Prevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in coyotes (Canis latrans) and experimental infections of coyotes with Neospora caninum.

Antibodies to Neospora caninum were detected in 5 (10%) of 52 coyotes from Texas. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were detected in 32 (62%) of 52 samples from these same coyotes. Four (80%) of the 5 coyotes that were seropositive for N. caninum also had antibodies to T. gondii. Nineteen (37%) of the coyotes did not have antibodies to either parasite. Three coyote pups were inoculated with the brains from mice infected with 3 strains of N. caninum originally isolated from dogs. None of the pups developed neosporosis or excreted N. caninum oocysts in their feces. The pups developed anti-N. caninum antibody titers of > or = 1:800 but did not develop antibodies to T. gondii. Results of this study indicate that antibodies to T. gondii are more common than antibodies to N. caninum in coyotes. Additionally, young coyotes appear to be resistant to experimental N. caninum infection.

Single umbilical artery and other congenital defects in a calf.

Single umbilical artery, a common anomaly of humans is often accompanied by caudal and other vascular defects. A literature search failed to reveal any cases reported in animals. Dissection of a neonatal Holstein bull calf disclosed the following congenital defects: single umbilical artery with anomalous origin, abnormal abdominal aorta, azygos continuation of the caudal vena cava, rectal atresia, rectourethral fistula, abnormally shaped urinary bladder, unilateral testicular agenesis, undescended testis, unilateral renal agenesis, bifid ureter, and hydroureter.

Supplemental feeding of marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) triplets.

In a colony of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), all fifteen infants from five sets of triplet births were successfully reared with their parents. Two supplemental feedings were given each infant daily. As an alternative to hand-rearing or foster rearing, the supplemental feeding method eliminated the time-consuming process of hand caring for an infant on a 24-hour per day basis.

Indoor-outdoor housing systems for a self-sustaining marmoset breeding colony.

Indoor-outdoor housing of three types was designed, constructed, used and evaluated for housing a breeding colony of common (Callithrix jacchus) and cottontop (Saguinus oedipus) marmosets. All types were relatively inexpensive to construct, required minimal care, simulated a natural environment and allowed for some isolation between units and between individual runs within units.

Corynebacterium equi in the cottontop marmoset (Saguinus oedipus): a case report.

A wild-caught cottontop marmoset died after a short illness characterized by loss of appetite, loss of weight and general unthriftiness. Necropsy revealed a large thoracic abscess from which Corynebacterium equi was recovered.

Anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery in a marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

Anomalous right subclavian artery in a one-day-old marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is reported. The anomalous vessel originated with the left subclavian artery from a short trunk off the arch of the aorta, then passed posterior to the esophagus, indenting it.

Sex determination in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).

The general morphology of the external genitalia was examined in 43 common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) ranging in age from newborn to adult. At birth, the scrotum was a small irregular fold of skin on either side of the caudal aspect of the penis. The testes were not present in the scrotum until 8--11 months of age. The scrotum covered the penis in the adult male, was devoid of fur, was covered by pearly while nodules, and presented a median raphe. In the young female, the pudendal pad closely resembled the scrotum of the male. The vulva was pendulous, and the small vestibular opening was located near its most ventral aspect and closely resembled the preputial opening of the male. In the adult female, the pudendal pad was pendulous, was studded with white nodules, and closely resembled the scrotum of the male. Sex determination by casual observation resulted in numerous errors. Accurate sex determination was based on differences in the preputial and vestibular openings, demonstration of the glans penis in the prepuce, and palpation of the testes in the scrotum or inguinal region.

Observations on a colony of cotton eared marmosets Callithrix jacchus with some plans for future expansion.

The current and proposed colony design and management are described. In an effort to increase the neonatal survival of marmosets, an outdoor-indoor housing arrangement is planned.