Development and validation of a versatile non-invasive urinary steroidomics method for wildlife biomonitoring.

Wildlife conservation is often challenged by a lack of knowledge about the reproduction biology and adaptability of endangered species. Although monitoring steroids and related molecules can increase this knowledge, the applicability of current techniques (e.g.

APPLICATION OF A NOVEL LATERAL-FLOW DEVICE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASPERGILLOSIS IN CAPTIVE GENTOO PENGUINS ().

Aspergillosis is the primary fungal disease affecting captive penguins globally. Its diagnosis remains challenging, and currently no tests are both sensitive and specific for the detection of early infection. The present study evaluated a recently developed lateral-flow device (AspLFD) for the detection of spp.

HYPERVITAMINOSIS D IN A GIANT ANTEATER () AND A LARGE HAIRY ARMADILLO () RECEIVING A COMMERCIAL INSECTIVORE DIET.

Hypervitaminosis D was diagnosed in a giant anteater () and a large hairy armadillo () being fed a commercial insectivore diet. Clinical findings included weight loss, reduced appetite, vomiting, and suspected abdominal discomfort. Hypercalcemia (3.

USE OF CLINDAMYCIN IN PALLAS' CATS [ () ] TO REDUCE JUVENILE TOXOPLASMOSIS-ASSOCIATED MORTALITY RATES.

Pallas' cat [ () ] experiences a high mortality rate from toxoplasmosis. During the period 2006-2016, the overall mortality rate for this species from all causes during the first year of life was 71.59% in European Association of Zoos and Aquaria institutions, with the most significant infectious cause from systemic toxoplasmosis (20.

Evidence of species and their significance during reintroduction of Eurasian beavers () to Great Britain.

The Scottish Beaver Trial (SBT) reintroduced the Eurasian beaver () in 2009 using wild-caught Norwegian beavers. This included a six-month prerelease quarantine in Devon, England. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and government guidelines for health screening were followed, including testing for species.

Absence of hantavirus in water voles and Eurasian beavers in Britain.

Hantaviruses are RNA viruses (order , family ) found in rodent, bat and insectivore reservoir-hosts and have been reported as an emerging significant zoonotic risk in Europe. As part of two native semiaquatic rodent restoration projects, tissue and urine samples were tested for hantavirus from water voles () (n=26, in 2015) and Eurasian beavers () (n=20, covering 2010-2015) using a pan-hantavirus nested real-time PCR test. Kidney and lung samples were also analysed by light microscopy after haematoxylin and eosin staining of formalin-fixed paraffin wax sections.

MANDIBULAR SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN A ROCK HYRAX ( PROCAVIA CAPENSIS).

  A 9-yr-old, entire female captive rock hyrax ( Procavia capensis) was presented with a 1-wk history of sialorrhea. On clinical examination, a mass was identified, encompassing the rostral mandible and intermandibular area, with associated mucosal ulceration, marked gingival recession, and loosening or loss of adjacent teeth. Skull radiography and cytology of fine-needle aspirates of the mass were suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma.

SUSPECTED HYPOVITAMINOSIS A-ASSOCIATED SALT GLAND ADENITIS IN NORTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUINS ( EUDYPTES MOSELEYI).

  Supraorbital salt-excreting glands are present in at least 10 avian orders and are largest in marine species, including penguins. Diseases of the avian salt gland have been described infrequently. From September 2015, five captive northern rockhopper penguins ( Eudyptes moseleyi) were presented over a 6-wk period for unilateral or bilateral supraorbital swellings.

CLINICAL SIGNS, ANTEMORTEM DIAGNOSTICS, AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS ASSOCIATED WITH MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM SUBSPECIES PARATUBERCULOSIS INFECTION IN MISHMI TAKIN ( BUDORCAS TAXICOLOR TAXICOLOR).

  Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a cause of contagious and typically fatal enteric disease, primarily affecting ruminant and pseudoruminant species. During a MAP outbreak in a captive collection, six of nine adult Mishmi takin ( Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor) showed marked weight loss over 1-3 mo, followed by an acute deterioration. Fecal culture and microscopy failed to identify MAP shedding.

Plasma protein electrophoresis as a prognostic indicator in Aspergillus species-infected Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua papua).

Background: Avian aspergillosis presents a significant threat to captive penguin populations. Currently, a lack of objective prognostic factors limits disease staging, objective reassessment throughout treatment, comparative evaluation of treatment regimes, and appropriate timing of euthanasia.

Objective: The study objective was to investigate absolute and relative plasma protein fractions by agarose gel electrophoresis (EPH) as predictors of survival in Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua papua) under treatment for aspergillosis.

Haematology and Serum Biochemistry Parameters and Variations in the Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber).

Haematology parameters (N = 24) and serum biochemistry parameters (N = 35) were determined for wild Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber), between 6 months - 12 years old. Of the population tested in this study, N = 18 Eurasian beavers were from Norway and N = 17 originating from Bavaria but now living extensively in a reserve in England. All blood samples were collected from beavers via the ventral tail vein.