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Colosimo G, Montemuro G, Lewbart GA, Gentile G, Gerber G. Hand grab or noose pole? Evaluating the least stressful practice for capture of endangered Turks and Caicos Rock Iguanas Cyclura carinata. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17171. [PMID: 38646487 PMCID: PMC11032654 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
As the analysis of blood metabolites has become more readily accessible thanks to the use of point-of-care analyzers, it is now possible to evaluate stress level of wild animals directly in the field. Lactate is receiving much attention as a good stress level proxy in individuals subjected to capture, manual restraint, and data sampling in the wild, and appropriate protocols to maintain lactate values low should be preferred. In this study we compare how two different capture methodologies, hand grab vs. noose pole, affect the variation of blood lactate values in Cyclura carinata iguanas when captured for sampling. We used blood lactate concentration, measured immediately upon- and 15 min after-capture, as a proxy for stress level. While the primary goal of this work is to determine the least stressful capture methodology to be favored when sampling this and other wild iguanas, we also evaluated additional baseline physiological parameters relevant to the health and disease monitoring for this species. Our results show that while initial lactate values level-out in sampled individuals after 15 min in captivity, regardless of the capture methodology, rock iguanas captured by noose pole showed significantly higher lactate concentration and increased heartbeat rate immediately after capture. While the overall health evaluation determined that all analyzed individuals were in good health, based on our results we recommend that, when possible, hand capture should be preferred over noose pole when sampling wild individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliano Colosimo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Lazio, Italy
| | - Gwyneth Montemuro
- School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Mathew University of Grand Cayman, West Bay, Cayman Island
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Gabriele Gentile
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Lazio, Italy
| | - Glenn Gerber
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, California, United States
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Nieto-Claudín A, Sacristán C, Deem SL, Lewbart GA, Colosimo G, Esperón F, Sevilla C, Gentile G. Novel herpesvirus in the critically endangered Galapagos pink land iguana. Acta Trop 2024; 252:107127. [PMID: 38316240 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Virus surveillance in wildlife is important to understanding ecosystem health, taxonomy, and evolution. Nevertheless, viruses in reptiles, and specifically in squamates, continue to be understudied. Herein, we conducted a health assessment on the critically endangered Galapagos pink land iguana (Conolophus marthae) and the vulnerable Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus). We collected oral and/or cloacal swabs from 47 clinically healthy iguanas and tested for adenovirus (cloacal swabs, n = 47) and herpesvirus (oral swabs, n = 45) using broad-spectrum PCRs. Two out of 38 (5.3 %) Galapagos pink land iguanas tested positive for herpesvirus, while no herpesvirus was detected in all Galapagos land iguanas (n = 7). Both herpesviral sequences were identical between them and divergent (61.9 % amino acid identity) when compared to the closest herpesvirus sequences available in GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ. The genetic distance between this and other herpesviruses is consistent with its classification as a novel virus species. All iguanas were negative for adenovirus. This is the first description of a herpesvirus in iguanas of the Galapagos islands, and the first report of a potential pathogen for the iconic Galapagos pink land iguana. Further research is needed to understand the implications of this virus in the conservation and management of one of the most endangered iguana species in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainoa Nieto-Claudín
- Charles Darwin Foundation. Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Saint Louis Institute for Conservation Medicine, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63110, United States.
| | - Carlos Sacristán
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), CSIC, Valdeolmos 28130, Spain.
| | - Sharon L Deem
- Charles Darwin Foundation. Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Saint Louis Institute for Conservation Medicine, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States; Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, San Cristobal 200150, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | | | - Fernando Esperón
- Veterinary Department, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón 28670, Spain
| | - Christian Sevilla
- Galapagos National Park Directorate, Santa Cruz 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Gabriele Gentile
- Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University, Rome 00133, Italy
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Gorges MA, Balko JA, Lathan AW, Gregory TM, Heniff AC, Lewbart GA. DEVELOPMENT OF A HEMOLYMPH COLLECTION TECHNIQUE AND REPORT OF BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF HEMOLYMPH IN A MANAGED POPULATION OF FEMALE THORNY DEVIL STICK INSECTS ( EURYCANTHA CALCARATA). J Zoo Wildl Med 2024; 55:22-30. [PMID: 38453484 DOI: 10.1638/2023-0063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects are increasingly common in households, zoological collections, research, and food industries. Increased knowledge of insect health parameters is necessary to ensure proper welfare. The study goal was to develop a hemolymph collection technique and report hemolymph serum biochemical parameters for the thorny devil stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata). Clinically healthy adult stick insects (5 males and 14 females, 15.1-24.7 g) were enrolled. Four collection techniques were evaluated. Hemolymph collection was unsuccessful in males, but was successful in females by using a single technique. The insect was manually restrained in an elevated position and an 18-ga × 2.54-cm needle was used to puncture the membrane just caudal to the third pair of legs. With the puncture site directed ventrally, ≤1 ml of hemolymph was collected via gravity and allowed to visibly clot. The sample was then centrifuged, and the serum was separated. Serum samples were individually analyzed (Avian/Reptilian Profile Plus, VetScan VS2, Abaxis, Inc, Union City, CA 94587, USA). Fourteen samples (0.2-1.0 ml) were collected from 14 females. Median (minimum-maximum) parameters included the following: aspartate aminotransferase 12 (0-45) U/L, creatinine kinase 25 (0-76) U/L, uric acid 7.5 (3.1-13.7) mg/dl, glucose 12 (8-22) mg/dl, calcium 18.6 (17.2-19.4) mg/dl, phosphorus 15.0 (n = 1) or >30.0 (n = 13) mg/dL, total protein 2.7 (1.6-2.9) g/dL, albumin 0.9 (0.2-1.2) g/dL, globulin 1.7 (1.6-1.8) g/dL (n = 6) or not quantified (n = 8), potassium 10.6 (9.0-11.8) mmol/L, sodium < 100 mmol/L, and bile acids 0 lmol/L. This is the first report of biochemistry parameters in clinically healthy female stick insects. Larger sample sizes are needed to establish statistically valid reference ranges. Hemolymph collection techniques for male stick insects warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda A Gorges
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Julie A Balko
- Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA,
| | - Andrew W Lathan
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Taylor M Gregory
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Ashlyn C Heniff
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Departments of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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Heniff AC, Petritz OA, Carpenter RG, Lewbart GA, Balko JA. Anesthetic efficacy of dexmedetomidine-ketamine in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) is enhanced with the addition of midazolam and when administered in the forelimb versus the hindlimb. Am J Vet Res 2024; 85:ajvr.23.10.0226. [PMID: 38039626 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.23.10.0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare dexmedetomidine-ketamine (DK; 0.1 and 10 mg/kg, respectively) with midazolam (M; 1.0 mg/kg) or 0.9% sodium chloride (S; 0.2 mL/kg) administered IM in the forelimb (F) or hindlimb (H) in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). ANIMALS 20 clinically healthy, captive adult eastern box turtles. METHODS In a randomized, blinded, complete crossover study with 1-week washout periods, turtles were administered each of 3 treatments: F-DKS, F-DKM, or H-DKM. Palpebral reflex, muscle tone, and withdrawal responses were serially assessed and used to calculate cumulative sedation scores at each 5-minute time point. The ability to intubate was evaluated. At 60 minutes, atipamezole (1.0 mg/kg) and either flumazenil (F-DKM, H-DKM; 0.05 mg/kg) or 0.9% sodium chloride (F-DKS; 0.5 mL/kg) were administered IM. RESULTS All treatments resulted in clinically relevant anesthetic effects. F-DKM produced significantly higher sedation scores than H-DKM or F-DKS at all time points between 10 and 60 minutes (P < .05). Sedation score variability was observed with all treatments with significantly higher variability for H-DKM (P < .05). Intubation was successful in 32, 89, and 11% of turtles in F-DKS, F-DKM, and H-DKM, respectively. Median (range) recovery time was 10 (5-22), 16 (7-45), and 12 (4-28) minutes for F-DKS, F-DKM, and H-DKM, respectively. CLINICAL RELEVANCE In eastern box turtles, forelimb dexmedetomidine-ketamine resulted in clinically relevant anesthetic effects that were heightened with the addition of midazolam. Hindlimb administration of midazolam-dexmedetomidine-ketamine resulted in reduced and more variable anesthetic effects compared to forelimb administration, supporting a hepatic first-pass effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlyn C Heniff
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Olivia A Petritz
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Rachel G Carpenter
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Julie A Balko
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
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Kaleel KL, Secoura PL, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Alarcón-Ruales D, Vallejo F, Miranda C, Lewbart GA, Townsend K, Vaden SL. Endoscopy and rectal enema for fecal collection in wild sea turtles (Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricata) in a field setting. Zoo Biol 2024; 43:55-60. [PMID: 37843006 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Forty-seven free-ranging sea turtles (46- Chelonia mydas, 1- Eretmochelys imbricata) were examined via novel use of an endoscopy combined with a rectal enema to obtain large fecal sample volumes. The cloaca was insufflated using an endoscope, after which the bladder and rectum separated, allowing access to the colon. Environmental conditions and location influenced the performance of the procedure initially, but after several attempts the procedure was successfully initiated. In all cases, fecal samples were obtained, and the animals were released to their respective locations. Fecal sample collection using this approach enhances the ability to obtain diagnostic information and perform other scientific analyses of sea turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina L Kaleel
- University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Patricia L Secoura
- The Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Galápagos, Ecuador
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast UniSC, Hervey Bay, Australia
- Equilibrio Azul, Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
| | - Daniela Alarcón-Ruales
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Galápagos, Ecuador
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast UniSC, Hervey Bay, Australia
| | | | | | - Gregory A Lewbart
- The Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Kathy Townsend
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast UniSC, Hervey Bay, Australia
| | - Shelly L Vaden
