Survey of cardiac pathologies in captive striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis).

Cardiac disease is a common finding in small mammals but it is rarely reported in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis). The aim of this survey was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiac disease in striped skunks and to characterize the types of cardiac disease that might be present. In April 2010, a questionnaire was sent to veterinarians in zoologic collections with membership in the International Species Inventory System.

Cutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis in a clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa).

A 16-yr-old male clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) was presented for lethargy and anorexia. A cutaneous abdominal mass extending from the pubis to just caudal to the xiphoid process was present. A biopsy revealed histologic lesions consistent with an atypical mycobacterial infection consisting of diffuse, severe, pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis, with clear vacuoles and 3-5 microm, intravacuolar, faintly eosinophilic, filamentous bacilli that stained positively with FiteFaraco modified acid-fast stain.

Surgical and medical management for fractures of the second through fifth metacarpals in a red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra).

A 21-yr-old female red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) was presented with swelling and disuse of the right manus. Severely displaced fractures of metacarpals II-V were diagnosed radiographically. The fractures were surgically stabilized with intramedullary Kirschner wires attached externally with an acrylic external fixator and a bone plate on the dorsal aspect of metacarpal III.

Evaluation of gastroscopic biopsy for diagnosis of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in snakes.

Cryptosporidium sp. is a protozoal parasite that can cause hypertrophic gastritis, regurgitation, and chronic wasting in snakes. Diagnosis can be challenging because of intermittent shedding of the organism in the feces.