OCCURRENCE OF GERM CELL NEOPLASIA IN MALE STRIPED BASS (MORONE SAXATILIS) UNDER HUMAN CARE IN A PUBLIC AQUARIUM: SURGICAL TREATMENT AND OUTCOME.

The striped bass (Morone saxatilis) has been a fish species of special concern in Canada since its marked decline in the early 21st century in the St. Lawrence River. Individuals kept in public aquaria contribute to public education and could support conservation efforts through research. Over a 3-yr period, 12 male striped bass housed in a multispecies exhibit developed coelomic distension. The testes were enlarged (12/12), cystic (2/12), and heterogeneous (3/12) on coelomic ultrasound. Upon coeliotomy, enlarged (12/12), partially (4/12) or totally white discolored (6/12) testes were noted. These were associated with coelomic hemorrhage (8/12), effusion (3/12) or adhesions to surrounding organs (9/12). Orchiectomies were performed in all fish. Among these, seven fish survived 2 mon postsurgery, and four fish were still alive 900 d postsurgery. Germ cell neoplasia was diagnosed on histopathological examination in 9 of 12 individuals, but no abnormalities were found in the three other cases. Preventive orchiectomies were performed on the remaining six male striped bass in this exhibit. Germ cell neoplasms were present in two of these six fish. No anesthetic or surgical complications were noted; all six cases were alive 2 mon postsurgery and four of the fish survived 900 d postsurgery. Survival times were not significantly different between fish that underwent preventive or curative orchiectomy (P = 0.19). Although risk factors associated with the development of these gonadal tumors remain unknown, a genetic or environmental origin is suspected. Orchiectomy should be considered in suspected cases of testicular tumors.

A Post-Operative Follow-Up of an Endangered Saltwater Fish Lensectomy for Cataract Management in a Public Aquarium: A Case Series.

Mature cataracts can be a life-threatening condition in fish as it may result in anorexia. Lens extraction has been previously described in fish, but the long-term outcome of this procedure has not been evaluated. Eleven captive-bred adult fish housed in a public aquarium presented with unilateral (n = 3/11) or bilateral (n = 8/11) mature cataracts. All cases belonged to three endangered fish populations: striped bass (Morone saxatilis) originating from the Saint Lawrence River and Atlantic and spotted wolffish (Anarhichas lupus and Anarhichas minor). Pre-operatively, fish presented with anorexia, dark discoloration, abnormal position in the water column, skin abrasions, and/or decreased body condition scores. A lensectomy was performed in eleven fish, including a bilateral procedure in four fish, corresponding to fifteen eyes. Follow-up examinations were performed one to two weeks and one year post surgery. The main complication was self-resolving: corneal edema was present in 67% of eyes, persistent after a week in 47% of eyes, and resolved thereafter. Post-operatively, 73% of fish resumed feeding and regained a good body condition score. Persistent visual impairment post-surgery associated with anorexia required euthanasia in three out of eleven cases. The median time of death was 336 days post surgery (range: 27-1439 days) and three cases were still alive 1334 to 1425 days after the lensectomy. This was considered a favorable outcome for these older individuals with concurrent diseases.

Determination of Coagulation Parameters by Whole Blood Dynamic Viscoelastic Coagulometry in Strigiformes.

No reference values are available in Strigiformes to evaluate blood coagulation using dynamic viscoelastic coagulometry (DVC) with the Sonoclot (Sienco, Boulder, CO, USA) analyzer. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the feasibility of DVC in Strigiformes, 2) to calculate the index of individuality of each coagulation parameter, and 3) to assess interspecies variability and establish reference intervals, if relevant, based on the index of individuality. Fresh whole blood samples were obtained from healthy Strigiformes, including 13 barred owls (Strix varia), 10 great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), 6 snowy owls (Bubo scandiacus), and 7 eastern screech owls (Megascops asio), and analyzed with DVC with glass bead (gb) and kaolin clay (k) coagulation activators. Activated clotting time (ACT), clot rate (CR), and platelet function were determined immediately after collection using fresh native whole blood. Intraindividual variability was assessed with a second fresh native whole blood sample from 5 barred owls. Interindividual variability was assessed using a Kruskall-Wallis test. For the parameters gbACT (n = 35), gbCR (n = 34), and kACT (n = 27), no significant differences were detected between species (all P ≥ 0.05). Based on low index of individuality, global Strigiformes reference intervals were determined for gbACT (32.3-852.5 seconds; n = 35), gbCR (0-20.1 units/min; n = 29), and kACT (0-1570.3 seconds; n = 27). In conclusion, DVC can be used in Strigiformes and the gb coagulation activator would be more appropriate when basal individual values are not available in a tested individual.

