Popliteal sinus venipuncture in anurans.

Objective: To demonstrate an underutilized, reliable, and technically simple anuran venipuncture technique by use of the popliteal sinus.

Animals: Medium to large (> 30 g) anuran species.

Methods: The animal is manually restrained using an encircling grip around the pelvic girdle.

Health assessment of nesting loggerhead sea turtles () in one of their largest rookeries (central eastern Florida coast, USA).

Reproduction is a physiologically demanding process for sea turtles. Health indicators, including morphometric indices and blood analytes, provide insight into overall health, physiology and organ function for breeding sea turtles as a way to assess population-level effects. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) on Florida's central eastern coast is critical nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtles (), but health variables from this location have not been documented.

Retrospective Analysis of Cataract Formation and Nutritional Etiology in a Managed Collection of Parakeet Auklets ().

The parakeet auklet () is a piscivorous seabird with a natural diet of various invertebrate and teleost species, which is challenging to replicate in a managed collection. A high prevalence of early onset cataracts was observed in a managed collection of parakeet auklets at the North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro, NC, USA), which was hypothesized to be related to inappropriate vitamin A and E levels. From 1994 to 2002, these parakeet auklets were offered dietary supplementation comprising Vita-Zu small bird tablets.

Successful and unsuccessful nonsurgical removal of ingested golf balls and an artificial egg in four rat snakes ().

Case Description: 4 wild adult rat snakes () were evaluated after ingesting spherical or ovoid foreign bodies.

Clinical Findings: Physical examination revealed a large, firm mass at the level of the stomach in each snake. Radiographic findings were consistent with ingestion of a golf ball (3 snakes) or an artificial egg (1 snake).

Bilateral Phacoemulsification in an African Elephant ().

A 37-year-old bull African elephant () at the North Carolina Zoo (NCZ) was diagnosed with bilateral cataracts leading to behavioral changes and significant weight loss secondary to functional blindness. On initial examination, a weight loss of 234 kg, a mature cataract in the right eye, and a focal cataract in the left eye were diagnosed. Ultrasound and electroretinography (ERG) indicated normal retinal attachment and both eyes were viable candidates for surgery.

Intertarsal Joint Stabilization in a Bateleur Eagle Using a Novel Application of a Braided Suture and Titanium Button System.

A 32-year-old adult captive male bateleur eagle with a history of laxity, degenerative joint disease, and varus deviation of the distal left hindlimb for several years was presented for evaluation of left hindlimb lameness and was diagnosed with chronic subluxation of the left intertarsal joint. After failing to improve with conservative management and pain medication, surgical stabilization of the joint was performed using a novel application of a braided suture and titanium button system. Unsatisfactory clinical improvement and postsurgical reevaluation indicated that the initial surgical stabilization was unsuccessful.

Amoebic meningoencephalitis and disseminated infection caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris in a Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

CASE DESCRIPTION A 22-year-old male gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed in a zoo was evaluated for signs of lethargy, head-holding, and cervical stiffness followed by development of neurologic abnormalities including signs of depression, lip droop, and tremors. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination under general anesthesia revealed a tooth root abscess and suboptimal body condition. A CBC and serum biochemical analysis revealed mild anemia, neutrophilia and eosinopenia consistent with a stress leukogram, and signs consistent with dehydration.

Identifying and managing an adverse food reaction in a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) by an elimination diet trial.

A 16-yr-old polar bear (Ursus maritimus) presented with severe diarrhea shortly following transfer to the North Carolina Zoological Park. Multiple diagnostic procedures were performed over several months and the cause of the chronic diarrhea was inconclusive. Histologically, colonic mucosal biopsies were consistent with severe chronic eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic colitis with no evidence of etiologic agents present.

Nutritional support of reptile patients.

Providing nutritional support to reptile patients is a challenging and often misunderstood task. Ill reptiles are frequently anorexic and can benefit greatly from appropriate nutrition delivered via a variety of assist-feeding techniques. Neonatal reptiles can also be very challenging patients because many fail to thrive without significant efforts to establish normal feeding behaviors.

Malignant hypertension and retinopathy in a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

Background: A 34-year-old western lowland gorilla presented with peracute blindness.

Methods: Clinical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, laboratory analyses, blood pressure measurements, and necropsy were performed.

Results: The clinical and postmortem findings supported malignant hypertension.

Ventricular diverticula formation in captive parakeet auklets (Aethia psittacula) secondary to foreign body ingestion.

A captive parakeet auklet at the North Carolina Zoo evaluated for weight loss, lethargy, and dyspnea had radiographic evidence of a distended, stone-filled ventriculus (bird 1). Multiple stones (n = 76) were removed surgically, but the bird died and a large ventricular diverticulum was diagnosed at necropsy. This bird and seven other parakeet auklets had been transferred 3 yr earlier from a zoo in Ohio.

Comparison of isoflurane and carbon dioxide anesthesia in Chilean rose tarantulas (Grammostola rosea).

