MAST CELL NEOPLASIA IN THE GREEN IGUANA, IGUANA IGUANA.

This case series is the first description of mast cell neoplasia in green iguanas, Iguana iguana. All iguanas were adults. Six were females, and four were males. Lesions were associated with the oral cavity in 3 of 10 cases, and on the head in 3 of 10 cases. Three of the cases had masses over the trunk; a single case had a lesion on a limb. Single masses were most common involving the face or oral cavity (6 of 10), whereas four cases with neoplasia distributed along the trunk had multiple masses. One case developed peripheral blood mastocytosis. In most neoplasms, cells contained metachromatic granules in toluidine blue-stained sections. Polymerase chain reaction identified no internal tandem duplication mutation in exon 11 of c-kit, but a mutation in exon 8 in a single case. Compared with other reptiles, green iguanas may be predisposed to development of mast cell neoplasia.

COMPARISON OF PROPOFOL CONSTANT RATE INFUSION AND ISOFLURANE FOR MAINTENANCE OF ANESTHESIA IN SPEKE'S GAZELLE, GAZELLA SPEKEI.

The aims of this study were to determine if a propofol constant rate infusion (CRI) in Speke's gazelle, Gazella spekei, would serve as an effective alternative maintenance anesthetic, result in shorter recovery times, and improve anesthetic recovery quality when compared with isoflurane. Eight adult gazelle were enrolled in this complete crossover study with a minimum 3-wk washout period. All gazelle were induced with 10 mg/kg intravenous propofol and maintained with either propofol CRI (0.4 mg/kg/min) or isoflurane (1-3%) for 45 min. Animals were monitored for anesthetic depth and physiologic variables including heart and respiratory rates, oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, indirect blood pressure, and temperature every 5 min. Blood gas samples were analyzed within the first 10 min following anesthetic induction and within the last 10 min of anesthesia. Recovery times were recorded. Recovery quality was classified by a residual ataxia grading scale. Seven gazelle completed the study by undergoing both anesthetic treatments; one female (12 yr old) developed complications 2 days after isoflurane anesthesia, consisting of seizures, azotemia, leukocytosis, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia but was treated successfully. Propofol anesthesia resulted in lower respiratory rates compared with isoflurane and a decrease in respiratory rate over time. Propofol CRI maintained blood pressure values closer to physiologically normal ranges compared with isoflurane for 45 min of anesthesia. Recovery times were comparable between propofol and isoflurane treatments. While individuals receiving propofol had higher residual ataxia scores compared with individuals receiving isoflurane, differences were not clinically important. This study demonstrated that propofol CRI (0.4 mg/kg/min) is an effective maintenance anesthetic agent in healthy adult Speke's gazelle for noninvasive procedures with endotracheal intubation and intermittent positive pressure ventilation.

RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF ALFAXALONE AND KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN THE HAITIAN GIANT GALLIWASP ( CELESTUS WARRENI).

The immobilization properties and cardiopulmonary effects following intramuscular administration of one of two chemical immobilization agents were compared in the Haitian giant galliwasp ( Celestus warreni) in a prospective, blinded, randomized controlled trial. Adult, clinically healthy galliwasps ( n = 30) were given a randomly assigned single intramuscular injection of either 15 mg/kg alfaxalone ( n = 15) or 40 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride ( n = 15). Heart rate, respiratory rate, and depth classification stage were recorded every 5 min; cloacal temperature was recorded every 15 min to ensure maintenance within this species' preferred optimal temperature range (75-85°F, 24-29°C). Physical examination, radiographs, and phlebotomy were performed in all animals. Alfaxalone given intramuscularly resulted in reliable anesthetic induction, maintenance, and recovery (total duration of anesthesia 57.7 ± 23.6 min, recovery 7.9 ± 7.8 min). Ketamine hydrochloride resulted in variable levels of sedation or anesthesia and a longer recovery (total duration of anesthesia 14 ±17.5 min, recovery 47.9 ± 19.3 min). Heart and respiratory rates remained within clinically acceptable ranges in all lizards using both protocols; however, alfaxalone animals had lower heart rates and respiratory rates associated with increased anesthetic depth as compared to ketamine hydrochloride animals (heart rates: alfaxalone 59.6 ± 13.3 beats/min, ketamine hydrochloride 71.9 ± 7.9 beats/min; respiratory rates: alfaxalone 33.4 ± 16.8 breaths/min, ketamine hydrochloride 50.0 ± 16.2 breaths/min). Duration of anesthesia for alfaxalone-treated galliwasps was longer than previously reported in other studies. This study determined that a single injection of alfaxalone at 15 mg/kg administered intramuscularly can be used for consistent induction and maintenance of anesthesia and prompt recovery in the Haitian giant galliwasp, while ketamine hydrochloride even at 40 mg/kg was unreliable and is not recommended as a sole immobilization agent in the Haitian giant galliwasp.

Treatment of disseminated Strongyloides spp. infection in an infant Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii).

Strongyloides nematodes have been reported in all species of great apes with orangutans ≤5 years old most susceptible to severe clinical disease. This brief communication describes the first published case of antemortem diagnosis and treatment of disseminated strongyloidiasis in a clinically affected 5-month-old Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii).

RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF THE PREVALENCE OF MYELOLIPOMA IN GOELDI'S MONKEYS (CALLIMICO GOELDII).

Myelolipomas are mesenchymal tumors composed of adipose and hematopoietic tissue. They have been reported in many species, including domestic dogs and cats, birds, mustelids, wild felids, and nonhuman primates. Myelolipomas in Callitrichidae have been reported at postmortem examination and rarely antemortem. Multiple cases of hepatic myelolipomas associated with morbidity in Chicago Zoological Society's collection of Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii) prompted a global retrospective study to determine the prevalence and investigate factors associated with this condition. A total of 842 postmortem examination reports (1965-2013) collected from 133 captive collections were reviewed. Myelolipomas were reported in 17.2% (n=145) of animals, with significantly more female cases than male (P=0.023). There was a significantly older mean age at death in affected animals (134 months) compared to unaffected animals (79 months) (P<0.0001). Myelolipomas were diagnosed in the liver in all affected animals, and rarely in the adrenal or spleen. One in five (22.1%) affected Callimico had notable morbidity associated with this disease, which is markedly different from the primarily benign reports in other species. To identify disease, prevent morbidity from hepatic myelolipoma, and improve care of Callimico species in zoological collections, new Species Survival Plan (SSP) medical management recommendations include incorporating abdominal ultrasonographic examination during routine physical examinations in addition to previously recommended hematological and serum biochemical evaluations. Future studies are merited to examine the prevalence, risk factors, health effects, and treatment options of myelolipoma in living collections.