Transmucosal pentobarbital is a successful euthanasia method in pond slider turtles (Trachemys scripta).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of transmucosal euthanasia solution to induce euthanasia in pond slider turtles (Trachemys scripta). ANIMALS: 16 pond slider turtles (T. scripta). PROCEDURES: Pentobarbital 100 mg/kg was delivered through esophageal gavage (n = 8) or cloacal administration (8). The presence of voluntary movement, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), palpebral reflex, corneal reflex, and response to noxious stimuli were recorded until death, confirmed via the absence of reflexes, movement, heartbeat, and absence of cardiac electrical activity. RESULTS: No signs of irritation were observed in any turtles. Leakage after administration occurred in 75% (6/8) of the cloacal group, including 2 turtles with marked leakage or expulsion. Two of eight turtles in the cloacal group regained movement and required euthanasia by a standard method and 1 turtle in the oral group was excluded from further analysis due to a miscalculated dose. The remaining 13 turtles (7/8 oral, 6/8 cloacal) had cessation of a heartbeat at a median of 18 hours (range = 6 to 26 hours) with respiratory arrest occurring within 15 minutes. The median time to loss of corneal reflex was 45 minutes (range = 15 minutes to 4 hours). Time-to-loss of parameters was similar between oral and cloacal routes, respectively. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Transmucosally administered pentobarbital via the oral and cloacal routes both result in euthanasia within approximately 24 hours. Given that 25% of the turtles in the cloacal group required a secondary method of euthanasia, the oral route is a preferred route to induce euthanasia in pond turtles.

MELANOCYTIC NEOPLASIA IN PANTHERA SPECIES: CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS, PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS AND RESPONSES TO TREATMENT.

Neoplasia is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in captive nondomestic felids. Seven tigers (Panthera tigris), two African lions (Panthera leo), and two snow leopards (Panthera uncia) were diagnosed with melanocytic neoplasia (10 malignant melanomas, two benign melanocytomas) over a 20-yr period. Animals were 10-19 yr old and 5/7 tigers were phenotypically white. Malignant melanoma tumor location included skin (n = 4), oral mucosa (n = 2), nasal planum (n = 1), iris/uvea (n = 2), and lip margin (n = 1); melanocytomas were found in skin (n = 2). Metastasis to regional lymph nodes was seen at diagnosis in 3/7 melanoma cases. Thoracic radiography (n = 6) and/or computed tomography (n = 2) did not detect pulmonary metastasis at diagnosis but were useful for detection later in the disease course. Median survival time (MST) for all cases ranged from 1 mon - 40 mon. Seven cases with malignant melanoma underwent treatment, which included surgery, radiation therapy, and administration of the canine melanoma vaccine (Oncept®) or a combination of these treatments; MST was 5-40 mon for these cases. While multimodal therapy may provide an improved survival time, the majority of animals with malignant melanoma invariably died from neoplastic disease. Necropsy confirmed metastasis of malignant melanoma in 7/9 animals; sites included lung, liver, lymph node, kidney, mesentery, pleural cavity, heart, stomach, spleen, and adrenal gland. This case series describes the clinical and histologic findings of melanocytic neoplasia in nondomestic felids as well as multimodal treatment strategies incorporating the canine melanoma vaccine.

TOTAL EAR CANAL ABLATION AND LATERAL BULLA OSTEOTOMY (TECA-LBO) IN ATLANTIC HARBOR SEALS (PHOCA VITULINA CONCOLOR) FOR SUCCESSFUL SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF OTITIS MEDIA.

