Search

Simple Summary: Ticks are spreading at high altitudes in mountain areas and can come into contact with previously unexposed or poorly exposed hosts, such as Alpine ibex (Capra ibex). We collected ticks on ibex and vegetation in the northwestern Italian Alps and tested them for tick-borne pathogens. Ixodes ricinus was the most abundant tick species collected and was infected with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Our results suggest that Alpine ibex, like other wild ungulate species, may act as a reservoir for A. phagocytophilum while being an incompetent reservoir for the Lyme borreliosis agent. Future studies should monitor the possible impacts of ticks and transmitted pathogens on the health and conservation of ibex. In the Maritime Alps (northwestern Italy), we collected ticks from vegetation and Alpine ibex (Capra ibex). Ixodes ricinus was the most abundant species in the study area, questing up to 1824 m a.s.l. and infesting 28 out of 72 ibexes. Haemaphysalis punctata, H. sulcata and Dermacentor marginatus were also collected. The abundance of questing ticks significantly decreased with altitude, with beechwoods being the preferred habitat. By PCR, we identified Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in questing I. ricinus (28.3%; 95%CI: 19.4–38.6) but not in specimens collected from animals. Rickettsia spp. infected both questing (20.6%; 95%CI: 12.9–30.3) and on-host (30.2%; 95%CI: 21.2–40.4) I. ricinus. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 4.3% (95%CI: 1.2–10.8) of questing I. ricinus and in 45.3% (95%CI: 34.6–56.4) of I. ricinus collected from ibex. Female I. ricinus collected on animals were significantly more infected with A. phagocytophilum than females collected from vegetation (OR = 11.7; 95%CI: 3.8–48.1). By amplifying and sequencing a fragment of the groEL gene, we identified 13 groEL haplotypes, clustering with ecotypes I and II; ecotype I, prevalent in our sample, is considered zoonotic. Our study demonstrates the presence of different tick-borne zoonotic agents in the study area, encompassing a wide altitudinal range, as confirmed by the ticks found on ibex, a typical mountain-dwelling mammal. The results also confirm the altitudinal range expansion of ticks and associated pathogens in the Alps and suggest that Alpine ibex may act as a reservoir for A. phagocytophilum, as do other wild ungulate species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) are susceptible to ocular disease with their prominent globes, but despite being popular animals housed in aquaria, there is little published information about their normal ocular anatomy and common pathologic ocular findings. A total of 63 live cownose rays (CNR) from three unrelated, separately housed groups had ocular examinations, and 5 adult rays were selected for ocular ultrasound. All examinations were performed out of the water, and most without anesthesia. Clinical findings were described, categorized, and scored by severity. Sixty-two of 63 rays (123 eyes) had clinical abnormalities, including 110 eyes with corneal pathology (mild = 76, moderate/severe = 34) and 74 eyes with intraocular pathology (mild = 44, moderate/severe = 30). Grey-to-white corneal opacities were the most common pathology (n = 58 rays/100 eyes) followed by cataracts (n = 41 rays/58 eyes), then persistent (or dysplastic) pupillary membranes (n = 14 rays/15 eyes). Most pathologic findings appeared inactive, but one aquarium had several CNR with active ocular pathology. There was a significant association between the diagnosis of moderate/severe corneal and intraocular pathology with age (P = 0.008 and P = 0.014, respectively) and weight (P = 0.001 and P = 0.039, respectively), as well as moderate/severe corneal pathology and group sampled (P = 0.03). There were no other significant variables identified. Additionally, histopathology of 14 eyes (11 rays) from two different facilities were examined, with keratitis (n = 8) and uveitis (n = 2) as the most common lesions. This study shows a high prevalence of pathologic ocular findings in cownose ray eyes with heavier adults more likely to be affected than lighter juveniles. Comprehensive ocular evaluation is important in this species and serial ocular exams and future studies should be pursued to monitor ocular disease progression and better understand possible etiologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) are common elasmobranchs in zoos and aquaria; however, there is a lack of published information regarding ocular findings in this species. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in a total of 52 cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) from two unrelated aquaria (n = 22 from A1, n = 30 from A2) using a TonoVet rebound tonometer on two settings (dog = D, and unidentified species = P) as part of a full ophthalmologic examination. Adult (n = 38) and juvenile (n = 14) rays were sampled out of water briefly in sternal recumbency. Intraocular pressure (mean ± SD [range]) in the D setting (9.10 ± 2.57 [4–18] mmHg) was higher than the P setting (5.21 ± 2.32 [0–12] mmHg) (P<0.001). Statistical analysis revealed no difference in IOP between right and left eyes, and no correlation between body weight and IOP. No differences in IOP between sex, age group, and location were identified in either setting. However, a significant difference was observed between levels of severity of corneal disease in IOP D setting (P=0.006) and P setting (P=0.024), and levels of severity of intraocular disease in IOP D setting (P=0.034) only. This study provides baseline IOP values using rebound tonometry in aquarium-housed cownose rays with apparent corneal and intraocular lesions and reveals that the D setting may be more sensitive in identifying IOP changes in eyes with intraocular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabies has rarely been described in Xenarthra, and rabies vaccine response has not been documented. A southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) presented with nonspecific clinical signs and was euthanatized. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR confirmed a rabies diagnosis. Following these tests, a group of eight captive tamanduas were vaccinated with a killed rabies vaccine, and titers were measured at the time of vaccination and 23 d later. One animal had day 0 titers suggestive of previous vaccination or exposure. All animals had detectable neutralizing rabies virus antibody titers after vaccination, but one animal failed to meet the World Organization for Animal Health's definition for adequate vaccination (≥0.5 IU/ml), and two other animals had low antibody titers (0.56 and 0.6 IU/ml). Rabies should be considered as a possible cause of illness in tamanduas, and rabies vaccination may be a useful preventative measure when anthropic interaction through medical care or ambassador roles is occurring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue poison dart frogs (Dendrobates tinctorius azureus) are commonly found in zoological institutions and are becoming popular in the pet trade. Sedation or light anesthesia is required for safe and effective handling of this species. In this study, the effect of subcutaneous administration of alfaxalone at two different doses (20 and 30 mg/kg) was evaluated in juvenile blue poison dart frogs (N = 10) in a prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover study. Heart rate, pulmonic respiratory rate, various reflexes, and behavioral parameters were monitored after drug administration. Both protocols resulted in rapid induction of sedation (median [range]) with loss of righting reflex: 20 mg/kg, 10 (10–20 min) and 30 mg/ kg, 10 (10–10 min). The time (mean ± SD) to return to spontaneous movement (20 mg/kg, 39.6 ± 7.6 min and 30 mg/kg, 54.5 ± 9.9 min; P < 0.01) and full recovery (20 mg/kg, 42.6 ± 8 min and 30 mg/kg, 61.6 ± 9.1 min; P < 0.01) after alfaxalone administration were significantly longer in the 30-mg/kg group. The frogs in both groups continued to remain responsive to tactile stimulation and retained palpebral reflexes. Alfaxalone induced cardiopulmonary depression and periods of apnea at both doses. The subcutaneous administration of 20 and 30 mg/kg alfaxalone resulted in clinically effective sedation in blue poison dart frogs. Sedation levels achieved in this prospective study would be adequate for a variety of noninvasive clinical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue poison dart frogs (Dendrobates tinctorius azureus) are commonly maintained in zoological institutions and are becoming popular in the pet trade industry. Sedation or light anesthesia is required for safe and effective handling of this species. In this study, the sedative effects of subcutaneously administered alfaxalone–midazolam–dexmedetomidine (AMD) (20, 40, 5 mg/kg, respectively) and ketamine–midazolam–dexmedetomidine (KMD) (100, 40, 5 mg/kg, respectively) were compared in a prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover study in juvenile blue poison dart frogs (n = 10). Both protocols were partially reversed 45 min after administration of either protocol with subcutaneously administered flumazenil (0.05 mg/kg) and atipamezole (50 mg/kg). Heart rate, pulmonic respiratory rate, various reflexes, and behavioral parameters were monitored after drug administration. Both protocols resulted in rapid loss of righting reflex [median (range): AMD, 5 min (5–5 min); KMD, 5 min (5–10 min)]. Time to complete recovery was similar with both protocols (mean ± SD: AMD, 97.5 ± 11.4 min; KMD, 96.5 ± 25.4 min). The AMD protocol resulted in pulmonic respiratory depression, whereas no significant difference in heart rate was found between the two protocols. All frogs were observed eating within 24 hr of chemical restraint. Gastric prolapses occurred in four frogs (AMD 3, KMD 1) that were easily reduced with a cotton-tip application. No other adverse reactions were observed. The results of this study provide two different subcutaneous chemical restraint protocols in juvenile blue poison dart frogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]