Survival improvements of marine mammals in zoological institutions mirror historical advances in human longevity.

An intense public debate has fuelled governmental bans on marine mammals held in zoological institutions. The debate rests on the assumption that survival in zoological institutions has been and remains lower than in the wild, albeit the scientific evidence in support of this notion is equivocal. Here, we used statistical methods previously applied to assess historical improvements in human lifespan and data on 8864 individuals of four marine mammal species (harbour seal, Phoca vitulina; California sea lion, Zalophus californianus; polar bear, Ursus maritimus; common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus) held in zoos from 1829 to 2020. We found that life expectancy increased up to 3.40 times, and first-year mortality declined up to 31%, during the last century in zoos. Moreover, the life expectancy of animals in zoos is currently 1.65-3.55 times longer than their wild counterparts. Like humans, these improvements have occurred concurrently with advances in management practices, crucial for population welfare. Science-based decisions will help effective legislative changes and ensure better implementation of animal care.

Management of Dental Disease in Aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) and Potential Use of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Oral disease involving teeth is a common cause of morbidity in aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) under managed care. Cases can be challenging due to the species' unique skull and dental anatomy and limited veterinary literature. A retrospective evaluation was performed on dental examinations in nine aardvarks housed at a single zoological institution in the United States between 1995 and 2021. The prevalence of dental disease in this population was 88%, with most cases categorized as mild (4/8). Clinical signs were only seen in three cases. Facial swelling prior to surgery was the most common clinical sign (3/8). Dental pathology was more common in the mandibular teeth (27/38) compared to the maxillary teeth (11/38). Dental abnormalities found upon intraoral examination included the presence of dental points (7/8), crown elongation (3/8), purulent material within the oral cavity (4/8), loose teeth (2/8), periodontal pockets (2/8), and oronasal fistula (1/8). Three patients required dental extractions with a lateral buccostomy approach. Diagnostic imaging was performed in most cases (7/8), with two cases undergoing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to characterize dental pathology that was difficult to fully evaluate with standard radiography. Tomographic findings are described in both cases. CBCT was found to be a helpful tool for diagnosing and characterizing dental disease in aardvarks.

Ophthalmic findings in a captive population of Panamanian golden frogs: Atelopus zeteki.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe normal ocular morphology and establish parameters for select diagnostics in a population of Panamanian Golden Frogs (PGF) Atelopus zeteki maintained at the Detroit Zoo. METHOD: A total of 22 toads free of ocular disease were included in this study. Ophthalmic diagnostic tests included as follows: endodontic absorbent paper point tear test (EAPPTT), assessment of intraocular pressures (IOP), Rose Bengal stain, palpebral fissure width, blink rate and corneal cultures. Histology was performed on stored postmortem samples. RESULTS: Panamanian Golden Frogs have a distinct brow ridge and mobile third eyelid. Biomicroscopy revealed avascular, convex corneas with a shallow anterior chamber. Iris color ranged from yellow to green with dark pigmentation of the peripheral iris. Pupil shape was round. Posterior segment and fundus could not be visualized. Total number of blinks observed over a 10-minute period was one. Mean EAPPTT was 2 ± 1 mm and 3 ± 1 mm in males and females, respectively (P). Mean IOP using rebound tonometry in horizontal and vertical restraint positions were 21.6 ± 2.28 mm Hg and 17.45 ± 3.66 mm Hg, 21.85 ± 2.7 mm Hg and 17.5 ± 3.93 mm Hg in males and females, respectively. Mean palpebral fissure width was 5.02 ± 0.46 mm and 6.12 ± 0.39 mm in males and females, respectively (P). Enterococcus faecalis was isolated from one clinically normal toad. CONCLUSIONS: Tear production and blink rate were low and not significantly different between males and females. Intraocular pressure was significantly greater in male toads (P value <0.01). Females had a significantly larger palpebral fissure width when compared to males (P value <0.01) 5819. The ophthalmic parameters established in this study can aid in the evaluation and diagnosis of eye diseases in PGF.

ANTEMORTEM DIAGNOSIS OF CYSTIC ENDOMETRIAL HYPERPLASIA AND SUCCESSFUL OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY IN AN AFRICAN WARTHOG (PHACOCHOERUS AFRICANUS).

During a routine geriatric examination on a 9-yr-old, nulliparous female African warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), a severely enlarged, mixed echogenicity uterus was discovered during transabdominal ultrasound. Ovariohysterectomy (OVH) was elected and performed due to concern for a potential neoplastic condition. Postoperatively, the warthog was treated prophylactically with metoclopramide and ranitidine to promote gastrointestinal motility and prevent postoperative ileus. The gross appearance and histopathology confirmed the presence of extensive widely disseminated cystic changes consistent with cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and multiple para-ovarian cysts. Uterine pathology, including CEH, is a common condition in domestic potbellied pigs (Sus scrofa), and as a result, it is recommended to perform an OVH at an early age. The advanced uterine changes may have accounted for this animal's history of infertility. This case provides evidence that nulliparity may be associated with the development of uterine pathology in warthogs. Increased knowledge of reproductive pathology will aid in improved management strategies for breeding nondomestic suids.

Inclusion body myositis in spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer).

In 2000, 2 adult captive spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) from the same zoological park were humanely euthanized. Histologically, both frogs had degeneration, atrophy, and necrosis of striated myofibers of the tongue admixed with chronic lymphohistiocytic inflammation. One frog had similar lesions in the skeletal muscles of the body wall. Several degenerate and necrotic myofibers contained single, eosinophilic, intranuclear inclusion bodies. Ultrastructural examination of the inclusions revealed nonenveloped, icosahedral, virus-like particles averaging 20-24 nm in diameter. This is the first reported case of inclusion body myositis in frogs and is believed to be due to parvoviral infection.