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. Veterinary and husbandry records from eight institutions across Australia and Europe were analysed in a retrospective cohort study (1995 to 2016), examining risk factors for the development of MPPD. A review of records for 2759 macropods found incidence rates (IR) and risk of infection differed between geographic regions and individual institutions. The risk of developing MPPD increased with age, particularly for macropods >10 years (Australia Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 7.63, p < 0.001; Europe IRR 7.38, p < 0.001). Prognosis was typically poor, with 62.5% mortality reported for Australian and European regions combined. Practical recommendations to reduce disease risk have been developed, which will assist zoos in providing optimal long-term health management for captive macropods and, subsequently, have a positive impact on both the welfare and conservation of macropods housed in zoos globally.

Unilateral phacoemulsification in a captive African elephant (Loxodonta africana).

Background: The following case reports describe the clinical presentation, surgical protocol, post-operative care, and long-term follow-up of an African elephant (Loxodonta Africana) presenting with a unilateral cataract. Case description: A 42-year-old female African elephant presented for the assessment of ocular discomfort and visual deterioration in the left eye. Pre-surgical treatment included topical anti-inflammatory medication for 20 days prior to surgery. On the day of surgery, following anesthetic induction, a two-handed phacoemulsification technique was performed in the left eye. She was left aphakic post-operatively. Nine days post-operatively, the patient had an intact menace response, dazzle reflex, and direct pupillary light reflex. Fundoscopy at that stage was unremarkable. Follow-up information was available for 5 years, from the time of surgery to the present day. Conclusion: Despite remaining aphakic, this case presents a successful visual outcome. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no other published report of phacoemulsification in a captive elephant.

Outer retinal degeneration in two closely related Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii).

This case report comprises studies of four Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii) from the same enclosure. Globe samples from two related C goeldii (the female C goeldii and her male offspring) were available for a histopathological evaluation. Both cases presented histopathologically evident outer retinal degeneration with differences in severity. There was marked outer retinal atrophy characterized by loss of the outer and inner photoreceptor segments, and depletion of the outer retinal nuclear layer. Furthermore, we report a reduction in the thickness of the outer retinal plexiform, inner retinal nuclear layer, and inner retinal plexiform layer in these C goeldii monkeys. To the authors' knowledge, these findings have not yet been reported in wild- or captive-bred population of C goeldii.

Arcanobacterium pyogenes septicemia in a southern pudu (Pudu puda) following uterine prolapse.

A 14-year-old female pudu (Pudu puda) developed a uterine prolapse after unassisted parturition. The length of time between the prolapse and replacement of the organ was not known but was less than 24 hr. When the prolapse was first noticed, uterine tissue appeared undamaged and was immediately cleaned with antiseptic solution, handled carefully during replacement, and prophylactic antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs were given. The pudu appeared clinically normal until 4 days postpartum, when she developed clinical signs of tenesmus, dysuria, and a purulent discharge from the vulva. Despite further treatment, the animal was found dead 10 days postpartum, even though it had not shown any other signs of systemic illness. Gross and histologic lesions supported a diagnosis of septicemia secondary to metritis. Arcanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from lung, liver, and uterine exudate.