EVALUATION OF CELL PRESERVATIVES ON THE INTEGRITY OF ATTWATER'S PRAIRIE CHICKEN (TYMPANUCHUS CUPIDO ATTWATERI) WHOLE BLOOD SAMPLES OVER TIME.

The processing of blood samples can be delayed during health assessments of wildlife populations in distant locations. The use of whole blood preservatives may be useful in these situations. However, there is scant information regarding their use in nonmammalian species. This study tested the efficacy of two cell preservatives on whole blood collected from 12 Attwater's prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri). The preservatives used were Streck Cell Preservative© (SCP), a proprietary proteinaceous stabilizer developed for human flow cytology and validated in other mammalian species, and formalin, which is commonplace in histopathology, but its use in whole blood has been limited to fish. Grouped blood samples were treated with heparin, SCP, or formalin and analyzed at 0, 1, 4, and 7 days after collection for packed cell volume (PCV), complete blood count (CBC), and cellular morphology. SCP effectively preserved most cell types in Attwater's prairie chicken blood samples over a period of 7 days, with the exception of monocyte cell counts, which were significantly reduced from day 0. Formalin maintained total white blood cell counts at baseline levels measured by hemocytometer, but irregular staining characteristics prevented accurate analysis of differential counts or cellular morphology. Both preservatives altered PCV compared with the heparin control, but these values remained constant over time, highlighting the need for method-specific reference intervals. The validation of SCP in Attwater's prairie chickens supports its potential for use in other avian species for the collection of accurate hematologic data when the processing of blood samples may be delayed.

COMPARISON OF CIRCULATING IRON, TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY, AND PERCENT TRANSFERRIN SATURATION IN WILD AND CAPTIVE KORI BUSTARDS ( ARDEOTIS KORI).

The kori bustard ( Ardeotis kori) is one of the largest extant flighted birds and is displayed in zoos primarily in North America and Europe. In captivity, kori bustard diets are primarily based on animal proteins, whereas in the wild these birds eat a wide variety of plants, insects, and small vertebrate prey. The purpose of this study was to compare circulating iron, total iron binding capacity, and percent transferrin saturation levels in apparently healthy wild and captive kori bustards. Adult captive kori bustards had slightly higher percent transferrin saturation levels than juvenile captive birds, although this finding was not statistically significant. This information can be referenced as a guide for the assessment of nutrition and health in captive birds.

COMPARISON OF TWO α2-ADRENERGIC AGONISTS ON URINE CONTAMINATION OF SEMEN COLLECTED BY ELECTROEJACULATION IN CAPTIVE AND SEMI-FREE-RANGING CHEETAH (ACINONYX JUBATUS).

Alpha2-adrenergic agonists are used to immobilize many veterinary species, but use has been infrequently linked to urine contamination of semen collected via electroejaculation. The objective of the study was to compare the α2-agonists medetomidine and dexmedetomidine on urine contamination of semen in anesthetized cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) during electroejaculation procedures. From 2009-2012, a retrospective medical record review revealed 21 anesthesia events in 12 adult male cheetahs. Animals were immobilized with combinations of Telazol® (2.33±0.43 mg/kg) and ketamine (2.38±1 mg/kg); Telazol (1.17±0.14 mg/kg), ketamine (1.17±0.14 mg/kg), and medetomidine (0.012±0.0017 mg/kg); or Telazol (1.59±0.1 mg/kg), ketamine (1.59±0.1 mg/kg) and dexmedetomidine (0.01±0.001 mg/kg). Semen was successfully collected in all animals; four animals anesthetized with medetomidine had urine contamination (P=0.037). Medetomidine may contribute to urine contamination; however, further investigation is needed to determine significance in cheetahs.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in captive slender tailed meerkats (Suricata suricatta): 5 cases.

Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed in five slender tailed meerkats (Suricata suricatta) housed at the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park between 1980 and 2013. Animals included four females and one male, ranging from 7 to 15 yr of age. Common clinical signs included weight loss and lethargy. Three of the neoplasms originated from the right medial liver lobe and were located adjacent to or partially incorporated in the gall bladder. Three animals had solitary masses, and two animals had multiple hepatic masses; all were characterized by polygonal to round neoplastic hepatocytes arranged in a trabecular pattern with smaller regions of varied solid, adenoid, and rarely peliod cell patterns. Hemorrhage and necrosis often with cystic degeneration was noted in all five cases. There was no evidence of metastatic disease in any of the cases examined.

Comparison of antibody response to a non-adjuvanted, live canarypox-vectored recombinant rabies vaccine and a killed, adjuvanted rabies vaccine in Eld's deer (Rucervus eldi thamin).

Captive Eld's deer (Rucervus eldi thamin) were evaluated for the presence of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies using a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition after vaccination with either a live canarypox-vectored recombinant rabies vaccine or a killed monovalent rabies vaccine. Twelve deer were vaccinated with 1.0 ml of killed, adjuvanted, monovalent rabies vaccine at 5-33 mo of age then annually thereafter, and 14 deer were vaccinated with 1.0 ml nonadjuvanted, live canarypox-vectored rabies vaccine at 3-15 mo of age then annually thereafter. Banked serum was available or collected prospectively from deer at 6 mo and 1 yr after initial vaccination, then collected annually. Rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies considered adequate (>0.5 IU/ml) were present in 20/34 samples vaccinated with canarypox-vectored rabies vaccine and in 12/14 samples vaccinated with killed adjuvanted rabies vaccine. Poor seroconversion was noted in deer less than 6 mo of age vaccinated with the canarypox-vectored rabies vaccine.

Epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma in 2 half-sibling bontebok.

We diagnosed epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma of the forestomachs in 2 aged, half-sibling, zoo-managed bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus). One bontebok also had mesenteric lymph node and cutaneous involvement. Both animals had a history of chronic abdominal distension and diminished body condition that resulted in euthanasia. At autopsy, both animals had marked ruminal distension with diffusely blunted ruminal papillae and reticular crests. In case 1, there was an increased amount and particle length of the ruminoreticular fibrous material with scant fluid, and a 2-cm diameter focus of cutaneous crusting adjacent to a mammary teat. In case 2, the rumen and reticulum were fluid-distended with decreased fibrous material. Histologically in case 1, the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and skin had intraepithelial nests and sheets of neoplastic small lymphocytes; in case 2, the rumen and reticulum had a similar neoplastic cell population. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic lymphocytes were immunoreactive for CD3 and negative for CD20, confirming the diagnosis of epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma.

Outbreak of Paranannizziopsis australasiensis Infection in Captive African Bush Vipers (Atheris squamigera).

We report the epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of an outbreak of Paranannizziopsis australasiensis (order Onygenales) in captive African bush vipers (Atheris squamigera) (ABVs) that died suddenly. The snakes had multifocal, raised, white-grey to dark brown discoloured cutaneous patches. Microscopically, all had integumentary lesions characterized by multifocal to coalescent necroheterophilic epidermitis with superficial and intraepidermal fungal elements and bacteria. Concurrent epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis and intracellular and intercellular oedema, often leading to vesiculation, and fasciitis/superficial myositis, were consistent findings in all snakes, while ulceration (9/11) and dysecdysis (5/11) varied. A panfungal polymerase chain reaction targeting the internal transcribed spacer-2 region, and gene sequencing, confirmed P. australasiensis infection in three cases. This is the first report of P. australasiensis in the USA and the first record of paranannizziopsis infection in African bush vipers. P. australasiensis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dermatomycosis in snakes and represents a potential threat to reptile conservation programmes.