Fecal shedding and antimicrobial susceptibility of selected bacterial pathogens and a survey of intestinal parasites in free-living waterfowl.

Free-living waterfowl residing in metropolitan parks in central Ohio were surveyed for the fecal shedding and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Pasteurella multocida. In addition, a survey for intestinal parasites was also conducted in these same waterfowl to determine parasite burdens in free-living waterfowl. Prevalences of 67%, 50%, and 0.2% of E. coli, C. jejuni, and Salmonella spp., respectively, were observed for all waterfowl species. Pasteurella multocida was not isolated from the sampled population. Salmonella java was isolated from one mallard duck. Statistically, there was a significantly higher E. coli isolation rate for mallard ducks than for Canada geese, but no difference was observed for C. jejuni isolation rates between waterfowl species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted via the disk diffusion method and multidrug resistance was exhibited for penicillin G, lincomycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, and bacitracin. In addition, the prevalence of endoparasites in these sampled waterfowl ranged from 5% to 66%. Protozoan oocysts were most prevalent followed by nematode ova. No trematode or cestode ovum was recovered from this sampled population.

Treatment of gastritis in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

Three cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) had a clinical history of chronic spiral bacteria-associated gastritis and three cheetahs had no clinical history of gastritis. Gastric biopsies were obtained from all six cheetahs prior to treatment for gastritis and 3 wk and 1 yr posttreatment. The cheetahs were treated with tetracycline hydrochloride 500 mg p.o. q.i.d., metronidazole 250 mg p.o. q.i.d., and bismuth subsalicylate 300 mg p.o. q.i.d. Each drug was administered concurrently for 7 days. Following this treatment, each cheetah was maintained on 300 mg bismuth subsalicylate p.o. s.i.d. for 1 yr. The three cheetahs with a history of gastritis were culture positive for Helicobacter acinonyx and remained positive during the entire study. The three cheetahs with no clinical history of gastritis were culture negative for H. acinonyx, but gastric biopsies revealed Gastrospirillum-like bacteria (tentatively named Helicobacter heilmannii) pretreatment. Gastric biopsies were negative for H. heilmannii on subsequent examinations. Although the treatment did not eradicate H. acinonyx, it did provide symptomatic relief from the vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss associated with clinical gastritis. The use of endoscopically guided gastric mucosal biopsies for urease testing and histopathologic examination of Warthin-Starry-stained sections is a sensitive and specific method of diagnosing spiral bacteria-associated gastritis. Treatment of spiral bacteria-associated gastritis in cheetahs should include the rational use of antibiotics (tetracycline or amoxicillin and metronidazole), bismuth compounds, and omeprazole and evaluation of husbandry methods to reduce stress.

Suspected neonatal isoerythrolysis in two Baird's tapirs (Tapirus bairdii).

Two Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) calves born at the Columbus Zoo from the same sire and dam developed hemolytic anemia that was consistent in history and clinical signs with neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI). One calf developed severe, fatal hemolytic anemia after being fed maternal colostrum, and the other developed moderate hemolytic anemia after being fed equine colostrum. No cross-reactivity was demonstrated between sire and dam blood samples, and both tapirs possessed serum antibodies reactive against equine blood group Ca and antigens reactive with several equine blood group D antibodies. Electrophoresis demonstrated significant genetic diversity between tapir and equine blood proteins. Agglutination testing demonstrated strong reactivity between a far greater percentage of equine colostrum samples when tested against sire and dam tapir blood (61% and 65%, respectively) than would be expected for equine blood (2%). These data are suggestive of a diagnosis of NI but are not definitive. Further study is required to determine whether NI occurs in tapirs and whether equine colostrum is harmful to tapir calves.

Hematology and clinical chemistry reference ranges for clinically normal, captive New Guinea snapping turtle (Elseya novaeguineae) and the effects of temperature, sex, and sample type.

Median values and confidence intervals for hematology and serum and plasma chemistry parameters were established for 29 male and female healthy New Guinea snapping turtles (Elseya novaeguineae) held at 24.5 degrees C and 30.0 degrees C. Creatine kinase, albumin, potassium, and phosphorus values were significantly higher at 24.5 degrees C than at 30.0 degrees C. Glucose, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, total carbon dioxide, and chloride values were significantly higher at 30.0 degrees C than at 24.5 degrees C. Cholesterol and calcium values were significantly higher in females than in males. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and bilirubin were significantly higher in males than in females, and bile acid values were significantly higher in serum than in plasma.

Use of the chicken heart in a Langendorff preparation.

Hearts isolated from healthy chickens were perfused with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer. Balloons were inserted into the left ventricle, filled with saline and attached to a pressure transducer for measuring left ventricular pressures. A bipolar electrogram was obtained between the atria and ventricles. Hearts so perfused manifested mechanical alternans for approximately 15 minutes, after which they sustained a regular sinus rhythm without mechanical alternans for at least 60 minutes. By infusing 0.1 ml increments of saline into the balloon located within the ventricle, Frank-Starling curves could be generated. This preparation has potential for use in pharmacologic evaluations.