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Background: Efforts to control and eliminate schistosomiasis have accelerated over the past decade. As parasite burden, associated morbidity and egg excretion decrease, diagnosis with standard parasitological methods becomes harder. We assessed the robustness and performance of a real-time PCR (qPCR) approach in comparison with urine filtration microscopy and reagent strip testing for the diagnosis of Schistosoma haematobium infections of different intensities. Methods: The robustness of DNA isolation and qPCR was validated in eight laboratories from Europe and Africa. Subsequently, 792 urine samples collected during cross-sectional surveys of the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission (ZEST) project in 2012-2017 were examined with qPCR in 2018. Diagnostic sensitivity of the qPCR was calculated at different infection intensity categories, using urine filtration microscopy as reference test. Spearman's rank correlation between Ct-values and S. haematobium egg counts was assessed and Ct-value percentiles for infection intensity categories determined. Results: S. haematobium Dra1 DNA-positive samples were identified correctly in all eight laboratories. Examination of urine samples from Zanzibar revealed Dra1 DNA in 26.8% (212/792) by qPCR, S. haematobium eggs in 13.3% (105/792) by urine filtration, and microhaematuria in 13.8% (109/792) by reagent strips. Sensitivity of the qPCR increased with augmenting egg counts: 80.6% (29/36) for counts between 1 and 4 eggs, 83.3% (15/18) for counts between 5 and 9 eggs, 100% (23/23) for counts between 10 and 49 eggs, and 96.4% (27/28) for counts of 50+ eggs. There was a significant negative correlation between Ct-values and egg counts (Spearman's rho = − 0.49, P < 0.001). Seventy-five percent of the Ct-values were ≥ 33 in the egg-negative category, < 31 in the light intensity category, and < 24 in the heavy intensity category.

In Hispaniolan Amazon parrots, nalbuphine appeared to have good bioavailability after IM administration and was rapidly cleared after IV and IM administration. Safety and analgesic efficacy of various nalbuphine treatment regimens in this species require further investigation to determine the potential for clinical palliation of signs of pain in psittacine species.

Abstract. A case of proventricular dilatation disease is described in a scarlet macaw (Ara macao) from clinical presentation to diagnosis with molecular methods. The initial clinical signs were depression progressing to head pressing over several days. A leukocytosis with toxic heterophil changes, hypoalbuminemia, and increased serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase were present. Lead and zinc assays were within reference ranges, and results from Chlamydophila and polyomavirus testing were negative. Contrast-enhanced fluoroscopy revealed normal gastrointestinal transit times and motility as well as the presence of 2 small metallic foreign bodies in the ventriculus. The macaw was treated with antimicrobials, analgesics, vitamins E and B complex, force-feeding, and fluid administration with little improvement. Euthanasia was elected, and histologic examination of brain tissue revealed a perivascular lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, while the lungs had evidence of a fungal pneumonia. Tissue samples from the brain and proventriculus tested positive for the presence of Avian bornavirus genotype 2, while serology confirmed Avian bornavirus infection.Key words: Ara macao; Avian bornavirus; macaws; proventricular dilatation disease.Neuropathic gastric dilation or proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) has been variably described in the veterinary literature, and was initially referred to as macaw wasting syndrome in the early 1970s. 9 The terms ''neuropathic gastric dilatation'' and ''encephalomyelitis'' are in reference to the most commonly observed clinical and pathologic features of PDD. Historically, affected birds present with varying degrees of gastrointestinal signs, including anorexia, regurgitation, or presence of undigested seeds in feces, with or without neurologic signs (e.g., ataxia or obtundation). Frequently, the clinical signs are nonspecific and reflect disturbance in a number of different organs. 17,20,22 Although PDD appears to have a predilection for psittacines, it has been presumptively identified in toucans, Canada geese, and spoonbills.7 A viral etiology for the disease has been suspected for many years because of the epidemiologic evidence and the characteristic histopathologic changes observed in tissues of affected birds, but no specific virus was identified until the recent discovery of avian bornaviruses. 8,11,12 The present report describes a case of Avian bornavirus (ABV) in a scarlet macaw (Ara macao) exhibiting vague neurologic signs from initial presentation to identification and classification of the virus genotype.A 1.5-year-old male scarlet macaw weighing 0.95 kg was referred to the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UW-VMTH; Madison, Wisconsin) with a 2-week history of depression and loss of appetite. The bird was housed part of the time in a pet store, which sold and boarded birds of many different species. The bird had been acquired by the pet store owner 1 year earlier from a breeder and had been apparently healthy during this ...

