Primary brain tumours were identified in two Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) living at the Zoological Society of London's two zoos. Histology and immunohistochemistry were used to diagnose a histiocytic sarcoma in a 16-year-old female and a fibroblastic meningioma in a 13-year-old male. Before one died and the other was euthanased both camels had shown progressive neurological signs, including circling and ataxia.
Disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is common in fish. Current recommendations focus on outbreak management by depopulating entire fish stocks and disinfecting tanks. Treatment is not advocated. Treatment may be appropriate, however, where individual, valuable fish are concerned. ZSL London Zoo managed an outbreak of mycobacteriosis in a valuable group of imported F1 captive-bred Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus fosteri) by depopulation, isolation, extensive testing and daily oral antibiotic treatment. Four species of Mycobacterium (M. marinum, M. fortuitum, M. chelonae and M. peregrinum) were involved in this outbreak, each with unique antibiotic sensitivities. Triple therapy with rifampicin, doxycycline and enrofloxacin for 8 months was the most effective antibiotic combination, resulting in full disease resolution. No side effects were noted and, more than 18 months post-treatment, no recurrence had occurred. This is the first report of mycobacterial disease in lungfish and the first report of a polymycobacterial outbreak in fish involving these four species of Mycobacterium. This report demonstrates the value of extensive isolation and identification. Also, as therapies currently advised in standard texts did not reflect the antibiotic sensitivity of the NTM found in the fish reported here, we recommend that antibiotic treatment should always be based on sensitivity testing.
Cardiac disease has been implicated as a leading cause of death in captive great apes. Trans‐thoracic echocardiography provides clinically relevant information that may help differentiate between the myriad of different heart diseases and disorders, guide treatment and aid the management of great apes with underlying cardiac pathology. The purpose of this paper is to provide an outline of the procedures and methodologies required to conduct a thorough trans‐thoracic echocardiogram of great apes under general anaesthesia. Basic logistical considerations are discussed before a detailed description of the procedures required for the assessment of overall cardiac structure and function. Using a thorough systematic approach, it is our belief that veterinary professionals may be better able to diagnose, treat and manage captive great apes with, or at risk of developing heart disease.
Two human enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and one radioimmunoassay (RIA) were validated and used to measure osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and the cross-linked telopeptide domain of type I collagen (ICTP), in serum from Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Sera from four adult females sampled on 7 consecutive days were also analyzed to assess the existence and magnitude of intraindividual day-to-day variability of the serum concentration of these markers. Sample dilution curves were parallel with assay standard curves, which demonstrated that excellent cross reactivity existed between assay antibodies and elephants marker antigens. Statistically significant inverse correlations were found between age and concentrations of all three markers: BAP, r = -0.862 (P < 0.01); OC, r = -0.788 (P < 0.002); and ICTP, r = -0.848 (P < 0.01). Strong positive correlations were found between BAP and OC (r = 0.797, P < 0.01), OC and ICTP (r = 0.860, P < 0.01), and between BAP and ICTP (r = 0.958, P < 0.01). No statistically significant intraindividual variability was found over 7 days in the four adult females for any of the markers assessed (OC: P = 0.089; ICTP: P = 0.642; BAP: P = 0.146; n=4 in each case). The overall coefficient of variability observed in this group of animals was 10.3%, 7.4%, and 5.5% for OC, BAP, and ICTP, respectively. These results suggest a potential role for biochemical markers of bone turnover in monitoring skeletal health and bone disease in Asian elephants.
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