Radiographic and sonographic features, and histogram parameters of the liver and spleen in healthy Toco toucans (Ramphastos toco, Müller 1976).

This study aimed to evaluate radiographic and sonographic features, and histogram parameters based on grayscale ultrasound of the liver and spleen in healthy toco toucans. Fifteen adult toco toucans (Ramphastos toco), seven females and eight males, weighing approximately 650 g, were enrolled in the study. On the right lateral radiographic view, the liver was visualized in the midventral region of the coelomic cavity; ultrasonographically, the liver was located in the middle portion of the coelomic cavity in close relationship to the heart, and thoracic and abdominal air sacs. Two hepatic lobes were identified; the right lobe was larger than the left one. The spleen was visualized in 10 toco toucans on radiographs and only in eight toucans on ultrasound exams. The gallbladder was identified only on ultrasound. On the right lateral radiographic view, the spleen was visualized dorsal to the proventriculus and ventral to the lungs/air sacs as an oval shape. Ultrasonographically, the spleen was observed caudal to the liver, cranial to the proventriculus and craniodorsal to the ventriculus. There was no significant difference in spleen length for either radiographic or ultrasound measurements. The brightness intensity (BI) for mean gray level (G) and standard deviation of gray levels (SG ) in the liver were 101.315 (± 16.170) and 12.453 (± 2.616), respectively. Mean G and SG levels in the spleen were 63.940 (± 18.321) and 7.494 (± 3.595), respectively. In conclusion, the sonographic features and histogram parameters indicated that the liver is more echogenic and heterogeneous than the spleen, which must be considered for diagnosing alterations in these organs.

Seroprevalence to Rabies Virus in Wildlife in Brazil.

Serum samples of 638 free-ranging wild mammals from São Paulo state, Brazil, were tested for neutralizing antibodies against rabies virus by the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. Overall seroprevalence was 1.7% among 24 species surveyed, with individuals of six species having positive results indicating exposure to rabies virus.

Ultrasonography of the gastrointestinal tract of toco toucans (Ramphastos toco).

Baseline data for wall thickness in healthy toucans can be used to diagnose disease in sick individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the use of ultrasonography for the examination of the gastrointestinal tract of healthy toco toucans (Ramphastos toco). Ten non-anaesthetized healthy adult toco toucans were evaluated. Food was withheld for 3 h prior to the ultrasound examination. Longitudinal and transverse images of the gastrointestinal tract were obtained using ventromedian cranial and ventromedian caudal approaches to evaluate the morphology and stratification. The wall thickness of the sections was measured: proventriculus and ventriculus, duodenum, jejunum/ileum, and cloaca. Additionally, the thickness of the mucosal layer of the duodenum and jejunum/ileum was also measured. Subsequently, the ratios of the duodenal wall thickness to the duodenal mucosa layer and the total wall thickness of the jejunum/ileum to the jejunum/ileum layer mucosa were stablished. The wall thickness of the proventriculus was significantly higher than the wall thickness of ventriculus. The wall thickness of the duodenum was significantly higher than the wall thickness of jejunum/ileum. The mean ratios of the duodenal wall thickness to the duodenal mucosa layer and the wall thickness of the jejunum/ileum to the jejunum/ileum layer were 83.15% and 80.07%, respectively. In conclusion, it was possible to assess the stomach and intestines using ultrasound examination in healthy toco toucans, due to their medium body size and no interference by surrounding air sacs.

Semen collection, sperm characteristics and ultrasonographic features of reproductive tissues in crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous).

Our objective was to condition adult male crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) to allow semen collection by digital manipulation of the penis, assess sperm characteristics, and use ultrasonography to assess and measure testes and prostate and determine echotexture, as well as hemodynamics of testicular and spermatic cord arteries. Five captive C. thous (2-5 y, ∼7 kg) were used. After conditioning for digital sperm collection, 13 ejaculates were obtained from two males. Ejaculate characteristics (mean ± SD) were volume (393.2 ± 178.0 µL), concentration (463.7 ± 594.4 × 106 sperm/mL), total sperm number (217.4 ± 304.0 × 106 sperm), total motility (68.0 ± 6.1%), progressive motility (48.8 ± 5.1%) and rapid sperm (57.2 ± 6.8%). The most prevalent sperm morphological defects were abnormal acrosome, small abnormal head, and diadem defect. Under chemical restraint, testes and prostate were evaluated with B-mode and spectral Doppler ultrasonography. Based on ultrasonography, testicular volumes were (2.2 ± 0.7 and 2.1 ± 0.7 cm3 for left and right testes, respectively), whereas prostate dimensions were 2.3 ± 0.4 cm long and 1.5 ± 0.3 cm thick. Lastly, using triplex Doppler, peak systolic velocity (PSV) was higher in testicular versus intratesticular arteries. In conclusion, adult male C. thous were conditioned to allow sperm collection by digital manipulation without urine contamination, enabling evaluation of sperm characteristics. Furthermore, B-mode ultrasound facilitated evaluation of testes and prostate morphometry and echotexture, whereas Doppler was used to characterize testicular blood flow. This was proof of concept for semen collection and baseline data for future male reproductive soundness examinations and development of assisted reproductive techniques in this species.

