Surgical removal of cataracts due to Diplostomum species in Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi)

Unilateral phacoemulsification in a captive African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Background:

The following case reports describe the clinical presentation, surgical protocol, post-operative care, and long-term follow-up of an African elephant (Loxodonta Africana) presenting with a unilateral cataract.

Case description:

A 42-year-old female African elephant presented for the assessment of ocular discomfort and visual deterioration in the left eye. Pre-surgical treatment included topical anti-inflammatory medication for 20 days prior to surgery. On the day of surgery, following anesthetic induction, a two-handed phacoemulsification technique was performed in the left eye. She was left aphakic post-operatively. Nine days post-operatively, the patient had an intact menace response, dazzle reflex, and direct pupillary light reflex. Fundoscopy at that stage was unremarkable. Follow-up information was available for 5 years, from the time of surgery to the present day.

Conclusion:

Despite remaining aphakic, this case presents a successful visual outcome. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no other published report of phacoemulsification in a captive elephant.

Fish Surgery: Presurgical Preparation and Common Surgical Procedures

Fish surgical procedures are commonplace in aquaria, zoos, laboratory facilities, and pet clinical practice. To incorporate fish surgery into a clinical setting, an understanding of anatomic differences between mammals and fish, bath anesthetics, and recirculating anesthesia techniques must be developed; a system or different size systems to accommodate anesthesia and surgery of particular species of concern at an institution or practice constructed; and familiar mammalian surgical principles applied with some adaptations. Common surgical procedures in fish include coeliotomy for intracoelomic mass removal, reproductive procedures, gastrointestinal foreign body removal, radiotransmitter placement, and integumentary mass excision.

Geriatric veterinary care for fish patients

There is little evidence-based research and scientific literature available for providing geriatric care for fish patients. Fish can have tremendous longevity. Although the average life span for most fish species can be only a few days to weeks for the beginning hobbyist, it is becoming more common for clients to have animals for several decades with the advent and continued development of improved life-support systems, husbandry, water quality additives, and fish nutrition. This article discusses fish longevity for several popular species, addresses environmental quality issues for geriatric patients, and provides information on the most common challenges, from a veterinary perspective, to maintain fish over the years.