Degenerative cardiomyopathy in a captive kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Myocardial degeneration and necrosis in an adult female Australian kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) are described. The animal was housed in a zoo at Kano, Nigeria for approximately five years before death. This is believed to be the first reported case of degenerative cardiomyopathy in a captive marsupial in Nigeria.     

Isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila from a captive caracal lynx (Felis caracal)

Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from the internal organs of a captive caracal lynx (Felis caracal) which died of acute septicemia. Grossly, patchy areas of focal necrosis were found in the lungs, liver and kidney; there was ulceration in the stomach and intestines. Microscopically, lesions contained cellular debris, neutrophils, lymphocytes and gram-negative bacilli. This is the first report of isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila from a captive wild animal in Nigeria.     

Heartwater infection (cowdriosis) in a sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) in Nigeria

Cowdria ruminantium was isolated from a natural infection of heartwater in a captive sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) which died after a short illness in Jos Zoo, Nigeria. The isolate killed laboratory mice in a shorter period of time than did isolates of C. ruminantium recovered from natural cases in cattle. This is the first confirmed case of heartwater in a captive wild ruminant in Nigeria, where the disease is endemic.     

Fatal case of salmonellosis (Salmonella pullorum) in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) in the Jos Zoo

A case of salmonellosis in a captive chimpanzee (Pan troglydytes) is reported. Confirmatory diagnosis was based on clinical signs, necropsy and histopathological examination, and the isolation of Salmonella pullorum from the lung, liver, kidney and intestines of the animal. The source of infection was not ascertained.     

Acute sarcocystosis in a captive white-tailed deer in Virginia

A 19-mo-old female captive white-tailed deer in a public wild animal park in Richmond (Virginia, USA) was necropsied and evaluated histologically following spontaneous death after a 1 wk period of lethargy in a captive herd of 22 deer. An acute necrotizing pneumonia was associated with intraendothelial protozoal schizonts that were identified immunohistochemically as Sarcocystis spp. This is the first confirmed report of acute sarcocystosis in a wild ruminant.     

Cardiac rhabdomyoma in a juvenile fallow deer (Dama dama)

A cardiac rhabdomyoma is described in a 6-wk-old captive fallow deer (Dama dama) that died suddenly without previous clinical signs. The tumor was characterized by multiple nodules composed of large atypical vacuolated myoblastic cells. As previously reported in humans and other animal species, there is compelling evidence that the cardiac rhabdomyoma is a congenital developmental anomaly rather than a true neoplasm. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a cardiac tumor and a rhabdomyoma in a cervid species.     

Characterization of the koala biovar of Chlamydia pneumoniae at four gene loci--ompAVD4, ompB, 16S rRNA, groESL spacer region

Koalas are infected with two species of Chlamydia, C. pecorum and C. pneumoniae. While it is known that significant genetic diversity occurs in the C. pecorum strains infecting koalas, very little is known about the C. pneumoniae strains that infect this host. In the current study, 10 isolates of koala C. pneumoniae were analysed at four gene loci and found to be different to both the human and horse C. pneumoniae strains at all loci (biovar differences ranging from 0.3% at groESL up to 9.0% at ompAVD4). All koala biovar isolates studied were found to be 100% identical at ompAVD4 (all 10 isolates) and at ompB (all three isolates) gene. This lack of allelic polymorphisms at ompAVD4 has now been observed for koala C. pneumoniae, human C. pneumoniae, guinea pig inclusion conjuctivitis C. psittaci and feline conjuctivitis C. psittaci and may be correlated to a lack of antibody response to the chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) in these same strain/host combinations. This study also provides the first documented case of natural C. pneumoniae infection causing a severe and extended respiratory episode in a captive koala population. This captive episode is in contrast to most free-range observations in which koala C. pneumoniae is rarely documented as causing respiratory, ocular or urogenital tract disease.     

Lethal pneumonia in a captive juvenile chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) due to human-transmitted human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) and infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae

Background  During an outbreak of respiratory disease in captive chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ), gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla ), Bornean orangutans ( Pongo pygmaeus ), and red-capped mangabeys ( Cercocebus torquatus ) also staff members showed non-specific upper respiratory signs. One infant female chimpanzee with severe respiratory symptoms died despite immediate medical treatment and was submitted for necropsy.
Methods  Routine post mortem, histological and bacteriological examinations were conducted. Additionally lung tissue samples form the chimpanzee and swab samples from the staff members and the other primates were examined by PCR.
Results  A severe catarrhal to purulent bronchopneumonia and an interstitial pneumonia were found and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) as well as Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected in lung samples by PCR. Swab samples from one animal keeper revealed the same HRSV sequence as of the chimpanzee.
Conclusions  Therefore, it is suggested that the outbreak of respiratory disease within a zoological institution was due to transmission of HRSV between both human and primates.     