- The Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Rhea S, Gensler C, Atlaw N, Pairis-Garcia M, Lewbart GA, Valentine A, Cruz M, Castillo P, Vélez A, Trueba G, Jacob ME. Presence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli in Food-Producing and Companion Animals and Wildlife on Small-Holder Farms of Floreana Island, Galápagos Islands. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:36-45. [PMID: 38011616 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AR) has led to increasing human and animal morbidity and mortality and negative consequences for the environment. AR among Escherichia coli (EC) is on the rise, with serious concerns about extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-EC). In the Galápagos Islands, where antimicrobials are available without a prescription, growing demands for food production can drive antimicrobial use. Food producing animals are at the interface of wildlife and environmental health on the smallest human-inhabited Galápagos Island, Floreana. We sought to determine if ESBL-EC were present in Floreana Island farm animal species and nearby wildlife and the relatedness of ESBL-EC isolates identified. Materials and Methods: During July 4-5, 2022, we visited 8 multispecies farms, representing 75% of food-producing animal production on Floreana, and collected 227 fecal samples from farm animals and wildlife. Each sample was plated on MacConkey agar supplemented with cefotaxime (4 μg/mL). Results: ESBL-EC was isolated from 20 (9%) fecal samples collected from pigs (N = 10), chickens (N = 6), wildlife (N = 3), and dog (N = 1). All ESBL-EC isolates were from samples taken at three (38%) of the eight farms. Fifteen (75%) of the ESBL-EC isolates were from a single farm. All ESBL-EC isolates were multidrug resistant. The most prevalent ESBL genes belonged to the blaCTX-M group. Among the typeable isolates from the farm with the largest proportion of ESBL-EC isolates (N = 14), we observed nine unique pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, with identical patterns present across pig and chicken isolates. PFGE patterns in the three farms with ESBL-EC isolates were different. Conclusions: These results lend support for future routine AR monitoring activities at the livestock-wildlife interface in Galápagos to characterize potential interspecies transmission of AR bacteria and AR genes in this unique protected ecosystem, and the related human, animal, and environmental health impacts, and to formulate interventions to reduce AR spread in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Rhea
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Catherine Gensler
- Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nigatu Atlaw
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Monique Pairis-Garcia
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Galápagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, San Cristóbal Island, Ecuador
| | - Alyssa Valentine
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marilyn Cruz
- Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos, Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
| | - Paulina Castillo
- Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos, Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
| | - Alberto Vélez
- Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos, Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
| | - Gabriel Trueba
- Galápagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, San Cristóbal Island, Ecuador
- Instituto de Microbiología, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Megan E Jacob
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Lehner AF, Rebolloso S, Calle PP, Ingerman K, Lewbart GA, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Valle CA, Buchweitz JP. Dried blood spot analysis for elements of nutritional concern as demonstrated in studies of Galápagos land iguanas (Conolophus species). J Trace Elem Med Biol 2024; 81:127322. [PMID: 37890447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dried blood spot (DBS) technology is valuable in providing simple means of storing blood samples from wildlife with small blood volumes. Methods designed for heavy metal analysis on DBS become more useful if extended to elements of nutritional significance. PURPOSE (1) Development of procedures for measuring Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se and Mo in DBS; (2) use the designed methods in health assessments of Galápagos land iguanas (Conolophus species). PROCEDURES Elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following acid digestion of whole blood or DBS from the same animal for direct comparison. Study animals comprised free-ranging iguanas from separate islands in the Galápagos archipelago. MAIN FINDINGS DBS spikes (Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se and Mo) demonstrated accuracy to ∼100 ppb; reporting limits were set there except for Fe and Zn which were set at 1000 ppb. Plasma samples - generally preferable for nutritional element diagnostics - were submitted from Galápagos land iguanas along with DBS as part of a large-scale health assessment. In plasma versus DBS concentration comparisons, Fe, Cu, Se and Mn correlated well with R^2 values of 0.799, 0.818, 0.896 and 0.899, respectively, and slopes ranging 0.88 - 1.3. Co and Zn showed greater scatter. Mo had insufficient points above its reporting limit and offered advantages for toxicity assessments. Bland-Altman diagrams showed flat scatter between 2x standard deviation boundaries with no undue trends except for Mn which had few points above its reporting limit. Bias, defined as the average difference [DBS - plasma] divided by the average value, was relatively low throughout, with values of - 19.3 % (Fe), - 48.7 % (Co), - 19.6 % (Cu), - 6.9 % (Zn), - 21.4 % (Se) and + 40.7 % (Mn). Normal distribution assessment of iguana Cu, Zn, Se and Fe plasma values showed unanticipated divergences between two species. CONCLUSIONS The DBS approach for nutritional element analysis offers a suitable methodology for determining crucial elements Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, and Mo in veterinary samples. Analyses of samples from Conolophus species revealed interesting divergences particularly for Cu, Zn, Se and Fe, elements generally associated with defense against oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas F Lehner
- Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Toxicology Section, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48910.
| | - Sarah Rebolloso
- Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Toxicology Section, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48910
| | - Paul P Calle
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, Bronx, NY 10460
| | - Karen Ingerman
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, Bronx, NY 10460
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607; Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA and Galápagos Science Center GSC, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA and Galápagos Science Center GSC, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador; Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carlos A Valle
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA and Galápagos Science Center GSC, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - John P Buchweitz
- Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Toxicology Section, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48910; Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824
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8
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Hale LM, Kapp SL, Robertson JB, Lewbart GA, Ozawa SM. The clinical features and treatment of fishhook injuries in freshwater turtles: 126 cases from 1997-2022. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2023; 261:1829-1837. [PMID: 37541676 DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.03.0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of wild freshwater turtles with fishing hook injuries. ANIMALS 126 wild turtles residing in central North Carolina that were presented to a wildlife rescue clinic. METHODS Medical records from July 1997 to July 2022 were reviewed, and data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS The most common species presenting for a fishhook injury was the yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) (n = 69/126 [54.8%]; 95% CI, 45.7 to 63.6). The most common location identified was the oral cavity (n = 77/140 [55%]; 95% CI, 46.4 to 63.4) and the most common removal method was retrograde removal after cutting the barb off of the hook (76/120 [63.3%]; 95% CI, 54.1 to 71.9). Fishhooks embedded in the esophagus had a significantly higher chance of complications affecting recovery (OR estimate, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.07 to 11.38). There was no significant increase in mortality associated with the location of the injury; however, there was a significant increase in mortality in patients that experienced complications (P < 0.001). The time in care ranged from 1 to 150 days (median, 16 days). Of the turtles evaluated, 10.8% (n = 12/111; 95% CI, 5.7 to 18.1) were euthanized or died after treatment and 89.2% (99/111; 95% CI, 81.9 to 94.3) were released. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These findings describe various successful techniques to remove fishhooks from turtles. While no superior treatment was identified, considerations should be taken to provide patient comfort, decrease injury-associated complications, and shorten recovery time by using minimally invasive techniques. Overall, freshwater turtles with fishhook injuries have a high release rate even when the injuries are severe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily M Hale
- 1College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Sabrina L Kapp
- 1College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - James B Robertson
- 2Office of Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- 3Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Sarah M Ozawa
- 3Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
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9
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Lewbart GA, Zachariah TT. Aquatic and Terrestrial Invertebrate Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3375. [PMID: 37958134 PMCID: PMC10649180 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Invertebrates are a diverse group of animals that make up the majority of the animal kingdom and encompass a wide array of species with varying adaptations and characteristics. Invertebrates are found in nearly all of the world's habitats, including aquatic, marine, and terrestrial environments. There are many misconceptions about invertebrate sentience, welfare requirements, the need for environmental enrichment, and overall care and husbandry for this amazing group of animals. This review addresses these topics and more for a select group of invertebrates with biomedical, economical, display, and human companionship importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A. Lewbart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Trevor T. Zachariah
- Brevard Zoo|Sea Turtle Healing Center, 8225 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940, USA;
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Gaudette C, LaDouceur EEB, Troan BV, Whitehurst N, Dombrowski DS, Lewbart GA, Linder KE, Passingham K, Christian LS, Schreeg ME. Retrospective analysis of histologic lesions in captive arachnids. Vet Pathol 2023; 60:652-666. [PMID: 37036060 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231162948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Invertebrates, including arachnids, are a common taxon in zoological collections. Invertebrate medicine and pathology are emerging subspecialties, but there is limited reference material or published resources describing histologic lesions in arachnids. Histopathology of 26 captive arachnids (20 spiders and 6 scorpions) from institutional collections was reviewed. Most animals were found dead with limited clinical signs. Tissues evaluated included body wall (cuticle and epidermis), skeletal muscle, book lungs, digestive tract (pharynx, esophagus, sucking stomach, midgut tube, midgut diverticula, and stercoral pocket), central and peripheral nervous system, heart, hemolymph vessels and sinuses, Malpighian tubules, coxal glands, and gonads. Inflammation was frequent (24/26, 92%), and seen in multiple organs (18/24, 75%) with the midgut diverticulum most commonly affected (14/24, 58%) followed by the book lungs (13/24 arachnids, 54%), and body wall (8/24 arachnids, 33%). Inflammation comprised hemocyte accumulation, hemocytic coagula, melanization, and nodulation. Infectious agents, including bacteria (11/26, 42%), fungi (10/26, 38%), and parasites (2/26, 8%), were seen within inflammatory aggregates. Coinfection with multiple infectious agents was common (6/24, 25%). No etiologic agent was identified in 7/24 (29%) cases with inflammatory lesions. Lesions suggestive of decreased nutritional status or increased metabolic rate included midgut diverticula atrophy in 11/26 (42%) animals and skeletal muscle atrophy in 6/26 (23%) animals. Atrophic lesions were seen in combination with infection (8/11, 73%), pregnancy (2/11, 18%), male sex (2/11, 18%), or without other lesions (1/11, 9%). Other suspected contributors to death included dysecdysis-associated trauma (2/26, 8%) and uterine intussusception (1/26, 4%). No animals had neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brigid V Troan
