Piroxicam and doxycycline treatment for an oral squamous cell carcinoma in an inshore bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus).

BACKGROUND: The virus family Papillomaviridae has been documented in a wide range of animal species and can cause benign and malignant proliferative lesions. The presence of concurrent lingual papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in cetaceans has also been documented in both wild and captive populations, suggesting malignant transformation of benign papilloma to SCC may occur in this species. CASE REPORT: In 2008, a 38-year-old captive male inshore bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) was diagnosed with papillomatous lesions on the intermandibular frenulum rostral to the tongue and an infiltrative SCC of the soft palate following biopsy and histological analysis. A treatment regimen of piroxicam and doxycycline was initiated with misoprostol as a gastroprotectant. The treatment resulted in a marked reduction in tumour size and reversible hepatotoxicosis. Subsequent biopsies revealed the presence of SCC in the oral cavity; however, the disease remains stable at the time of writing. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first report of piroxicam and doxycycline used to treat SCC in a bottlenose dolphin. The treatment was successful in reducing the clinical presentation of the disease.

Intestinal volvulus in cetaceans.

Intestinal volvulus was recognized as the cause of death in 18 cetaceans, including 8 species of toothed whales (suborder Odontoceti). Cases originated from 11 institutions from around the world and included both captive (n = 9) and free-ranging (n = 9) animals. When the clinical history was available (n = 9), animals consistently demonstrated acute dullness 1 to 5 days prior to death. In 3 of these animals (33%), there was a history of chronic gastrointestinal illness. The pathological findings were similar to those described in other animal species and humans, and consisted of intestinal volvulus and a well-demarcated segment of distended, congested, and edematous intestine with gas and bloody fluid contents. Associated lesions included congested and edematous mesentery and mesenteric lymph nodes, and often serofibrinous or hemorrhagic abdominal effusion. The volvulus involved the cranial part of the intestines in 85% (11 of 13). Potential predisposing causes were recognized in most cases (13 of 18, 72%) but were variable. Further studies investigating predisposing factors are necessary to help prevent occurrence and enhance early clinical diagnosis and management of the condition.

Fatal cetacean morbillivirus infection in an Australian offshore bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

A juvenile offshore bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found stranded with neurological signs and unable to swim or float unassisted. It subsequently died, succumbing to a combination of severe pneumonia and encephalitis. Morbillivirus serum neutralisation test serology was positive (titre 1:16) for cetacean morbillivirus and negative for both phocine distemper virus and canine distemper virus. There was concurrent thymic and lymph node lymphoid depletion and necrosis, together with intranuclear and intracytoplasmic acidophilic viral inclusion bodies and multinucleate syncytia within multiple organs. Paramyxovirus capsids were identified in lung sections via electron microscopy and morbillivirus antigen was demonstrated within sections of lung, thymus and brain by immunohistochemistry. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for morbillivirus nucleoprotein (N) and phosphoprotein (P) genes were positive and phylogenetic gene product sequence analysis revealed 98% and 94% sequence identity to dolphin morbillivirus, respectively. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a cetacean mortality due to morbillivirus infection occurring in the southern hemisphere. Morbillivirus infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of stranded live or dead cetaceans in Australian waters, particularly if animals display neurological signs.

Respiratory diseases, diagnostics, and treatment of marsupials.

Primary respiratory disease is uncommon in marsupials, but generalized disease often involves the respiratory tract in these animals. Other disease entities may spread to involve the respiratory system secondarily. Treatment is challenging because most animals are severely compromised on presentation. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and yeasts, trauma, and neoplasia all can affect the respiratory systems of marsupials. Some of these conditions are only incidental findings, whereas others are pathogenic. Many therapies and diagnostic procedures are extrapolated from those in companion animal medicine and surgery. Despite the problems associated with the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease in marsupials, new therapeutic agents and diagnostic techniques are making these tasks easier and ultimately more successful.

Fungal pneumonia in a captive black rhinoceros.

A captive black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) with a hoof abscess was treated with long-term antibiotic therapy. After 9 months of treatment, there was rapid deterioration, marked weight loss and reluctance to stand. Profuse, bilateral epistaxis developed accompanied by collapse and the animal was euthanased. Necropsy revealed pulmonary aspergillosis with concurrent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Though a well-recognized disease of black rhinoceros, fungal pneumonia has not been reported in this species in Australia. The cost and efficacy of treatment have been questioned, however, prophylactic antifungal drug administration will be considered in any further cases of chronic, debilitating illness in black rhinoceros at Western Plains Zoo.

The importation of the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe into Australia.

The paper describes a program to import and breed black rhinoceros ex situ at Western Plains Zoo in Australia. Nine rhinoceros (7 females and 2 males) captured in 1992 in Chete National Park, Zimbabwe, were transported to Australia via Cocos Island. The veterinary treatment of the animals before and during quarantine in Zimbabwe and on Cocos (Keeling) Islands is described. Three animals died; an adult male on Cocos Islands and a juvenile male and an adult female at Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, New South Wales. The juvenile male died as a result of trauma sustained shortly after arrival and the two adults after developing a severe hepatopathy. The group of 6 females and an additional 4 males imported from the USA in 1994 have adapted well to captivity and to the climate and environment of central west New South Wales.