Glomerulocystic kidney in two red piranhas Pygocentrus nattereri.

Glomerulocystic kidney (GCK) is defined by a dilatation of the Bowman's space (greater than 2 times the normal size) of more than 5% of all glomeruli. Although GCK has been occasionally documented in dogs, cats, and humans with renal failure, in fish, reports of spontaneous GCK are rare. For the present study, 2 captive adult red piranhas Pygocentrus nattereri from a closed population were submitted for post-mortem examination. Clinical history included lethargy, inappetence, dyspnea, and altered buoyancy. Macroscopically, the fish displayed coelomic distension and ascites. The kidneys were markedly enlarged and dark yellow. Histologically, Bowman's space was noticeably dilated, occasionally with atrophic glomerular tufts. Degeneration and necrosis of the tubular epithelium, infiltration, and nephrocalcinosis were also present. To the authors' knowledge, this present study is the first report of spontaneously occurring GCK in red piranhas and freshwater fish in general. Despite being rare, GCK is a condition with the potential to impair the health of fish and mammals, and further studies are needed to shed new light on this condition.

Foot health and prevalence of Dichelobacter nodosus in 11 ungulate species at Berne Animal Park.

INTRODUCTION: Dichelobacter nodosus (D. nodosus) is the etiological agent of ovine footrot affecting mainly sheep worldwide, but also free-ranging wild ungulates such as Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) and mufflon (Ovis orientalis orientalis). A nationwide ovine footrot eradication program is planned for the years to come, based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-testing of interdigital swab samples and regular footbathing. In this cross-sectional study, we clinically evaluated the foot health and analysed presence of D. nodosus in 11 different even-toed ungulate species (mainly European species) during a 13 months (2018-2019) period in Berne Animal Park. The foot lesions were scored for any clinical signs of pathologies as described in cattle and simultaneously for clinical signs of footrot as described for sheep, using a scale from 0 to 5 (while 0 describes clinically healthy feet and 5 loss of the horn capsule). From a total of 53 animals, 4-feet swab samples were taken from the interdigital cleft and subjected to real-time PCR assays to detect D. nodosus at animal level. Foot lesions were detected in five different species. In 3/5 muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus wardi), 7/12 Cretan wild goats (Capra hircus cretica) and 2/3 dwarf goats (Capra hircus aegagrus), they mainly consisted of white line disease, whereas in 9/10 European bison, dermatitis of the interdigital cleft was diagnosed. 1/3 alpaca was diagnosed with chorioptic mange of the heel area. None of the examined animals showed clinical signs of footrot (score 0), and neither benign (aprB2-positive) nor virulent (aprV2-positive) D. nodosus were detected in any of the samples. This study provides additional information to facilitate an efficient ovine footrot control program in Switzerland and suggests that captive wild even-toed ungulates do not pose a risk to the planned footrot control program.

INTRODUCTION: Dichelobacter nodosus (D. nodosus) est l'agent étiologique du piétin chez les ruminants, qui affecte principalement les moutons dans le monde, mais aussi les ongulés sauvages en liberté tels que les bouquetins (Capra ibex ibex) et les mouflons (Ovis orientalis orientalis). Un programme d'éradication du piétin ovin à l'échelle Nationale, basé sur des tests PCR (réaction de polymérisation en chaîne) d'écouvillons de l'espace interdigité et des pédiluves réguliers, est prévu dans les années à venir en Suisse. Dans cette étude transversale, nous avons évalué cliniquement la santé des onglons et recherché la présence de D. nodosus chez 11 espèces différentes d'animaux biongulés (principalement des espèces européennes) pendant une période de 13 mois (2018­2019) au Parc animalier de Berne. Les lésions des onglons ont été notées pour tout signe clinique de pathologie et de présence de piétin, comme cela est décrit chez les bovins et les moutons et en utilisant une échelle de 0 à 5 (où 0 décrit des pieds cliniquement sains et 5 la perte de la boîte cornée). Des écouvillons ont été prélevés dans l'espace interdigité des 4 pieds sur un total de 53 animaux et soumis à des tests PCR en temps réel pour détecter D. nodosus. Des lésions aux onglons ont été détectées chez cinq espèces différentes. Chez 3 boeufs musqués (Ovibos moschatus wardi) sur 5, 7 chèvres sauvages crétoises (Capra hircus cretica) sur 12 et 2 chèvres naines (Capra hircus aegagrus) sur 3, il s'agissait principalement de lésions de la ligne blanche, alors que dans 9 bisons sur 10, le diagnostic était une dermatite interdigitale. Un alpaga sur 3 a été diagnostiqué avec une gale chorioptique de la zone du paturon. Aucun des animaux examinés n'a montré de signes cliniques de piétin (score 0) et aucun D. nodosus bénin (aprB2-positif) ou virulent (aprV2-positif ) n'a été mis en évidence dans les échantillons. Cette étude fournit des informations supplémentaires pour améliorer l'efficacité du programme d'éradication du piétin ovin et suggère que les biongulés sauvages détenus dans les parcs zoologiques ne présentent pas de risque pour le programme d'éradication prévu en Suisse.