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Megan E Schreeg
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
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11
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Skehel A, Ulloa C, Deresienski D, Regalado C, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Garcia JA, Hardesty BD, Passingham RK, Castañeda JS, Lewbart GA, Valle CA. Health status of the red-billed tropicbird ( Phaethon aethereus) determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gases, and physical examination. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15713. [PMID: 37576513 PMCID: PMC10414024 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus, is a species of seabird native to the Galápagos archipelago, and widely distributed across the neotropics. General health, blood chemistry, and haematology parameters have not been published for this species. Blood analyses were performed on samples drawn from 51 clinically healthy red-billed tropicbirds captured from their burrows at Islote Pitt on San Cristóbal Island in July, 2016 (21) and Daphne Major Island in June, 2017 (30). In the field, a point of care blood analyser (iSTAT) was used to obtain results for HCO3-, pH, pCO2, pO2, TCO2, iCa, Na, K, Cl, Hb, HCT, anion gap, creatinine, glucose and urea nitrogen. Additionally, a portable Lactate PlusTM analyser was used to measure blood lactate, and blood smears were also created in situ. The blood slides were used to estimate leukocyte counts and 100-cell differentials. Alongside these biochemistry and haematology parameters, average heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature and scaled mass index (calculated from weight and a body measurement) were compared to determine the standard measurements for a healthy individual. The baseline data, and reference intervals reported in this paper are essential to detecting changes in the health of red-billed tropicbirds in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Skehel
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA and Galápagos Science Center GSC, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Catalina Ulloa
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA and Galápagos Science Center GSC, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Diane Deresienski
- Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
- Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Medicina Veterinaria, Campus Cumbayá, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Cristina Regalado
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA and Galápagos Science Center GSC, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA and Galápagos Science Center GSC, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juan Augusto Garcia
- Terrestrial Ecology, Parque Nacional Galápagos Directorate, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Britta Denise Hardesty
- CSIRO Environment, Canbera, Australia
- Center for Marine Sociology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Ronald K. Passingham
- Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Jason Steve Castañeda
- Terrestrial Ecology, Parque Nacional Galápagos Directorate, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA and Galápagos Science Center GSC, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Carlos A. Valle
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA and Galápagos Science Center GSC, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
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12
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Kirby AJ, Balko JA, Goertz CEC, Lewbart GA. Characterization of Current Husbandry and Veterinary Care Practices of the Giant Pacific Octopus ( Enteroctopus dofleini) Using an Online Survey. Vet Sci 2023; 10:448. [PMID: 37505853 PMCID: PMC10385140 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10070448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Giant Pacific octopuses (Enteroctopus dofleini) (GPOs) are commonly housed in zoos or aquaria, and sedation, anesthesia, and/or euthanasia may be indicated for a variety of reasons. Despite this need, evidence-based data on best practices is limited and focuses on smaller or more tropical species. The objectives of this study were to survey the aquatic community regarding the husbandry and veterinary care of GPOs, with a specific focus on anesthetic and euthanasia protocols. A two-part web-based survey was distributed to four aquatic and/or veterinary email listservs. Individuals from fifty-two institutions participated in phase one. Results documented that 40 (78 percent) participating institutions currently house GPOs, with most housing one and nine institutions housing two to three GPOs. The median (range) habitat volume is 5405 (1893-16,465) L, and 78 percent of systems are closed. Of the institutions surveyed, 23 have anesthetized or sedated a GPO for nonterminal procedures, including wound care, biopsies, and hemolymph collection. Reported methods of sedation or anesthesia include magnesium chloride, ethanol, isoflurane, tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222), magnesium sulfate, benzocaine, and dexmedetomidine. Drugs or methods used for euthanasia include magnesium chloride, ethanol, mechanical decerebration, pentobarbital, isoflurane, MS-222, magnesium sulfate, benzocaine, potassium chloride, dexmedetomidine, and freezing. Reported observed side effects include ineffectiveness or inadequate sedation, inking, prolonged drug effects, and behavior changes. Survey data have the potential to guide the husbandry and veterinary care of GPOs and build the framework for future prospective studies on GPO sedation and anesthesia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie A Balko
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | | | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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13
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Mosquera JD, Valle CA, Nieto-Claudin A, Fessl B, Lewbart GA, Deresienski D, Bouazzi L, Zapata S, Villena I, Poulle ML. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Galapagos birds: Inference of risk factors associated with diet. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287403. [PMID: 37405972 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic intracellular parasite of particular concern in the conservation of wildlife due to its ability to infect all homeotherms and potentially cause acute fatal disease in naive species. In the Galapagos (Ecuador), an archipelago composed of more than a hundred islets and islands, the presence of T. gondii can be attributed to human-introduced domestic cats, but little is known about its transmission in wildlife populations. We compared the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in sympatric Galapagos wild bird species that differ in diet and contact with oocyst-contaminated soil to determine the relative importance of trophic habits as an exposure factor. Plasma samples were obtained from 163 land birds inhabiting Santa Cruz, one of the cat-inhabited islands, and from 187 seabirds breeding in cat-free surrounding islands (Daphne Major, North Seymour, and South Plaza). These samples were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT ≥ 1:10). All seven species of land birds and 4/6 species of seabirds presented seropositive results. All great frigatebirds (Fregata minor) (N = 25) and swallow-tailed gulls (Creagrus furcatus) (N = 23) were seronegative. Prevalence ranged from 13% in Nazca boobies (Sula granti) to 100% in Galapagos mockingbirds (Mimus parvulus). It decreased from occasional carnivores (63.43%) to granivores-insectivores (26.22%), and strict piscivores (14.62%). These results indicate that the consumption of tissue cysts poses the highest risk of exposure to T. gondii for Galapagos birds, followed by the ingestion of plants and insects contaminated by oocysts as important transmission pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Mosquera
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Carlos A Valle
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ainoa Nieto-Claudin
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Lois Zoo, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Birgit Fessl
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Diane Deresienski
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Leïla Bouazzi
- Comité Universitaire de Ressources pour la Recherche en Santé, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
| | - Sonia Zapata
- Instituto de Microbiología, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador
| | - Isabelle Villena
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre National de Référence de la Toxoplasmose, Centre de Ressources Biologiques Toxoplasma, CHU Reims, Reims, France
| | - Marie-Lazarine Poulle
- Epidémio-Surveillance et Circulation des Parasites dans les Environnements (ESCAPE), EA 7510, CAP SANTE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France
- CERFE, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Boult-aux-Bois, France
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14
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Gregory TM, Livingston I, Hawkins EC, Loyola A, Cave A, Vaden SL, Deresienski D, Breen M, Riofrío-Lazo M, Lewbart GA, Páez-Rosas D. Dirofilaria immitis Identified in Galapagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki): A Wildlife Health and Conservation Concern. J Wildl Dis 2023; 59:487-494. [PMID: 37179487 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), an endemic and endangered pinniped, faces an increasing threat due to infectious diseases related to domestic animals. Dirofilaria immitis, the parasite responsible for canine heartworm disease, is one such threat, as canine infections on the archipelago have been documented. We used a canine heartworm antigen test kit to analyze the blood from 25 juvenile Galapagos sea lions for D. immitis. Two (8%) sea lions tested positive for D. immitis antigen. Using morphologic and genetic assessments, we evaluated 20 filarial-like worms collected from within the heart of an adult male Galapagos sea lion during a previous routine postmortem examination. The intracardiac worms were morphologically consistent with adult D. immitis, and sequence analysis of targeted PCR amplicons confirmed their identity. This is the first report of D. immitis infection in Galapagos sea lions, which could become a major health problem for these pinnipeds. Further studies are necessary to confirm the level of threat from this parasite; however, widespread adoption of routine heartworm testing, prevention, and treatment in the canine population, and the control of mosquitos, could potentially reduce the disease impact on this endangered pinniped species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor M Gregory
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, USA
- Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76110, USA
| | - Isabella Livingston
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, USA
| | - Eleanor C Hawkins
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, USA
| | - Andrea Loyola
- Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Departamento de Ecosistemas, Isla Santa Cruz EC200350, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Ashley Cave
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, USA
| | - Shelly L Vaden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, USA
| | - Diane Deresienski
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, USA
- Galapagos Science Center, USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill, Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristóbal EC200150, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Matthew Breen
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, USA
| | - Marjorie Riofrío-Lazo
- Galapagos Science Center, USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill, Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristóbal EC200150, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Isla San Cristóbal EC200150, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, USA
- Galapagos Science Center, USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill, Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristóbal EC200150, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Diego Páez-Rosas
- Galapagos Science Center, USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill, Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristóbal EC200150, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Isla San Cristóbal EC200150, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
