Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam after intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration of a single dose to African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus).

Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used in avian species. In this study, the pharmacokinetic parameters for meloxicam were determined following single intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral (p.o.) administrations of the drug (1 mg/kg·b.w.) in adult African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus; n = 6). Serial plasma samples were collected and meloxicam concentrations were determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography assay. A noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. No undesirable side effects were observed during the study. After i.v. administration, the volume of distribution, clearance and elimination half-life were 90.6 ± 4.1 mL/kg, 2.18 ± 0.25 mL/h/kg and 31.4 ± 4.6 h, respectively. The peak mean ± SD plasma concentration was 8.32 ± 0.95 µg/mL at 30 min after i.m. administration. Oral administration resulted in a slower absorption (tmax  = 13.2 ± 3.5 h; Cmax  = 4.69 ± 0.75 µg/mL) and a lower bioavailability (38.1 ± 3.6%) than for i.m. (78.4 ± 5.5%) route. At 24 h, concentrations were 5.90 ± 0.28 µg/mL for i.v., 4.59 ± 0.36 µg/mL for i.m. and 3.21 ± 0.34 µg/mL for p.o. administrations and were higher than those published for Hispaniolan Amazon parrots at 12 h with predicted analgesic effects.

Pansteatitis associated with high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in a wild loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta.

We describe the morphologic and toxicological findings in a case of pansteatitis in a stranded loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta. At necropsy, a large amount of adipose tissue in the celomic cavity showing very firm, yellow to orange irregular formations was observed. Histological lesions ranged from the infiltration of necrotic fat by scarce multinucleated giant cells and numerous macrophages containing xylene-insoluble lipopigment inclusions to the presence of several granulomas characterized by an irregular central necrotic area consisting of lipopigment surrounded by numerous multinucleated giant cells. Microbiological cultures were negative. Celomic fat was analyzed for PCBs and DDTs, resulting in very high levels of PCB 138, 153, 180 209 (3170, 2830, 980 and 1190 ng g-1, respectively). Although a nutritional cause cannot be ruled out, the high levels of PCBs detected in the celomic fat could have induced lipid peroxidation in adipocytes, resulting in cell damage, deposition of ceroid pigment and inflammatory response. This is the first report of pansteatitis in a wild sea turtle.

Salt gland adenitis as only cause of stranding of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta.

The present study describes pathological and microbiological findings in 9 stranded loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta, whose only observed lesion was bilateral purulent salt gland adenitis. Histological lesions ranged from the presence of abundant eosinophilic material associated with bacterial colonies in the lumen of the central ducts of the glandular lobules to the destruction of the glandular tissue and presence of abundant eosinophilic material composed of heterophils and cell debris, lined by multinucleated giant cells. Aeromonas hydrophila, Staphylococcus sp., and Vibrio alginolyticus were the bacteria most frequently isolated. Plasma concentrations of sodium and chloride and plasma osmolality from 2 turtles suffering from salt gland adenitis were, respectively 45.7, 69.2, and 45.7% higher than the mean value for healthy turtles. These cases suggest that failure to maintain homeostasis due to severe lesions in the salt glands can cause stranding and/or death of loggerhead sea turtles.

Lesions Observed Post Mortem in Post-hatchling Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) from a Head Start Programme.

Head start programmes are ex-situ conservation procedures consisting of the captive rearing of sea turtle hatchlings for several months in order to avoid high mortality rates in the first year of life. Studies of the diseases of hatchling and post-hatchling turtles belonging to these programmes are scarce. We describe the gross and histological lesions found in 78 post-hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) that died during captive rearing in the conservation programme of the Cape Verde-Canary Islands, initiated with 113 hatchlings. The main organ systems affected were respiratory (57.69%), integumentary (41.02%) and digestive (41.02%), affecting 94.87% of the animals. Other less frequently affected organ systems were cardiovascular (3.85%), excretory (3.85%), muscular (2.56%) and reproductive (1.28%). The most common lesions were different types of dermatitis (41.02%), mainly ulcerative and/or heterophilic ulcerative dermatitis; these lesions were compatible with a traumatic origin caused by biting and subsequent infection with gram-positive cocci. Purulent and/or fibrinonecrotizing rhinitis associated with mixed populations of bacteria were commonly detected respiratory lesions (21.79%). Acute interstitial pneumonia was the most common form of pneumonia diagnosed (20.51%). Fibrinonecrotizing stomatitis associated with sparse gram-negative rods was the most common digestive tract lesion (29.49%). A possible explanation for the high mortality rate (88.50%) observed in this study could be the occurrence of a decrease in water temperature during the growth phase of the turtles. Despite the limitations caused by an absence of microbiological studies, the survey provides useful information on the lesions found in post-hatchling loggerhead turtles from this head start programme. In addition to maintaining water temperature above 20°C, attention must be paid to lesions that can easily be detected, such as dermatitis, rhinitis and stomatitis.

Morphologic and cytochemical characteristics of blood cells of juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

A morphologic classification based on the cytochemical characteristics of blood cells of 35 juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) is described. Cytochemical stains included benzidine peroxidase, chloroacetate esterase, alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase (with and without sodium fluoride), acid phosphatase (with and without tartaric acid), Sudan black B, periodic acid-Schiff, and toluidine blue. The morphologic characteristics of erythrocytes were similar to those reported in green turtles. Six types of white blood cells were identified: heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and thrombocytes. Except for the basophils, the rest of the white blood cells from loggerhead turtles had different cytochemical characteristics compared to blood cells from other sea turtle species. The leukocyte differential count was different from that reported for other sea turtle species. Heterophils were the most numerous leukocytes from these loggerhead turtles, followed by lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils. This paper provides a morphologic classification of blood cells of loggerhead sea turtles that is useful for veterinary surgeons involved in sea turtle conservation.

Morphologic and Cytochemical Characteristics of the Blood Cells of the Yellow-Bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta).

The increasing prevalence of yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta) as pets in the European Union and also its utilization as animal models for experimental purposes makes crucial an accurate classification of their blood cells. The aim of this work was to provide a morphologic classification based on the cytochemical characteristics of the blood cells of 15 yellow-bellied sliders. Cytochemical stains included benzidine peroxidase, chloroacetate esterase, alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase (with and without sodium fluoride), acid phosphatase (with and without tartaric acid), Sudan black B, periodic acid-Schiff and toluidine blue. Nuclear and cellular dimensions were also measured based on quick Romanowsky-type stained smears. Besides erythrocytes and thrombocytes, five types of white blood cells were identified: heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. The cytochemical patterns of heterophils, eosinophils and basophils were unique compared to those described for other chelonians. This paper provides a useful guideline for clinical settings and further haematological studies of this species.

Computed tomographic anatomy of the head of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta).

The heads of three loggerhead sea turtles were disarticulated and imaged immediately to minimize postmortem changes and then frozen and sectioned. For computed tomography (CT) imaging, the heads were positioned in ventral recumbency. Transverse CT images with soft-tissue window were obtained from the olfactory sac region to the temporomandibular joint region. After CT imaging, the heads were sectioned and the gross sections were compared to CT images, to assist in the accurate identification of the anatomic structures. Different clinically relevant anatomic structures were identified and labelled in two series of photographs (CT images and anatomic cross-sections). CT images provided good differentiation between the bones and the soft tissues of the head. The information presented in this paper should serve as an initial reference to evaluate CT images of the head of the loggerhead sea turtle and to assist in the interpretation of lesions of this region.

Three-dimensional time of flight magnetic resonance angiography of the heart and associated vessels in a cat.

The aim of this study was to describe the normal magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the heart and associated vessels in a mature female cat using a 1.5-Tesla magnet. Non-contrast enhanced MRA was performed using a three-dimensional time of flight (TOF) sequence in parasagittal and dorsal aspects. Relevant cardiac and vascular structures were labelled on three-dimensional Time of flight images. Time of flight imaging showed details of the heart cavities and vessels lumen due to the high signal intensity of fast-flowing blood compared with bones, muscles, and lungs, which appeared with low signal intensity. Three-dimensional TOF sequences provided adequate anatomical details of the heart and good differentiation of the vascular structures that could be used for interpretation of cardiac images and to assist in future MRA studies.

Diseases and causes of mortality among sea turtles stranded in the Canary Islands, Spain (1998-2001).

This paper lists the pathological findings and causes of mortality of 93 sea turtles (88 Caretta caretta, 3 Chelonia mydas, and 2 Dermochelys coriacea) stranded on the coasts of the Canary Islands between January 1998 and December 2001. Of these, 25 (26.88%) had died of spontaneous diseases including different types of pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, septicemic processes and neoplasm. However, 65 turtles (69.89%) had died from lesions associated with human activities such as boat-strike injuries (23.66%), entanglement in derelict fishing nets (24.73%), ingestion of hooks and monofilament lines (19.35%), and crude oil ingestion (2.15%). Traumatic ulcerative skin lesions were the most common gross lesions, occurring in 39.78% of turtles examined, and being associated with Aeromonas hydrophila, Vibrio alginolyticus and Staphylococcus spp. infections. Pulmonary edema (15.05%), granulomatous pneumonia (12.90%) and exudative bronchopneumonia (7.53%) were the most frequently detected respiratory lesions. Different histological types of nephritis included chronic interstitial nephritis, granulomatous nephritis and perinephric abscesses, affecting 13 turtles (13.98%). Ulcerative and fibrinous esophagitis and traumatic esophageal perforation were the most frequently observed lesions in the esophagus, being associated in the majority of the cases with ingestion of fishing hooks. Larval nematodes of the Anisakidae family caused gastritis in 15 turtles (16.13%). Necrotizing and/or granulomatous hepatitis were the lesions most commonly observed in the liver (27.95%). Traumatic lesions included necrotizing myositis (10.75%) mainly caused by entanglement in fishing nets or boat-strikes, and amputation of 1 or 2 flippers (25.81%) by netting. Traumatic erosions and/or fractures of the carapace/plastron mainly caused by boat-strikes were also observed (26.88%). Eye lesions included heterophilic keratoconjunctivitis, ulcerative keratitis and heterophilic scleritis, affecting 7 turtles (7.53%).

Debilitating cutaneous poxvirus infection in a Hodgson's grandala (Grandala coelicolor).

A case of cutaneous avian pox infection in a Hodgson's grandala (Grandala coelicolor) is described. The bird was emaciated and had nodules on the eyelids, bill, neck, legs, and toes. Eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were visualized by light microscopy in epithelial cells of the cutaneous nodules. Electron microscopy revealed numerous pox virions in the inclusion bodies. This is the first report of cutaneous poxvirus infection in a Hodgson's grandala.

Septicemia associated with Hafnia alvei in laying hens.

In the present work Hafnia alvei was isolated from laying hens displaying a reduction in egg production, loss of appetite, opisthotonus, and death. Multifocal necrotizing hepatitis and splenitis were the most prominent lesions. The organism was identified microbiologically. Laying hens were experimentally inoculated by the oral and intraperitoneal route to show the pathogenicity of the organism. A very similar clinicopathologic effect resulted from this trial. Several experimentally infected laying hens died due to septicemia. We conclude that H. alvei may cause a septicemia similar to that reportedly caused by Salmonella spp. in avian species.

Intestinal cryptosporidiosis in pigeons (Columba livia).

An intestinal disease in pigeons (Columba livia) from the Canary Islands characterized by diarrhea and body weight loss is described. Intestinal cryptosporidiosis was identified in three young pigeons. Cryptosporidia were associated with hyperplasia of the intestinal crypts and moderate inflammatory infiltration in lamina propria. This is the first report of cryptosporidiosis in pigeons.

