Three Gyps vulture species are on the brink of extinction in South Asia owing to the veterinary non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac. Carcasses of domesticated ungulates are the main food source for Asia's vultures and birds die from kidney failure after consuming diclofenac-contaminated tissues. Here, we report on the safety testing of the NSAID ketoprofen, which was not reported to cause mortality in clinical treatment of scavenging birds and is rapidly eliminated from livestock tissues. Safety testing was undertaken using captive non-releasable Cape griffon vultures ( Gyps coprotheres ) and wild-caught African white-backed vultures ( G. africanus ), both previously identified as susceptible to diclofenac and suitable surrogates. Ketoprofen doses ranged from 0.5 to 5 mg kg −1 vulture body weight, based upon recommended veterinary guidelines and maximum levels of exposure for wild vultures (estimated as 1.54 mg kg −1 ). Doses were administered by oral gavage or through feeding tissues from cattle dosed with ketoprofen at 6 mg kg −1 cattle body weight, before slaughter. Mortalities occurred at dose levels of 1.5 and 5 mg kg −1 vulture body weight (within the range recommended for clinical treatment) with the same clinical signs as observed for diclofenac. Surveys of livestock carcasses in India indicate that toxic levels of residual ketoprofen are already present in vulture food supplies. Consequently, we strongly recommend that ketoprofen is not used for veterinary treatment of livestock in Asia and in other regions of the world where vultures access livestock carcasses. The only alternative to diclofenac that should be promoted as safe for vultures is the NSAID meloxicam.

Between 1991 and 2001 a total of 12 cases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in eight different species were recorded in the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa in Pretoria (Tshwane). The genetic relatedness between seven of the M. tuberculosis isolates was determined by IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. For the majority of isolates that were analyzed, a high degree of polymorphism suggested different sources of infection. Evidence of M. tuberculosis transmission between animals is reported in two chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) housed together, from which samples were collected for analysis 29 mo apart.

Objective: To describe laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy in the African lioness (Panthera leo) and to establish the technical elements and complications of the respective procedures.Study Design: Descriptive study. Animals: Female lions (n=16)2 Methods: Lionesses were randomly divided into two different procedure groups O (ovariectomy)(n=8) and S (salpingectomy)(n=8). Laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy were performed. Two different Veress needle placement techniques were used. Volumes of CO 2 required for insufflation were recorded.Results: Lionesses were immobilized using a combination of tiletamine and zolazepam or tiletamine and zolazepam and medetomidine. Intravenous propofol was given to effect to facilitate intubation and the patients maintained under isoflurane. Accurate descriptions of laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy in the African lioness resulted from this study. The poorly developed Mesosalpinx and ovarian bursa rendered the uterine tube more accessible for salpingectomy compared to that of the dog making the procedure easier in the lioness. Similarly salpingectomy is a relatively easier procedure compared to ovariectomy especially when the modified Hasson technique for Veress needle placement is used. Less CO2 was required in subadults than in adults.Clinical Relevance: Laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy can be safely performed in the African lioness. Further studies are needed to determine the most effective surgical sterilization procedure to ensure a decrease in population numbers without disrupting the social patterns as well as the effects of different female sterilization techniques on the social behavior and pride structure of the African lion, particularly in free ranging lions.

In this study the analgesic efficacy of the pure agonistic opioid morphine and the cyclo-oxygenase type-2-selective carprofen were compared since there is no previous specific comparative study for these two common analgesics. Forty-five bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy were randomly assigned to one of three groups; receiving morphine 0.4 mg/kg bodyweight pre-operatively and 0.2 mg/kg every 4-6 hours thereafter (Morphine group), receiving a once-off carprofen 4 mg/kg injection (Carprofen group) or receiving both morphine and carprofen (MorphCarp group). The dogs were premedicated with acepromazine 0.01 mg/kg and induced with either thiopentone 5-10 mg/kg or propofol 4-6 mg/kg. General anaesthesia was maintained with halothane in oxygen. The degree of pain was assessed over a 24-hour period under blinded conditions using a pain scale modified from the University of Melbourne pain scale and the Glasgow composite pain tool. Physiological parameters such as respiratory rate, pulse rate and body temperature were also assessed over the same time period. There was no significant difference in pain-scores and thus analgesia offered by the three analgesia protocols at any assessment point across the three groups, but there were differences within groups across time points. Baseline total pain-scores were lower than scores at all post-operative points within all three groups. Both morphine and carprofen provided good analgesia without any obvious adverse effects. This study indicates that at the dosages indicated above, carprofen administered on its own produces analgesia equal to that produced by morphine and that the two drugs administered together do not produce better analgesia than either drug administered on its own.

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