Establishment of preliminary reference intervals and cytochemical staining of blood cells in big-bellied seahorses (Hippocampus abdominalis).

BACKGROUND: Despite their popularity, hematology reference intervals (RIs) have not been established in big-bellied seahorses (Hippocampus abdominalis). OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to establish hematologic RIs to compare values between sex in regard to cytochemical staining of blood cells. We also sought to compare white blood cell concentrations using the Natt and Herrick technique vs blood smear estimates. METHODS: Forty-three healthy individuals from the Aquarium du Québec (22 females and 21 males) were included. Normal health status was confirmed by an unremarkable physical examination in five individuals and by necropsy of five other individuals, of which all were excluded from further analyses. Venipuncture was performed from the ventral coccygeal vein in the remaining 33 individuals without anesthesia using heparinized insulin syringes. A blood volume of 0.05 to 0.1 ml was collected to prepare Wright Giemsa-stained blood smears and hematocrits immediately after venipuncture. Whole blood was stored in heparinized Eppendorf tubes to determine red and white blood cell concentrations using the Natt and Herrick technique with a hemocytometer in 10 individuals; these results were compared with blood smear estimates. Additional blood smears were stained with alkaline phosphatase substrate, periodic acid Schiff, and toluidine blue stains. RESULTS: The reference intervals included the packed cell volume (27.4-67.5%), thrombocyte count (19.5-197.7 × 109 /L), and white blood cell (WBC) count (2-54.8 × 109 /L), including neutrophils (1.1-21.3 × 109 /L), lymphocytes (2.7-45.5 × 109 /L), and monocytes (0-2.2 × 109 /L). The WBC hemocytometer counts showed no correlation with blood smear estimates (Spearman's rho = 0.2). There was also no significant difference between the sexes. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary reference intervals will help assess the health of seahorses.

Risk Factors and Prognosis for Humeral Fractures in Birds of Prey: A Retrospective Study of 461 Cases from 2000 to 2015.

The objectives of this retrospective study were 1) to characterize humeral fractures in raptors at a rehabilitation program, 2) to determine risk factors for closed and compound humeral fractures in the raptors, and 3) to investigate prognostic factors for humeral fractures in raptors. Of the 6017 birds of prey admitted over 15 years to the Université de Montréal raptor rehabilitation program, 461 birds presented with a humeral fracture. The highest occurrences of humeral fractures were documented in short-eared owls (33%; Asio flammeus), Northern hawk-owls (24%; Surnia ulula), long-eared owls (20%; Asio otus), and Northern harriers (19%; Circus hudsonius). Humeral fractures were more common in males, and species from the intermediate weight group (300 g to 1 kg) were more likely to have compound humeral fractures than birds from the lower and higher weight groups. Humeral fractures of the middle and distal third of the bone were diagnosed as compound more often than fractures of the proximal third. A correlation between the occurrences of humeral fractures and the relative average width of the humerus for each species was observed and suggests that species with slender humeri have an increased likelihood of compound humeral fractures. Following the triage criteria used at this rehabilitation program, surgical (119 birds) or nonsurgical (77 birds) treatments were attempted. Release rate for birds without concomitant conditions in which a treatment was attempted was 39.3% (59/150) and did not significantly differ between closed and compound fractures, which suggests that the triage criteria used for compound fractures in this program were adequate. Our findings emphasize that raptors should not be systematically euthanatized when presented with compound humeral fractures to a rehabilitation facility.

Outcomes of Birds of Prey with Surgical or Traumatic Wing Amputation: A Retrospective Study from 1995 to 2017.

Surgical amputation of a limb is often required to treat raptor orthopedic injuries at rehabilitation centers. In some cases, amputation is an alternative to euthanasia if the bird's welfare is deemed appropriate under human care. The outcome for raptors maintained in a captive setting following wing amputation is poorly documented. A retrospective study was conducted in a Canadian raptor rehabilitation facility to assess the outcomes and complications observed in captive and free-living raptors with partial or complete, surgical or traumatic amputations of the wing. Data from raptors admitted to the rehabilitation center from 1995 to 2017 were reviewed. Overall, 32 records were included in this retrospective study from 11 species of raptors with surgical or traumatic wing amputations. Survival times of the 23 birds with an amputated wing (median: 1070 days, range: 68 days to 13 years and 1 month) were significantly (P = .02) longer than the survival times of the 404 non-amputated birds (median: 696 days, range 37 days to 27 years and 3 months). Complications occurred in 13 of 30 birds (43%) during the recovery period, with 9 of 30 (30%) birds developing life-threatening complications. Maladaptation to captivity was the leading cause of euthanasia during this period. After placement in captivity, 3/23 (13%) birds developed complications related to the amputation site. Based on this study, we conclude that some birds can tolerate partial or complete wing amputation, but the decision to place a bird in a captive setting should encompass the bird's ability to cope with human interaction and the availability of an adapted and safe enclosure for the animal.

USE OF SYMMETRIC DIMETHYLARGININE TO DETECT RENAL LESIONS IN FISH: A PRELIMINARY STUDY IN BROOK TROUT (SALVELINUS FONTINALIS).

Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is an early marker for renal lesions in mammals. The objectives of this study were 1) to establish a reference interval of SDMA in healthy brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814), and 2) to assess its sensibility as a marker of renal pathology. Plasma SDMA was quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in 25 adult brook trout, including 20 fish displaying no renal histologic lesions, and five fish displaying chronic nonactive microscopic granulomas. The fish size (P = 0.30) and weight (P = 0.12) were not statistically different among groups, nor were SDMA values (P = 0.22). However, brook trout without microscopic renal lesions tended to have lower SDMA values (no lesions: mean = 24.9 µg/dL; lesions: mean = 31.4 µg/dL). The reference interval (90% confidence interval [90% CI]) for SDMA concentration in brook trout ranged between 10.0 µg/dL (90% CI: 5.4-14.7) and 39.8 µg/dL (90% CI: 34.8-43.9). These values were higher than those previously reported in other vertebrate species. Further research is needed to evaluate the use of SDMA as a marker of renal function in fishes.

Altered prolactin and androgen receptors expression in companion rat benign mammary tumours.

Benign mammary tumours are among the most common tumours of companion rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica), as well as a major animal welfare concern and euthanasia. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of oestrogen, progesterone, androgen, and prolactin receptors in neoplastic and normal mammary gland tissues and compare the expression of these receptors between groups. The second objective was to determine if the expression of these receptors in neoplastic mammary gland tissue correlates with overall survival and occurrence of an additional mass after initial mammary mass excision. The third objective was to determine if the expression of oestrogen, progesterone, androgen and prolactin receptors was associated with mammary tumor clinical parameters or with the age of the animals. Thirty-two benign mammary tumours were collected from companion rats and submitted for immunohistochemistry staining of prolactin receptor, oestrogen receptor alpha (ERa), progesterone and androgen receptors (AR). Allred score were obtained for mammary tumours (n = 32) and surrounding normal mammary tissue (n = 20) when present. Prolactin receptor expression increased significantly with mammary gland tumorigenesis (P < .0001), while AR expression decreased with tumorigenesis (P < .0001). Lower expression of ERa in tumor stroma was associated with shorter survival (P = .02). Hormonal receptor expression was not significantly associated with age, mass diameter, location nor likelihood of additional mass development. Further studies should investigate the effects of prolactin antagonists in a prospective study involving companion rats with benign mammary tumours.

Effect of ultraviolet radiation on vertebrate animals: update from ethological and medical perspectives.

Many animals under human care are kept indoors to prevent infectious diseases vectored by wildlife, facilitate environment control, or due to the lifestyle of their owners. However, ultraviolet radiation has documented effects on animal vision, vitamin synthesis, immunity, behavior, psychogenic disorders and on their environment. Ultraviolet-emitting lights are commercially available and the documentation of their effect on indoor-housed animals is increasing. This article reviews published information about ultraviolet effects in vertebrate animals from veterinary and ethological perspectives, and techniques used to assess ultraviolet exposure across animal taxa.