Simultaneous occurrence of Salmonella arizonae in a sulfur crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita galerita) and iguanas.

A case of fatal hepatitis in a captive sulfur crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita galerita) in which Salmonella arizonae was microbiologically and immunohistochemically detected is described. The death of the cockatoo was closely related to the arrival of a group of 10 green iguanas (Iguana iguana) at a pet shop, and no previous clinical signs were observed in the cockatoo. The most important lesion observed at necropsy of the cockatoo was a multifocal necrotic hepatitis. Salmonella arizonae was isolated from the liver of the cockatoo and was detected immunohistochemically mainly around the edges of necrotic foci. Four iguanas died 3 days later showing a severe enteritis, and Salmonella arizonae was isolated from these lesions. The importance of quarantine and, because of pathogens such as Salmonella, the need to house reptiles at a distance from avian species, mainly psittacids, are reinforced. This is the first report of Salmonella arizonae infection in a cockatoo.

Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in two loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta.

We received 2 stranded loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) with squamous cell carcinomas to necropsy. The dead turtles had been collected in Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura in April 1994 and May 1997, respectively to determine the cause of death. One turtle had 3 ulcerated lesions in the dorsal part of the neck and several irregular masses in the lungs and kidneys. Histologic examination of lesions in the skin, lungs, kidneys, and ventricular myocardium revealed neoplastic proliferation of abnormal keratinocytes. Ultrastructural examination identified the tumoral cells as epithelial cells. The second turtle had 4 lesions in the skin of the head and flippers, and several irregular masses in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Histological examination revealed a squamous cell carcinoma with metastases to muscle tissue, liver, lungs, and kidneys. Attempts to characterize the tumoral cells by immunohistochemistry using several monoclonal and polyclonal antisera against high and low molecular weight cytokeratins from mammals, as well as vimentin and desmin, failed. Differences between reptilian keratins (mainly beta-keratins) and mammalian keratins (mainly alpha-keratins) could explain this absence of immunoreactivity. This is the first description of squamous cell carcinoma in sea turtles.

Association of herpesvirus with fibropapillomatosis of the green turtle Chelonia mydas and the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in Florida.

Sea turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease marked by proliferation of benign but debilitating cutaneous fibropapillomas and occasional visceral fibromas. Transmission experiments have implicated a chloroform-sensitive transforming agent present in filtered cell-free tumor homogenates in the etiology of FP. In this study, consensus primer PCR methodology was used to test the association of a chelonian herpesvirus with fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapilloma and skin samples were obtained from 17 green and 2 loggerhead turtles affected with FP stranded along the Florida coastline. Ninety-three cutaneous and visceral tumors from the 19 turtles, and 33 skin samples from 16 of the turtles, were tested. All turtles affected with FP had herpesvirus associated with their tumors as detected by PCR. Ninety-six percent (89/93) of the tumors, but only 9% (3/33) of the skin samples, from affected turtles contained detectable herpesvirus. The skin samples that contained herpesvirus were all within 2 cm of a fibropapilloma. Also, 1 of 11 scar tissue samples from sites where fibropapillomas had been removed 2 to 51 wk earlier from 5 green turtles contained detectable herpesvirus. None of 18 normal skin samples from 2 green and 2 loggerhead turtles stranded without FP contained herpesvirus. The data indicated that herpesvirus was detectable only within or close to tumors. To determine if the same virus infected both turtle species, partial nucleotide sequences of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene were determined from 6 loggerhead and 2 green turtle samples. The sequences predicted that herpesvirus of loggerhead turtles differed from those of green turtles by only 1 of 60 amino acids in the sequence examined, indicating that a chelonian herpesvirus exhibiting minor intratypic variation was the only herpesvirus present in tumors of both green and loggerhead turtles. The FP-associated herpesvirus resisted cultivation on chelonian cell lines which support the replication of other chelonian herpesviruses. These results lead to the conclusion that a chelonian herpesvirus is regularly associated with fibropapillomatosis and is not merely an incidental finding in affected turtles.

