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Nine Humboldt penguins ( Spheniscus humboldti ), between 1 and 1.5 years old and kept at Zoo Dresden, developed local and systemic infections with various opportunistic pathogens within a period of 4 months. Affected birds died peracutely without preceding symptoms or showed various clinical signs, including separation from conspecifics, reduced food intake, lethargy, dyspnea, swelling of the salt glands, and ocular discharge. One bird showed central nervous signs, including seizures. Pathologic examination of deceased birds revealed severe necrotizing inflammation of the mucous membranes and deep structures of the glottis, trachea, nasal sinus, and conchae and granulomatous inflammation of the salt glands. Further findings were airsacculitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, conjunctivitis, and myositis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant pathogen in 7 cases. Six penguins died or were euthanatized, whereas 3 penguins that received systemic antibiotic treatment with tobramycin (10 mg/kg IM q24h for 10 days) showed rapid clinical improvement. Insufficient turnover rate of the filtration system, biofilm formation on pipe surfaces, and other factors are assumed to have promoted pathogen buildup in the pool water and subsequent infection.

A 24-year-old female secretary bird ( Sagittarius serpentarius) was presented with acute, mild dyspnea occurring only during feeding times. Despite initial conservative therapy consisting of antibiotics and antifungal, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory drugs, the dyspnea worsened progressively, resulting in severe respiratory distress. Radiographs of the trachea suggested stenosis in the caudal one-third of the trachea. Tracheal endoscopy revealed an obstruction of approximately 90% of the tracheal lumen, in addition to mild suspected aspergillosis of the air sacs. Tracheal resection and anastomosis were performed, during which 1.5 cm of abnormal trachea was removed. Histopathologic examination showed severe granulomatous tracheitis, most likely induced by foreign body material. Respiratory signs resolved immediately postoperatively. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy continued for another 7 days and the bird was treated with antifungals for a total of 45 days. The bird recovered uneventfully. We encourage tracheal resection and anastomosis for severe tracheal stenosis even in aged, large birds of prey that are managed in large aviaries.

In this two-part study, the potency of two analgesics on nociception was assessed in African Clawed Frogs (ACFs). First, three different Pain Stimuli (PSs) were evaluated in the frogs during Tricaine Methanesulfonate (MS222) anaesthesia. Using the most effective PS from the preliminary study, the analgesic effects of three different doses of fentanyl and butorphanol were examined in frogs under MS222 anaesthesia. Comparing the three different PSs (5% acetic acid onto skin, toe pinch by a clamp and pull on the ovaries), continuous Blood Pressure (BP) and Heart Rate (HR) recordings of the frogs indicated a sharp and reproducible increase in both parameters in response to acetic acid. That result clearly indicated an increased nociception during MS222 anaesthesia. Therefore, MS222 alone does not provide sufficient analgesia for painful interventions in ACFs. From all tested analgesic groups only 5 mg/kg butorphanol showed a short lasting decreased BP and HR response. In contrast, neither lower dosed butorphanol nor fentanyl in general reduced BP and HR response to a PS, only producing considerable side effects on the haemodynamic system. These findings argue against using fentanyl as an analgesic in ACFs. Butorphanol significantly reduced the nociception in the high dose group. However, considering its limited duration of action and potential adverse effects, further analgesics (e.g., ketamine and metamizole) should be evaluated to improve intraoperative analgesia when using MS222 anaesthesia in ACFs.

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