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15
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Hepps Keeney CM, Waltzek TB, Oliveira Viadanna PHD, Frasca S, Reinhardt E, Lovy J, Lewbart GA. Myxobolus lentisuturalis infection in a farmed population of goldfish Carassius auratus from the USA. Dis Aquat Organ 2023; 154:7-14. [PMID: 37260162 DOI: 10.3354/dao03735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Myxobolus lentisuturalis is a myxozoan parasite of piscine muscle that has been described in goldfish Carassius auratus and Prussian carp Carassius gibelio. This report documents a naturally occurring infection of M. lentisuturalis in a population of farmed goldfish in the USA. Postmortem examination was performed on 4 affected goldfish. Gross findings included large cystic cavities along the dorsal midline filled with caseous exudate. Histopathology revealed myxozoan plasmodia and spores in the epaxial muscles with varying degrees of granulomatous and necrotizing myositis accompanied by lymphohistiocytic meningoencephalitis. Spore morphology and dimensions were consistent with M. lentisuturalis, as observed by light microscopy. PCR and sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal DNA of infected muscle samples from 2 goldfish confirmed the parasite to have 99-100% nucleotide identity to M. lentisuturalis sequences recovered from similar cases of this parasite infecting goldfish in China and Italy and Prussian carp in China. This is the first reported case of M. lentisuturalis in the USA and furthers the understanding of the pathogenicity of this under-described parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Hepps Keeney
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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16
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Barrantes Murillo DF, Anderson S, Capobianco C, Lewbart GA, Wiederhold NP, Cañete-Gibas CF, Negrão Watanabe TT. Systemic Exophiala equina infection in an Eastern box turtle ( Terrapene carolina carolina): a case report and literature review. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1158393. [PMID: 37252397 PMCID: PMC10213272 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1158393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by melanized fungi. This disease has been reported in several animal species including invertebrates, cold-blooded vertebrates, mammals, and humans. Melanized fungi have similar phenotypical features and confirmation requires culture and molecular diagnostics. To exemplify this we present a case of a 333 g adult of unknown age, free-ranging, male Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) that was referred to the Turtle Rescue Team at North Carolina State University for evaluation of multilobulated masses occupying the entire left orbit and at the right forelimb on the plantarolateral aspect of the foot. A fine needle aspirate cytologic examination of the mass on the right forelimb revealed large numbers of inflammatory cells and fungal organisms. Histopathology of the skin biopsies from the right forefoot was consistent with phaeohyphomycosis. A course of antifungal medication was started (Fluconazole 21 mg/kg loading dose IV then 5 mg/kg PO SID q 30 days). Due to concern for the patient's quality of life and the lack of a curative treatment plan, humane euthanasia was elected. Gross and histological postmortem examination confirmed the presence of multiple coelomic masses similar in appearance to those observed in the left orbit and right forefoot indicating disseminated phaeohyphomycosis. A swab of the periocular mass was submitted for fungal culture and phenotypic identification. The isolate was later identified as Exophiala equina through a combination of phenotypic characterization and sequencing of the ITS region of the nuclear rDNA. Exophiala is a genus in the family Herpotrichiellaceae, order Chaetothyriales and is considered an opportunistic "black yeast" causing infection in aquatic invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals including humans. Exophiala equina is infrequently reported in animals, with only three cases in the literature including the herein report.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie Anderson
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Christian Capobianco
- Department of Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Nathan P. Wiederhold
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Connie F. Cañete-Gibas
- Fungus Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Tatiane Terumi Negrão Watanabe
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Antech Diagnostics, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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17
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Strobel MM, Baker KC, Berliner AL, Tang KN, Hepps Keeney CM, Lewbart GA. NALTREXONE AS A PROMISING TREATMENT FOR CLINICAL SIGNS OF LATERAL LINE DEPIGMENTATION IN PALETTE SURGEONFISH ( PARACANTHURUS HEPATUS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2023; 54:137-142. [PMID: 36971638 DOI: 10.1638/2022-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lateral line depigmentation (LLD) is a common condition in managed tropical saltwater fish, and treatment is somewhat elusive. Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, enhances epithelial cell replication, cytokine production, and angiogenesis to stimulate wound healing in mice. A treatment trial with 11 palette surgeonfish with LLD was performed. Seven fish underwent a single topical treatment of a mixture of 4 mg naltrexone and 10 g iLEX petroleum paste applied topically to LLD lesions. Four additional fish served as controls: two received only topical iLEX and two received no treatment. Severity of disease was scored on a 0-3 scale. Inflammatory response was gauged on a separate 0-3 scale for 5 d after treatment based on severity of erythema, as seen in a clinical case performed prior to this study. After 11 days, four affected animals that lacked an inflammatory response after naltrexone topical treatment were administered a single dose of intralesional 0.04% naltrexone (4 mg diluted into 10 ml saline). Lesions on all fish were photographed and measured at day 33. Clinical improvements in lesion size and pigmentation were apparent following topical naltrexone therapy in fish with severe lesions. Although these cases are promising, more data are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of naltrexone 0.04% in treating LLD lesions in palette surgeonfish.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Karisa N Tang
- The A. Watson Armour III Center for Animal Health and Welfare, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
| | | | - Gregory A Lewbart
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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18
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Wahltinez SJ, Stacy NI, Hadfield CA, Harms CA, Lewbart GA, Newton AL, Nunamaker EA. Perspective: Opportunities for advancing aquatic invertebrate welfare. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:973376. [PMID: 36458054 PMCID: PMC9705766 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.973376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Welfare considerations and regulations for invertebrates have lagged behind those for vertebrates, despite invertebrates comprising more than 95% of earth's species. Humans interact with and use aquatic invertebrates for exhibition in zoos and aquaria, as pets, research subjects, and important food sources. Recent research has indicated that aquatic invertebrates, in particular cephalopod mollusks and decapod crustaceans, experience stress and may be able to feel pain. With this article, we present results of a survey on attitudes of aquatic animal health professionals toward aquatic invertebrate welfare and provide practical recommendations for advancing aquatic invertebrate welfare across four areas of opportunity: use of anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia; development of less invasive diagnostic and research sampling methods based on 3R principles; use of humane slaughter methods for aquatic invertebrates; and reducing impacts of invasive procedures in aquaculture and fisheries. We encourage consideration of these opportunities to achieve far-reaching improvements in aquatic invertebrate welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J. Wahltinez
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Nicole I. Stacy
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | | | - Craig A. Harms
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Morehead City, NC, United States
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Alisa L. Newton
- ZooQuatic Laboratory, LLC, Baltimore, MD, United States
- OCEARCH, Park City, UT, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Nunamaker
- Global Animal Welfare and Training, Charles River Laboratory, Wilmington, MA, United States
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19
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Swanepoel L, Loyola A, Flowers J, Lewbart GA, Garrett KB, Yabsley MJ. Infection with a novel pentastome (Raillietiella sp.) in a juvenile endangered Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger). Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 35:100782. [PMID: 36184111 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pentastomes are crustacean endoparasites in the lungs of herpetofauna and rarely mammals and birds. To date, the only pentastomes reported in chelonians, all aquatic turtles, are Diesingia megastomum from Brazil and Pelonia africana from South Africa. In March 2021, 185 juvenile tortoises (Chelonoidis niger) were confiscated after an attempted illegal exportation from the Galápagos. It is believed the tortoises were removed from nests on Santa Cruz Island. The young tortoises were individually wrapped in plastic and at seizure ten were dead and another 25 tortoises subsequently died. One of the tortoises, estimated to be 3 months old, had 11 pentastomes in the lungs. The pentastomes were identified as a Raillietiella sp. based on morphology. The specimens had a claviform body that tapers into a bifid tail, a 165.3 μm × 92.1 μm buccal cadre, and sharp tipped anterior and posterior hooks with the posterior hooks being larger than the anterior. The males have smooth copulatory spicules with a rounded, smooth base. All females were gravid. Molecular analysis confirmed that the parasites were a Raillietiella sp. Based on the COI gene, it was most similar (82.7% identical) to an undescribed Raillietiella species from a Caribbean anole (Anolis cristatellus) found in Florida followed by R. hebitihamata (81%), R. indica (80.7%), and R. orientalis (78.8-80.7%). Based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence (1799 bp), it was most similar (99.3% identical) to two undescribed Raillietiella species followed by R. aegypti from a berber skink (Eumeces schneideri) from Saudia Arabia. Phylogenetically, with both molecular targets, the Raillietiella sp. from the Galápagos tortoise grouped with other Raillietiella spp. and was basal within the group. Currently, the origin of this parasite (native to Galápagos or introduced) and the life cycle are unknown. Because some pentastome species, especially when in aberrant hosts, can be pathogenic, additional studies of parasites in native and introduced reptile and amphibian species in the Galápagos are needed to better understand the risk this parasite poses to Galápagos tortoises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liandrie Swanepoel
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Andrea Loyola
- Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - James Flowers
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Kayla B Garrett
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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20
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Marin J, Lewbart GA, Stowe D. What is your diagnosis? Coelomic fluid in an Eastern River Cooter (
Pseudemys concinna concinna
). Vet Clin Pathol 2022; 52 Suppl 2:159-161. [DOI: 10.1111/vcp.13142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Marin
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Devorah Stowe
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
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21
