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Sulawesi crested macaques (Macaca nigra) (SCMs) are critically endangered and frequently suffer from chronic intestinal disease in captivity. Often, despite routine diagnostic investigations and confirmation of intestinal inflammation, an aetiology cannot be identified, leading to a non-specific categorization as chronic enterocolitis rather than an aetiological diagnosis. This study evaluates the histological features of gastrointestinal tissues from 23 SCMs, comparing animals with a clinical history suggestive of chronic enterocolitis (n = 14) with those without gastrointestinal clinical signs (n = 9). Tissues were graded according to the Nancy index (NI), a scoring system used in human medicine to evaluate disease activity in ulcerative colitis, a common form of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Additionally, inflammatory cells in the colonic lamina propria were visually identified by type, counted and subsequently compared between diseased and control animals. Moderate to severe lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and structural changes were most common in the colons of affected SCMs, whereas histopathological changes were absent or mild in all examined small intestine (n = 17) and stomach (n = 11) tissues. The colonic NI had a significant positive correlation with clinical disease severity and 57% (n = 8) of animals with clinical signs had a NI grade of ≥2, consistent with moderate to severe, active IBD. Half of SCMs with recurrent rectal prolapse (n = 6) had a NI grade of 0, suggesting that intestinal inflammation is not always part of this condition's pathogenesis. The numbers of colonic lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, macrophages and total leucocytes were significantly higher in diseased animals. This study validated the use of the NI in SCMs, enabling a more standardized histopathological evaluation of the colon in this species. Sulawesi crested macaque colon sections ordered on basis of Nancy Index scores for chronic inflammatory infiltrate, progressing from normal (a) to severely inflamed (e and f). [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomized, crossover study evaluated three sedation protocols administered subcutaneously in nine budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and nine black-cheeked lovebirds (Agapornis nigrigenis). All protocols included midazolam (5 mg/kg), combined with butorphanol (5 mg/kg) (BM), medetomidine (20 lg/kg) (MM), or alfaxalone (13 mg/kg) (AM). Mortalities from suspected cardiorespiratory arrest were observed when AM was used in lovebirds, even after reduction of alfaxalone dosage to 3 mg/kg, and therefore this protocol was excluded from further use in this species. Induction and recovery times were recorded and their quality assessed. Sedation depth and heart and respiratory rates were measured every 5 min and radiographic positioning was attempted at 10 and 20 min. At 30 min, midazolam and medetomidine were reversed with flumazenil (0.05 mg/kg, SC), and atipamezole (0.2 mg/kg, SC), respectively. MM consistently provided deep sedation in both species, with successful radiographic positioning at every attempt. As expected, heart rate was often lower with MM than with other protocols, but no associated complications were noted. In budgerigars, BM had the lowest radiographic positioning success rate (10 min: 5/9, 20 min: 3/9), whereas in lovebirds it provided significantly deeper sedation (P < 0.001), allowing radiographic positioning in all subjects. In both species, BM provided the shortest recovery times. AM resulted in reliable radiographic positioning of all budgerigars at 10 min, but not at 20 min (5/ 9), and provided consistently poor recoveries. This study highlights how differently two psittacine species of similar size may react to the same sedation protocols. AM sedation cannot be fully reversed and produced significant undesirable effects, several of which have been previously reported with alfaxalone administration to avian species. The authors therefore caution against using alfaxalone–midazolam combinations in budgerigars and black-cheeked lovebirds. Both BM and MM provided reliable sedation in these species, and appear to be suitable alternatives to AM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical data suggest that rectal prolapse (RP) is common in captive Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra) in Europe, resulting in the euthanasia of animals that experience repeat occurrences. However, the prevalence, etiology, and risk factors of RP remain unidentified. The aims of this retrospective study were to assess the morbidity and mortality of RP, to provide an overview of management practices, and to identify risk factors for RP in this species. A questionnaire was sent to all European Ex situ Programme institutions that housed M. nigra between 01 January 2014 and 31 December 2020. Zoological Information Management System medical records and the studbook were used to obtain additional information. The questionnaire had a response rate of 65%, accounting for 204 animals. Of these animals, 25 (12.3%) suffered from at least one RP event during the study period and recurrence was noted in 72%. The majority of prolapses reverted naturally, but 28% of afflicted animals were euthanized for this ailment. Institutions with M. nigra with high frequencies of diarrhea (P= 0.035), those that provided diets of ≥90% vegetables and high-fiber pellet (P < 0.001), and those with more male than female M. nigra (P < 0.001) had increased odds of RP. Institutions that provided fruits daily (P < 0.002) had reduced odds of having RP cases. Although correlation of RP with diet was identified, confounding cannot be excluded, and a detailed dietary analysis needs to take place before altering feeding practices. Acute stressors and detection of protozoa in fecal samples were common findings before an RP event. Demographic analysis indicated that aged females, young males, and subordinate individuals were most affected by this condition. Where tested during an RP intervention, animals had low serum levels of vitamin D. Pedigree analysis hinted at genetic predisposition in this species and requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple occurrences of yolk sac retention prompted a retrospective investigation in a recently formed colony of captive Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). Necropsy reports of 141 parent-reared penguin chicks that died between January 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed for evidence of yolk sac retention, defined as the presence of a yolk sac at postmortem examination of a chick aged 7 d or greater, and analyzed by demographic and pathological variables for identification of risk factors. Fifty-nine (65%) chicks that died at age 7 d or greater had a retained yolk sac at postmortem examination, revealing that this was a common condition in penguins in this population. Chicks that retained their yolk sac were also more likely to present with minimal gut contents (P = 0.02), have a prominent bursa of Fabricius (P < 0.01), and be the first chick hatched of their clutch (P = 0.02). Parental experience and age were not predictive of yolk sac retention, but there was a trend for chicks with retained yolk sacs to present with a poorer body condition, reduced weight, and reduced crown-rump length compared to chicks without a retained yolk sac. Histopathological and bacteriological findings of retained yolk sacs were not significantly different from those of chicks under 7 d of age. Although likely to be multifactorial, the association between yolk sac retention and indicators of suboptimal feed intake and growth (empty gastrointestinal tract, poor body condition score, decreased crown-rump length, and decreased weight at death) is hypothesized to be a result of parental neglect, leading to starvation and absorption arrest of the yolk, as previously indicated in broiler chicks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adult, wild-caught electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), weighing 18 kg and measuring 2 m in length, presented with bilateral swellings behind the pectoral fins, lethargy, and anorexia for 2 days. Anesthesia was performed with immersion in tricaine methanesulphonate and supplemented with 0.11 mg/kg medetomidine and 2.2 mg/kg ketamine intramuscularly. Endoscopy revealed blood in the oral and gastric cavity. The stomach was grossly enlarged, flaccid, and contained a lead wire which was removed manually. Blood lead values were severely elevated. The fish was treated with 28 mg/kg calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate intramuscularly every 72 hr for 5 doses, which resulted in an improved clinical condition. Because lead values had not decreased to normal values within 4 wk of initial presentation, 35 mg/kg dimercaptosuccinic acid was given orally twice weekly for 3 wk. The electric eel made a full recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a study which to investigate the endoparasites of the maras kept in the Attica Zoological Park, Greece. It informs that the study has employed standard parasitologic methods for examining the maras's fecal. According to the study, cysts of the protozoan parasite Giardia species and eggs of the nematode Trichuris species are found in fecal examinations. It also discusses the route of infection of the maras and the importance of maras parasites to other animals and to humans.