Chronic, severe otitis media was diagnosed in four Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor), three of which were stranded animals undergoing rehabilitation. All seals presented with unilateral purulent aural discharge that would intermittently recur despite prolonged topical and systemic antimicrobial therapy. Aerobic culture from aural discharge isolated multidrug-resistant organisms in all seals, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and/or Enterococcus faecalis. Computed tomography was used in three cases to confirm otitis media and positive contrast ear canalography was used in one case to confirm tympanic membrane rupture. Given the persistent nature of otitis, surgical intervention in the form of a total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO) was indicated. Surgery was successful in achieving complete clinical resolution of otitis in all seals. Postoperative complications included temporary unilateral paralysis of the left nare (2/4) and a transient left ptosis (1/4). Partial to complete surgical site dehiscence occurred in all cases; however, complete healing was achieved by second intention in 60 d or less. One rehabilitated seal was fitted with a satellite tag that confirmed normal swimming and diving patterns post release. In harbor seals, TECA-LBO can be performed safely to treat persistent cases of otitis media and should be considered in cases of chronic otitis that are not responsive to medical management.

CLINICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LYMPH NODE ABSCESSATION IN PUP AND YEARLING CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS) UNDERGOING REHABILITATION IN A MARINE MAMMAL CENTER.

Severe focal to multifocal abscessation of the axillary and inguinal lymph nodes is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in stranded pup and yearling California sea lions (Zalophus californianus; CSLs) at The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC). A retrospective case review was conducted of all pup and yearling CSLs with axillary and/or inguinal lymph node abscesses admitted to this California rehabilitation center between January 2015 and December 2019 (n = 162). Clinical data and cultured isolates were evaluated to (1) characterize the clinical syndrome, (2) report isolated pathogens, and (3) investigate factors associated with clinical outcome (survival to release versus death). Of the 162 CSLs admitted with at least one axillary or inguinal lymph node abscess, almost all were in poor body condition, and overall mortality rate was 63% (102 of 165). Mortality rate was lower for animals presenting with a single abscess and abscess(es) in the inguinal location only; odds of death were significantly lower for animals that had their abscesses surgically drained (P = 0.029) and those that received antimicrobials (P = 0.037). Hematology and serum chemistry parameters at the time of abscess diagnosis reflected inflammation and malnutrition. Radiographic findings associated with abscesses from 45 cases included soft tissue swelling (n = 40), intralesional gas (n = 19), and osteomyelitis (n = 3). Ninety bacterial isolates were recovered from aerobic (n = 48) and anaerobic cultures (n = 17), 48.9% of which were gram negative. The most common gram-negative organisms were Escherichia coli (n = 15), Proteus spp. (n = 8), and Bacteroides ureolyticus (n = 7), and the most common gram-positive organisms were Streptococcus phocae (n = 10) and Staphylococcus spp. (n = 9). Management of lymph node abscesses via surgical drainage and multimodal systemic antimicrobial therapy with a broad-spectrum of activity may be considered to improve survival of these cases.

TEMPORAL PATTERNS IN ADMISSION OF EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) AT A NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE CLINIC AS A REFLECTION OF CLIMATE.

Significant impacts of global climate change on wildlife have been documented and are projected to continue. Reptiles have been suggested as being especially susceptible to these effects along with other anthropogenic impacts on their environment. A retrospective review of medical records for 2,356 wild eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) admitted to the Turtle Rescue Team (TRT) at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine between 1996 and 2017 was performed in order to: 1) report common presenting complaints, 2) describe the timeline of when box turtles were admitted to the TRT for each year of the study, and 3) investigate temporal shifts in turtle admissions and associations with changes in environmental temperature over a 22-yr period. The most common presenting complaint was vehicular trauma (n = 1,195) with over 70% of the caseload associated with anthropogenic impacts. Average monthly temperatures from 1996 to 2017 for Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, were extracted from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate database. By comparing the pre- and post-2006 years using the Mann-Whitney test, we found that both the annual peak temperature and the annual timing of admission to the TRT have shifted significantly or with a strong tendency towards significance (P = 0.0008 and 0.052, respectively). Annual peak temperature has increased by 1.3°C, and timing of admission has shifted 18 days earlier between pre- and post-2006 years. This supports the hypothesis that box turtle activity patterns are shifting and that these changes are potentially related to climate.