Chronic eosinophilic dermatitis associated with persistent feline herpes virus infection in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

A chronic ulcerative and eosinophilic dermatitis occurred in 20 captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) with persistent feline herpes virus 1 (FHV1) infection. Affected animals had erythematous, ulcerated plaques primarily on the face and forelegs in sites of contact with lachrymal and salivary secretions. The dermatitis was characterized by dense infiltrates of eosinophils and plasma cells and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. Rare keratinocytes within the lesions had nuclei with marginated chromatin and small eosinophilic inclusions composed of herpes virus nucleocapsids. Virus isolated from lesions was confirmed to be FHV1. Lesions persisted and progressed unless removed by cryoexcision. The occurrence of this unusual reaction to FHV1 in approximately 5% of captive North American cheetahs suggests a species propensity for a Th2-dominant response to herpes virus infection. This atypical immune reaction may indicate a heritable trait or modulation of the immune response by other factors such as chronic stress.

Hypophosphatemia associated with hypovitaminosis-D in Speke's gazelles (Gazella spekei).

Two juvenile male Speke's gazelles (Gazella spekei) at the St. Louis Zoo showed poor body condition, slowed growth, hunched stance, rough hair coat, and profound hypophosphatemia. The first gazelle was treated with parenteral phosphorous supplements but continued to deteriorate clinically and was euthanatized. The second gazelle had serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of 0 nmol/L and was treated with i.m. injections of vitamin D. It died shortly after starting therapy. The only significant necropsy finding was multiple rib fractures in various stages of healing. Hypovitaminosis D has been confirmed in multiple Speke's gazelles in this collection, indicating possible deficiencies in the diet or in the amount of ultraviolet light available to the gazelles.

Management and prevention of vitamin D deficiency rickets in captive-born juvenile chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

Vitamin D deficiency rickets was diagnosed in three juvenile chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) raised indoors under skylights and consuming only breast milk. Two cases detected early had mild but characteristic radiographic changes. More advanced disease presented with florid x-ray features of rickets and pathologic fractures, as well as hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Treatment by a single injection of vitamin D2 in sesame oil (slow release) followed by daily oral supplementation with vitamin D2 corrected the condition. On the basis of experience with these cases and comparison with rickets in humans, a prevention protocol for mother-reared, inside-housed, chimpanzee juveniles was developed. Injection with slow release vitamin D2 (5,000 IU i.m. once) at 4 mo of age, followed by oral supplementation of 400 IU vitamin D2 daily until weaning, prevents rickets in juvenile chimpanzees raised indoors.

Clinical presentation and antiviral therapy for poxvirus infection in pudu (Pudu puda).

A severe poxvirus infection occurred in three pudu (Pudu puda), resulting in two fatalities. Cutaneous ulcers with mucopurulent exudate were present around the eyes and nose, at the lip margins, coronary bands, and teats. Mucosal ulcers were present in the oral cavity, esophagus, and forestomachs. In the two fatalities, a secondary disseminated fungal infection also occurred. Affected animals were leukopenic, hypocalcemic, and hyperphosphatemic and had elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Electron microscopic examination of affected skin confirmed the presence of a poxvirus. Neutralizing antibody titers to this virus were present in the two pudu tested. One case was treated with cidofovir, 5 mg/kg i.v. q7d for four treatments. Complete recovery occurred in the treated animal. This is the second report of poxvirus infection in pudu and the first report describing clinical presentation, presence of secondary disseminated fungal infection, and successful treatment.

Epidural analgesia in addax (Addax nasomaculatus).

Epidural analgesia was used 22 times in three female addax (Addax nasomaculatus). The addax were physically restrained in a drop-floor chute and sedated with acepromazine (0.14-0.34 mg/kg). Epidural analgesia was induced with 2% lidocaine (0.17-0.38 mg/kg) via a 20-ga 1-inch needle placed at the sacrococcygeal intervertebral space or the first intercoccygeal intervertebral space. Adequate analgesia was attained to allow manipulation of the reproductive tract and transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte collection.

Cardiovascular evaluation of lowland gorillas.