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Gregory TM, Parker M, Deresienski D, Alarcón-Ruales D, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Torres J, Gavilanes GI, Lewbart GA, Páez-Rosas D. Evaluating the Possibility of Transfusion Medicine, Through Crossmatching in Juvenile Galapagos Sea Lions ( Zalophus wollebaeki). Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:830272. [PMID: 35529842 PMCID: PMC9070388 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.830272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) is an endemic pinniped to the Galapagos archipelago, and like most wild mammals, is at risk for anemia due to trauma, infectious disease, and poor nutrition. This study evaluated the health status of 26 juvenile Galapagos sea lions on the island of San Cristobal prior to evaluating 100 crossmatch combinations. On evaluation, all but one sea lion had no major systemic abnormalities. Of the 100 crossmatches performed, 23% had minor reactions. The most significant reaction was weak macroscopic agglutination found in 4% of samples. The small percentage of agglutination reactions suggests a small proportion of naturally occurring alloantibodies in this species and may be consistent with a low risk of acute immune-mediated hemolytic transfusion reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor M Gregory
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Maryanna Parker
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Diane Deresienski
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.,USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Daniela Alarcón-Ruales
- USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador.,Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Galápagos, Ecuador.,USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador.,Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Galápagos, Ecuador.,USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Jorge Torres
- Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Oficina Técnica San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Gabriela I Gavilanes
- USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador.,Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.,USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Diego Páez-Rosas
- USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador.,Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Galápagos, Ecuador.,Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Oficina Técnica San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
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22
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Gregory TM, Heniff AC, Gorges MA, Lathan AW, Lewbart GA, Balko JA. Development and Evaluation of a Serum Transfusion Process in the Thorny Devil Stick Insect ( Eurycantha calcarata). Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:847043. [PMID: 35445103 PMCID: PMC9015650 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.847043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The thorny devil stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata) is a common invertebrate maintained under human care. Blood (hemolymph) transfusions are a widely used therapeutic tool in other species, but investigation in terrestrial arthropods remains scarce. Study objectives were development and evaluation of a serum transfusion process in the thorny devil stick insect. Twenty-five clinically healthy adult insects (9.9-23.0 g) were enrolled and baseline body weights were collected. Hemolymph collection was not successful in males, thus, all were recipient only (n = 12, MR). Females were divided into donor (n = 4, FD) or donor and recipient (n = 9, FDR) groups. Females were manually restrained and up to 1 mL of hemolymph was collected from the abdominal segment caudal to the proximal hindlimb using an 18 g hypodermic needle and passive collection via gravity. Hemolymph was quantified, centrifuged, and the serum separated. Insects were then injected superficially at the lateral aspect of the abdomen with 0.01 mL/g FD serum (MR), lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) equal to collected hemolymph volume (FD), or a combination of FDR serum and LRS equal to collected hemolymph volume (FDR). Response to stimulation, surface temperature, and righting reflex and mortality were serially assessed for up to 24 h and 7 days, respectively, following injection. In FD, median (range) injected LRS dose was 0.04 (0.03-0.06) mL/g. In FDR, median (range) injected serum, LRS, and combined serum and LRS dose was 0.03 (0.02-0.04), 0.01 (0-0.04), and 0.04 (0.02-0.06) mL/g, respectively. A mild temperature increase (maximum +2.9°C) (MR n = 10, FD n = 3, FDR n = 8) and delayed righting reflex (MR n = 4, FD n = 3, FDR n = 7) occurred in a subset of insects following injection. Two deaths occurred at 2 min (n = 1, FDR) and 96 h (n = 1, FD) post-injection. This is the first report of serum transfusions in thorny devil stick insects, and while largely successful, minor to severe transfusion reactions may occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor M Gregory
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Ashlyn C Heniff
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Melinda A Gorges
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Andrew W Lathan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Julie A Balko
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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23
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Rasche BL, Parker M, Lewbart GA, Petritz O, Negrao Watanabe TT. Pathology in Practice. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021; 260:305-307. [DOI: 10.2460/javma.21.07.0328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brittany L. Rasche
- 1Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Maryanna Parker
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Olivia Petritz
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
| | - Tatiane Terumi Negrao Watanabe
- 1Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
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24
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Dass K, Lewbart GA, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Yépez MI, Loyola A, Chen E, Páez-Rosas D. Whole blood fatty acid concentrations in the San Cristóbal Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis chathamensis). PeerJ 2021; 9:e11582. [PMID: 34249492 PMCID: PMC8254470 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
To continue releasing San Cristóbal Galápagos tortoises housed in managed-care facilities at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Galápagos National Park (Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado) to the Otoy Ecological Farm, health assessments and physical examinations were conducted. As a part of these wellness examinations, blood was drawn from 11 tortoises to analyze fatty acid concentrations. Fatty acid levels can provide insight into the nutritional profiles, immune status, and reproductive health of vertebrates. To the co-author's knowledge, there is no current information about fatty acids in this species. It was hypothesized that there would be inherent differences based on the different geographic ranges, diets, sex, and age of turtles. It was noted that the ω-6/ω-3 ratio was higher for the breeding center than for the ecological farm and that overall polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) did not have any significant differences. The ω-6/ω-3 findings can contribute to a global picture of these fatty acids across taxa, as reptiles are underrepresented in this area of research. Additional results are a resourceful starting point for future investigations into how fatty acids are affected in Galápagos tortoises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushboo Dass
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Andrea Loyola
- Direcion Parque Nacional Galápagos, Islas Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Emile Chen
- 9 Oneida Court, Chester Springs, PA, United States of America
| | - Diego Páez-Rosas
- USFQ & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
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25
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Mones AB, Gorges MA, Santangelo SM, Lewbart GA, Harrison TM, Gerard MP. Feasibility of a blind perineural injection technique for brachial plexus blockade in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina): a cadaver study. Vet Anaesth Analg 2021; 48:789-797. [PMID: 34246559 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the anatomy of the brachial plexus in eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), develop a blind perineural injection technique for brachial plexus blockade and evaluate the distribution of three volumes of new methylene blue dye for injection in cadavers. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized, blinded cadaveric study. ANIMALS A total of 24 frozen-thawed box turtle cadavers; two turtles identified with shoulder injuries were subsequently excluded from the study. The remaining 22 turtles weighed 397 (190-581) g, median (range). METHODS The brachial plexus and regional anatomy were identified by dissection of seven cadavers to determine anatomic landmarks for a perineural injection technique. This technique was tested by randomizing 15 cadavers into one of three groups to be injected bilaterally with one of three volumes (0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 mL) of methylene blue dye 1% aqueous solution. Investigators blinded to the assigned group dissected cadavers 15 minutes after injection and used staining of the four cervical spinal nerves (C5-C8; 25% for each nerve) to record a staining score of the brachial plexus (0-100%). RESULTS Based on descriptions of the anatomy of the brachial plexus, an injection technique was designed. Injections of 0.1 mL methylene blue dye resulted in nine/10 injections with 100% nerve stained, and one/10 injection with 50% (two) nerves stained. All injections of 0.2 or 0.3 mL of methylene blue dye resulted in 100% nerves stained. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Perineural injection of the brachial plexus with 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 mL methylene blue dye was successful in 29/30 injections in box turtle cadavers weighing 190-581 g. Further studies are needed to determine the minimum volume of injectate that can be successfully used for this technique, and to evaluate its application and efficacy in live turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa B Mones
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Melinda A Gorges
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Stephen M Santangelo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Tara M Harrison
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Mathew P Gerard
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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26
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Scott G, Waffa BJ, DeVoe RS, Harms CA, Lewbart GA. Successful and unsuccessful nonsurgical removal of ingested golf balls and an artificial egg in four rat snakes ( Pantherophis alleghaniensis). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2021; 258:1135-1141. [PMID: 33944601 DOI: 10.2460/javma.258.10.1135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION 4 wild adult rat snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) were evaluated after ingesting spherical or ovoid foreign bodies. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination revealed a large, firm mass at the level of the stomach in each snake. Radiographic findings were consistent with ingestion of a golf ball (3 snakes) or an artificial egg (1 snake). Signs consistent with prolonged impaction included scale loss, dermal abrasions, and apparent loss of body condition in one snake and regional skin ulceration, dehydration, and generalized muscle atrophy in another. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Nonsurgical removal of the foreign body was attempted in anesthetized or heavily sedated snakes by external manipulation in the orad direction. A golf ball was removed through the oral cavity without complications in 1 snake. In the other 3 snakes, tension caused by the advancing foreign body resulted in full-thickness skin rupture in the cervical region. The procedure was completed with the use of a balloon catheter to aid foreign body advancement for 1 of the 3 snakes, and the skin defect was closed. The procedure was converted to esophagotomy for the other 2 snakes. Three snakes recovered and were released; 1 died of complications from prolonged impaction and esophageal perforation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The described nonsurgical techniques for removal of ingested round or ovoid foreign bodies were associated with substantial complications in 3 of 4 treated rat snakes. Although a nonsurgical method for removal of ingested objects such as golf balls could benefit snakes, the methods used for these patients did not appear to be more beneficial than traditional gastrotomy.
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27
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Wright SE, Stacy NI, Yanong RP, Juhl RN, Lewbart GA. Hematology and Biochemistry Panel Reference Intervals for Captive Saddleback Clownfish Amphiprion polymnus and Tomato Clownfish A. frenatus. J Aquat Anim Health 2021; 33:3-16. [PMID: 32895990 DOI: 10.1002/aah.10114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Reference intervals of blood analytes are important diagnostic tools that clinicians use as a basis for making clinical decisions and that have been documented for many fish species. Although the effects of dietary supplementation on hematology and blood biochemistry variables in clownfish have been shown, there are no published reference intervals to date for routine hematology and blood biochemistry panels for these popular cultured marine fish (including Amphiprion spp.). The objective of this study was to establish de novo reference intervals for selected hemogram data and, using whole-blood analysis, commonly utilized chemistry analytes in two species of aquacultured clownfish: the Tomato Clownfish Amphiprion frenatus and Saddleback Clownfish A. polymnus. This study is based on blood samples from 25 clinically normal Tomato Clownfish and 38 clinically normal Saddleback Clownfish from two clownfish production facilities in Florida. Guidelines by the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology were followed to generate robust reference intervals from the data collected. We report descriptive statistics and reference intervals for several hematology (n = 12) and biochemistry (n = 8) analytes using a small sample size and a small amount of blood per sample. The blood analyte data from this study are comparable with hematology and biochemistry data that have been reported in other teleost species. These results provide baseline health data for clownfish species that can be used in various clinical settings while also serving as a springboard for further research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Wright
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 61820, USA
| | - Nicole I Stacy
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA
| | - Roy P Yanong
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, Ruskin, Florida, 33570, USA
| | - Reilee N Juhl
- Department of Animal Science and Prestage Family Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, USA
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28
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Gregory TM, Harms CA, Gorges MA, Lewbart GA, Papich MG. Pharmacokinetics of ketorolac in juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) after a single intramuscular injection. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2021; 44:583-589. [PMID: 33598961 DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Ketorolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administered as an analgesic in humans. It has analgesic effects comparable to opioids but without adverse effects such as respiratory depression or restrictions because of controlled drug status. We designed this study to examine the potential of ketorolac as an analgesic for sea turtle rehabilitative medicine. Our objective was to determine the pharmacokinetics of a single 0.25 mg/kg intramuscular dose of ketorolac in a population of 16 captive-raised juvenile loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). A sparse sampling protocol was utilized, and blood samples were collected for 12 hours after administration of ketorolac. Samples were analyzed with high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and a nonlinear mixed effects model (NLME) was used to determine parameters for the population. With these methods, we identified a long elimination half-life (βT1/2 = 11.867 hr) but a low maximum concentration (CMAX = 0.508 µg/mL) and concentrations were below the level proposed to be therapeutic in humans (EC50 = 0.1-0.3 μg/mL) for most of the collection period. We conclude that ketorolac may not be an appropriate long-term analgesic for use in loggerhead sea turtles at this dose; however, it may have some benefit as a short-term analgesic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor M Gregory
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Craig A Harms
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.,Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, North Carolina State University, Morehead City, NC, USA
| | - Melinda A Gorges
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Mark G Papich
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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29
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Abstract
Invertebrate animals comprise more than 95% of the animal kingdom's species and approximately 40 separate phyla. Yet, invertebrates are an artificial taxon, in which all members simply possess a single negative trait: they lack a vertebral column (backbone). In fact, some invertebrates are more closely related to vertebrates than to their "fellow" invertebrates. For the purpose of this veterinary article, we have elected to review a handful of important groups: Coelenterates, Gastropods, Cephalopods, Chelicerates, Crustaceans, Insects, and Echinoderms. We have primarily included behaviors that may have an impact on clinical case outcome, or be of interest to the veterinary clinician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
| | - Laurie Bergmann
- NorthStar VETS, 315 Robbinsville-Allentown Road, Robbinsville, NJ 08691, USA
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30
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Greene W, Mylniczenko ND, Storms T, Burns CM, Lewbart GA, Byrd L, Papich MG. Pharmacokinetics of Ketoprofen in Nile Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus) and Rainbow Trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss). Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:585324. [PMID: 33134366 PMCID: PMC7579418 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.585324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to document the pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen following 3 mg/kg intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) injections in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and 8 mg/kg intramuscular (IM) injection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Plasma was collected laterally from the tail vein for drug analysis at various time intervals up to 72 h following the injection of ketoprofen. In trout, area under the curve (AUC) levels were 115.24 μg hr/mL for IM and 135.69 μg hr/mL for IV groups with a half-life of 4.40 and 3.91 h, respectively. In both trout and tilapia, there were detectable ketoprofen concentrations in most fish for 24 h post-injection. In tilapia, there was a large difference between the R- and S-enantiomers, suggesting either chiral inversion from R- to S-enantiomer or more rapid clearance of the R-enantiomer. AUC values of the S- and R-enantiomers were 510 and 194 μg hr/Ml, respectively, corresponding to a faster clearance for the R-enantiomer. This study shows that there were very high plasma concentrations of ketoprofen in trout and tilapia with no adverse effects observed. Future studies on the efficacy, frequency of dosing, analgesia, adverse effects, and route of administration are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Greene
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, FL, United States
| | | | | | - Charlene M Burns
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, FL, United States
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Lynne Byrd
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, FL, United States
| | - Mark G Papich
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
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Louis MM, Cerreta AJ, Griffioen JA, Mehalick ML, Lewbart GA, Petritz OA. Homologous whole blood transfusion for treatment of severe anemia in five Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). J Exot Pet Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jepm.2020.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Valle CA, Ulloa C, Regalado C, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Garcia J, Hardesty BD, Skehel A, Deresienski D, Passingham RK, Lewbart GA. Baseline haematology, biochemistry, blood gas values and health status of the Galapagos swallow-tailed gull ( Creagrus furcatus). Conserv Physiol 2020; 8:coaa064. [PMID: 34336215 PMCID: PMC7428447 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The swallow-tailed gull, Creagrus furcatus, is a seabird endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. In general health, blood chemistry and haematology, parameters have not been published for this species. Blood analyses were run on samples drawn from 58 clinically healthy swallow-tailed gulls captured at Islote Pitt on San Cristóbal Island in July 2016 (28) and South Plaza Island in June 2017 (30). A point of care blood analyzer (iSTAT) was used in the field to obtain results for HCO3 -, pH, pCO2, pO2, TCO2, anion gap, chloride, creatinine, glucose, haematocrit, haemoglobin, ionized calcium, potassium, sodium and urea nitrogen. A portable Lactate Plus™ analyzer was used to measure lactate. The baseline data reported is valuable for comparisons amongst different populations in the archipelago and to detect changes in health status of Galápagos swallow-tailed gulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Valle
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá Av. Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Quito, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC) Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Catalina Ulloa
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá Av. Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Quito, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC) Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Cristina Regalado
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá Av. Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juan-Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá Av. Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Quito, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC) Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
- University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Juan Garcia
- Applied Marine Research, Galápagos National Park, Av. Charles Darwin y S/N
Isla Santa Cruz, Ecuador
| | - Britta Denise Hardesty
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Avian Research, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Alice Skehel
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC) Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Diane Deresienski
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Sciences, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, United States
| | - Ronald K Passingham
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Sciences, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, United States
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá Av. Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Quito, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC) Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Sciences, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607, United States
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Cerreta AJ, Houck EL, Stowe DM, Lewbart GA. Hematology of the keeled box turtle (Cuora mouhotii). Vet Clin Pathol 2020; 49:227-231. [PMID: 32358788 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A healthy adult, intact female keeled box turtle (Cuora mouhotii) was found to have a marked heterophilic leukocytosis using normal hematologic parameters established for the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), a related chelonian species. This animal was monitored with serial complete blood counts (CBCs) over the next 15 years despite remaining asymptomatic for an infectious condition. Retrospective CBC data were compiled from 38 presumably healthy keeled box turtles to establish hematologic values for comparison in this species. Using this species-specific data, over the 15-year period, the female keeled box turtle had two times where the white blood cell (WBC) count was greater than 2 standard deviations (SD) above the mean, six times where the WBC count was greater than 1 SD above the mean, six times where the PCV was greater than 2 SD above the mean, and eight times where the PCV was greater than 1 SD above the mean. Infection and inflammation are the most common causes of leukocytosis in reptiles; however, given the clinical presentation of this patient, it was postulated that these clinicopathologic changes could be secondary to a stress response. Establishing reference intervals and understanding how stress impacts CBC parameters are important for evaluating the health status of keeled box turtles kept in captivity and for assessing the effects of environmental changes on the health status of wild populations of this endangered chelonian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Cerreta
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Emma L Houck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Devorah M Stowe
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Womble MA, Lewbart GA, Shive HR. Pathologic Lesions of the Budgett Frog ( Lepidobatrachus laevis), an Emerging Laboratory Animal Model. Comp Med 2020; 70:239-247. [PMID: 32234112 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-19-000071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Lepidobatrachus laevis, commonly called the Budgett frog, is a member of the horned frog family (Ceratophryidae), which has become increasingly popular among amphibian hobbyists. L. laevis is also used in biologic research on embryonic development, providing a novel model species for the study of organogenesis, regeneration, evolution, and biologic scaling. However, little scientific literature details disease processes or histologic lesions in this species. Our objective was to describe spontaneous pathologic lesions in L. laevis to identify disease phenotypes. We performed a retrospective analysis of 14 captive L. laevis frogs (wild-caught and captive-bred), necropsied at the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine between 2008 and 2018. The majority of frogs exhibited renal changes, including varying combinations of tubular epithelial binucleation, karyomegaly, and cytoplasmic vacuolation; polycystic kidney disease; and renal carcinoma. Many of the renal changes are reminiscent of a condition described in Japanese (Bufo japonicus) and Chinese (Bufo raddei) toad hybrids that progresses from tubular epithelial atypia and tubular dilation to polycystic kidney disease to renal carcinoma. A second common finding was variably sized, randomly distributed bile duct clusters (biliary proliferation). Other noteworthy findings included regional or generalized edema, intestinal adenocarcinoma, aspiration pneumonia, and parasitism. This retrospective analysis is the first description of histologic lesions identified in captive L. laevis populations, providing new insight into spontaneous disease processes occurring in this species for use in disease diagnosis and clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy A Womble
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Heather R Shive
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina;,
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Griffioen JA, Lewbart GA, Papich MG. Population pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in clinically diseased or injured Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta), and river cooters (Pseudemys concinna). J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2020; 43:222-230. [PMID: 32052471 DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Enrofloxacin is frequently administered to turtles in wildlife clinics during rehabilitation due to its wide spectrum of antibacterial activity and availability of injectable formulations. However, sufficient pharmacokinetic data to guide dosing are lacking. The objective of this study was to determine pharmacokinetic parameters of enrofloxacin and its active metabolite, ciprofloxacin, in chelonians presenting injured to a wildlife clinic. Thirty-six Eastern box turtles (EBT, Terrapene carolina carolina), 23 yellow-bellied sliders (YBS, Trachemys scripta scripta), and 13 river cooters (RC, Pseudemys concinna) received a single subcutaneous injection of enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected between 0 and 240 hr postinjection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling (NMLE). Overall elimination half-life (T½) was over 75 hr, and varied among species. T½ was 63 hr in EBT and 79 hr in YBS, which is longer than in previous reports. The volume of distribution (steady-state) was 1.4 L/kg across turtle species, but highly variable-ranging from 0.4 L/kg in RC to 1.9 L/kg in YBS. Antibiotic concentrations were above a minimum inhibitory concentration value of 0.5 µg/ml for over 200 hr. These results indicate variable pharmacokinetic parameters for enrofloxacin among turtle species, which will help guide appropriate dosing protocols in injured turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Griffioen
- Turtle Rescue Team, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Turtle Rescue Team, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.,Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Mark G Papich
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Lewbart GA, Grijalva CJ, Calle PP, Ingerman K, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Quezada G, Vera CA, Gentile G, Valle CA. Health assessment of Conolophus subcristatus, Conolophus pallidus, and C. subcristatus X Amblyrhynchus cristatus hybrid (Galápagos land iguanas). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222884. [PMID: 31618199 PMCID: PMC6795429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The land iguanas, Conolophus pallidus and Conolophus subcristatu are large and charismatic lizards endemic to the Galápagos archipelago, but little information exists on their normal health parameters. The former is restricted to Santa Fe island, while C. subcristatus inhabits the islands of the central and western region of the archipelago. Both species are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. As part of a population health assessment authorized by the Galápagos National Park, wild adult iguanas from three islands (North Seymour, South Plazas, and Santa Fe) were captured in July 2018. Data from a single C. subcristatus X Amblyrhynchus cristatus hybrid captured on South Plazas is also included. We analyzed blood samples drawn from 52 healthy wild adult land iguanas captured on three islands. An iSTAT portable blood analyzer was used to obtain values for pH, lactate, pO2, pCO2, HCO3-, sO2%, hematocrit, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin Na, K, iCa, and glucose. Standard laboratory hematology techniques were employed for PCV determination; resulting values were also compared to the hematocrit values generated by the iSTAT. Body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body measurements were also recorded and compared to previously published data for the marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), which shares a common ancestor with the land iguana. The data reported here provide preliminary baseline values that may be useful in comparisons between captive and wild populations, between wild populations, and in detecting changes in health status among Galápagos land iguanas affected by anthropogenic threats, climate change, or natural disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A. Lewbart
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Casilla, Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center GSC, Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Colon J. Grijalva
- Galápagos Science Center GSC, Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Diego de Robles s/n y Pampite, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Paul P. Calle
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Karen Ingerman
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Galápagos Science Center GSC, Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
- Fundación Equilibrio Azul, Machalilla, Ecuador
| | - Galo Quezada
- Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Technical Biodiversity Research, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Carlos A. Vera
- Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Technical Biodiversity Research, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Gabriele Gentile
- Department of Biology, Tor Vergata University, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlos A. Valle
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Casilla, Quito, Ecuador
- Galápagos Science Center GSC, Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
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Krasner AE, Hancock-Ronemus A, Christian LS, Griffith EH, Lewbart GA, Law JM. Histological evaluation of five suture materials in the telson ligament of the American horseshoe crab ( Limulus polyphemus). PeerJ 2019; 7:e7061. [PMID: 31396437 PMCID: PMC6679907 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
An ideal suture material supports healing, minimizes inflammation, and decreases the likelihood of secondary infection. While there are published recommendations for suture materials in some invertebrates, there are no published recommendations for Limulus polyphemus or any chelicerate. This study evaluates the histological reaction of horseshoe crabs to five commonly used suture materials: monofilament nylon, silk, poliglecaprone, polydioxanone, and polyglycolic acid. None of the materials were superior with regards to holding nor was there any dehiscence. Nylon evoked the least amount of tissue reaction. This work also provides a histopathological description of the soft membrane at the hinge area between the opisthosoma and telson (telson ligament) and comments on euthanasia with intracardiac eugenol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami E. Krasner
- Hollin Hall Animal Hospital, Alexandria, VA, United States of America
| | - Amy Hancock-Ronemus
- University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, MA, United States of America
| | - Larry S. Christian
- Veterinary Services, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Emily H. Griffith
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Jerry M. Law
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
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Houck EL, Cohen EB, Womble M, Lewbart GA, Petritz OA. Radiographic anatomy and barium sulfate contrast study of the gastrointestinal tract of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2019; 60:473-484. [PMID: 31347243 DOI: 10.1111/vru.12792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal disorders are an important cause of morbidity in box turtles (Terrapene carolina Carolina), however published information is currently lacking on the normal radiographic anatomy, transit, and emptying times of the gastrointestinal tract. A total of 15 healthy box turtles were recruited for this prospective, anatomic, reference interval study. Three-view radiographic series (vertical beam dorsoventral, horizontal beam latero-lateral, and horizontal beam rostrocaudal views) were acquired prior to contrast administration, and following contrast administration at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 90 min, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h post administration, and every 24 h thereafter until all contrast was eliminated (15 mL/kg barium sulfate diluted to 30% weight per volume was administered via orogastric gavage). Vertical beam dorsoventral and horizontal beam latero-lateral views were of excellent quality to identify gastrointestinal structures. The horizontal beam rostrocaudal view immediately postcontrast administration provided gastric and pyloric identification but had lesser diagnostic use at later time points due to anatomical superimposition. The gastrointestinal tract was composed of a tubular stomach, a pyloric sphincter near midline, a duodenum with a cranial flexure in the right cranial coelomic cavity, small intestines within the right coelom, a small cecal bulb, and a transverse and descending colon. Contrast media entered the large intestine by 24 h in all turtles, and a pyloro-colic indentation was noted at the proximal descending colon. The large intestinal emptying was highly variable due to the interindividual variability of contrast sequestration within the cecal bulb. Findings from the current study serve as a reference on the gastrointestinal anatomy, transit, and emptying times in healthy eastern box turtles; and introduce a novel, horizontal beam, rostrocaudal view for gastrointestinal contrast studies in chelonians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Houck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Eli B Cohen
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Mandy Womble
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Olivia A Petritz
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Ciambrone
- University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign College of Veterinary MedicineUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Laura R Chen
- Population Health and PathobiologyNorth Carolina State University College of Veterinary MedicineRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Debra A Tokarz
- Population Health and PathobiologyNorth Carolina State University College of Veterinary MedicineRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Clinical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
