Publications by authors named "Sharon Redrobe"

Objective: To investigate the association of dental and cardiac disease in a cohort of captive chimpanzees DESIGN: 12 captive chimpanzees underwent periodontal and cardiac examinations under anaesthesia during a relocation to a new enclosure. Blood samples were taken for analysis of circulating markers of cardiac health, nutritional status and isolation of neutrophils for functional assays. They were then observed for three years for signs of heart disease.

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Objective: To evaluate the agreement of two noninvasive blood pressure devices: a human device with the cuff placed on the wrist (Omron R1) and a veterinary device with the cuff placed on the upper brachium (Surgivet Advisor Vital Signs Monitor) with invasive blood pressure (IBP) measurement in anaesthetized chimpanzees.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: A convenience sample of 11 adult chimpanzees undergoing anaesthesia for translocation and routine health checks.

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Cardiovascular diseases, especially idiopathic myocardial fibrosis, is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality in captive great apes. This study compared the structure and morphology of 16 hearts from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) which were either healthy or affected by myocardial fibrosis using X-ray microtomography. In four hearts, a single, hyperdense structure was detected within the right fibrous trigone of the cardiac skeleton.

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Background: Dried blood spots (DBS) are used in human medicine to measure total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) in the blood. However, this easy and affordable sampling technique has not been evaluated in primates to measure vitamin D concentrations.

Objectives: We aimed to compare 25-OHD measurements in chimpanzee serum at two different laboratories and determine the precision and accuracy of the DBS method by comparing DBS and serum results.

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Cardiovascular disorders and predominantly idiopathic myocardial fibrosis are frequently associated with mortality among zoo-housed chimpanzees (). Formalin-fixed whole hearts of deceased chimpanzees housed in zoos ( = 33) and an African sanctuary ( = 2) underwent detailed macroscopic and histopathologic examination using a standardized protocol. Archived histological slides from the hearts of 23 additional African sanctuary-housed chimpanzees were also examined.

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Objective: To characterize the cardiopulmonary characteristics of two different anaesthetic protocols (tiletamine/zolazepam ± medetomidine) and their suitability for the immobilization of healthy chimpanzees undergoing cardiac assessment.

Study Design: Prospective, clinical, longitudinal study.

Animals: Six chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) aged 4-16 years weighing 19.

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Serum samples were collected from 24 platyrrhines of seven diurnal species housed with outdoor access at Bristol Zoo Gardens (United Kingdom) to test 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels as part of the veterinary department's preventative health care program. Samples were collected in August 2008 (summer) and January 2009 (winter) to examine the effect of season on 25OHD levels. Dietary levels of vitamin D remained the same throughout the study period and fell within the range of 2000-4000 IU/kg dry matter, in accordance with current primate guidelines.

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Limited data are available on hemodynamic responses to anesthetic protocols in wild-born chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Accordingly, this study characterized the heart rate (HR) and blood pressure responses to four anesthetic protocols in 176 clinically healthy, wild-born chimpanzees undergoing routine health assessments. Animals were anesthetized with medetomidine-ketamine (MK) (n = 101), tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) (n = 30), tiletamine-zolazepam-medetomidine (TZM) (n = 24), or medetomidine-ketamine (maintained with isoflurane) (MKI) (n = 21).

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An understanding of the main causes of mortality among captive gorillas is imperative to promoting their optimal care, health, and welfare. A retrospective observational review of mortality among the European zoo-housed western lowland gorilla ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla) population from 2004 to 2014 was carried out. This is the first published study of mortality in this population.

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We report a case of bilateral cataract surgery performed in a 21-year-old western lowland gorilla. Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens insertion was performed using standard human surgical equipment. Visual function significantly improved.

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Wild bonobos (Pan paniscus), chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), and orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus, Pongo abelii) are threatened with extinction. In order to help maintain a self-sustaining zoo population, clinicians require a sound understanding of the diseases with which they might be presented. To provide an up-to-date perspective on great ape morbidity and mortality, a systematic review of the zoological and veterinary literature of great apes from 1990 to 2014 was conducted.

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The virus-host relationship in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infected chimpanzees is thought to be different from that found in other SIV infected African primates. However, studies of captive SIVcpz infected chimpanzees are limited. Previously, the natural SIVcpz infection of one chimpanzee, and the experimental infection of six chimpanzees was reported, with limited follow-up.

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Serum samples were collected from 18 lemurs of four diurnal/cathemeral species housed with outdoor access at Bristol Zoo Gardens (United Kingdom) to test 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25OHD3) levels as part of the veterinary department's preventative health care program. Samples were collected from each lemur in August 2008 (summer) and January 2009 (winter) to examine the effect of season on 25OHD3 levels. The lemurs were fed commercial primate food and a range of fruit and vegetables, and dietary levels of vitamin D3 remained the same throughout the study period.

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Infections of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) can cause a rapid, highly lethal, hemorrhagic disease, which primarily affects juvenile animals up to the age of four years. So far, the majority of deaths have been attributed to infections with genotype EEHV1 or, more rarely, EEHV3 and EEHV4. Here, we report the pathological characteristics of the first fatality linked to EEHV5 infection, and describe the complete viral DNA sequence.

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A 9-year-old, male, captive red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) in an urban zoo in the United Kingdom presented with respiratory distress and weight loss. The animal was euthanatized, and a postmortem examination was performed. The lungs were diffusely consolidated with extensive mineralization.

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Nephroblastoma is the most common primary renal tumor in children and has also been reported in domestic and nondomestic animal species. Intrapelvic renal nephroblastoma is a rare variant of this tumor type in human patients. Postmortem examination of a captive meerkat (Suricata suricatta), which was found dead, revealed enlargement of the pelvis of the left kidney by a tumor mass.

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A comparison of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates from seals (pinnipeds) in Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, Great Britain and New Zealand was undertaken to determine their relationships to each other and their taxonomic position within the complex. Isolates from 30 cases of tuberculosis in six species of pinniped and seven related isolates were compared to representative and standard strains of the M. tuberculosis complex.

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