Fungal Rhinosinusitis Caused by a sp. Infection in a Female Sumatran Orangutan: A Case Report.

Mycotic nasal cavity and paranasal sinus infections in non-human primates (NHPs) are relatively uncommon diseases of the upper respiratory tract. This case study describes the clinical and pathological features as well as the diagnostic techniques and interventions applied to treat the associated disease. A 23-year-old primiparous female Sumatran orangutan residing at Perth Zoo in Western Australia developed intermittent episodes of right-sided epistaxis.

Streamlining Disease Risk Analysis for Wildlife Using the Shark Bay Bandicoot as a Model.

Disease risk analysis (DRA) is a process for identifying significant disease risks and proposing measures to mitigate those risks. Although numerous methodologies for DRA exist, the IUCN Disease Risk Analysis Manual Jakob-Hoff et al. (World Organisation for Animal Health, Paris, pp 160, 2014) remains the gold standard for wild animal translocations.

A Retrospective Study of Macropod Progressive Periodontal Disease ("Lumpy Jaw") in Captive Macropods Across Australia and Europe: Using Data from the Past to Inform Future Macropod Management.

Macropod Progressive Periodontal Disease (MPPD) is a well-recognised disease that causes high morbidity and mortality in captive macropods worldwide. Epidemiological data on MMPD are limited, although multiple risk factors associated with a captive environment appear to contribute to the development of clinical disease. The identification of risk factors associated with MPPD would assist with the development of preventive management strategies, potentially reducing mortality.

Phase variation in latB associated with a fatal Pasteurella multocida outbreak in captive squirrel gliders.

A septicaemic disease outbreak caused by Pasteurella multocida at a zoo in Western Australia (Zoo A) occurred in a resident group of squirrel gliders (Petaurus norfolcensis) following the introduction of two squirrel gliders imported from another zoo (Zoo B). P. multocida isolates obtained from the affected animals and asymptomatic, cohabiting marsupials at both zoos were typed via lipopolysaccharide outer core biosynthesis locus (LPS) typing, repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (Rep-PCR) typing, and multilocus sequence typing (ST).

HINDLIMB PARALYSIS SYNDROME IN WILD CARNABY'S COCKATOOS (): A NEW THREAT FOR AN ENDANGERED SPECIES.

Carnaby's Cockatoos () are in decline in SW Western Australia from several processes, including habitat loss and fragmentation. However, in recent years, a disease syndrome has also emerged as a significant population threat. Emerging diseases in wildlife have the potential for catastrophic effects on population numbers, especially if a species is experiencing existing pressure from other threatening processes.

COLONIC DIVERTICULOSIS AND DIVERTICULAR HEMORRHAGE IN A GERIATRIC FEMALE ORANGUTAN ( PONGO ABELII).

A 57-yr-old female Sumatran orangutan ( Pongo abelii) presented with signs of intermittent lethargy and inappetence, then subsequently developed profuse hemorrhagic diarrhea. Colonoscopy under anesthesia revealed diverticulosis of the descending colon, with multiple large diverticula containing fecoliths. There was no evidence of diverticulitis, but a regenerative anemia had developed following an acute diverticular bleed.

Infectious Disease Surveillance in the Woylie (Bettongia penicillata).

Wild populations of the critically endangered woylie (Bettongia penicillata) recently declined by 90% in southwest Western Australia. Increased predation is the leading hypothesis for decline, but disease may be playing a role increasing susceptibility to predation. To explore this possibility, we surveyed woylie populations in the wild, in captivity and in a predator-free sanctuary for exposure to, and infection with, four known pathogens of macropods: herpesviruses, Wallal and Warrego orbiviruses, and Toxoplasma gondii.

DEVELOPMENT OF REFERENCE RANGES FOR PLASMA TOTAL CHOLINESTERASE AND BRAIN ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN FREE-RANGING CARNABY'S BLACK-COCKATOOS (CALYPTORHYNCHUS LATIROSTRIS).

Published avian reference ranges for plasma cholinesterase (ChE) and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are numerous. However, a consistently reported recommendation is the need for species- and laboratory-specific reference ranges because of variables, including assay methods, sample storage conditions, season, and bird sex, age, and physiologic status. We developed normal reference ranges for brain AChE and plasma total ChE (tChE) activity for Carnaby's Black-Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) using a standardized protocol (substrate acetylthiocholine at 25 C).

Presentation and prognostic indicators for free-living black cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.) admitted to an Australian zoo veterinary hospital over 10 years.

The veterinary records of three species of free-living, endangered black cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.; n = 565) admitted to the Perth Zoo Veterinary Hospital in Western Australia during a 10-yr period (2000-09) were analyzed to determine the effect of clinical presentation and treatment on survival to release. The most-common reason for admission was trauma (at least 76.

Emerging infectious diseases in free-ranging wildlife-Australian zoo based wildlife hospitals contribute to national surveillance.

Emerging infectious diseases are increasingly originating from wildlife. Many of these diseases have significant impacts on human health, domestic animal health, and biodiversity. Surveillance is the key to early detection of emerging diseases.

Hematologic and plasma biochemical reference values for three species of black cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus species).

Black cockatoos in southwest Western Australia face population declines as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, competition with other species, vehicle strikes, and shootings. In this study, hematologic and plasma biochemical reference values were determined for 3 endemic Western Australian black cockatoo species: Carnaby's cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) (n = 34), Baudin's cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) (n = 22), and forest red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) (n = 22). Significant sex-related differences were detected in Carnaby's cockatoos, and differences were also found among the 3 species.

Erysipelas in a numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus).

An adult, female numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) was submitted to the Perth Zoo Veterinary Department for postmortem examination in November 2011. This radio-collared wild numbat had been found dead in the Dryandra Woodland, 191 km southeast of Perth, Western Australia. On external examination, the body condition was good.

Growth and development of captive Geocrinia rosea (Myobatrachidae): a rare species analogue.

Using Geocrinia rosea as an analogue of the two threatened frog species, G. alba and G. vitellina, techniques were developed which contribute to an ex situ rearing program.

Molecular characterization of Blastocystis isolates from zoo animals and their animal-keepers.

Blastocystis is an enteric protist and one of the most frequently reported parasitic infections in humans and a variety of animal hosts. It has also been reported in numerous parasite surveys of animals in zoological gardens and in particular in non-human primate species. PCR-based methods capable of the direct detection of Blastocystis in faeces were used to detect Blastocystis from various hosts, including non-human primates, Australian native fauna, elephants and giraffes, as well as their keepers from a Western Australian zoo.

A splendid tree frog with edema syndrome and intestinal adenocarcinoma.

A splendid tree frog (Pelodryas splendida) presented with subcutaneous edema extending along its dorsum from head to vent, which resolved with improvement of ambient temperature and humidity conditions in its enclosure. Four months later, this same frog presented in a moribund state with intracoelomic fluid accumulation. An intestinal adenocarcinoma, a rarely reported neoplasm in amphibians, was diagnosed post mortem.

An outbreak of mycobacteriosis in Gouldian finches caused by Mycobacterium peregrinum.

An outbreak of mycobacteriosis was detected in an aviary containing Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) and golden shouldered parrots (Psephotus chrysopterygius). Affected birds developed granulomatous lesions, usually of the liver and intestine. Mycobacterium peregrinum, a species of the Mycobacterium fortuitum group, was cultured on pooled samples of intestinal tract from 31 euthanized finches.