CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF INFECTION WITH A NOVEL METASTRONGYLOID SPECIES IN THE RED PANDA (AILURUS FULGENS)

Abstract

In a recent survey, 30% of the European red panda (Ailurus fulgens) population was found to be infected with a newly discovered metastrongyloid nematode. In a following prospective study, four naturally infected captive-bred red pandas infected with this parasite were examined and compared with two uninfected control animals. On clinical examination, no abnormalities were detected with respect to vital parameters and cardiovascular system in all six examined animals. Similarly, few and nonspecific changes were recorded on serum biochemistry. No changes on pulmonary pattern were noted on thoracic radiographs. Vertebral heart scores were between 7.2 to 8.6, and no difference was noted between infected and control animals. Two animals had slightly prolonged clotting time and reaction time on thromboelastography but not likely to be of clinical relevance. In conclusion, infection with the newly identified metastrongyloid nematode in the red pandas seems to have little or no clinical importance.

Successful rescue, medical management, rehabilitation, and translocation of a Red Panda Ailurus fulgens (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ailuridae) in Arunachal Pradesh, India

“…Use of above combinations of anaesthetics and dose rate induced anaesthesia smoothly which was reproducible and found safe. Vital parameters recorded during anaesthesia (Table 2) were in agreement with the observations of Willesen et al (2012). The physical parameters recorded (Table 3) may be of use for further growth and development studies in captivity.…”

Angiostrongylus‐associated pneumonia in a red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

“…Of the tested red pandas, 2.6 per cent were infected with A vasorum and a further 27.8 per cent were found to be infected with a previously undescribed metastrongyloid nematode. The animals infected with the newly described nematode appeared clinically well, in contrast with the reported A vasorum infected cases that have resulted in euthanasia or death (Willesen and others 2012). Although definitive molecular confirmation was not carried out, the nematodes identified on histopathology were consistent in location and morphology with A vasorum .…”

“…Deaths in red pandas associated with A vasorum infection have been reported in five zoological collections, including one in the UK (Patterson‐Kane and others 2009, Willesen and others 2012). In a study assessing metastrongyloid infections in this species, 115 red pandas originating from 54 European zoos had faecal samples collected and assessed for metastrongyloid L1 nematode larvae using the Baermann method (Bertelsen and others 2010).…”

“…Awareness of Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasing in domestic dogs, with routine therapy and monitoring advocated by many veterinary practices, but the potential for infection in non‐domestic carnivores remains poorly appreciated. This is the second fatality associated with Angiostrongylus species infection in a red panda in the UK, with four further fatalities reported in zoological collections in Europe (Willesen and others 2012). Although case numbers are small, less than 300 are currently held in European collections and this species is classed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red list of Threatened Species 2015).…”

“…This is the second fatality associated with Angiostrongylus species infection in a red panda in the UK, with four further fatalities reported in zoological collections in Europe (Willesen and others 2012). Although case numbers are small, less than 300 are currently held in European collections and this species is classed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red list of Threatened Species 2015).…”