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE INTERVALS AND SEROPREVALENCE OF HEMORRHAGIC DISEASES FOR FREE-RANGING MULE DEER () IN WEST TEXAS.

Wildlife species are routinely captured for translocation, general health monitoring, and research-based pursuits to guide wildlife management. Mule deer () were captured for various research projects and management actions in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions of Texas from 2015 to 2019. The objective of this study was to develop hematologic and biochemical parameters for free-ranging mule deer in Texas and to develop a health monitoring system for current and future mule deer population management.

HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR FREE-RANGING PRONGHORN () IN WEST TEXAS.

Pronghorn () are considered a keystone species of North American grasslands and an important economic source for many landowners in Texas. Pronghorn restoration projects routinely capture and translocate individuals from surplus populations to restoration areas. The objective of this study was to generate normal hematological and biochemical reference intervals (RI) for free-ranging pronghorn populations in Texas as a health monitoring tool for pronghorn restoration efforts.

Evaluating the transmission dynamics and host competency of aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) experimentally infected with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and leukotoxigenic Pasteurellaceae.

Feral populations of aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) occur in Texas bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) habitat and pose several conceptual ecological threats to bighorn sheep re-establishment efforts. The potential threat of disease transmission from aoudad to bighorn sheep may exacerbate these issues, but the host competency of aoudad and subsequent pathophysiology and transmissibility of pneumonic pathogens involved in the bighorn sheep respiratory disease complex is largely unknown. Because the largest population-limiting diseases of bighorn sheep involve pathogens causing bronchopneumonia, we evaluated the host competency of aoudad for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and leukotoxigenic Pasteurellaceae.

Tonsil biopsy to detect chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by immunohistochemistry.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues to spread in wild and farmed cervid populations. Early antemortem CWD testing of farmed cervids is of considerable interest to producers and regulatory agencies as a tool to combat this spread. The tissues accessible for antemortem sampling are limited and include biopsy of the tonsil and recto-anal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (RAMALT).

Molecular Surveillance for Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus and Reticuloendotheliosis Virus in Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) in Texas, USA.

Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) and lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) are avian retroviruses that can cause neoplastic disease and present with similar pathologies. Lymphoproliferative disease virus has been reported in the Eastern US and states bordering Texas, USA, but has not been previously detected within the state. In a prior study, we detected REV in native Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) and an Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) originating from West Virginia.

Genome Sequence of Fowlpox Virus-Integrated Reticuloendotheliosis Virus from a Rio Grande Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo ).

We report the genome sequence of a nearly intact reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) insertion within a field strain of fowlpox virus from a Rio Grande wild turkey in Gillespie County, TX. The proviral REV genome comprises 7,943 bp and contains partial long terminal repeats.

Safety and Efficacy of Nalbuphine, Medetomidine, and Azaperone for Immobilizing Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia).

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of nalbuphine (40 mg/mL), plus medetomidine (10 mg/mL), plus azaperone (10 mg/mL) under the premixed label NalMed-A. From January to March 2020, 10 aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) were immobilized via dart-gun for seven separate sampling periods for a total of 45 recorded individual immobilization events. Induction and reversal times with NalMed-A were 5.

Detection of CWD prions in naturally infected white-tailed deer fetuses and gestational tissues by PMCA.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prevalent prion disease affecting cervids. CWD is thought to be transmitted through direct animal contact or by indirect exposure to contaminated environmental fomites. Other mechanisms of propagation such as vertical and maternal transmissions have also been suggested using naturally and experimentally infected animals.

Survey of Reticuloendotheliosis Virus in Wild Turkeys () in Texas, USA.

Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) is an immunosuppressive and sometimes oncogenic avian retrovirus that establishes lifelong infection in a wide range of avian species. REV-infected wild birds roaming near at-risk captive flocks, such as is the case for the highly endangered Attwater's Prairie Chicken (APC; ), could act as a reservoir for viral transmission. In wild birds, prevalence rates of REV are low and appearance of associated disease is uncommon.