Salmonellae isolated from captive animals in Ibadan, Western State of Nigeria

Six serotypes of salmonellae, Salmonella offa, S. glostrup, S. wimborne, S. dublin, S. saint-paul and S. webridge were isolated from captive wild animals in Ibadan, Western State of Nigeria. S. wimborne and S. glostrup are reported for the first time in Nigeria. All strains were sensitive to nitrofurantoin (200 mcg) and chloramphenical (10 mcg) but there wasmarked resistance to sulphafurazole (100 mcg) and penicillin (1.5 units).     

American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) weight gain in captivity and implications for captive reptile body condition

The body condition of an animal is an indicator of health status and is dependent upon many factors, some of which can vary between wild and captive settings. Despite this, there have not been many studies on how captivity affects body condition relative to wild animal populations. This study explores the body condition of captive and wild American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) because reptiles are frequently overlooked in studies of captive animal health and because alligators are well-represented in captivity. We collected body condition data from 209 captive alligators and 935 wild alligators throughout Florida and southeastern Georgia and compared the relationships between body condition and body length for each group. We found that captive alligators exhibited significantly higher body condition values as they aged, and that this result was driven by the difference between captive and wild males. Body condition values for captive juveniles did not differ from wild juveniles, but they differed when comparing adults. Our results suggest that factors such as diet and movement rates play major roles in determining alligator body condition and that body condition may be an important metric for monitoring captive alligator health, especially for older adult males.     

Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning and Exsanguination of Cattle in Abattoirs

Abattoirs commonly use penetrating captive bolt pistols to stun cattle. Humane slaughter requires that an animal immediately becomes unconscious and does not regain consciousness. In this review we consider the concepts of concussion, unconsciousness, and return to consciousness. We conclude that an animal effectively stunned with a penetrating captive bolt pistol, as indicated by the presence of certain signs and the absence of others, has little possibility of brain function returning. Appropriate monitoring at all stages between stunning and sticking would ensure immediate detection and restunning on those few occasions when brain function was returning. When a captive bolt irreversibly stuns animals, sticking has no role in terms of animal welfare; its only function is to relieve the carcass of blood. With effective initial stunning and subsequent monitoring, specifying a stun-to-stick interval appears unnecessary. Abattoir surveys have indicated that it is possible to approximate, or even actually obtain, 100% successful stunning from a single shot. Furthermore, low prevalence of recovery follows. Thus, penetrating captive bolt stunning can form part of a process for the humane slaughter of cattle. This article outlines an approach to implementing standard operating procedures for checking the effectiveness of captive bolt stunning.     

Newcastle disease in falcons.

Between March and October, 1975, 37 captive lanners (Falcon biarmicus abyssinicus) destined for exportation to Europe from Kano, Nigeria were examined for Newcastle Disease (ND) by the haemagglutination-inhibition technique in our laboratory. Twenty-one or 57% of the falcons showed high titres, presumably as the result of natural exposure to ND virus.     

Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning and Exsanguination of Cattle in Abattoirs

Abattoirs commonly use penetrating captive bolt pistols to stun cattle. Humane slaughter requires that an animal immediately becomes unconscious and does not regain consciousness. In this review we consider the concepts of concussion, unconsciousness, and return to consciousness. We conclude that an animal effectively stunned with a penetrating captive bolt pistol, as indicated by the presence of certain signs and the absence of others, has little possibility of brain function returning. Appropriate monitoring at all stages between stunning and sticking would ensure immediate detection and restunning on those few occasions when brain function was returning. When a captive bolt irreversibly stuns animals, sticking has no role in terms of animal welfare; its only function is to relieve the carcass of blood. With effective initial stunning and subsequent monitoring, specifying a stun-to-stick interval appears unnecessary. Abattoir surveys have indicated that it is possible to approximate, or even actually obtain, 100% successful stunning from a single shot. Furthermore, low prevalence of recovery follows. Thus, penetrating captive bolt stunning can form part of a process for the humane slaughter of cattle. This article outlines an approach to implementing standard operating procedures for checking the effectiveness of captive bolt stunning.     

Review of the 2012 Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreak in Domestic Ruminants in the United States

An unusually large number of cases of Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) were observed in United States cattle and white-tailed deer in the summer and fall of 2012. USDA APHIS Veterinary Services area offices were asked to report on foreign animal disease investigations and state diagnostic laboratory submissions which resulted in a diagnosis of EHD based on positive PCR results. EHD was reported in the following species: cattle (129 herds), captive white-tailed deer (65 herds), bison (8 herds), yak (6 herds), elk (1 herd), and sheep (1 flock). A majority of the cases in cattle and bison were found in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa. The majority of cases in captive white-tailed deer were found in Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri. The most common clinical sign observed in the cattle and bison herds was oral lesions. The major observation in captive white-tailed deer herds was death. Average within-herd morbidity was 7% in cattle and bison herds, and 46% in captive white-tailed deer herds. The average within-herd mortality in captive white-tailed deer herds was 42%.     

促进人工饲养实验猕猴心理康乐

目的促进实验猕猴心理康乐,既能减少动物异常行为的发生、获得可靠的科学数据,同时也是实现这一珍贵非人灵长类实验动物福利的重要内容。实验猕猴社会化集群、环境优化、婴猴饲养方式是影响动物心理康乐几个较大的因素,本文对其研究进展进行了综述,对推进我国灵长类实验动物福利具有积极作用。     

The effects of long-term captivity on the metabolic parameters of a small Afrotropical bird

The few within-species studies on the effects of long-term captivity on avian physiological variables have small samples sizes and contradictory results. Nevertheless, many physiological studies make use of long-term captive birds, assuming the results will be applicable to wild populations. Here we investigated the effects of long-term captivity on a variety of physiological measurements in a relatively small (~12 g) southern African endemic bird, the Cape white-eye (Zosterops virens). Whole animal basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body mass (Mb) were influenced more by long-term captivity than by season, while mass-specific BMR, standard and basal whole animal and mass-specific evaporative water loss (EWL), and respiratory quotient (RQ), were all affected primarily by season, with long-term captivity having less of an effect. We therefore caution that whole animal BMR and Mb of long-term captive birds should not be used as representative of wild populations, and that the origin of study birds should be considered when comparing EWL and RQ of wild and long-term captive birds.     

Pathogenic potential of environmental Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important opportunistic pathogen and a frequent cause of nosocomial infections. K. pneumoniae infections can occur at nearly any body site; however, urinary tract infections and infections of the respiratory tract predominate. Infections are frequently preceded by gastrointestinal colonization, and the gastrointestinal tract is believed to be the most important reservoir for transmission of the bacteria. In contrast to many other bacterial pathogens, K. pneumoniae is ubiquitous in nature. Several studies have described Klebsiella isolates of environmental origin to be nearly identical to clinical isolates with respect to several phenotypic properties. However, the pathogenic potential of environmental K. pneumoniae isolates is essentially unknown. We have evaluated the virulence of K. pneumoniae strains of environmental and clinical origin directly in animal models, i.e. in urinary tract infection and intestinal colonization models. Furthermore, the ability to adhere to and invade human epithelial cell lines was examined. Although strain-to-strain differences were observed in the individual infection models, overall, strains of environmental origin were found to be as virulent as strains of clinical origin. The ubiquity of K. pneumoniae in nature and the general ability of K. pneumoniae strains to infect susceptible hosts might explain the high frequency of opportunistic infections caused by this species.     

Parentage verification of a mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) using polymorphic microsatellite markers

The Hartmann's mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) has been classified by the IUCN as a vulnerable species. Approximately 300 individuals, maintained in zoos throughout Europe and the United States of America, are being managed as part of a captive breeding program. An International Studbook is maintained for the Hartmann's mountain zebra at Marwell Zoological Park, UK. Despite the use of a variety of means to identify each individual in a captive herd, confusion sometimes occurs, resulting in the misidentification of an animal. Here we report the first application of DNA typing, using polymorphic microsatellite loci, to resolve a misidentification involving two female Hartmann's mountain zebra. This case demonstrates the way in which genetic tests derived from a related domesticated species may be used as an effective tool for captive management. Further, this case highlights the need to be able to conclusively identify captive individuals and to maintain accurate pedigree information for successful captive management. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Study of three non‐syndromic cases of congenital thumb aplasia in captive rhesus monkeys

Although congenital thumb absence has been reported frequently in humans, their occurrence in macaques is rare. We observed three cases of spontaneous thumb defects in captive female rhesus monkeys. One animal exhibited bilateral absence and two other presented unilateral thumb absence, all with metacarpal integrity. This report presents the clinical, radiological, and genealogical details as well as possible etiologies in an attempt to draw a parallel with humans and other primate species.     

Issues of choice and control in the behaviour of a pair of captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Stereotyped behaviour occurs in a wide variety of captive animals including ursids. The provision of animal control over aspects of their environment by providing choices is a critical element for improving welfare. The behaviour of two sibling polar bears at a metropolitan zoo was examined to investigate the effect of providing access to their indoor, off-exhibit holding space. Both bears demonstrated behavioural changes when given the choice to access their indoor dens including decreased stereotyped behaviours and increased social play. These results, although based on just two bears, provide additional support for the assertion that choice and control are closely tied to issues of well-being for captive animals.