ABSTRACT
An emaciated, 14-yr-old female boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) was found dead with an ulcerated wound on the left side of the head. Radiographs documented osteolysis of portions of the mandible and cranium. Histopathology revealed an invasive adenocarcinoma infiltrating the soft tissues and bones of the head.
Subject(s)
Female , Animals , Alberta/epidemiologyABSTRACT
An adult female Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) was euthanized because of a large mandibular mass. Histopathology revealed an ameloblastic fibro-odontoma, a rare odontogenic neoplasia.
Subject(s)
Odontoma , Sheep Diseases , Sheep, Bighorn , Alberta , Animals , Female , Odontoma/complications , Odontoma/veterinary , SheepABSTRACT
The genus Macavirus of the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae comprises two genetically distinct lineages of lymphotropic viruses. One of these lineages includes viruses that can cause malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), which are known as MCF viruses (MCFV). All MCFVs are genetically and antigenically related but carried by different hosts. In this study, we report the recognition of new MCFV carried by bighorn sheep. The virus was first identified in a bighorn sheep from Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Analysis of a conserved region of the viral DNA polymerase gene of the virus carried by this bighorn sheep showed 85.88% nucleotide identity to the MCFV carried by domestic sheep, ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2). Further investigation of bighorn samples obtained from animals in the US and Canada showed 98.87-100% identity to the DNA polymerase sequence of the first bighorn in the study. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the MCFV carried by bighorn sheep is closely related but distinct from OvHV-2. Epidemiological and virulence features of the newly recognized MCFV are still unknown and warrant further investigation. Considering the current nomenclature for MCFVs, we suggest a tentative designation of ovine herpesvirus-3 (OvHV-3) for this newly identified bighorn sheep MCFV.
Subject(s)
Carrier State , Gammaherpesvirinae/classification , Sheep, Bighorn/virology , Sheep, Domestic/virology , Animals , DNA, Viral , Genes, Viral , Phylogeny , Sheep , Sheep Diseases/virologySubject(s)
Communicable Diseases, Emerging/parasitology , Echinococcosis, Hepatic/parasitology , Echinococcosis/parasitology , Echinococcus multilocularis/genetics , Animals , Canada , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/transmission , Disease Reservoirs , Echinococcosis/transmission , Echinococcosis/veterinary , Echinococcosis, Hepatic/transmission , Echinococcus multilocularis/isolation & purification , Humans , Phylogeny , ZoonosesABSTRACT
Malignant catarrhal fever-like clinical disease was diagnosed in a free-ranging bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ) from Alberta, Canada, in June 2015. Antemortem and gross pathology findings included muscle atrophy, marked weight loss, and bilaterally symmetric alopecia with hyperpigmentation and crusting over the face, medial surfaces of the pinnae, dorsal trunk, distal limbs, perineal area, and tail. Histologically, the skin lesions were characterized by granulomatous mural folliculitis with numerous multinucleated giant cells and fewer lymphocytes and eosinophils consistent with previous reports of chronic ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) infection. Multiple skin samples were positive for OvHV-2 DNA on PCR, and on partial sequencing of the viral DNA, there was 94% homology with reference GenBank OvHV-2. Quantitative PCR confirmed an increased level of OvHV-2 DNA in the lesional skin tissues. Based on exclusion of other disease processes, gross and histological lesions, PCR, and viral DNA sequencing results, a diagnosis of OvHV-2-mediated malignant catarrhal fever-like dermatitis was made.
Subject(s)
Malignant Catarrh , Sheep Diseases/virology , Sheep, Bighorn/virology , Skin Diseases/veterinary , Alberta , Animals , SheepABSTRACT
Zoonotic disease transmission and infections are of particular concern for humans and closely related great apes. In 2009, an outbreak of human metapneumovirus infection was associated with the death of a captive chimpanzee in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Biosecurity and surveillance for this virus in captive great ape populations should be considered.
Subject(s)
Ape Diseases/epidemiology , Ape Diseases/virology , Metapneumovirus , Paramyxoviridae Infections/veterinary , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Ape Diseases/diagnosis , Chicago/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks , Female , Humans , Male , Metapneumovirus/classification , Metapneumovirus/genetics , Metapneumovirus/immunology , Metapneumovirus/isolation & purification , Public Health Surveillance , Respiratory Mucosa/pathology , Respiratory Mucosa/virology , Seroepidemiologic Studies , United States/epidemiology , Zoonoses/epidemiology , Zoonoses/virologyABSTRACT
Therapy for pyothorax, or pleural empyema, has not been described for large felids. This case describes the successful treatment of pyothorax in a captive, large felid. A 15-yr-old multiparous, female Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) presented with nonspecific clinical signs caused by an insidious onset of pyothorax. Management of pyothorax cases in companion animals often involves thoracostomy tube placement with recurrent drainage of the pleural cavity, intensive supportive care, and monitoring. In this case, conservative management was elected because hospitalization was not a viable option. Thoracocentesis was performed to drain as much fluid from the chest cavity as possible, yielding more than 1.3 L. Corynebacterium sp. and unidentified anaerobic gram-positive cocci were cultured. Treatment included cefovecin subcutaneously, oral antibiotic therapy with clindamycin and marbofloxacin, meloxicam, and restricted exercise by minimizing access to the main exhibit. Significant improvement was noted clinically and radiographically 6 wk later, and no relapses were noted in the following weeks. An examination 11.5 mo later confirmed resolution.
