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. Surveys were distributed to 55 institutions in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Twenty collections with a total of 95 skunks replied to the questionnaire. Of these, five collections reported at least one skunk with cardiac conditions for a total of 11 cases. In these 11 animals, the following conditions were diagnosed: myocardial fibrosis (n = 4), myxomatous valve degeneration (n = 4), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n = 1), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 1), and valvular endocarditis (n = 1). Based on these findings, cardiac diseases should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in captive striped skunks presenting with weakness, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Cardiac ultrasound also should be considered at the time of annual health examinations to evaluate for possible cardiac conditions at an early stage.

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. The clouded leopard had biochemical findings suggestive of chronic renal failure and euthanasia was elected. Histological evaluation of tissues collected at postmortem examination revealed multicentric B-cell lymphoma involving the oral cavity, liver, spleen, and multiple lymph nodes, bilateral testicular seminomas, thyroid follicular cell adenoma, thyroid C cell adenoma, and biliary cystadenomas. Bacterial culture and molecular sequencing identified the causative agent of the cutaneous abdominal mass as belonging to the Mycobacterium fortuitum group.

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. The fractures of metacarpals II-V were predominantly healed on radiographs obtained 12 wk after surgery. However, diffuse disuse osteopenia and phalangeal contracture were present, with possible osteomyelitis. An exercise regimen of the affected hand was initiated due to the incomplete extension of the phalanges. After 4 wk of therapy, the extension of the phalanges had improved and the fractures appeared radiographically to be nearly completely healed. Although metacarpal fractures are common in nonhuman primates, they are reported infrequently in the literature.

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. The purpose of this study was to evaluate gastroscopic biopsy as a diagnostic method for Cryptosporidium sp. screening during an outbreak at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Twenty-two snakes were immobilized by chamber induction with an inhalant anesthetic. Gross lesions were seen in seven snakes and consisted of hyperemia, thickening of the gastric mucosa as observed by lack of rugal folds, and a cobblestoned appearance. Gastric biopsy was performed for histologic evaluation (n = 21). Hypertrophic gastritis with intralesional cryptosporidia was diagnosed in five animals. Eleven animals died or were euthanized and complete necropsy was used to evaluate diagnostic measurements of performance of gastric biopsy. Sensitivity for gastric biopsy was 71.4% and specificity was 100%. Gastroscopy appears to be a useful diagnostic method for Cryptosporidium infection in snakes and can help distinguish true infection from prey-based cryptosporidia seen in fecal samples.