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The Andean bear alopecia syndrome is a progressive and chronic condition documented in ex situ populations. Recent advances focus on treating symptoms, not preventing future cases. We therefore explored the epidemiology of this syndrome through an analysis of husbandry and veterinary conditions of 63 Andean bears (26M:37F) housed in North and South American zoos and other ex situ circumstances. We had the most complete information for the North American population and found that 29% of females (n = 24) were affected. No males (n = 26) were affected. An analysis of generalized linear models indicated that three models were competitive in describing the occurrence of the condition (i.e., ΔAICc ≤ 2): the model including only the individual's sex (χ2 = 13.41, df = 1, p

Cervical subluxation and compressive myelopathy appears to be a cause of morbidity and mortality in captive Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis). Four cases of cervical subluxation resulting in nerve root compression or spinal cord compression were identified. Three were presumptively induced by trauma, and one had an unknown inciting cause. Two dragons exhibited signs of chronic instability. Cervical vertebrae affected included C1-C4. Clinical signs on presentation included ataxia, ambulatory paraparesis or tetraparesis to tetraplegia, depression to stupor, cervical scoliosis, and anorexia. Antemortem diagnosis of compression was only confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Treatment ranged from supportive care to attempted surgical decompression. All dragons died or were euthanatized, at 4 days to 12 mo postpresentation. Studies to define normal vertebral anatomy in the species are necessary to determine whether the pathology is linked to cervical malformation, resulting in ligament laxity, subsequent instability, and subluxation.

A 2-yr-old female forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) presented with acute trauma to the right horn following a fight with a conspecific resulting in fracture and avulsion of the frontal bone, cornual process, horn, and juxtaposed skin. The animal was sedated for wound care and debridement followed by placement of an antibacterial-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) dressing. The dressing was noted to be intact on examination at day 7 post-injury, but had become dislodged and had to be replaced at day 11 postinjury. The replacement dressing ultimately fell off 68 days post-injury, revealing a healed circular scar. The use of PMMA in this case provided optimal wound care. In the 6 yr since the injury, the animal has grown a nearly normal-appearing horn, suggesting that the noncornual skin and associated skull structures may retain the ability to differentiate into a near-normal appearing horn because the entire horn apparatus in this case was avulsed.

Transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of the urinary bladder were diagnosed in four related fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus). The major clinical sign in each case was persistent hematuria unresponsive to medical therapy. Cystotomy and biopsy provided an antemortem diagnosis in three of the fishing cats before euthanasia because of progression of clinical signs. The diagnosis was made in the fourth cat after euthanasia because of renal failure. Hematuria improved temporarily in one of the cats diagnosed antemortem and treated with piroxicam and carboplatin. Attempts to isolate a herpesvirus in two of the cats failed. Histopathologic appearance of the TCC was similar to that described for other species. TCC metastasis to the lungs was noted at necropsy in one cat; metastatic disease was not noted in the other fishing cats on gross or histopathologic examination. TCC of the urinary bladder appears to be more prevalent in fishing cats than in other species of domestic or nondomestic felids.

A pied imperial pigeon (Ducula bicolor bicolor) presented weak and unable to fly. Results of a complete blood count and plasma biochemical analysis revealed a leukocytosis and elevations in multiple enzymes, respectively. Sarcocystosis was suspected and was definitively diagnosed from muscle biopsy samples. A multidrug treatment regimen consisting of diclazuril, pyrimethamine, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was instituted. Muscle biopsies collected after 40 days of treatment were normal. The bird died of a bacterial septicemia 18 months after treatment with no evidence of sarcocystosis. This case suggests that diclazuril may be a useful drug in the treatment of avian sarcocystosis.

Medical records and necropsy reports of 410 pigeons and doves from the Zoological Society of San Diego were examined to determine if birds treated with fenbendazole (FBZ) or albendazole (ABZ) had a higher incidence of toxic-related signs than untreated control birds. Birds presented for nonmedical reasons (quarantine, relocation, preshipment examinations, and routine parasite screening) were used exclusively to avoid confounding variables. Birds were observed for 45 days after presentation. Compared with a 4–6% mean weight gain in control birds during the treatment period or hospitalization, birds treated with FBZ had a mean weight loss of 16.1% (P < .001), and birds treated with ABZ had a mean weight loss of 13.3% (P = .004). The percentage of birds with marked leukopenia (white blood cell < 1000/μ l) was higher in FBZ-treated birds (87.5%, P < .001) and ABZ-treated birds (100%, P = .013) than in control birds (12.5%). Bone marrow hypoplasia was found in FBZ-treated birds (48.6%, P < .001) and A...

A 46-yr-old female Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelli) was first diagnosed with pericardial effusion in July 2006. Pericardiocentesis performed in January 2007 only provided short-term relief. In May 2007, a pericardial-peritoneal window was created using a transabdominal subxiphoid pericardiostomy technique, providing immediate and long-term relief. Seven months later, the orangutan was euthanized due to worsening heart failure, and no pericardial effusion was present. Transabdominal subxiphoid pericardiostomy offers a straightforward surgical approach that can provide significant relief in cases of chronic pericardial effusion in great apes.

A combination of medetomidine, Telazol, and ketamine hydrochloride was used to immobilize captive Chacoan peccaries (Catagonus wagneri) for translocation within Paraguay during August-October 2002. Animals were darted in enclosed areas of varying size. The average dose used was 32.5+/-7.2 microg/kg of medetomidine, 0.63+/-0.2 mg/kg of Telazol, and 3.9+/-0.65 mg/kg of ketamine. First effects were noted at 4.3+/-2.1 min, and ability to handle the animals was achieved by 12.6+/-3.7 min. Heart and respiratory rates declined and oxygen saturation increased during anesthesia. Muscle relaxation was good. Atipamezole was used to antagonize the medetomidine, although recoveries were still slow. This drug combination provided adequate immobilization of Chacoan peccaries; however, this protocol would not be considered to be reversible, and confinement during recovery is recommended.