Respiratory and digestive lesions caused by Salmonella arizonae in two snakes.

Cases of diphtheritic necrotizing gastritis in a Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata) and of necrotizing tracheitis in a double-headed Kingsnake (Lampropeltis hondurensis), both associated with Salmonella arizonae, are described. An immunoperoxidase technique indicated that S. arizonae played a role in the causation of the lesions. In addition, the study showed the value of the technique for the detection of S. arizonae in the tissues of infected snakes.

Association of cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus with natural chronic tracheitis in goats.

A histological, histochemical and immunohistological study of the respiratory tract of 83 slaughtered goats (50 adults and 33 kids) is described. Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus was detected by means of the Warthin Starry method in the tracheal epithelium of seven (21.2%) of the kids and 16 (32%) of the adult goats. A chronic diffuse tracheitis characterized by mixed lymphocyte and plasma-cell infiltration was found in all seven kids and in 17 adults, including the 16 infected with the CAR bacillus. Although not proved, it is possible that the CAR bacillus caused the chronic tracheitis. Immunohistochemical results suggested that the caprine CAR bacillus was closely related to the rabbit CAR bacillus.

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum in caprine abortion: a case report.

Described in this study are the immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings in a case of caprine abortion due to the experimental infection of the dam with strain GM13 of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum. Mycoplasma antigens were seen mainly in choriallantoic trophoblasts and in the lumen of blood vessels in the allantoic membrane. Examination with an electron microscope showed that the chorioallantoic trophoblasts were filled with typical mycoplasma organisms. No other bacteria were observed in any of the samples. Our results confirm by immunohistochemical and electron microscopic techniques that Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum can cause caprine abortion and that the process can occur without premonitory signs.

A pathological and immunohistochemical study of caprine pleuropneumonia induced by subspecies of Mycoplasma mycoides.

In a population of 700 goats, 150 died; of these, 29 were necropsied. Ten of the 29 goats had pleuropneumonia. Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Large Colony) (MmmLC), Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc), and Pasteurella multocida were isolated from five of the pleuropneumonic goats. Gross and microscopical lesions were typical of caprine pleuropneumonia (CPP), with bronchopneumonia, fibrinopurulent or fibrinonecrotic pleuropneumonia and dilatation of the interlobular septa and pleura. Immunohistochemical examination with antisera against MmmLC and Mmc showed mycoplasma antigens in all 10 goats with CPP. In all cases, both MmmLC and Mmc antigens were detected together. Mycoplasma antigens were present in the lumina of the airways and alveoli, mainly inside the cytoplasm of neutrophils and macrophages, but extracellular antigen was demonstrated in areas of necrosis. Pasteurella antigens were detected in four of the 10 animals with CPP. From the histological, immunohistochemical and microbiological results it was concluded that the two mycoplasmas, acting together, caused the pleuropneumonia, with P. multocida playing a subsidiary synergistic role.

Intestinal candidiasis in a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta): an immunohistochemical study.

Post mortem examination of a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) stranded in the Canary Islands revealed a fishing-line in the small intestine. Histologically, severe necrotic enteritis, multiple haemorrhages, and marked oedema of the intestinal submucosa were observed. Yeast cells and fungal hyphae were seen in the lamina propria of the intestinal mucosa and in the connective tissue of the submucosa. Because fungal cultures were not taken at the time of necropsy, an immunohistochemical study was performed in order to identify the fungus involved. Specific monoclonal and heterologously absorbed polyclonal antibodies served as the primary reagents for identification of aspergillosis, candidiasis, fusariosis, geotricosis, scedosporiosis, and zygomycosis, using an indirect immunofluorescence staining technique. The fungal elements were strongly stained only by a polyclonal antibody against Candida albicans and a monoclonal antibody against C. albicans. There are no known previous reports of Candida sp. causing skin disease or systemic mycotic infection in sea turtles.