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Contraception is an essential tool in reproductive management of captive species. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Reproductive Management Center (RMC) gathers data on contraception use and provides recommendations. Although apes have been given oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) for at least 30 years, there have been no published reports with basic information on why the pill is administered, formulations and brands used, and effects on physiology and behavior. Here, we report survey results characterizing OCP use in bonobos (Pan paniscus) housed in North American zoos, as well as information accumulated in the RMC's Contraception Database. Of 26 females treated, there have been no failures and nine reversals. The most commonly administered OCP formulation in bonobos contained ethinyl estradiol (EE) 35 μg/norethindrone 1 mg. Few females on combined oral contraceptives (COCs) were given a continuous active pill regimen; a hormone-free interval of at least 5 days was allowed in most. Crushing the pill and mixing with juice or food was common. Females on COCs seldom experienced breakthrough estrus or bleeding, while these conditions were sometimes observed for females on continuous COCs. All females on COCs exhibited some degree of perineal swelling, with a mean score of 3 or 3+ most commonly reported. Behavioral changes included less sexual behavior, dominant females becoming subordinate, and a negative effect on mood. No appreciable change in weight was noted. Taken together, these results indicate that OCPs are an effective and reversible contraceptive option for bonobos that can be used by zoos and sanctuaries to limit reproduction. Zoo Biol. 35:444-453, 2016. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Teratomas are germ cell neoplasms derived from 2 or more of the totipotential cell lines (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm). 5 The gonads are the most common location for development of teratomas in human beings and animals; however, these tumors can also develop at extragonadal locations, usually along the midline axis of the body. 5,13 Extragonadal teratomas have been infrequently reported in wild and domestic animals involving cutaneous structures, the alimentary tract, the kidneys, and retroperitoneal space, as well as other systems. 2,8,15,21 Descriptions of teratomas of the central nervous system are rare in both human beings and animals.17 Spinal teratomas in human beings are more common in pediatric patients, in whom they are typically observed in the sacrococcygeal region. 10,11,17 These tumors tend to be cystic, extradural structures localized proximal to the sacrum. In contrast, teratomas of the spinal cord in adults are usually found in the thoracolumbar spine. 17 Intraspinal teratomas account for 3%-9% of all intraspinal tumors in children, and although it is not possible to determine their incidence in domestic animals, reports of these conditions are exceedingly rare. 4 A recent report described a cervical spinal cord teratoma in a Giant Schnauzer and summarized the literature on canine intraspinal teratomas. 25In the ferret, teratomas have been described in the ovaries, uterus, and adrenal glands (Williams B: 1996, Bilateral adrenal teratomas in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Vet Pathol 33:587. Abstract). 3,19,24 The current report describes the clinical, radiographic, and microscopic features of an intramedullary teratoma in a domestic ferret.An 18-month old, female, spayed domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) weighing 415 g presented to the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine (UWVMTH; Madison, Wisconsin) with a 2-week history of anorexia and lethargy. The ferret was fed a commercial ferret diet and lived in a large cage with 6 other ferrets. The owners reported that 1 week prior to presentation, the ferret seemed weak in the hind legs and could no longer climb. The ferret had been examined by the referring veterinarian (RDVM) 5 days prior to presentation for diarrhea, which coincided with the onset of hind limb paresis. The results of a plasma biochemistry panel determined by the RDVM were consistent with a mild hypoalbuminemia (2.6 g/dl, reference interval: 3.4-4.8 g/dl) and mild hyperglobulinemia (3.2 g/dl, reference interval: 0.2-2.4 g/dl). The results of a complete blood cell count (CBC) were unremarkable. The RDVM prescribed metronidazole (22 mg/kg orally every 12 hr) for the diarrhea. Despite medical therapy, there was no significant improvement in clinical signs, and the ataxia progressed.On presentation to the UWVMTH, the ferret was alert and mentally appropriate but small for its age and cachexic (body condition score of 1.5/9), with pronounced generalized muscle wasting. The perineal skin was hyperemic and wet from urine scalding, and the anus was swollen...