Single and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of tepoxalin and its active metabolite after oral administration to rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

The anti-inflammatory agent, tepoxalin, was administered to eight healthy 6-month-old female New Zealand white rabbits once daily at an oral dose of 10 mg/kg. Blood samples were obtained immediately before and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h postadministration on days 1 and 10. Tepoxalin and its active metabolite, RWJ 20142, concentrations were determined in plasma by use of high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. C(max) of the parent compound was reached between 3 and 8 h of drug administration, with a harmonic mean t(1/2) of 3.6 h. Peak tepoxalin plasma concentrations were 207 +/- 49 ng/mL. After oral administration, the metabolite RWJ 20142 achieved C(max) in plasma 2-8 h after administration, with a t(1/2) of 1.9-4.8 h (harmonic mean 2.8 h). Peak plasma concentrations of RWJ 20142 on day 1 were 2551 +/- 1034 ng/mL.

Fungal dermatitis in captive pinnipeds.

Fungal dermatitis was diagnosed in two captive gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) and four harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) between 1992 and 1994. Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Malassezia spp., and Yarrowia (Candida) lipolytica were isolated. Erythematous, thickened, alopecic skin lesions were present on the face and on the flippers, particularly around the nail bed. The two most important environmental factors associated with development of fungal dermatitis appeared to be excessive chlorination of pool water and warm water temperature.

Vitamin E deficiency and pansteatitis in juvenile boat-billed herons (Cochlearius cochlearius).

Steatitis due to vitamin E deficiency occurred in three 10-wk-old boat-billed herons (Cochlearius cochlearius) despite daily placement of a powdered vitamin supplement on the fish that was subsequently washed off by the parents. Physical findings included emaciation, yellow-brown subcutaneous nodules, a firm distended coelom, stomatitis, and yellow-white, submucosal pharyngeal nodules. Clinical pathology revealed heterophilic leukocytosis, anemia, hypoproteinemia, and low plasma alpha (alpha)-tocopherol levels (1.94 microg/ml and 2.14 microg/ml). Two of the chicks died of severe, diffuse pansteatitis and respiratory aspergillosis.

Dermatophytosis in red pandas (Ailurus fulgens fulgens): a review of 14 cases.

Fourteen cases of dermatophytosis were identified from medical records of red pandas (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) housed at the Knoxville Zoo between 1980 and 1996. The median age of affected animals on initial presentation was 8.5 wk (3 wk-11 mo). Clinical signs included crusting, purulent exudate, alopecia, thickening of affected skin, ulceration, and necrosis. Seven animals had mild lesions with signs restricted to crusting and/or alopecia, and six animals had more severe infections, with ulceration, skin necrosis, and purulent exudate. Five of the severely affected pandas had tail involvement. The severity of disease affecting one individual was not recorded. Dermatophytosis was confirmed by culture, cytology, histopathology, or culture followed by histopathology. Microsporum gypseum was the only fungal organism cultured. Six animals were treated for mild disease, and all clinical signs resolved. Partial tail amputation was required as part of the treatment regimen for two of the six severely affected animals, and two others had ulcerated tail lesions that left circumferential scarring after resolution of infection. Itraconazole (5 mg/kg p.o. q 12-24 hr) was the most frequently used systemic antifungal agent in animals with severe lesions. All fungal infections resolved, although one panda died from unrelated causes early in the treatment period.