Effect of an Otic Milbemycin Oxime Formulation on Tegastes acroporanus Infesting Corals.

The copepod Tegastes acroporanus is a notorious pest of captive corals in the genus Acropora. In recent years, infestations of T. acroporanus have become widespread among public aquaria and coral propagation facilities and have been largely controlled with the extra-label use of milbemycin oxime formulations (Carl 2008). Many of these drug formulations (which were intended for dogs) have been discontinued by their manufacturers in favor of multidrug products, many of which are unsuitable for corals, forcing experimentation with alternatives. This report provides the first data on populations of T. acroporanus treated with milbemycin oxime and documents the first known use of an otic solution, MilbeMite Otic (Novartis Animal Health U.S., Greensboro, North Carolina), against copepods on live corals. MilbeMite Otic was found to be soluble in seawater and successful at eradicating T. acroporanus in a large exhibit over the course of 6-h waterborne baths (n = 12) at 0.167 µg/L. The resident population of T. acroporanus was also quantified before each treatment to provide the first estimates of coral parasite burden in response to the application of a waterborne chemotherapeutic agent. Received November 19, 2015; accepted June 7, 2016 Published online October 24, 2016.

Use of deslorelin acetate implants to control aggression in a multi-male group of Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis).

Aggression among male animals can be difficult to manage in captive populations, and several strategies including separation, castration, and behavioral modification have been used with varying degrees of success. Many aggression issues are normal sequela from hormonal fluctuations occurring when an animal reaches sexual maturity or during the breeding season, and multi-male groups can be especially problematic as the individuals vie for dominance. In this case, aggression in an all-male group of Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) has been managed successfully with serial deslorelin implantation for the past 5 years. Zoo Biol. 35:201-204, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

CONTROLLING ANTLER GROWTH IN A CASTRATED INDOCHINESE SIKA DEER CERVUS NIPPON PSEUDAXIS USING A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE TRENBOLONE ACETATE AND ESTRADIOL IMPLANT.

A captive Indochinese sika deer (Cervus nippon pseudaxis) was castrated at the age of 5 yr. The resultant abnormal antler growth over the next few years became difficult to manage from both the veterinary and husbandry standpoints. Using a commercially available trenbolone acetate and estradiol implant marketed for domestic cattle heifers, normal mineralization of the abnormal antlers was achieved along with the expected normal casting. The deer was then maintained for 6 yr using an annual implant regimen.

A successful transfusion in a tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) using both whole blood and blood replacement products.

A 10-yr-old tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) presented with severe lethargy and ataxia. Severe anemia (9% hematocrit) was diagnosed and ultimately resolved with the administration of a whole blood transfusion from conspecific and additional blood replacement products (Oxyglobin). This is the first described use of a whole blood transfusion in an edentate.