Comparison of Two Radiofrequency Vessel-Sealing Device for Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in African Lionesses (Panthera Leo).

To evaluate two vessel-sealing devices with different jaw lengths for dissecting ovaries in adult obese African lionesses undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy. Twelve lionesses (n = 12) were recruited. The surgical procedures were performed through three portals, with a retractor platform positioned at the umbilical port and cannulas placed 3-4 cm cranial and caudal to the device at the level of the midline. Ovariectomy was performed using a vessel-sealing device according to a randomization list. We evaluated the surgery time the intra- and postoperative complications. The total surgery time was 49.3 min (range 40-61 min) in the Atlas group and significantly lower in the Caiman group (mean 31.8 min, range 26-51 min). The installation phase was similar between the groups. The ovariectomy time was significantly lower in the Caiman group (mean 7.8 min, range 4-11 min) than in the Atlas group (mean 20 min, range 16-30 min). Controlled bleeding was observed at the tip of the uterine horn in two cases in the Atlas group. No other complications were noted. The results of our study confirmed the significant advantages of employing the Caiman 12 vessel-sealing device in comparison with the LigaSure Atlas in terms of the time needed to complete ovariectomy, although both instruments could be considered safe. The use of the Caiman 12 is recommended when performing laparoscopic ovariectomies in adults with obesity.

Wound Retractor Laparoscopic Port System for Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Panthera leo.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and intraoperative complications of performing ovariectomies in African lionesses (Panthera leo) using a wound retractor laparoscopic platform. Six lionesses (n = 6) were included. The surgical procedures were carried out through three portals, with a retractor platform positioned at the umbilical port and cannulas placed 3-4 cm from the cranial and caudal regions to the device at the level of the midline. An ovariectomy was performed with a vessel-sealing device. We evaluated the surgery time and the intraoperative and early postoperative complications. The mean weight was 172.83 kg. The total surgery time was 49.33 min. The installation step took a mean of 10.33 min to complete. The mean ovariectomy time was 20 min. Controlled bleeding was observed at the tip of the uterine horn in two cases due to excessive tissue thickness. The retrieval of dissected ovarian tissue and annexes was easily performed. No other complications were observed. The use of the laparoscopic platform during three-portal surgeries for laparoscopic ovariectomy in adult overweight lionesses is feasible and without intraoperative problems. The retractor meant that there were no entry-related issues due to the 25 mm mini-laparotomy. It also made it simpler to extract thick ovaries and promptly re-establish the pneumoperitoneum.

Laparoscopic salpingectomy in Papio hamadryas for birth control in captivity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic salpingectomy in baboons (Papio hamadryas). We hypothesized that laparoscopic salpingectomy could be performed in baboon species within a reasonable amount of surgical time, with minor complications occurring at low rates. STUDY DESIGN: Case series and technique description. ANIMALS: Sixteen baboons (n = 16). METHODS: The surgical procedures were performed using the 3-port technique, with 5 mm instruments and a telescope placed at the umbilical and hypogastric regions. A salpinx dissection was performed, using a radiofrequency bipolar vessel sealing device, from the fimbriae to the uterine attachments. We evaluated the surgical duration, learning curve, and intraoperative and early postoperative complications. RESULTS: Ten adult and 6 subadult baboons with a mean weight of 9.32 kg, a range of 4-14.2 kg, and a standard deviation (SD) of 3.09 kg were included in the study. The total duration of surgery was 28.75 min (range, 16-50 min; SD, 9.60 min). The installation phase was completed in a mean time of 7.68 min (range, 3-15 min; SD, 3.43 min), and the time to complete the salpingectomy of both salpinges was 9.68 min (range, 4-20 min; SD, 3.97 min). No complications were observed in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic salpingectomy in Papio hamadryas was feasible, with an acceptable surgical time, low invasiveness, and only minor technical perioperative complications. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Laparoscopic salpingectomy could be a viable and safe therapeutic option in nonhuman primate birth-control programs.

Pharmacokinetics of injectable marbofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administration in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans).

Fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs are currently used in reptilian medicine because of their broad spectrum of activity including the most frequent pathogens of these species. The disposition kinetics of marbofloxacin (MBX) at a single dose of 2 mg/kg were determined in healthy red-eared sliders after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration. The influence of renal portal system on the bioavailability of the drug was investigated by using forelimb and hindlimb as IM injection sites. Apparent volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss ) and systemic clearance (Cl) of marbofloxacin after IV administration were estimated to be 48.21 ± 5.42 ml/kg and 23.38 ± 2.90 ml/hr·kg, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after IM route were 45.96% (forelimb) and 52.09% (hindlimb). The lack of statistically significant differences in most of the pharmacokinetic parameters after the two IM injection sites suggests a negligible influence of renal portal system in clinical use of MBX, although the Cmax after IMfore administration is advantageous, having into account the concentration-dependent action of this antibiotic. The absence of visible adverse reactions in the animals and the advantageous pharmacokinetic properties suggest the possibility of its safe and effective clinical use in red-eared sliders.

Diagnosis and treatment considerations in a case of malignant mesenchymoma in an African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus).

A 20-yr-old African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus) presented with a slowly growing mass located on the dorsum at the level of the last thoracic vertebrae. The mass was hard, 10 cm in diameter, and not adherent to the underlying tissues. Multiple biopsies were collected for histopathology and revealed extensive areas of necrosis, small nodules of malignant mesenchymal proliferation with areas of chondroid metaplasia, and atypical cells in vessel walls. The morphologic diagnosis was suggestive of malignant mesenchymal neoplasia originating from the vascular wall. The mass was removed 1 mo later due to ulceration and infection. Histologically, based on the World Health Organization's classification of neoplastic processes in domestic animals, the tumor was consistent with malignant mesenchymoma. The margins of resection revealed the presence of neoplastic cells. Based on these results, the particular species involved, the high local invasiveness, and the high metastatic index of this malignant tumor in domestic mammals and humans, the prognosis was poor. The animal died 6 mo later with metatastic disease.

Malignant catarrhal fever in a captive American bison (Bison bison) in Italy.

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a fatal, systemic disease of cattle and other domestic and wild ruminants that, in Europe, is caused by Ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2). American bison (Bison bison) are highly susceptible to the disease. An adult American bison, housed in a zoo in southern Italy in close cohabitation with a group of domestic sheep (Ovis aries aries) displayed clinical signs that resembled the acute form of MCF. By real-time polymerase chain reaction, OvHV-2 DNA was detected intravitam in blood, in nasal and ocular swabs, and postmortem in tissue samples of the bison. By indirect fluorescent antibody test, high MCF antibody titers were found in the bison serum. Ovine herpesvirus 2 DNA and antibodies were also found in blood samples from the domestic sheep, thus suggesting a potential role of these animals as a source of the infection. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first MCF case in captive ruminants in Italy and the second confirmed case in captive bison of European zoos.