During a routine health check, a 22-year-old female alpaca presented with an infected mass on the sternal pad. A squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed on histopathology. Systemic antibiotics and topical treatment were initiated. Thoracic radiographs and blood analysis showed no abnormalities; therefore, surgical resection was performed, and the wound was allowed to heal by second intention with therapeutic laser therapy. The treatment plan for this animal was developed with the collaboration of the keeping team and zoo managers and considered the health status of the animal, overall prognosis and the possibility of frequent restraints with minimal stress. Six months after initial presentation, the alpaca showed dramatic weight loss and severe urine scalding with a mass identified in the urinary bladder and was euthanased on welfare grounds. Postmortem findings included squamous cell carcinoma metastases in the tributary lymph nodes and in the lung, adenocarcinoma in the lung, and a polyp in the urinary bladder.
Plastic waste has become a hot topic in sustainability and conservation, helped in part by popular documentaries which have highlighted the issue to the general public. Much of the current literature focuses on the effect of microplastics in the marine environment, with very little information on macroplastic interactions or the terrestrial environment. In this report, the management of digit constriction due to macroplastic debris in a Verreaux’s eagle owl (Bubo lacteus) is presented, and the role of zoos in decreasing littering behaviour both within the collection and in the wider global context is discussed.
Background Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of mortality in captive great apes. However, data from bonobos are lacking due to a paucity of collections in Europe. Comprehensive preventive screening is required to understand the aetiopathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, but the provision of a stable and predictable anaesthetic protocol with minimal cardiovascular effects is challenging. Methods This prospective, observational case series reports anaesthesia of 12 bonobos using hand‐injected medetomidine and tiletamine–zolazepam followed by maintenance with isoflurane in oxygen. Comprehensive clinical examinations, including arterial blood gases and echocardiography were undertaken. Results Induction of anaesthesia with hand injection was successful in all but one individual. Respiratory acidosis with metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis with metabolic acidosis were documented. Hypochloraemia may have contributed to non‐respiratory alkalosis in one individual. Ten bonobos experienced hypotension and required haemodynamic support. Both N‐terminal pro b‐type natriuretic peptide and troponin I cardiac biomarkers correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (percentage). Recovery was smooth, rapid and uneventful in all animals. Limitations The effects of the anaesthetic must be considered during echocardiographical interpretation. Conclusions The anaesthesia protocol provided a safe, predictable induction and recovery, facilitating diagnostics (including echocardiography) and minor surgical procedures. Comprehensive monitoring, including invasive blood pressure monitoring and haemodynamic support, is highly recommended.
Wildlife Vets International provide support to many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) around the world with many species. The requirements for each species and project are different, but they are linked by the need to assess and if possible address all elements that will allow wound healing to occur. Sea turtles are a highly charismatic species and face many threats in the wild. Veterinary care of sea turtles needs to be optimal and carried out in a timely manner. Providing correct husbandry is essential for the healing of all reptile wounds, including sea turtles. It is important to remember we are nursing an intelligent, exothermic, ureotelic species, with a requirement for UV light, which is likely to be experiencing significant stress which we need to try and mitigate. Veterinary nurses are well placed to assist in assessing all these factors, documenting these assessments, creating care plans/bundles and, of course, carrying out the wound management itself. Dealing with the wound healing of wild animals is very challenging and complicated. A dynamic and holistic approach is essential, although sometimes overlooked, and every effort must be made to reduce treatment times. This will both improve welfare while under veterinary care, and will hopefully allow a timely return to the wild. New wound management products are becoming available all the time, and it is important that veterinary professionals are always looking for how they can use these in their wild animal patients, as well as always questioning why they use the materials they use.
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