[Focal meningitis in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)--diagnostic procedure and pathology]. / Herdförmige Meningitis bei einem Kalifornischen Seelöwen (Zalophus californianus) - Diagnostik und pathologische Befunde.

A 15-year-old female California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) with progressive lameness of the hindlimbs and a chronic skin lesion was presented for clinical examination. The clinical neurological examination, showing a paraparesis, was completed by magnetic resonance imaging. MR images of the cervical and thoracic spine showed a well-defined muscle infiltrating lesion between the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) and the second thoracic vertebra (T2), which extended through the intervertebral foramina between C7 and T1 into the vertebral canal, causing spinal cord compression and displacement. Pathological examination revealed focal purulent meningitis resulting from widespread fistulas of the chronic skin leasion, which was infected with Escherichia coli var. haemolytica and Clostridium perfringens.

[The immobilization of giraffes]. / Zur Immobilisation von Giraffen.

The anatomical and physiological conditions of blood circulation in the giraffe are pointed out. 16 immobilizations in the giraffe of either sex are reported, of which 10 were immobilized according to the following scheme. 1. Premedication: 30 mg Xylazine 150 mg Hyaluronidase 2. 15 minutes later a halter with two long ropes is put on to hold up the animals' heads after they lay down. 3. 20 minutes after premedication the injection of 5.6-6.0 mg Etorphine (2.5-2.7 ml Immobilon) together with 150 I.U. Hyaluronidase follows. 4. We think that the most important fact is to hold the animals head and neck in an upright position during the whole time of immobilization. 5. Within 3 to 5 minutes after the intravenous application of 15 mg Diprenorphine (5.0 ml Revivon) the animals raise without any problems.

[Treatment of contagious ecthyma in chamois]. / Zur Behandlung des Lippengrindes der Gemse.

The infection with ecthyma contagiosum in chamois and the successful treatment with hexachlorocyclohexane are reported.

[Practical advice concerning the immobilization of wild and zoo animals]. / Praktische Hinweise zur Immobilisation von Wild- und Zootieren.

The usage of ketamine, etorphine and carfentanyl, each combined with xylazine, for the immobilization of captive and free living wild animals is reported. The side-effects of these immobilizaion combinations are discussed. The dosage rates of the immobilization combinations for mammmals, birds and reptiles are presented in tabular form.

[The immobilization of wild equines with STH 2130 and tiletamine/zolazepam]. / Zur Immobilisation von Wildequiden mit STH 2130 und Tiletamin/Zolazepam.

Successful immobilisation of Przewalski's horses and zebras was obtained by using a combination of STH 2130 (Boehringer) and Tiletamin/Zolazepam.

[Multiple ocular coloboma (MOC) with persistent pupillary membrane in the snow leopard (Panthera uncia)]. / Multiple okulare Kolobome (MOC) mit persistierender Pupillarmembran beim Schneeleopard (Panthera uncia).

In a litter of three snow leopards, bilateral colobomata of the upper temporal eyelids, bilateral persistent pupillary membranes and a unilateral coloboma of the optic nerve entrance are described as "Multiple Ocular Colobomata" (MOC). The causal pathogenesis of each of the colobomata is discussed comparatively. The colobomata of the eyelids, essential feature of the MOC syndrome in snow leopards, are most probably not of hereditary, but rather of intrauterine infectious viral origin.

[The use of fenbendazole for controlling helminths in small zoo ruminants]. / Einsatz von Fenbendazol zur Bekämpfung von Helminthen bei kleinen Zoo-Wiederkäuern.

By means of coproscopical examination the anthelmintic efficacy of 5.0 mg fenbendazole/kg body weight and 0.714 mg/kg body weight, administered for seven consecutive days, was determined in three series of trials on small ruminants in the zoological gardens of Munich. Both doses proved to be highly effective against trichostrongylids; the egg output was reduced to an average of 100% and 80-100%, respectively. Despite of a partly lower efficiency after the multiple administration of a low level doses (7 x 0.714 mg fenbendazole/kg body weight) this is a sufficient and economical treatment for the control of the infestation with endoparasites in the - in this respect - difficult housing systems of zoological gardens.

[The use of tiletamine/zolazepam/romifidine for distant immobilization of wild boars]. / Die Verwendung von Tiletamin/Zolazepam/Romifidine zur Distanzimmobilisation von Wildschweinen.

The immobilisation of 25 wild boars with a combination of tiletamine/zolazepam/romifidine is described. The applied dose was 3-6 mg/kg BW Tilest 500 and 100 micrograms/kg BW Sedavet. The mean recumbency time was 5-10 min. There were no critical moments during anesthesia, even with pregnant sows. Anesthesia was supervised with a pulse oximeter and a respiration frequency monitor. The oxygen saturation was between 92% and 96%, pulse and respiration rate remained normal.

[The antagonism of ketamine/xylazine anesthesia ("Hellabrunn mixture") in wild zoo ruminants]. / Untersuchungen zur Antagonisierung der Ketamin/Xylazin-Anästhesie ("Hellabrunner Mischung") bei im Zoo gehaltenen Wildwiederkäuern.

The ability of the antagonists tolazoline, yohimbine and the combination of yohimbine with 4-aminopyridine to reverse the effects of the xylazine-component of the "Hellabrunn mixture" (125 mg/ml xylazine and 100 mg/ml ketamine) on nondomestic zoo ruminants is discussed. Arousal time, recovery time and changes in the parameter of circulatory and respiratory functions after antagonization are shown. Tolazoline is able to antagonize the xylazine effect completely within a short time. Using a dosage of 3-5 mg/kg there is a marked negative effect on the cardio-vascular system. Yohimbine in the used dosage of 0.25-0.3 mg/kg in non-domestic ruminants did not approve in its effects. Combining yohimbine (0.25-0.3 mg) with 4-aminopyridine (0.5 mg/kg) recovery time is about 30 minutes. The negative effect on the cardio-vascular system is less pronounced compared with tolazoline.

Vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters), alpha-tocopherol and lipid levels in plasma of captive wild mammals and birds.

Vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters), vitamin E and lipids were determined in a wide variety of wild mammals and birds held in captivity. In mammals plasma levels of vitamin A were generally below 500 ng/ml and those of vitamin E were highly variable (0.1-2 micrograms/ml). In primates, vitamin E levels were 3 to 8 micrograms/ml. Whereas in Marsupialia, Chiroptera, primates, Rodentia, Proboscidea, Sirenia, Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla only retinol was found, retinyl esters (basically retinol palmitate/oleate) represented 10 to 50% of the total plasma vitamin A in some birds of the order Ciconiiformes and Falconiformes. Retinol levels in birds were higher compared to mammals (500-2,000 ng/ml). The same was true for lipids as well as for vitamin E levels (1-26 micrograms/ml) in the plasma of birds.