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.

Detection of Snake Fungal Disease Due to Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in Virginia, USA.

Snake fungal disease (SFD) is an emerging disease of wildlife believed to be caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. Although geographic and host ranges have yet to be determined, this disease is characterized by crusty scales, superficial pustules, and subcutaneous nodules, with subsequent morbidity and mortality in some snake species. To confirm the presence of SFD and O. ophiodiicola in snakes of eastern Virginia, US, we clinically examined 30 free-ranging snakes on public lands from April to October 2014. Skin biopsy samples were collected from nine snakes that had gross lesions suggestive of SFD; seven of these biopsies were suitable for histologic interpretation, and eight were suitable for culture and PCR detection of O. ophiodiicola. Seven snakes had histologic features consistent with SFD and eight were positive for O. ophiodiicola by PCR or fungal culture.

Radiation therapy of a malignant melanoma in a thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha).

A male thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma of the mandibular beak (gnathotheca). Surgical excision was impossible because of the location of the lesion; a combination of radiation therapy and oral antitumor drugs were used to treat the neoplasm. A whole-body computed tomographic scan showed evidence of metastasis in the lungs; the bird, therefore, was considered to have stage IV disease. Throughout the treatment period, the bird showed no clinical evidence of systemic disease. The bird was given 20 treatments of localized radiation therapy of 2.5 Gray (Gy) for a cumulative dose of 50 Gy. The bird was also treated with piroxicam and cimetidine orally from the time of diagnosis, throughout radiation therapy, and until its death. By the completion of radiation therapy, the initial lesion had decreased considerably in size. The bird survived 2.5 months after radiation therapy was completed but died of complications related to metastatic disease. Necropsy results revealed metastases throughout the body, including lesions in the lungs and liver. To our knowledge, this is the first report of localized radiation therapy and oral antitumor drugs being used to treat malignant melanoma in an avian patient. The radiation therapy did produce tumor response in the form of a reduction in size of the visible tumor.