Lactococcus garvieae-associated septicemia in a central bearded dragon.

Lactococcus garvieae is the causative agent of lactococcosis in fish and an emerging zoonotic pathogen with high levels of antimicrobial resistance. We report a case of L. garvieae-associated septicemia in a central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) confirmed via whole-blood PCR and direct sequencing. Following a 30-d course of ceftazidime (20 mg/kg IM q72h), the animal's clinical condition had not resolved; leukopenia persisted, with heterophil toxic change. Coelomic ultrasound findings were consistent with preovulatory follicular stasis, folliculitis, and coelomitis. Following surgical ovariectomy and an additional 30-d course of ceftazidime, the animal's behavior and appetite returned to normal, the animal tested negative via whole-blood PCR assay, and the CBC was unremarkable. To our knowledge, L. garvieae with L. garvieae-associated clinical disease has not been reported previously in a bearded dragon. We conclude that L. garvieae should be considered as a possible etiologic agent in cases of septicemia in bearded dragons, with the potential for zoonotic transmission warranting further investigation.

Systemic Exophiala equina infection in an Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina): a case report and literature review.

Phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by melanized fungi. This disease has been reported in several animal species including invertebrates, cold-blooded vertebrates, mammals, and humans. Melanized fungi have similar phenotypical features and confirmation requires culture and molecular diagnostics. To exemplify this we present a case of a 333 g adult of unknown age, free-ranging, male Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) that was referred to the Turtle Rescue Team at North Carolina State University for evaluation of multilobulated masses occupying the entire left orbit and at the right forelimb on the plantarolateral aspect of the foot. A fine needle aspirate cytologic examination of the mass on the right forelimb revealed large numbers of inflammatory cells and fungal organisms. Histopathology of the skin biopsies from the right forefoot was consistent with phaeohyphomycosis. A course of antifungal medication was started (Fluconazole 21 mg/kg loading dose IV then 5 mg/kg PO SID q 30 days). Due to concern for the patient's quality of life and the lack of a curative treatment plan, humane euthanasia was elected. Gross and histological postmortem examination confirmed the presence of multiple coelomic masses similar in appearance to those observed in the left orbit and right forefoot indicating disseminated phaeohyphomycosis. A swab of the periocular mass was submitted for fungal culture and phenotypic identification. The isolate was later identified as Exophiala equina through a combination of phenotypic characterization and sequencing of the ITS region of the nuclear rDNA. Exophiala is a genus in the family Herpotrichiellaceae, order Chaetothyriales and is considered an opportunistic "black yeast" causing infection in aquatic invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals including humans. Exophiala equina is infrequently reported in animals, with only three cases in the literature including the herein report.

Analysis of Blood Biochemistry of Free Ranging and Human-Managed Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) Using the i-STAT Alinity v®.

Handheld point-of-care blood analyzers deliver rapid results for biochemical and hematologic parameters, making them very useful in veterinary clinics and in fieldwork applications. This study compared the biochemical and hematologic parameters generated by the novel point-of-care analyzer i-STAT® Alinity V CHEM8+ cartridge between human-managed and free ranging populations of southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). In addition, a novel reference interval for ionized calcium (iCa), a parameter of diagnostic and prognostic importance, was established for southern white rhinoceros. Blood samples were obtained from 10 managed (6 at NC Zoo and 4 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2019) and 30 free ranging white rhinoceros (collected in South Africa between 2018 and 2019) and analyzed using the i-STAT. Multiple parameters were higher (P < 0.05) in free ranging versus managed animals including potassium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. Conversely, iCa concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in the managed populations of white rhinoceros. The RI determined for iCa was 1.36-1.56 mmol/L, with a mean of 1.46 mmol/L, and was determined using the guidelines from the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology. There was no difference in anion gap, chlorine, total carbon dioxide, or sodium between the populations. Seasonality and locality of sampling as well as diet may be contributing factors to the higher iCa concentrations in managed rhinoceros. The six elevated parameters in free ranging rhinoceros are likely attributable to dehydration compounded by capture stress. This data provides insight into the state of several biochemical and hematologic parameters in southern white rhinoceros and will allow veterinarians to better assess the health of both managed and free ranging populations.