Ophthalmic findings and reference values for selected ocular parameters in whooping cranes (Grus americana) and Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla).

Objective: To establish baseline ophthalmic parameters for an endangered, semi-wild population of healthy whooping cranes (Grus americana) (WHCR) and Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla) (SACR).

Animals Studied: Eighteen WHCR and 16 SACR.

Procedures: Ophthalmic examination was performed by a single observer, followed by conjunctival swab collection for aerobic bacterial culture and measurement of tear production (phenol red thread test, PRTT) and corneal diameter (CD) as tolerated.

MITRAL REGURGITATION IN SADDLE-BILLED STORKS () IN HUMAN CARE: DIAGNOSIS, ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS, AND MANAGEMENT.

The asymptomatic and slow progressive nature of cardiopathies represents a risk to the welfare of avian species in human care. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in birds pose a challenge due to unique anatomic and physiologic characteristics. Comprehensive cardiac assessments with diagnostic tools such as echocardiography, color-Doppler, the biomarker cardiac troponin I (cTn1), and cholesterol serum concentrations have been utilized in different bird species with varying success.

Longitudinal intraocular pressure measurements in Whooping cranes (Grus americana) and Mississippi-Sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla).

Objective: To assess intraocular pressure (IOP) development in cranes and determine the impact of age, weight, species, head position, and sex.

Animals Studied: Whooping cranes (WC) (Grus americana), and Mississippi-sandhill cranes (MSC) (Grus canadensis pulla).

Procedures: Chicks were manually restrained on days 1-3, 7, 21, 35, 60, 75, and 120 for routine examinations.

POSTVACCINAL VIRAL DISEASE PRESENTATION IN TWO LITTERS OF CHEETAHS ().

Protective antibody titers against core vaccines have not been standardized for cheetahs () under human care. Vaccine-induced disease has been suspected after administration of modified live virus vaccine (MLVV), but it has not been confirmed as the causative agent. MLVV and killed virus vaccines (KVV) elicit humoral response in cheetahs; however, the use of both vaccines for initial immunization in cheetah cubs <6 months old within the same population has not been reported.

Utilizing smartphone-based electrocardiography and thoracic radiography to evaluate cardiac function and morphology in geriatric Sika deer (Cervus nippon).

Objective: To describe qualitative and quantitative cardiothoracic values in geriatric Sika deer (Cervus nippon) using digital radiography, 6-lead ECG (sECG), and smartphone-based ECG (aECG).

Animals: 10 healthy geriatric Sika deer (9 females and 1 male).

Procedures: Deer were chemically immobilized, thoracic radiographs were obtained, and inhalant anesthesia was initiated.

Management of intertarsal septic arthritis in an ostrich (Struthio camelus).

A 7-year-old female ostrich (Struthio camelus) presented with lameness, left intertarsal joint swelling and a healing wound on the caudomedial aspect of the joint. Synovial culture revealed Corynebacterium species and radiographs were consistent with progressive septic arthritis. Multiple treatments were attempted including through-and-through joint lavage, intra-articular antibiotics, caudomedial arthrotomy, and regional limb perfusion in conjunction with systemic antibiotics and analgesia.

Incisional Infection Postphacoemulsification in a Chilean Flamingo ().

A 32-year-old captive female Chilean flamingo () was diagnosed with a hypermature resorbed cataract in the right eye and a mature cataract with phacolytic uveitis in the left eye. No other systemic or neurologic physical abnormalities were detected. The patient was considered blind from bilateral cataracts, and with a reduced quality of life, surgery was indicated to remove the mature cataract in the left eye.