Pododermatitis in Captive and Free-Ranging Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus).

Pododermatitis is frequent in captive flamingos worldwide, but little is known about the associated histopathologic lesions. Involvement of a papillomavirus or herpesvirus has been suspected. Histopathologic evaluation and viral assessment of biopsies from 19 live and 10 dead captive greater flamingos were performed. Selected samples were further examined by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Feet from 10 dead free-ranging greater flamingos were also evaluated. The histologic appearance of lesions of flamingos of increasing age was interpreted as the progression of pododermatitis. Mild histologic lesions were seen in a 3-week-old flamingo chick with no macroscopic lesions, and these were characterized by Micrococcus-like bacteria in the stratum corneum associated with exocytosis of heterophils. The inflammation associated with these bacteria may lead to further histologic changes: irregular columnar proliferations, papillary squirting, and dyskeratosis. In more chronic lesions, hydropic degeneration of keratinocytes, epidermal hyperplasia, and dyskeratosis were seen at the epidermis, as well as proliferation of new blood vessels and increased intercellular matrix in the dermis. Papillomavirus DNA was not identified in any of the samples, while herpesvirus DNA was seen only in a few cases; therefore, these viruses were not thought to be the cause of the lesions. Poor skin health through suboptimal husbandry may weaken the epidermal barrier and predispose the skin to invasion of Micrococcus-like bacteria. Histologic lesions were identified in very young flamingos with no macroscopic lesions; this is likely to be an early stage lesion that may progress to macroscopic lesions.

Influence of feeding and UVB exposition on the absorption mechanisms of calcium in the gastrointestinal tract of veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of feeding and UVB exposition on the occurrence and distribution patterns of vitamin D receptors (VDR) and calbindin D28k (Cb-D28k) in the gastrointestinal tract of veiled chameleons. Thus, 56 veiled chameleon hatchlings were divided into six treatment groups: UV (with UVB exposure); No (no supplements, no UVB exposure); CaAUV (with calcium (Ca), vitamin A supplementation, UVB exposure); CaA (with Ca, vitamin A supplementation); CaADUV (with Ca, vitamin A, vitamin D supplementation, UVB exposure); and CaAD (with Ca, vitamin A, vitamin D supplementation). Animals were reared under the suspected conditions for 6 months on locust-based diets. Tissue samples of stomach, duodenum, ileum and colon were taken, and semi-quantitative immunohistochemical methods (IHC) were performed to detect Cb-D28k and VDR. VDR immunoreactions were higher in the luminal epithelium of the duodenum than in that of the ileum. VDR immunoreactions in the luminal epithelium were higher at the base of the villi of the duodenum as compared to the tip. Cb-D28k immunoreactions were mainly observed in the luminal epithelium of the duodenum. The two groups treated with all dietary supplements (CaADUV, CaAD) exhibited a higher Cb-D28k immunoreaction as those with no supplements and UVB exposure only. No immunoreaction for both proteins could be detected in the stomach. This study suggests that the duodenum plays an important role in the active transcellular absorption of Ca in veiled chameleons as shown by the immunohistochemical detection of VDR and Cb-D28k. Expression of Cb-D28k, in particular, appears to be regulated by dietary supplementation of vitamin D and vitamin A. VDRs, however, tended to be upregulated when animals were not supplemented with Ca, vitamin D and vitamin A. This may be due to the decreased Ca concentrations which caused vitamin D activation in the skin without any supplementation, but UVB exposure.

Comparison of plasma vitamin A and E, copper and zinc levels in free-ranging and captive greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and their relation to pododermatitis.

Pododermatitis is a worldwide problem in captive flamingos. Studies in domestic poultry showed that nutrition is a possible influencing factor for pododermatitis. Vitamin A and E, copper and zinc levels were analysed in two different diets (diet 1 = in-house mix and diet 2 = commercial diet) and in plasma of captive greater flamingos fed these diets and compared to those of free-ranging greater flamingos. Results were analysed with respect to type and severity of foot lesions of the individuals from the different groups. Juvenile and subadult/adult captive flamingos on diet 1 showed various types and severities of foot lesions, whereas no foot lesions were found at the time of blood sampling in juvenile captive flamingos on diet 2. Juvenile captive flamingos on diet 1 had significantly lower plasma zinc levels than juvenile captive flamingos on diet 2 and juvenile free-ranging flamingos; data were also lower than reference ranges for flamingos, poultry and cranes. There were no significant differences in plasma vitamin A, vitamin E, copper or zinc levels between animals with different types of foot lesions or with different severity scores. Shortly after the change to diet 2 (fed to juvenile captive flamingos that did not show any foot lesion), the flooring of the outdoor water pools was covered with fine granular sand. Because both factors (nutrition and flooring) were changed during the same evaluation period, it cannot be concluded which factor contributed in what extent to the reduction of foot lesions. While it is assumed that low plasma zinc levels identified in the group of juvenile captive flamingos on diet 1 were not directly responsible for foot lesions observed in these animals, they may have played a role in altering the skin integrity of the feet and predisposing them to pododermatitis.

Anaesthesia with medetomidine-ketamine-isoflurane with and without midazolam, in eight captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) premedicated with oral zuclopenthixol.

In 8 captive adult chimpanzees of various ages premedicated with oral zuclopenthixol anaesthesia was induced intramuscularly with a combination of medetomidine and ketamine (40 or 50 µg/kg and 5 mg/kg, IM, respectively), with and without midazolam (0.05 mg/kg), and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. At the end of the procedure, sedation was reversed with atipamezole (0.25 mg/kg, IM) and sarmazenil (0.005 mg/kg, IM) when midazolam had been administered. Oral zuclopenthixol resulted in tranquillization of the whole group and only one animal required a second dart injection to achieve adequately deep anaesthesia. Effective and reliable anaesthesia was achieved in all apes; the depth of hypnosis was stable and sudden arousal did not occur. Physiological parameters remained within normal ranges in the majority of the animals; however, manageable anaesthesia-related complications, namely apnoea after darting, hypotension, hypoventilation, hypoxemia and prolonged recovery, occurred in 6 out of 8 animals. The use of monitoring devices was essential to guarantee adequate management of these complications.

Huit chimpanzés adultes d'un zoo, d'âges différents, ont été anesthésiés, après prémédication orale au zuclopenthixol, avec une combinaison de médétomidine (40 ou 50 µg/kg, IM) et de kétamine (5 mg/kg, IM), avec ou sans ajout de midazolam. La narcose a ensuite été poursuivie par administration d'isoflurane/oxygène. A la fin de l'anesthésie, la sédation a été antagonisée avec de l'atipamézol (0.25 mg/kg, IM) et, lorsqu'on avait utilisé du midazolam, avec en outre du sarmazenil (0.005 mg/kg, IM). L'administration orale de zuclopenthixol amenait une tranquillisation du groupe entier et seul un animal a nécessité une seconde injection par sarbacane pour atteindre une profondeur de narcose suffisante. La profondeur de narcose était constante et on a constaté aucun réveil soudain. La majorité des animaux présentaient des paramètres physiologiques dans les normes mais il s'est produit diverses complications d'anesthésie, comme arrêt respiratoire peu après la télé-injection, hypotension, hypoventilation, hypoxie et réveil retardé chez 6 des 8 animaux. Les outils de surveillance utilisés s'avèrent essentiels pour une gestion adaptée des complications qui peuvent se produire.

Factors influencing the onset and progression of pododermatitis in captive flamingos (Phoenicopteridae).