OBJECTIVE: To design a diagnostic protocol that uses appropriate techniques, including ultrasonography, to assess cardiovascular health and detect primary cardiac diseases in gorillas and to establish a database of reference values for cardiac measurements in clinically normal gorillas. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 5 adult male lowland gorillas from 11 to 18 years old. PROCEDURE: A complete cardiac evaluation was performed on anesthetized gorillas, including physical examination, thoracic radiography, electrocardiography, echocardiography, blood pressure determination, CBC, serum biochemical analyses, and serologic assay for viral diseases. Standard cardiac measurements were made from images collected during ultrasonography. RESULTS: Cardiac measurements derived from ultrasonographic images were consistent with those considered normal in human beings. Results of other diagnostic tests were also considered normal. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Cardiac disease is the primary cause of mortality in old captive gorillas. The technique used here provided excellent evaluation of cardiac function. Use of these techniques will allow early detection of cardiac disease, making treatment or medical management possible.

Periarticular hyperostosis and renal disease in six black lemurs of two family groups.

Proliferative periosteal disease was identified in 6 black lemurs (Eulemur macaco macaco) of 2 family groups. Bilaterally symmetric formation of periosteal new bone at the metaphyseal regions of major long bones was first detected at the stifle and tarsal areas and was detected later at the carpal areas. Bony changes were accompanied by progressive renal disease. The syndrome progressed for 6 to 16 months before the lemurs were euthanatized because of debility. Necropsy revealed changes confined to the skeleton and kidneys. Formation of new bone was detected at all affected joints, and chronic renal disease was evident in each lemur. A specific cause was not identified. Although indistinguishable histologically from hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, several important differences were apparent. Distribution of the periosteal new bone was in the metaphyseal rather than diaphyseal areas. Thoracic or gastrointestinal lesions, typically seen with hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, were not detected, and substantial renal disease was evident. A genetic component may be involved in the development of this condition.

Persistent cutaneous ulcers associated with feline herpesvirus type 1 infection in a cheetah.

Persistent cutaneous ulcers developed in a female cheetah cub after an episode of rhinotracheitis. When they were 3 weeks old, the cub and a male littermate developed mucopurulent oculonasal discharge consistent with feline herpesvirus type 1 infection (feline viral rhinotracheitis). The male cub was weaned and its lesions resolved. The female cub remained with the dam until the cub was 3 months old, at which time plaque-like lesions developed on the eye margins and muzzle. These plaques regressed over the next month and were replaced with cutaneous ulcers ranging from 1 to 10 mm in diameter. Feline herpesvirus type 1 was isolated from biopsy specimens collected from the ulcers. Cutaneous ulcers are uncommon manifestations of feline herpesvirus infections and have not been reported in other exotic fields. A proposed susceptibility to viral infections related to low genetic diversity has been proposed in cheetahs, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of persistent herpetic ulcers.

Acute monensin toxicosis in Stone sheep (Ovis dalli stonei), blesbok (Damaliscus dorcus phillipsi), and a Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus).

Accidental monensin toxicosis developed in 5 Stone sheep (Ovis dalli stonei), 5 blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi), and a Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) at the St Louis Zoological Park. Eight animals died acutely and 1 was euthanatized because of chronic hind limb paresis. All affected animals had clinicopathologic evidence of severe muscle necrosis, serum electrolyte disturbances, and hemoconcentration.

Copper poisoning in four llamas.

Copper poisoning developed in 1 adult and 3 juvenile llamas after excessive dietary intake of copper resulted in an incorrect copper:molybdenum ratio. Total dietary copper was determined to be 36 mg/kg of feed, with a copper:molybdenum ratio of 16.6:1. Clinical signs associated with the toxicosis included acute onset of anorexia and lethargy. Liver enzyme activities (aspartate amino transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transferase) and serum copper concentration were high in specimens obtained within 48 hours before death. Gross necropsy findings were limited to mild hepatomegaly. Histologically, hepatic lesions included acute massive necrosis of hepatocytes with and without bile duct proliferation, double hepatic plates with loss of orientation, anisocytosis, anisokaryosis, and an intralobular mosaic pattern of necrosis involving half of the hepatocytes. Analysis of hepatic copper concentrations suggested that juvenile llamas develop signs of poisoning at lower hepatic copper concentrations, compared with adults.