This study investigated the use of two anesthetic agents, isoflurane and carbon dioxide, in Chilean rose tarantulas (Grammostola rosea). We compared the onset, duration of anesthesia, and recovery time with both gases, and made observations regarding the effects of the anesthetic protocols. Subjectively, episodes for the isoflurane animals were uneventful.

Vesiculobullous skin reaction temporally related to firocoxib treatment in a white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum).

A 40 yr-old female white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) suffered from chronic nail-bed abscesses. Due to worsening of clinical signs, the animal's nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment was switched to firocoxib. Approximately 7 days after this change, the animal developed multifocal vesicles and bullae along the lateral aspects of the thorax and abdomen, the dorsum, and the proximal limbs.

Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination of Breeding Pools Utilized by the Puerto Rican Crested Toad, Peltophryne lemur.

Habitat preservation and management may play an important role in the conservation of the Puerto Rican crested toad, Peltophryne lemur, due to this species' small geographic range and declining native wild population. Bioavailable water concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminants within breeding pools at 3 sites were established using Passive Sampling Devices (PSDs) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A more diverse population of PAH analytes were found in higher concentrations at the breeding site that allowed direct vehicular access, but calculated risk quotients indicated low risk to toad reproduction associated with the current PAH analyte levels.

Ovariohysterectomy of three vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus).

Three sexually mature female common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) housed at the North Carolina Zoological Park, Asheboro, North Carolina, were selected for surgical ovariohysterectomy. All animals were induced and maintained with isoflurane anesthetic gas. Magnification loop glasses were worn by the surgeon for the procedure.

Suspected anaphylaxis to leuprolide acetate depot in two elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi).

Two adult female elf owls (Micrathene whitneyi) were treated with leuprolide acetate depot injections to prevent egg laying. The birds were treated for several years without complications. Several years into the treatment regimen, both birds died immediately after receiving an injection of leuprolide acetate.

Comparison of an implantable telemetry device and an oscillometric monitor for measurement of blood pressure in anaesthetized and unrestrained green iguanas (Iguana iguana).

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare an implanted direct blood pressure monitor and a non-invasive oscillometric unit for use in anesthetized and awake green iguanas.

Study Design: Prospective experimental trial.

Animals: Four male and four female adult green iguanas (Iguana iguana) weighing 1833 +/- 534 g.

Medical and surgical management of reproductive neoplasia in two western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

Background: Reports of female reproductive tract neoplasia are infrequent in great apes.

Methods: Two captive-born, female western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed at the North Carolina Zoological Park were diagnosed with reproductive neoplasia.

Results: The first gorilla had uterine endometrial thickening and uterine fibroids diagnosed during a routine annual examination.

Use of an extracapsular stabilization technique to repair cruciate ligament ruptures in two avian species.

An extracapsular stabilization technique was used to repair cruciate ligament ruptures in a trumpeter hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator) and an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus). The hornbill demonstrated cranial drawer motion and severe rotational instability of the stifle from ruptures of the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments and stifle joint capsule. The luxation was reduced, and the fibula was cranially transposed, in relation to the tibiotarsus, and anchored with 2 positive profile threaded acrylic pins.

Septicemia, endocarditis, and cerebral infarction due to Staphylococcus aureus in a harp seal (Phoca groenlandica).

An adult, wild-collected, male harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) was transferred from a rehabilitation center to a display facility because of unilateral phthisis bulbi and decreased use of the right forelimb, which precluded its release. In quarantine, the animal demonstrated limited use of the right forelimb, which acutely progressed to complete disuse of the limb accompanied by intermittent lethargy. One month after transfer, the animal was found dead on exhibit.

Captive invertebrate nutrition.

The ability to maintain and propagate a species of animal in captivity is dependent on being able to provide adequate nutrition. Although the exact nutritional requirements of many invertebrate species are unknown, most commonly kept species are quite adaptable and seem to thrive on very basic diets. Veterinarians are often called upon to devise diets for captive invertebrates in research, display, and production facilities.

Evaluation of noninvasive oscillometric blood pressure monitoring in anesthetized boid snakes.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of a noninvasive oscillometric monitor in the measurement of arterial blood pressure in anesthetized boid snakes.

Design: Evaluation study.

Animals: 4 boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), 2 carpet pythons (Morelia spilota), and 2 reticulated pythons (Python reticulatus).

Secondary amyloidosis and renal failure in a captive California sea lion (Zalophus californianus).

A 16-yr-old, captive-born, female California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) was evaluated for intermittent lethargy, partial anorexia, and polydipsia of 2 wk duration. The animal was immobilized for physical examination. It was in thin body condition, with multifocal mucosal ulcerations over the caudal and ventral tongue.

Emergency care of invertebrates.

Invertebrate species are commonly kept as pets as well as display and research animals. Clinicians interested in zoologic medicine should be prepared to provide veterinary care for these interesting creatures. This article provides an overview on the critical care of commonly encountered invertebrate species.