Bartonella spp. isolated from wild and domestic ruminants in North America.

Bartonella species were isolated from 49% of 128 cattle from California and Oklahoma, 90% of 42 mule deer from California, and 15% of 100 elk from California and Oregon. Isolates from all 63 cattle, 14 deer, and 1 elk had the same polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles. Our findings indicate potential for inter- and intraspecies transmission among ruminants, as well as risk that these Bartonella spp. could act as zoonotic agents.

Immobilization and physiological parameters associated with chemical restraint of wild pigs with Telazol and xylazine hydrochloride.

We used a combination of Telazol (3.3 mg/kg) and xylazine hydrochloride (1.6 mg/kg to immobilize 144 wild pigs (Sus scrofa) with blow darts. This drug combination was safe and effective for rapidly immobilizing animals ranging in size from 34 to > 170 kg and avoided difficulties associated with hand injections. For 123 single injection immobilizations, mean (+/- SD) induction times and effective handling periods averaged 5 (+/- 2.5) and 52 (+/- 18) min, respectively, and animals generally recovered for release within 120 min of initial injections. Animals that required two injections to immobilize (n = 21) received lower initial doses of Telazol and xylazine hydrochloride than those immobilized with a single injection because of errors in estimating body sizes; we found that there was a threshold dose required to immobilize wild pigs from 2.8 to 3.3 mg/kg Telazol and 1.4 to 1.6 mg/kg xylazine. Although neither age or sex influenced immobilization parameters, animals in good condition required longer to recover than those in poor condition. However, animals immobilized with two injections recovered as rapidly as those immobilized with a single injection. Heart rates and body temperatures declined slightly during the immobilization period, but respiration rates and blood oxygen saturation levels remained stable. In general, single injection immobilizations were preferable because they minimized problems associated with injecting partially immobilized animals. because it was difficult to accurately estimate the sizes of large wild pigs (> or = 90 kg), and because wild pigs that were partially immobilized were difficult to handle, we recommend increasing the drug doses to 4 mg/kg Telazol and 2 mg/kg xylazine hydrochloride when injecting relatively large animals to assure single injection immobilizations. Although recovery periods may be prolonged, higher doses of Telazol and xylazine should be safe based on data from domestic pigs.

A serologic survey of the island fox (Urocyon littoralis) on the Channel Islands, California.

The island fox is listed as a threatened species in California. A serologic survey of 194 island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) was conducted over the entire range of the species on the Channel Islands (California, USA). Antibody prevalence against canine adenovirus and canine parvovirus reached 97% and 59%, respectively, in some populations sampled. Antibody prevalence of canine herpesvirus, canine coronavirus, leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis were low. Antibodies against canine distemper virus were not detected.

Epidemiologic and pathologic aspects of an epizootic of malignant catarrhal fever in exotic hoofstock.

An epizootic of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) occurred at the Los Angeles Zoological Park which resulted in the deaths of four exotic ungulates. The source of infection was considered to be a newly purchased wildebeest bull (Connochaetes taurinus taurinus) that had been negative for antibody to MCF virus by an indirect immunofluorescent test. The need to re-evaluate regulations for the transportation and housing of young wildebeest is emphasized by this MCF outbreak. The diagnostic technology now available for identifying asymptomatic carriers of MCF virus and the present understanding of the behavior and pathogenesis of this highly cell-associated herpesvirus in exotic ruminants should provide a basis for the prevention and control of MCF in zoological parks.