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Trichomonas gypaetinii was detected in 117 (88%) of 133 Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and in 0/7 Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in the USA, with no sex or age prevalence difference. All eagles lacked associated lesions. This study indicated that T. gypaetinii is common and widespread in Bald Eagles, but rarely associated with disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumocoelom secondary to primary pulmonary disease was diagnosed via CT (three cases) or radiographs and coelioscopy (one case) in one Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and three loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles. All cases were suspected to be caused by trauma to the lung, and all exhibited positive buoyancy disorders. Coelomocentesis alone was ineffective at resolving each pneumocoelom, suggesting a large and persistent tear in the pulmonary parenchyma. An autologous (in three cases) or allogenic (in one case) blood patch pleurodesis was performed. The pneumocoelom was resolved in all four cases with no noted postoperative complications. Follow-up diagnostic imaging confirmed resolution of the pneumocoelom in three cases, and all four patients were successfully rehabilitated and had normal buoyancy at the time of release. One rehabilitated loggerhead was satellite tagged, and the tracking data demonstrated that the animal was still alive and moving normally 126 d postrelease, when the tag stopped transmitting. In sea turtles, an autologous or allogenic blood patch pleurodesis can be safely performed in cases of persistent pneumocoelom secondary to traumatic primary pulmonary disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large blooms of the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis cause annual harmful algal bloom events, or "red tides" on Florida's Gulf Coast. Each year, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is presented with hundreds of cases of aquatic birds that exhibit neurologic clinical signs due to brevetoxicosis. Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auratus) are the most common species seen, and typically present with a combination of ataxia, head tremors, knuckling, and/or lagophthalmos. Blood lactate levels are known to increase in mammals for a variety of reasons, including stress, hypoxia, sepsis, and trauma, but there is limited literature on blood lactate values in avian species. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic value of blood lactate concentration on successful rehabilitation and release of birds presenting with clinical signs consistent with brevetoxicosis. Blood lactate levels were collected on intake, the morning after presentation and initial therapy, and prior to disposition (release or euthanasia) from 194 birds (including 98 cormorants) representing 17 species during the 2020–2021 red tide season. Overall, mean blood lactate at intake, the morning after intake, and predisposition was 2.9, 2.8, and 3.2 mmol/L, respectively, for released birds across all species (2.9, 2.9, and 3.2 mmol/L for released cormorants); 3.4, 3.4, and 6.5 mmol/L for birds that died (4.0, 3.5, and 7.9 mmol/L for cormorants that died); and 3.1, 3.5, and 4.7 mmol/L for birds that were euthanized (3.5, 4.7, and 4.9 mmol/L for cormorants that were euthanized). On average, birds that died or were euthanized had an elevated lactate at all time points as compared to those that were released, but these results were not statistically significant (P = 0.13). These results indicate that blood lactate levels do not appear to be useful as a prognostic indicator for successful release of birds, including double-crested cormorants, affected by brevetoxicosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Dracunculus contains numerous species of subcutaneous parasites of mammals and reptiles. In North America, there are at least three mammal-infecting species of Dracunculus. Reports of Dracunculus infections have been reported from river otters (Lontra canadensis) since the early 1900s; however, little is known about the species infecting otters or their ecology. Most reports of Dracunculus do not have a definitive species identified because females, the most common sex found due to their larger size and location in the extremities of the host, lack distinguishing morphological characteristics, and few studies have used molecular methods to confirm identifications. Thus, outside of Ontario, Canada, where both D. insignis and D. lutrae have been confirmed in otters, the species of Dracunculus in river otters is unknown. In the current study, molecular characterization of nematodes from river otters revealed a high diversity of Dracunculus species. In addition to confirming D. insignis infections, two new clades were detected. One clade was a novel species in any host and the other was a clade previously detected in Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) from the USA and a domestic dog from Spain. No infections with D. lutrae were detected and neither new lineage was genetically similar to D. jaguape , which was recently described from a neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) from Argentina. These data also indicate that Dracunculus spp. infections in otters are widespread throughout Eastern North America. Currently the life cycles for most of the Dracunculus spp. infecting otters are unknown. Studies on the diversity, life cycle, and natural history of Dracunculidae parasites in wildlife are important because the related parasite, D. medinensis (human Guinea worm) is the subject of an international eradication campaign and there are increasing reports of these parasites in new geographic locations and new hosts, including new species in humans and domestic dogs. [Display omitted] • River otters are hosts to multiple species of Dracunculus. • Dracunculus insignis was the most common species detected. • One novel species of Dracunculus related to D. lutrae was detected. • River otters were novel hosts for two species of Dracunculus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The order Piroplasmida contains a diverse group of intracellular parasites, many of which can cause significant disease in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Two piroplasm species have been reported from raccoons (Procyon lotor), Babesia lotori (Babesia sensu stricto clade) and a species related to Babesia microti (called B. microti -like sp.). The goal of this study was to investigate prevalence, distribution, and diversity of Babesia in