ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AND PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS OF THYROID LESIONS IN TWO SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNAS (TACHYGLOSSUS ACULEATUS).

Two zoo-maintained short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) had long histories of intermittent anorexia and lethargy. Case 1 presented with a recurrence of these signs after transfer to another facility and died shortly after arrival. A focal area of hyperattenuation within the paratracheal tissue of the cranial mediastinum was noted antemortem on CT. Postmortem, this corresponded with severe thyroid follicular hyperplasia with lymphoplasmacytic thyroiditis. Additional findings included a systemic fungal infection without an inflammatory response, suggesting underlying factors such as torpor or immunosuppression. In Case 2, an intrathoracic mass was identified during a preshipment examination. CT confirmed a contrast-enhanced mass compressing the cranial vena cava and right atrium, and the animal was euthanized. The mass was diagnosed histologically as thyroid adenocarcinoma. These cases report thyroiditis and thyroid adenocarcinoma in echidna and describe the use of IV contrast and CT as a diagnostic aid in this species.

Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

A 19-year-old female chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) presented for cachexia, acute weakness, hyporexia, icterus, and polyuria. The animal was diagnosed with a hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, which is a well-recognized syndrome in diabetic humans that is rarely diagnosed in animals. This case documents an important and likely under-reported syndrome in non-human primates.

Bladder teratoma in a maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus).

Background: Teratomas are germ cell tumors, comprised of a mixture of tissue types and with tissue foreign to their site of origin. Case Description: A 5.5-year-old intact female maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) was treated for recurrent stranguria and suspected cystitis. Due to lack of resolution, the wolf was anesthetized for further evaluation. The urinary bladder was firm on palpation, with a markedly thickened wall and no observable lumen on ultrasound. Neoplastic infiltration was suspected on double contrast cystogram and confirmed via surgical exploration. The lesion was inoperable and the wolf was euthanized. Gross necropsy revealed two poorly distinguished masses infiltrating the urinary bladder dorsally and caudoventrally, with minimal remaining lumen. Histopathologic examination of the bladder and associated masses revealed a neoplasm comprised of multiple tissue types. Vascular invasion was noted. Conclusion: The neoplasm was diagnosed as an extragonadal teratoma. Few extragonadal teratomas have been described and this is the first report of a teratoma originating in the urinary bladder of a non-human species.

Medical Management of Hypovitaminosis D With Cholecalciferol and Elastic Therapeutic Taping in Red-legged Seriema (Cariama cristata) Chicks.

Three hand-reared, 50-53 day-old, red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata) chicks were evaluated for acute lameness and reluctance to ambulate. Two of the 3 chicks presented with angular limb deformities of the proximal tarsometatarsi and external rotation of the legs. Radiographs demonstrated decreased opacity of the long bone of the legs, with poorly delineated cortices and deviation of the proximal tarsometarsi. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol revealed all 3 chicks were deficient in vitamin D(3) at presentation. The chicks were administered injectable vitamin D(3) (cholecalciferol), oral vitamin D(3), and an ultraviolet B (UV-B) light was placed in their enclosure. Elastic, therapeutic taping was used to correct angular limb deformities present in 2 of the 3 chicks. Taping was continued until the angular limb deformities were corrected and lameness resolved. Hypovitaminosis D is a common cause of metabolic bone disease in captive avian species. Cholecalciferol administration, UV-B light supplementation, and elastic, therapeutic taping were effective treatments for osteodystrophy and secondary angular limb deformities due to hypovitaminosis D. This multifaceted treatment may be useful in other long-legged juvenile birds with similar clinical signs.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF LEIOMYOMATA AND SUSPECTED ENDOMETRIOSIS IN AN ALLEN'S SWAMP MONKEY (ALLENOPITHECUS NIGROVIRIDUS).

A 13-yr-old female nulliparous Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopitchecus nigroviridis) presented with intermittent excessive vaginal bleeding, cyclical lethargy, and a history of irregular menstrual cycles. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a subjectively thickened, irregular endometrium, multiple leiomyomata (uterine fibroids), and bilateral anechoic foci on the ovaries. Treatment was initiated with leuprolide acetate i.m. monthly for 6 mo. Recheck ultrasound at 3 mo showed a decrease in leiomyoma diameter and no evidence of active follicles on the ovaries. Eleven months following completion of treatment, clinical signs recurred and the animal was treated with a deslorelin implant. Since implant placement, no vaginal bleeding has been noted.