Blood supply and arteriography of the pelvic limb of the Southern caracara (Caracara plancus) and great egret (Ardea alba).

The aim of this study was to compare the arterial vascularization of the pelvic limb between southern caracara (Caracara plancus) and great egret (Ardea alba) by dissection and radiographic examinations. Five specimens of caracaras (three males and two females), and seven great egrets (five males and two females) were used. Barium sulphate and latex suspension were injected into the left ventricle of the birds. The radiographs were taken with the pelvic limbs in the ventrodorsal, dorsoplantar, mediolateral and lateromedial recumbency. Thereafter, the material was fixed in a 10% solution of formaldehyde and dissected. The pelvic limb received its arterial supply from two main vessels, the ischiatic and external iliac arteries. The ischiatic artery presented to be the principal artery of pelvic limb in the caracara and great egret. Several branches arised from the ischiatic and external iliac arteries were described. No gender differences were observed in both species. The caracara and great egret showed arteries similar to those reported for the ostrich and domestic fowl. According to the results of this study, it is suggested that the caracara has a pelvic limb with more arterial branches and larger arterial diameter than the great egret, which is probably related to the specific behaviour of these birds, since the caracara is a bird that exercise more their pelvic limbs to capture its prey when compared with the great egret.

Otodectes cynotis (Sarcoptiformes: Psoroptidae): New Records on Wild Carnivores in Brazil With a Case Report.

The genus Otodectes Canestrini 1894, comprises an unique species, Otodectes cynotis (Hering, 1838), that is responsible for the 'ear mange' in terrestrial carnivores worldwide. Here we report its occurrence in four Brazilian host species from the southeastern region, based on records from Carnivora in the Acari Collection of the Butantan Institute, São Paulo state (IBSP). We also register a case report of a crab-eating fox, Cerdocyon thous L. 1758 found parasitized by this mite species.

Otodectes cynotis (Sarcoptiformes: Psoroptidae): new records on wild carnivores in Brazil with a case report

The genus Otodectes Canestrini 1894, comprises an unique species, Otodectes cynotis (Hering, 1838), that is responsible for the ‘ear mange’ in terrestrial carnivores worldwide. Here we report its occurrence in four Brazilian host species from the southeastern region, based on records from Carnivora in the Acari Collection of the Butantan Institute, São Paulo state (IBSP). We also register a case report of a crab-eating fox, Cerdocyon thous L. 1758 found parasitized by this mite species.

Otodectes cynotis (Sarcoptiformes: Psoroptidae): new records on wild carnivores in Brazil with a case report

The genus Otodectes Canestrini 1894, comprises an unique species, Otodectes cynotis (Hering, 1838), that is responsible for the ‘ear mange’ in terrestrial carnivores worldwide. Here we report its occurrence in four Brazilian host species from the southeastern region, based on records from Carnivora in the Acari Collection of the Butantan Institute, São Paulo state (IBSP). We also register a case report of a crab-eating fox, Cerdocyon thous L. 1758 found parasitized by this mite species.

A survey of hemoparasites and ectoparasites in Nasua nasua Linnaeus, 1766 with a redescription of Hepatozoon procyonis Richards, 1961 based on morphological and molecular data.

Hemoparasites are vector-borne parasites that infect wild carnivores worldwide. Since data on hemoparasite infections in Nasua nasua from Brazil are lacking, the aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of hemoparasites and ectoparasites in N. nasua from different areas of Brazil. Blood samples and ectoparasites from 83 N. nasua were collected in Botucatu, Palmital, and São Paulo municipalities. Samples were screened via microscopy and molecular methods to detect hemoparasites. Tissues from two N. nasua were obtained for histopathological and molecular analyses. All 83 samples were negative for piroplasms on morphological and molecular examination. Thin blood smears of nine animals were positive for Hepatozoon gamonts. The gamonts shared morphological characteristics of Hepatozoon procyonis. Meronts were detected in the liver and spleen tissue of one animal. Twenty-one blood samples and four tissue samples were PCR positive for Hepatozoon sp. The sequences obtained were 97% identical to those of Hepatozoon felis, Hepatozoon ursi, and Hepatozoon sp. Based on searches for similarity and morphology, we identified the sequences as belonging to H. procyonis. This study provides epidemiological data on hemoparasite infections and redescribe H. procyonis based on morphological, morphometrical, and molecular analyses.