Release Rates and Complications for Birds of Prey With Antebrachial Fractures at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

A retrospective case series that included 253 free-ranging birds of prey admitted to a rehabilitation center was conducted to describe the treatment and outcome of antebrachial fractures. Medical records from birds of prey belonging to 21 species admitted with antebrachial fracture between 1989 and 2015 at the University of California, Davis, were reviewed. Species distribution on admission, treatment, outcome, and complications were described by fracture category and species. Among 134 birds treated after initial triage on the day of admission, 4 bone/ wing categories were identified: 83 birds had an ulnar fracture only; 18 birds had a radial fracture only; 28 birds had a concomitant fracture of the radius and ulna on the same wing; and 5 birds had bilateral antebrachial fractures. Logistic regressions were performed to determine which factors were associated with a positive outcome within each of these 4 categories. Among birds having only an ulnar fracture, those with a closed fracture were significantly more likely to be released than birds with open fractures (P = .03; odds ratio = 5.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.29-28.12). In addition, birds with a fracture of the middle third of the ulna were significantly more likely to be released than birds diagnosed with a single fracture of the proximal third of the ulna (P = .02; odds ratio = 4.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.35-16.64). No significant prognostic factor was detected in other fracture categories.

Evaluation of ß-carotene assimilation in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius).

Although leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are commonly kept under human care, their vitamin requirements are largely unknown. Many invertebrate preys display a low vitamin A concentration; thus, gut-loading insects with vitamin A or carotenoids is a common practice. The objective of this prospective experimental study was to investigate whether dietary supplementation with ß-carotene, including prey gut-loading, leads to sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage and prevents epithelial squamous metaplasia development in leopard geckos. Ten clinically healthy female leopard geckos were randomly divided in two groups with various supplementations: a group receiving vitamin A supplementation and a group receiving ß-carotene. Insects were gut-loaded continuously with a supplement containing vitamin A or ß-carotene, depending on the group. Oral supplementation with cod liver oil or carrot juice was administered weekly to each lizard from "vitamin A group" and "carotenoid group" respectively. After 10 weeks of supplementation, surgical hepatic biopsies were obtained in three geckos of each group while the two remaining geckos were euthanized to undergo complete necropsy. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was determined for each lizard (n = 10) by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Histopathology revealed hepatocellular vacuolization and vitellogenic follicles in five females. Epithelial squamous metaplasia was not observed in any of the geckos. Hepatic vitamin A concentration was significantly higher in the carotenoid-supplemented group than in the vitamin A-supplemented group (p = 0.03). Our results suggest that in leopard geckos, dietary supplementation with ß-carotene allows sufficient vitamin A hepatic storage.

Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of and risk factors for ophthalmic disease in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) at a veterinary teaching hospital: 52 cases (1985-2013).

OBJECTIVE To describe diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of and risk factors for ophthalmic disease in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 112 of 144 (78%) leopard geckos that were evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital in January 1985 through October 2013 and for which sufficient medical record information was available. PROCEDURES Information from medical records was used to identify leopard geckos with ophthalmic disease, characterize cases, and determine risk factors for the presence of ophthalmic disease. RESULTS Of the 112 leopard geckos, 52 (46%) had ophthalmic disease (mainly corneal or conjunctival disease). Female geckos were less likely to have ophthalmic disease, and there was a positive association between increasing age and ophthalmic disease. Use of a paper towel substrate, absence of any heat source, and lack of vitamin A supplementation were positively associated with a diagnosis of ophthalmic disease. Head dysecdysis was the only concurrent disorder significantly associated with ophthalmic disease. At necropsy, 5 affected leopard geckos had squamous metaplasia of the conjunctivae. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that ophthalmic disease is a common finding in leopard geckos. The cause of ocular surface disease in leopard geckos may be multifactorial, and hypovitaminosis A may be an important risk factor. Although animals receiving supplemental vitamin A were less likely to have ophthalmic disease, further understanding is required regarding the metabolism of and nutritional requirements for vitamin A in leopard geckos.

COMPARISON BETWEEN THORACIC RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS AND POSTMORTEM DIAGNOSIS OF THORACIC DISEASES IN DYSPNEIC COMPANION RATS (RATTUS NORVEGICUS).

Companion rats are often presented to veterinarians for respiratory difficulties. Dyspnea in rats is most commonly due to infectious pneumonia, and thoracic neoplasia can go undiagnosed ante mortem due to a mistaken interpretation of pneumonia. In domestic carnivores, pulmonary nodular patterns have been shown to correlate with lung neoplastic diseases and infectious diseases. The main objective of this retrospective case series study was to determine whether certain radiographic criteria could be correlated with the presence of thoracic infectious disease and neoplastic disease in companion rats. A secondary objective was to determine whether the patient's sex and age were different between rats diagnosed with infectious versus neoplastic disease. Medical records and thoracic radiographs of dyspneic companion rats presented to the University of California at Davis, William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital during the time period from January 2000 to December 2014 were reviewed. Rats with postmortem confirmation of thoracic lesions were included in the study. Thoracic radiographs were evaluated for positioning, lesion distribution, lung lobe involved, pulmonary pattern, mediastinal and pleural lesions by three observers blinded to diagnosis. Thirty rats were included in the study, including 23 rats with an infectious disease and seven with neoplasia. Mediastinal lesions were significantly more prevalent in the group diagnosed with thoracic neoplasia (P = 0.031), in particular cranially (P = 0.048). Although there was an overlap between the two groups, findings indicated that the presence of cranial mediastinal lesions may be helpful for differentiating neoplastic from infectious disease in rats.

Fish Oncology: Diseases, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics.

The scientific literature contains a wealth of information concerning spontaneous fish neoplasms, although ornamental fish oncology is still in its infancy. The occurrence of fish neoplasms has often been associated with oncogenic viruses and environmental insults, making them useful markers for environmental contaminants. The use of fish, including zebrafish, as models of human carcinogenesis has been developed and knowledge gained from these models may also be applied to ornamental fish, although more studies are required. This review summarizes information available about fish oncology pertaining to veterinary clinicians.

Description of the prevalence, histologic characteristics, concomitant abnormalities, and outcomes of mammary gland tumors in companion rats (Rattus norvegicus): 100 cases (1990-2015).

OBJECTIVE To describe the prevalence, histologic characteristics, concomitant abnormalities, and outcomes for various types of mammary gland tumors in companion rats (Rattus norvegicus). DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 100 client-owned rats. PROCEDURES Medical records of companion rats that had an SC mass and were examined at a veterinary teaching hospital between 1990 and 2015 were reviewed. Information regarding the signalment, age at mass detection, reproductive sterilization status, histologic diagnosis of the SC mass, location of the initial and all subsequent SC masses, treatments administered, and clinical outcomes was extracted from each record and summarized. RESULTS 105 SC masses were initially detected in 100 rats. The most prevalent SC mass identified was mammary gland fibroadenoma (56/105 [53%]), followed by mammary gland carcinoma (13/105 [12%]). Overall, 26 of 105 (25%) masses were malignant. Sexually intact males were more likely to have nonmammary SC tumors than sexually intact females. In rats receiving no adjunctive treatment after excision of a mammary gland fibroadenoma (n = 16), a second fibroadenoma was detected 1 to 8 months after initial excision, at a median of 4.5 months after surgery. A concomitant pituitary gland tumor was identified in most rats with mammary gland fibroadenoma (21/28 [75%]) and other types of mammary gland tumors (10/17 [59%]). Fourteen of 35 (40%) rats with mammary gland fibroadenoma had concomitant reproductive tract abnormalities. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that, like other species, companion rats with SC masses should undergo a thorough diagnostic workup that includes histologic examination of the excised mass.

Hematologic, Plasma Biochemical, and Lipid Panel Reference Intervals in Orange-winged Amazon Parrots ( Amazona amazonica ).

To establish reference intervals in orange-winged Amazon parrots ( Amazona amazonica ) for the complete blood count, plasma biochemical values, and lipid panel and to evaluate age- and sex-related variations, blood samples were obtained from 29 healthy juvenile and adult parrots. Concentrations of total protein, bile acids, phosphorus, total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in adult compared with juvenile birds, while uric acid concentration was significantly higher in juveniles. The white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, and phosphorus and potassium concentrations were significantly higher in females, while chloride concentration was significantly higher in males. In this species, direct measurement of LDL-C resulted in lower concentrations than LDL-C calculated with the Friedewald formula. Assessment of the agreement between the calculated and measured LDL-C concentrations indicated a systematic bias of 19.1 mg/dL and a proportional bias of 1.07. A correction factor of -19 mg/L could be applied to the Friedewald formula, to obtain a result closer to the measured LDL-C, providing clinically acceptable (<20% difference) agreement in 66% of the samples. Triglyceride concentrations within the range measured in healthy birds of the present study did not significantly affect the bias between calculated and directly measured LDL-C. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of nutritional factors, genetics, and exercise on biochemistry and lipoprotein panel analytes in orange-winged Amazon parrots.