PRESUMPTIVE DYSGERMINOMA IN AN ORANGE-SPOT FRESHWATER STINGRAY (POTAMOTRYGON MOTORO).

A captive-born, 13-yr-old female orange-spot freshwater stingray, (Potamotrygon motoro), presented with an acute caudodorsal swelling. Ultrasonography revealed an intracoelomic mass of mixed echogenicity containing fluid pockets. The ray was euthanatized and gross postmortem examination confirmed the presence of a fluid-filled coelomic mass in the region of the reproductive tract. The mass was identified histologically as a malignant round cell tumor of the ovary. Although immunohistochemistry for protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), octamer-3/4 (OCT-3/4), and inhibin was attempted, antibodies that had been validated in mammalian species did not cross-react with stingray control tissues and did not label neoplastic cells. The final diagnosis was a presumptive dysgerminoma.

A novel siadenovirus detected in the kidneys and liver of Gouldian finches (Erythura gouldiae).

A novel siadenovirus was found in six captive Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) in the United States and Hungary. Histopathological examination revealed inclusions in the kidney of the captive Gouldian finch in the United States, and virions morphologically consistent with adenoviruses were seen by electron microscopy. Partial sequence of the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase gene was gained by consensus PCR and sequencing in all six finches, and all proved to be identical. In one Hungarian finch, additional sequence was obtained from the DNA polymerase gene, the pre-terminal protein (pTP) gene, the 52k gene, and the hexon gene. Bayesian, maximum likelihood, and distance-based analyses showed the novel virus clusters with the siadenoviruses, and is herein referred to as Gouldian finch adenovirus 1. The genes looked at in this study had low G+C percentages, which is common in the genus Siadenovirus, and suggestive of recent host switch. The significance of this virus' presence is unknown at this time as clinical signs of positive birds varied.

Surgical removal of a thymoma in a burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia).

A 12-year-old male burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) was presented for evaluation of a mass in the right cervical region. A thymoma was diagnosed after surgical resection and histopathologic evaluation. Extensive adherence of the thymoma to the esophagus and suspected invasion into the right jugular vein contributed to a poor postsurgical outcome. Diagnosis and treatment of thymomas in avian species is similar to that in mammals. Surgical removal of noninvasive thymomas is usually curative. Thymomas are rarely reported in avian species and this is the first report in a strigiform bird.

Effects of anesthesia and surgery on serial blood gas values and lactate concentrations in yellow perch (Perca flavescens), walleye pike (Sander vitreus), and koi (Cyprinus carpio).

OBJECTIVE-To evaluate serial blood gas values and lactate concentrations in 3 fish species undergoing surgery and to compare blood lactate concentrations between fish that survived and those that died during the short-term postoperative period. DESIGN-Prospective cohort study. Animals-10 yellow perch, 5 walleye pike, and 8 koi. PROCEDURES-Blood samples were collected from each fish at 3 time points: before anesthesia, during anesthesia, and immediately after surgery. Blood gas values and blood lactate concentrations were measured. Fish were monitored for 2 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS-All walleye and koi survived, but 2 perch died. Blood pH significantly decreased in perch from before to during anesthesia, but increased back to preanesthesia baseline values after surgery. Blood Pco(2) decreased significantly in perch from before anesthesia to immediately after surgery, and also from during anesthesia to immediately after surgery, whereas blood Pco(2) decreased significantly in koi from before to during anesthesia. Blood Po(2) increased significantly in both perch and koi from before to during anesthesia, and also in koi from before anesthesia to immediately after surgery. For all 3 species, blood lactate concentrations increased significantly from before anesthesia to immediately after surgery. Blood lactate concentration (mean +/- SD) immediately after surgery for the 8 surviving perch was 6.06 +/- 1.47 mmol/L, which was significantly lower than blood lactate concentrations in the 2 nonsurviving perch (10.58 and 10.72 mmol/L). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-High blood lactate concentrations following surgery in fish may be predictive of a poor short-term postoperative survival rate.

Isolation, morphologic, serologic and molecular identification of Acanthamoeba T4 genotype from the liver of a Temminck's tragopan (Tragopan temminckii).

Members of the genus Acanthamoeba are usually free-living amoebae that are found in a variety of ecological niches including soil, fresh and brackish water, dust in the air, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning filters, swimming pools and hot tubs. Occasionally they are also known to cause central nervous system infections in humans and animals. We isolated into culture an amoeba from the liver of a Temminck's tragopan (horned pheasant) (Tragopan temminckii) that died of amoebic infection. We identified the infecting amoeba as Acanthamoeba sp. based on culture characteristics, cyst morphology and immunofluorescence assays. Additionally, we identified the amoeba as Acanthamoeba, genotype T4, by sequencing a diagnostic region of the nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA gene.

Visceral and presumptive neural baylisascariasis in an orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus).

A 32.5-year-old female hybrid orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) developed hind-limb stiffness that progressed to tetraparesis over 2 wk. Repeated diagnostic evaluations, including serial magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system, revealed nonspecific lesions involving both the deep white and gray matter with an intact blood-brain barrier. Multiple empirical treatments failed to produce improvement and the animal was humanely euthanized. Histology of a granuloma in the ileum contained a nematode parasite, most consistent with Baylisascaris procyonis. Additionally, neuropil vacuolization, rarefaction, astrocytic scarring, and an eosinophilic granuloma and lymphoeosinophilic perivascular cuffing in the brain were suggestive of nematode migration. These findings confirm the presence of visceral larval migrans and support the presence of neural larval migrans. This case report of Baylisascaris procyonis confirms the presentation for the first time in an ape and documents the difficulty in antemortem diagnosis of neural larval migrans.

Undifferentiated sarcoma resolved by forelimb amputation and prosthesis in a radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata).

An adult female, radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata) presented with a grossly swollen left forelimb that restricted mobility and prevented limb withdrawal. Clinical pathology revealed leukopenia (1.9 x 10(9)/L) and hyperproteinemia (69 g/L) that on protein electrophoresis was attributed to increased acute-phase proteins in the alpha fraction (26.4 g/L). Biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated soft tissue sarcoma. Surgical amputation at the proximal humerus was curative. To encourage postoperative mobility, a novel methylmethacrylate prosthesis, molded from a lubricated transected tennis ball, was adhered to the plastron using three cortical bone screws. This is the first recorded case of a sarcoma in the genus Geochelone.

Renal evaluation in the healthy green iguana (Iguana iguana): assessment of plasma biochemistry, glomerular filtration rate, and endoscopic biopsy.

Plasma biochemistry, iohexol clearance, endoscopic renal evaluation, and biopsy were performed in 23 clinically healthy 2-yr-old green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Mean (+/- SD) values for packed cell volume (30 +/- 3%), total protein (62 +/- 7 g/L, 6.2 +/- 0.7 g/dl), albumin (25 +/- 2 g/L, 2.5 +/- 0.2 g/dl), globulin (37 +/- 6 g/L, 3.7 +/- 0.6 g/ dl), total calcium (3.0 +/- 0.2 mmol/L, 12.0 +/- 0.7 mg/dl), ionized calcium (1.38 +/- 0.1 mmol/L), phosphorus (1.32 +/- 0.28 mmol/L, 4.1 +/- 0.9 mg/dl), uric acid (222 +/- 100 micromol/L, 3.8 +/- 1.7 mg/dl), sodium (148 +/- 3 mmol/L or mEq/ L), and potassium (2.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/L or mEq/L) were considered within normal limits. Values for urea were low (< 1.4 mmol/L, < 4 mg/dl) with 70% of samples below the detectable analyzer range. After the i.v. injection of 75 mg/ kg iohexol into the caudal (ventral coccygeal or tail) vein, serial blood collections were performed over 32 hr. Iohexol assays by high-performance liquid chromatography produced plasma iohexol clearance graphs for each lizard. A three-compartment model was used to fit area under the curve values and to obtain the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using regression analysis. The mean GFR (SD) was 16.56 +/- 3.90 ml/kg/hr, with a 95% confidence interval of 14.78-18.34 ml/kg/hr. Bilateral endoscopic renal evaluation and biopsy provided tissue samples of excellent diagnostic quality, which correlated with tissue harvested at necropsy and evaluated histologically. None of the 23 animals demonstrated any adverse effects of iohexol clearance or endoscopy. Recommended diagnostics for the evaluation of renal function and disease in the green iguana include plasma biochemical profiles, iohexol clearance, endoscopic examination, and renal biopsy.

Hip luxation in a woodchuck (Marmota monax): successful treatment by closed reduction and a modified Ehmer sling.

An elastic tape sling successfully maintained reduction of a craniodorsal right coxofemoral luxation in a woodchuck (Marmota monax). No complications were encountered during the 14 days that the sling was in place. The animal remained normal through the following 8 mo.