Pododermatitis is a worldwide problem in captive flamingos. We performed an evaluation of different influence factors (age, sex, weight, origin, breeding status) and a comparison of foot lesions between several zoological institutions and the feet of free-ranging Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus). A scoring system was used to determine the prevalence and types of lesions and severity. Cracks and nodules developed as early as 3 months of age and papillomatous growths as early as 6 to 7 months of age in captivity. Nodules with ulceration occurred significantly more often in birds older than 31 years and heavier than 4 kg. The comparison of different institutions revealed that birds kept in enclosures with natural-floored water ponds had significantly less severe lesions than birds kept in concrete water ponds. None of the free-ranging flamingos, which live on a muddy underground, showed any lesion. This study demonstrates that flooring, weight and age are important in the onset and progression of pododermatitis in flamingos.

Les pododermatites représentent dans tout le monde un problème chez les flamants détenus en captivité. Dans la présente étude, on examine divers facteurs (âge, sexe, poids, origine, couvaison) pouvant influencer cette pathologie et on compare les lésions constatées dans diverses conditions de détention entre elles ainsi que par rapport aux pattes de flamants roses (Phoenicopterus roseus) sauvages. La prévalence et les divers types de lésions, de même que leur gravité sont déterminées sur la base d'un catalogue de critères. Des fissures et des nodules se développent déjà chez des animaux âgés de trois mois; on peut observer des proliférations papillomateuses pour la première fois vers l'âge de 6 à 7 mois. Les nodules avec ulcération centrale s'observent significativement plus souvent chez des animaux de plus de 31 ans de même que chez ceux qui pèsent plus de 4 kg. Les flamants provenant d'enclos avec des étangs au fond naturel présentent des lésions moins fréquentes et plus bénignes que ceux détenus dans des enclos avec des étangs au fond en béton. On n'a observé aucune lésion podale chez les flamants roses sauvages vivant sur un sol argileux. La présente étude démontre que le sol, le poids et l'âge jouent un rôle dans l'apparition et le développement des pododermatites chez les flamants détenus en captivité.

Evaluation of effectiveness, safety and reliability of intramuscular medetomidine-ketamine for captive great apes.

Twenty great apes (six orangutans, eight chimpanzees and six gorillas) were anaesthetised prior to being transported for undergoing diagnostic and interventional procedures. Anaesthesia was induced with a combination of medetomidine and ketamine administered intramuscularly through a dart syringe. The onset of anaesthesia varied among apes: the mean (±sd) time from darting to recumbency was 12.13 (±1.9), 18.5 (±8.7) and 22.2 (±9.2) minutes in chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas, respectively. The depth of anaesthesia was sufficient to allow safe removal of the animals from the enclosure, intravenous catheter placement and manipulation; however, the anaesthetic effect was short-acting (20 (±7) minutes in orangutans, 16 (±14) in gorillas, and 10 (±4) minutes in chimpanzees, respectively) and isoflurane administration was necessary in the majority of the apes to prolong the duration of anaesthesia, especially when lengthier procedures were performed. The sedative effect of medetomidine was reversed at the end of each procedure with atipamezole, and recovery was smooth and uneventful for all animals.

Dry matter and calcium digestibility in captive veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus).

Although metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a very common disease in reptiles kept as pets, empirical data on the calcium (Ca) metabolism of reptiles are still scarce. We used the opportunity of a large-scale experimental study on growth and clinical manifestations of MBD in captive veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) to measure the apparent dry matter (DM) and Ca digestibility in 19 animals (6-49 g), receiving locust nymphs (Locusta migratoria) of two size classes (0.05 and 0.5 g) with or without supplementation of Ca, vitamin A and cholecalciferol (Group A: Ca 0.04-0.09%DM; Group B: Ca 0.47-0.84%DM). Dry matter digestibility was significantly lower for animals receiving smaller-sized prey. A regression analysis of dietary Ca vs. digestible Ca content revealed a complete 'true' digestibility of Ca for the range of investigated diets, which might indicate that requirements for this mineral were not yet exceeded by the diets used (so that a reduction in Ca absorption would be induced). Options of higher dietary Ca provision, and reactions of chameleons to such diets, should be further investigated.