Idiopathic epilepsy in three gaur (Bos gaurus).

Idiopathic epilepsy was diagnosed in 3 gaur in a zoologic park collection during a 3-year period. Seizures were characterized by tonic rigidity of all limbs. Results of serum biochemical analysis, CBC, blood lead analysis, CSF analysis, and necropsy were within normal limits in all gaur. The role of heredity in development of seizures in these gaur is unclear because of limited founder stock of gaur in North America.

Cloacal papillomas in psittacines.

Papilloma-like masses affecting the cloaca of 19 Amazons, 16 macaws, 3 parrots, 1 conure, and 1 parakeet were examined. Papillomatous lesions were characterized by proliferation of the lining epithelium on thin fibrovascular stalks. Carcinoma in situ was diagnosed in the cloaca of a macaw in addition to the other 16 macaws with papillomas. Papillomavirus group-specific antigens were not detected in any of the 41 lesions, using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. The DNA extracts from 6 different frozen papillomas did not contain papillomavirus genomes detectable by Southern blot hybridization, using an African gray parrot cutaneous papillomavirus as a probe. Evidence of an infective agent was not found by electron microscopic examination of 8 of the papillomas. Inoculations of partially purified homogenates of a cloacal papilloma from a yellow-crowned Amazon did not induce lesion formation on cloacal mucosa of an adult yellow-crowned Amazon, green and yellow macaw, sulphur-crested cockatoo, or mollucan cockatoo.

Amikacin therapy for Pseudomonas cellulitis in an Amazon parrot.

Amikacin sulfate, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, was used successfully to treat a case of severe Pseudomonas cellulitus in an Amazon parrot. Side effects of polyuria and polydipsia occurred, but resolved without treatment 3 weeks after the antibiotic regimen. Amikacin sulfate was given at a dosage of 0.04 mg/g of body weight, IM, twice a day, based on antimicrobial sensitivity results. Amikacin sulfate is indicated for P aeruginosa cellulitis that is resistant to gentamicin sulfate. Although it is potentially nephrotoxic, it can be used successfully in birds without permanent clinically evident renal effects.

Oral papillomatosis in New Zealand white rabbits.

Oral papillomas were seen in 31% of New Zealand white rabbits (n = 51) examined from 2 local sources. Papillomavirus structural antigens were detected by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique in cells of the stratum spinosum which contained basophilic intranuclear inclusions. Homogenates of papillomas hemagglutinated mouse RBC and also induced papillomas on the ventral surface of tongues, but not bulbar conjunctiva or vulva, os susceptible rabbits. The same oral papilloma homogenate induced fibromas in neonatal hamsters. Homogenates of hamster fibromas did not cause lesions on tongues of susceptible rabbits.

Papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas of horses.

In a retrospective study encompassing 13 years of diagnostic work, papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas from horses were screened for papilloma-virus antigens, using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Papillomas were most commonly found on the penis and vulva, followed by cutaneous, ocular, and oral locations. Squamous cell carcinomas were most frequently located on the third eyelid and cornea, followed by genital, oral, maxillary sinus, and cutaneous sites. Papillomavirus structural antigens were detected in 7 cutaneous and 5 genital papillomas, but not in squamous cell carcinomas.

Immunoperoxidase localization of papillomaviruses in hyperplastic and neoplastic epithelial lesions of animals.

In a retrospective study of selected hyperplastic and neoplastic epithelial lesions of wild, exotic, and domestic animals, paraffin sections from 438 biopsies and 15 necropsies were screened for the presence of papillomavirus structural antigens, using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Viral antigens were detected in tissues from 9 of 21 different mammalian, 1 of 5 avian, and 0 of 2 reptilian species. The latter tissues were histopathologically classified as papillomas, fibropapillomas, and fibromas and of canine origin (n = 6), squamous cell carcinoma. Virus could be readily detected by transmission electron microscopy in lesions that contained numerous nuclei which stained positively by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique.