Serologic incidence of some diseases in Kansas wild turkeys.

Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo, n = 1164) were tested for Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma meleagridis, Mycoplasma synoviae, and Salmonella pullorum from 1990 to 1997. Although 3.3% of the turkeys were suspect for one or more diseases, only 0.9% were serologically positive for M. gallisepticum. These 11 positives were all from one country in south-central Kansas.

Prevalence and identity of Sarcocystis infections in armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus).

Little is known about the prevalence or identity of Sarcocystis species infecting armadillos in North America. Sarcocysts were observed in the tongues of 23 (96%) of 24 armadillos collected between 1989 and 1994 from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas. The identity of the species present was determined in histological sections of tongue from armadillos. Sarcocystis dasypi was present in 21 (88%) and Sarcocystis diminuta was present in 5 (21%). Mixed infections with S. dasypi and S. diminuta were present in 3 (13%) armadillos. A single sarcocyst with ultrastructural features distinct from S. dasypi and S. diminuta was observed with transmission electron microscopy.

Development of an experimental model of hypothyroidism in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus).

Hypothyroidism is a possible predisposing factor in a number of disorders of companion psittacine birds. We developed and validated a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) response testing protocol for cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), using 0.1 IU of TSH/bird given IM, with blood sample collection at 0 and 6 hours after TSH, and a commercial radioimmunoassay for thyroxine (T4). This protocol was used to document a seasonal sex difference in stimulated T4 values--females responded with higher T4 values than those in males in summer--and a stress-induced depression of baseline T4 values was detected in a group of cockatiels with normal TSH response. An experimental model for mature-onset hypothyroidism in cockatiels was created by radiothyroidectomizing cockatiels with 3.7 MBq (100 microCi) of 131I/bird given IV. Induction of the hypothyroid state was confirmed by baseline T4 concentration, TSH response test results, thyroid pertechnetate scintigraphy, and gross and microscopic examinations. Classical signs of hypothyroidism (eg, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, poor feathering) were lacking or mild at 48 days after thyroid ablation.

New locality record for Heterobilharzia americana.

Thirty raccoons (Procyon lotor) from three counties in east-central and southeast Kansas (USA) were examined for schistosomiasis. Eleven (37%) of the raccoons had adult schistosomes identified as Heterobilharzia americana present in the mesenteric vessels, histopathological lesions compatible with schistosomiasis, or both. This represents the first report of H. americana in Kansas and in the central United States.

Baylisascaris sp. found in a wild northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus).

During a telemetry study conducted between 1993 and 1995 in east-central Kansas (USA) on northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations, a wild adult male quail was found with signs of disorientation and torticollis in August 1994 in Lyon County, Kansas. Based on histological and parasitological examination, it was determined that the bird was infected with larval nematodes of the genus Baylisascaris spp. This is the first known recorded case of Baylisascaris sp. in a wild game bird species.

Health status of a recently discovered population of feral swine in Kansas.

Twenty feral hogs (Sus scrofa) from a newly discovered population on Fort Riley Army Base (Kansas, USA) were shot and examined from November 1993 through February 1994 to assess the health of the population. The hogs were generally healthy, although serologic evidence indicated that some individuals had been exposed to parvovirus, enterovirus, and swine influenza. We found no indications of brucellosis, pseudorabies, or porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome. Lung worms (Metastrongylus spp.), round worms (Ascaris suum), and whipworms (Trichuris suis) were found in nine, four and two of the hogs, respectively. Seven hogs had infestations of lice (Haematopinus suis). Fence-line contacts were documented between four wild boars and domestic sows, and in three cases wild boars entered pens containing domestic sows. We recommend that hogs be examined periodically from this and other wild populations to monitor health status since new animals may enter populations through deliberate translocation, escape from shooting preserves or domestic swine producers, or dispersal from other feral populations.

Winter poisoning of coyotes and raptors with Furadan-laced carcass baits.

Three bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), and two coyotes (Canis latrans) found in a field in north-central Kansas (USA) in December 1992 were poisoned by flowable carbofuran (Furadan 4F) placed on sheep (Ovis aries) carcasses to kill coyotes. The carbofuran was placed on the carcasses in October 1992, but the coyotes and raptors apparently were killed in late December. Thus, flowable Furadan can cause direct and secondary deaths of wildlife under some circumstances for at least 60 days following placement.

Heterotopic salivary tissue in a weanling colt.

Heterotopic salivary tissue was diagnosed in a 7-month-old Quarter Horse colt with a history of a draining wound in the left temporal region from time of birth. Surgical excision of the tract was performed for diagnosis and treatment. Histologically, tissues were compatible with a mixed-type salivary gland, most likely of parotid salivary gland origin. Complete resolution of the drainage was achieved after surgical removal of the ectopic tissue.

Rhodotorula minuta fungemia in a ewe lamb.

An 8-month-old crossbred ewe, normal upon physical examination, was humanely euthanized for tissue collection. After approximately 3 weeks in tissue culture, fungi began budding out of cells obtained from the choroid plexus. After an additional 3 weeks, budding was observed in kidney cell cultures and eventually in monocyte cultures as well. Serum from the lamb was submitted to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Colorado State University for fungal diagnosis and was found negative for Aspergillus, Blastomyces, Coccidioidomycosis and Histoplasmosis. DNA was isolated from fungi collected from tissue culture supernatants and used in a set of pan-fungal PCR assays with DNA from Candida acting as a positive control. PCR products were sequenced and BLAST analysis performed. The unknown fungal sequence aligned with 100% identity to Rhodotorula minuta an emerging opportunistic pathogen. Samples were submitted to The Fungal Testing Laboratory at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for additional validation. We believe this to be the first report of Rhodotorula fungemia in a sheep in the United States.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal and perianal area in a bull.

A squamous cell carcinoma located adjacent to the anus was diagnosed in a 15-year-old light colored Longhorn bull. The tumor restricted the anal orifice to a diameter of 3 cm. Upon histological evaluation, islands of squamous cells were present deep in the dermis and the submucosal connective tissue. It was not possible to determine whether the tumor originated from the perianal region or the anus. This is the first diagnosed and reported occurrence in North America of squamous cell carcinoma in the anal region of a bull.

Squamous cell carcinoma as a cause of dyspnea and blindness in a horse.

An 8-year-old Quarter Horse mare was examined for chronic nasal discharge and obstruction of both nasal passages. A solid mass lesion was identified in the maxillary sinuses, soft palate, nasal and pharyngeal cavities. Palliative surgery was used to debulk the lesion and facilitate nasal airflow. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed from surgical biopsies. Approximately 7-8 weeks after surgery, the mare was observed to be acutely blind. Ophthalmologic examination revealed central origin blindness and active retinitis. The squamous cell carcinoma had reobstructed the nasal passages. Pressure by the expanding tumor deformed the ethmoid and sphenoid bones resulting in compression of the optic tracts. No bony invasion by the tumor was present.