POSTMORTEM FINDINGS IN EIGHT SPECIES OF CAPTIVE CAECILIAN (AMPHIBIA: GYMNOPHIONA) OVER A TEN-YEAR PERIOD.

Between July 2007 and June 2017 there were 86 deaths in the populations of eight caecilian species at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) London Zoo. The mortality rate (deaths per animal-year at risk) ranged from 0.03 in the Congo caecilian (Herpele squalostoma) to 0.85 in Kaup's caecilian (Potomotyphlus kaupii). Among the 73 individuals examined post mortem, no cause of death or primary diagnosis could be established in 35 cases, but of the others the most common cause of death was dermatitis (22 cases). When all significant pathological findings were considered, skin lesions of varying types were again the commonest (56 cases), particularly among the aquatic species: Typhlonectes compressicauda (18 out of 21 cases), T. natans (8/10) and P. kaupii (12/14). Other common findings were poor gut-fill (35 cases), kidney and gastrointestinal lesions (10 cases each), generalized congestion (8 cases) and poor body condition (6 cases). This review adds to the growing body of knowledge regarding the presentations and causes of disease in captive caecilians.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Heavy Metal Toxicosis in Six Waldrapp Ibis (Geronticus eremita).

Six adult Waldrapp ibis (Geronticus eremita) were presented with heavy metal toxicosis secondary to paint chip ingestion after being placed in an indoor confinement enclosure because of a regional highly pathogenic avian influenza epornitic and government restrictions. Four of the ibis developed clinical disease signs between 45 and 64 days of confinement, including weakness, lethargy, inability to fly, low body condition, and bilateral wing droop while 2 birds appeared to remain normal during that period. Common clinicopathological findings included elevated plasma aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and bile acids values. Erythrocyte morphological changes included prominent hypochromasia, decreased size of polychromatophils with occasional cytoplasmic stippling, abnormal shapes, and D cells. Whole-body radiographic imaging revealed particulate radio-opaque material in the ventriculus of all affected birds. One bird died before chelation therapy could be instituted and heavy metal testing of the liver revealed increased concentrations of lead and zinc. Lead toxicosis was diagnosed in the 5 remaining birds by plasma lead analysis. These 5 birds were hospitalized for an average of 40 days and treated with sodium calcium edetate and fluid therapy, which resulted in resolution of the toxicosis. Plasma biochemistry, complete blood counts, and blood lead values were performed repeatedly on all 5 birds and were used to guide therapy and monitor treatment response. This case series emphasizes the importance of early contingency planning and reviews the treatment of lead toxicosis in birds with a focus on long-term clinical monitoring and hematology.

Comparison of the nutritional content of the captive and wild diets of the critically endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) to improve its captive husbandry.

It is vital to provide appropriate nutrition to maintain healthy populations in conservation breeding programs. Knowledge of the wild diet of a species can be used to inform captive diet formulation. The nutritional content of the wild diet of the critically endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) is unknown, like that of most amphibians. In this study, we analyzed the nutritional content of food items that comprise 91% of the wild diet of L. fallax, by dry weight of food items, and all food items offered to captive L. fallax at ZSL London Zoo and Jersey Zoo. We subsequently compared the nutritional content of the wild diet and captive diet at ZSL London Zoo consumed by L. fallax. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to directly compare the nutritional content of the wild and captive diets of an anuran amphibian. The captive diet at ZSL London Zoo, without dusting of nutritional supplements, was higher in gross energy and crude fat and lower in ash, calcium and calcium:phosphorus ratio than the wild diet. Most of the food items in the captive diets had a high omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid ratio and in the wild diet had a low omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid ratio. We recommend a combination of modifications to the captive diets to better reflect the nutritional content of the wild diet. Nutritional analysis of captive and wild diets is recommended for other species in conservation breeding programs to improve captive husbandry and ultimately fitness.

Development of a body condition score for the mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax).

The Critically Endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) has undergone drastic population decline due to habitat loss, hunting, invasive species, and chytridiomycosis. In response, several partner institutions initiated a conservation breeding program. It is important to maintain the captive population in good health. Therefore the program partners have recommended establishment of protocols for health examination of the species, including body condition assessment. Visual body condition scoring is a useful means to assess body condition in zoo animals for which regular bodyweight measurements are impractical or associated with capture-related stress. In this study, the authors developed a visual body condition score for the mountain chicken frog based on an ordinal categorical scale from 1 to 5 (1 = lowest body condition, 5 = highest body condition) using anatomical features that vary with total body energy reserves. Veterinary staff, animal managers, keepers, researchers, and students subsequently used the body condition score to assign scores to 98 mountain chicken frogs (41 male, 57 female) aged between 8 months and 12 years housed in five zoos in the UK and Jersey between February and March 2016. Body condition scores showed moderate (rho = 0.54; males) to strong (rho = 0.6; females) correlation with the scaled mass index, an objective measure of total energy reserves. The majority of pairwise comparisons between scores showed slight to substantial intra-observer agreement (93.8%) and slight to almost perfect inter-observer agreement (97.2%). Cases of poor agreement were likely due to limited observer experience working with the species.

Determination of vertebral heart score in Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii).

BACKGROUND: Goeldi's monkeys (Callimico goeldii) are callitrichid primates commonly kept in zoological collections, and to date, no cardiac parameters have been recorded. The vertebral heart score (VHS) is an objective method of evaluation of cardiac size well documented in domestic mammals, and the aim of this study was to determine the VHS in Goeldi's monkeys. METHODS: In this retrospective study, right lateral radiographs of thirteen clinically well animals were reviewed and vertebral heart score determined. RESULTS: The vertebral heart score was found to be 9.35 ± 0.31. CONCLUSIONS: The observed value appears consistent within the study population and with values for other primate species. The value determined may be of benefit in objectively evaluating cardiac size in this species.

Medical management of acute ocular hypertension in a western screech owl (Megascops kennicottii).

A wild young adult western screech owl (Megascops kennicottii) of unknown sex was presented for evaluation of an abnormal left eye (OS). Ophthalmic examination OS revealed raised intraocular pressure (37 mm Hg; reference interval 7-16 mm Hg), mydriasis, conjunctival and episcleral hyperemia, shallow anterior chamber due to anterior displacement of the lens and iris, rubeosis iridis, and engorgement of the pecten. The intraocular pressure in the right eye (OD) was 11 mm Hg. Multifocal pale, variably translucent, curvilinear to vermiform opacities were observed in the medial and ventral peripheral regions of the retina OD, consistent with focal retinitis. Mannitol (0.46 g/kg IV) was administered over 10 minutes. Forty minutes later, the intraocular pressure was 27 mm Hg OS and 13 mm Hg OD. Dorzolamide (one drop OS q12h), diclofenac (one drop OU q8-12h), and meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg PO q24h) were administered for 3 days. The intraocular pressure OS was within normal limits 1 day (11 mm Hg), 7 days (13 mm Hg), and 4 weeks (14 mm Hg) after this treatment. Complications arising during hospitalization and rehabilitation included superficial corneal ulceration of both eyes presumed secondary to trauma on being caught and superficial damage to a talon. The owl was released after a period of rehabilitation. Characteristic presenting signs as well as response to therapy suggest aqueous misdirection was the cause of ocular hypertension in this owl. To our knowledge, this is the first report of suspected aqueous misdirection and its medical management in a raptor.

Private Keeping of Dangerous Wild Animals in Great Britain.

We analysed the licences issued by British local government authorities under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, which regulates the private keeping of wild animals categorised as "dangerous", to assess the scope and scale of private keeping of dangerous wild animals in Great Britain. Results are compared with historical data from England and Wales, showing that there has been an overall decrease both in the total population of dangerous wild animals privately kept under licence and the number of licences, resulting primarily from a decrease in the farming of wild boar and ostrich, and from certain other species no longer requiring a licence to be kept. Nonetheless, the private keeping of dangerous wild animals remains prevalent, with a total population of 3950 animals kept under licence, and at least one-third of local authorities in Britain licensing keepers of one or more such animals. The population of non-farmed dangerous taxa has increased by 59% in 20 years, with notable increases in crocodilians (198%), venomous snakes (94%), and wild cats (57%). We present evidence that the average cost of a licence to keep dangerous wild animals has fallen over time, and that there is a negative association between cost and licensing. The current schedule of species categorised as dangerous is compared to a formally recognised list of species kept in zoos assessed by risk to the public. Problems with the legislation, enforcement of the licensing system, and animal welfare for privately kept dangerous wild animals are identified and discussed.

Successful management of Heinz body hemolytic anemia associated with leek (Allium ampeloprasum) ingestion in a South American coati (Nasua nasua).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the diagnosis, management, and outcome of Heinz body hemolytic anemia in a South American coati (Nasua nasua) secondary to suspected leek (Allium ampeloprasum) toxicosis. CASE SUMMARY: A South American coati presented with Heinz body hemolytic anemia following addition of leeks to its diet for 2-5 days prior to initial presentation. Administration of a whole blood transfusion from an animal of the same species (conspecific) and supportive care resulted in immediate improvement in clinical signs. Normal behavior fully returned within 6 days of transfusion. Hematological evidence of anemia resolved by 4 weeks and there were no significant features of oxidative injury present by 8 weeks following initial presentation. NEW INFORMATION PROVIDED: This is the first reported case of Heinz body hemolytic anemia, suspected leek toxicosis, and administration of a blood transfusion in this species.

Concentrating on zoo and wildlife species.

Helle Hydeskov and Stephanie Jayson are European College of Zoological Medicine residents on new three-year training programmes being run jointly by the Zoological Society of London and the Royal Veterinary College. Here, they explain what motivated them to take up their residencies.