raccoons. We tested raccoons from selected regions in the United States and Canada for the presence of Babesia sensu stricto and Babesia microti -like sp. piroplasms. Infections of Babesia microti -like sp. were found in nearly all locations sampled, often with high prevalence, while Babesia sensu stricto infections had higher prevalence in the Southeastern United States (20–45% prevalence). Co-infections with both Babesia sp. were common. Sequencing of the partial 18S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) genes led to the discovery of two new Babesia species, both found in several locations in the eastern and western United States. One novel Babesia sensu stricto sp. was most similar to Babesia gibsoni while the other Babesia species was present in the 'western piroplasm' group and was related to Babesia conradae. Phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 sequences indicated possible eastern and western genetic variants for the three Babesia sensu stricto species. Additional analyses are needed to characterize these novel species; however, this study indicates there are now at least four species of piroplasms infecting raccoons in the United States and Canada (Babesia microti -like sp., Babesia lotori, a novel Babesia sensu stricto sp., a novel western Babesia sp.) and a possible fifth species (Babesia sensu stricto) in raccoons in Japan. Image 1 • Raccoons in all locations tested were infected with piroplasms. • Babesia microti -like sp. was commonly found in raccoons throughout North America. • Babesia sensu stricto spp. were less common throughout North America. • Four, possibly five, distinct species of piroplasms in raccoons. • Possible spatial genetic variation within the two raccoon piroplasm species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatively few studies on hemoparasites have been conducted on wading birds in the families Ardeidae and Threskiornithidae (order Pelecaniformes), especially in the United States. In this study, we obtained baseline data on the prevalence and genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites in wading birds opportunistically sampled from southern Florida, USA. We detected blood parasites in White Ibis ( Eudocimus albus ), Glossy Ibis ( Plegadis falcinellus ), Green Heron ( Butorides virescens ), and Roseate Spoonbill ( Platalea ajaja ) with several novel host-parasite relationships. Infected birds had low parasitemias (average 0.77%, range 0–4%) suggesting that infections were chronic. Despite the low sample sizes for several of our sampled species, these data highlight the diversity of parasites in this understudied group of birds and suggest that additional studies are needed to investigate the potential impacts of these parasites on their health, especially since southern Florida is becoming increasingly urbanized which can alter parasite transmission or host susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two different methods of rabbit femoral fracture repair were evaluated: (1) stainless-steel surgical plate and bone screws; and (2) placement of an intramedullary pin and an external skeletal fixator device. On average, bones repaired with the bone plate method withstood 35.1 lb/47.6 N (range, 14.4-63.0 lb/19.5-85.4 N) of compressive and bending forces before failure occurred. Bones repaired with intramedullary pin and external skeletal fixator device method withstood an average of 67.7 lb/91.8 N (range, 48.7-94.8 lb/66.0-128.5 N) of compressive and bending forces before failure, but the bone was more likely to shatter during implant application. Normal rabbit femurs placed in the control group were able to withstand an average of 148.4 lb/201.2 N (range, 100.0-192.0 lb/135.6-260.3 N). The fragility of rabbit bones made testing of any implant viability problematic. This study demonstrates advantages and disadvantages to each method of fixation in rabbits and compares important differences in application of fracture repair implants with those of other domestic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex has been reported in ferrets on occasion; however, there is not yet enough information or available caseload to fully understand the pathophysiology of this presentation. The purpose of this case report is to describe cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex in 2 neutered females presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dermatologic disease, whether as a primary condition or as a secondary manifestation of systemic disease, is a common finding in ferret and rabbit patients presented to the veterinarian. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the current information related to dermatologic disease in these two species. This review is meant to offer a concise and practical approach to these problems both through diagnostic and therapeutic means. Drug contraindications are highlighted to provide a quick and easy reference as to which drugs should not be used to manage dermatologic conditions in rabbits and ferrets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Small exotic mammals are routinely presented to the veterinarian for diseases associated with the integument. The purpose of this article is to provide readers a review of the current information related to dermatologic diseases in these species. The article has been divided into 2 sections to separate these species into 2 major groups: hystricomorph (e.g., guinea pigs, chinchillas) rodents and nonhystricomorph rodents (e.g., mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters). The review offers a concise and practical approach to these problems through diagnostic and therapeutic means. Drug contraindications are highlighted to provide a quick and easy reference as to which drugs not to use in rodents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One of the most common reasons captive reptiles are presented to a veterinarian is for dermatologic disease. The purpose of this article is to provide readers a review of the most current information related to dermatologic diseases commonly diagnosed in captive reptiles. The article is divided into 2 sections to cover the most common groups of reptiles encountered in practice: 1) chelonians and 2) squamates (snakes and lizards). This review offers concise and practical diagnostic and therapeutic medical approaches that can be used when reptiles present with dermatologic abnormalities. Drug contraindications are highlighted to provide a quick and easy reference as to which drugs should not be used in reptiles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]