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Cerreta AJ, Vaden SL, Lewbart GA, Muñoz‐Pérez JP, Páez‐Rosas D. Increased BUN and glucose in a group of San Cristóbal galapagos tortoises (
Chelonoidis chathamensis
). Vet rec case rep 2019. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2018-000699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. Cerreta
- Clinical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Shelly L. Vaden
- Clinical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- Clinical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez
- Galápagos Science CenterUniversity San Francisco de QuitoIsla San CristobalEcuador
- University of the Sunshine Coast USCSippy DownsQueenslandAustralia
- Fundación Equilibrio AzulMachalillaEcuador
| | - Diego Páez‐Rosas
- University of San Francisco de QuitoIsla San CristobalGalápagosEcuador
- Galápagos National ParkIsla San CristobalEcuador
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Petritz OA, Westermeyer HD, Whitehead MC, Christiansen EF, Lohmann KJ, Lohmann CMF, Lewbart GA. Effective mydriasis in juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) following topical administration of rocuronium bromide and 10% phenylephrine. Vet Ophthalmol 2019; 23:37-43. [PMID: 31120194 DOI: 10.1111/vop.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the combined mydriatic effects of topical rocuronium bromide and phenylephrine in juvenile loggerhead turtles and identify any adverse effects associated with treatment. ANIMALS STUDIED Eleven juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). PROCEDURES Four 20 μL drops of rocuronium bromide and four 20 μL drops of 10% phenylephrine were placed into the right eye at 2-minute intervals of 5 turtles, while the same volume of saline was administered to six control turtles. A pupilometer recorded pupil measurements at rest and following a light stimulus at 2, 15, 30, 60, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, and 360 minutes following delivery of the final drop to the ocular surface. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was also measured at similar time points. RESULTS The nonilluminated and light-stimulated pupillary diameter of the right eye of treated turtles was significantly greater than baseline starting at 120 and 15 minutes, respectively. Light-stimulated pupillary diameter of treated eyes was greater than that of control eyes from time 15 minutes until the end of the treatment period. No systemic side effects were noted over a 24 hours period following treatment and all turtles showed normal behavior and appetite. No mydriasis was noted in either eye at 24 hours and the anterior segment was normal. CONCLUSIONS A combination of topical ophthalmic rocuronium bromide and 10% phenylephrine is safe and effective for mydriasis in juvenile loggerhead turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia A Petritz
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Hans D Westermeyer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Michelle C Whitehead
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | | | - Kenneth J Lohmann
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
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Whitehead MC, Vanetten CL, Zheng Y, Lewbart GA. Hematological parameters in largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides) with formalin-preservation: comparison between wild tournament-caught and captive-raised fish. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6669. [PMID: 30976464 PMCID: PMC6451833 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are an economically important freshwater fish species that have been investigated for both the short and long-term effects of stress, secondary to angling. Limited data has been published on the hematological parameters of this species and blood sample stability is a notable limitation of hematologic field studies. A relatively novel technique using 10% neutral buffered formalin preserves heparinized whole blood and maintains blood cell stability beyond one month in striped bass. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in hematological parameters between tournament-caught and captive-raised largemouth bass using whole blood preservation with neutral buffered formalin. Methods Two populations of largemouth bass (n = 26 wild; n = 29 captive) underwent coccygeal venipuncture to collect heparinized whole blood for packed cell volume, total solids, and manual differential. Formalin preservation of heparinized whole blood facilitated manual hemocytometer analysis. Results were compared between the populations (tournament-caught, and captive-raised) with Wilcoxon rank sum test, a Hotelling’s T2 test, and Bonferroni simultaneous 95% confidence intervals to determine significance. Results The mean packed cell volume (44.9 ± 5.4%) and total solids (7.2 ± 1.1 g/dL) were significantly higher, while the total leukocyte count (7.08 ± 1.86 × 103/µL) was significantly lower in the wild tournament-caught population of largemouth bass, as compared to the captive-raised counterparts (PCV 34.4 ± 7.2%; TS 5.2 ± 1.0 g/dL; WBC 16.43 ± 8.37 × 103/µL). The wild population demonstrated a significantly distinct leukogram characterized by a neutropenia (24.1 ± 12.7%), lymphocytosis (67.7 ± 13.0%), and monocytopenia (8.3 ± 2.9%), while the erythrocyte and thrombocyte counts were not significantly different between populations. Discussion Numerous factors have been demonstrated to influence hematologic parameters in fish including age, size, sex, temperature, environmental oxygen level, population density, and infection. The wild population endured stress during angling capture, live-well hypoxia, transport, and extended air exposures at weigh in, which may have caused a stress leukopenia as well as osmoregulatory dysfunction and subsequent hemoconcentration. Further evaluation of seasonal impact as well as increased sample size is warranted to enhance our understanding of largemouth bass hematology. Conclusion This study concluded that wild largemouth bass captured via tournament angling have higher packed cell volume and total solids, and lower total leukocyte counts, compared to captive-reared individuals. Through the completion of this study, we demonstrated the successful use of 10% neutral buffered formalin to preserve heparinized whole blood for precise hemocytometer cell counts in a new teleost species, the largemouth bass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle C Whitehead
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Chelsey L Vanetten
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Yaxin Zheng
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
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Dornburg A, Lamb AD, Warren D, Watkins-Colwell GJ, Lewbart GA, Flowers J. Are Geckos Paratenic Hosts for Caribbean Island Acanthocephalans? Evidence from Gonatodes antillensis and a Global Review of Squamate Reptiles Acting as Transport Hosts. Bulletin of the Peabody Museum of Natural History 2019. [DOI: 10.3374/014.060.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - April D. Lamb
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA
| | - Dan Warren
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main 60325 Germany
| | - Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell
- Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 USA
| | - James Flowers
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607 USA
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Valle CA, Grijalva CJ, Calle PP, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Quezada G, Vera CA, Lewbart GA. Methods of body temperature assessment in Conolophus subcristatus, Conolophus pallidus (Galápagos land iguanas), and Amblyrhynchus cristatus X C. subcristatus hybrid. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6291. [PMID: 30740271 PMCID: PMC6366400 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Since cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic systems of reptiles are affected by temperature, accurate measurements are of great importance in both captive husbandry and research. Ectothermic animals generally have core body temperatures close to ambient temperature but can differ from the immediate environment if they are using sunlight to thermoregulate. Many zoological facilities and exotic pet caregivers have begun using infrared temperature guns to assess ambient temperatures of reptile enclosures but there are currently few studies assessing the efficacy of these devices for measuring the body temperatures of reptiles. Conolophus subcristatus, Conolophus pallidus (Galápagos land iguanas), and Amblyrhynchus cristatus X C. subcristatus hybrid are robust land iguanas endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. By comparing the infrared body temperature measurements of land iguanas against virtual simultaneous collection of cloacal temperatures obtained using a thermocouple thermometer, we sought to assess the efficacy of this non-invasive method. We found that internal body temperature can be predicted with a high level of accuracy from three external body temperature sites, providing a good non-invasive method that avoids the capture of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Valle
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá Av. Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Colon J Grijalva
- Galápagos Science Center GSC, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Paul P Calle
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Galo Quezada
- Technical Biodiversity Research, Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Carlos A Vera
- Technical Biodiversity Research, Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Cerreta AJ, Masterson CA, Lewbart GA, Dise DR, Papich MG. Pharmacokinetics of ketorolac in wild Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina
) after single intramuscular administration. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2018; 42:154-159. [DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J. Cerreta
- Department of Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine; North Carolina State University; Raleigh North Carolina
| | - Chris A. Masterson
- Department of Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine; North Carolina State University; Raleigh North Carolina
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine; North Carolina State University; Raleigh North Carolina
| | - Delta R. Dise
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine; North Carolina State University; Raleigh North Carolina
| | - Mark G. Papich
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine; North Carolina State University; Raleigh North Carolina
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46
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Scott GN, Cullen J, Bakal RS, Lewbart GA. Nutritional fibrous osteodystrophy with chondroid metaplasia in a Nile monitor,
Varanus niloticus. Vet rec case rep 2018. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2017-000590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory N Scott
- Clinical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - John Cullen
- Population Health and PathobiologyNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Robert S Bakal
- Animal Health & WelfareNational AquariumBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Veterinary ServicesBanfield Pet HospitalDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Clinical SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
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Abstract
A group of injured yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta) and river cooters (Pseudemys concinna) were evaluated for a variety of health values at presentation to the NC State Turtle Rescue Team and prior to release. An i-STAT Portable Clinical Analyzer and CG8+ cartridges were used to determine venous blood gas and biochemical values, the packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein were evaluated using hematocrit tubes and high speed centrifugation, and a differential WBC percentage was determined manually with Diff-Quick stained blood smear slides. Forty-six turtles were sampled on presentation and twenty-three of those were sampled again prior to release. Blood values were analyzed for significant differences between samples collected at presentation and prior to release, as well as differences between surviving and non-surviving turtles. Five variables were identified as significantly different between presenting and recuperated samples: pH, pCO2, Glu, % heterophils, and % eosinophils. When comparing samples between turtles that survived versus those that did not, two variables were identified as being significant prognostic indicators; lactate and PCV. Identification of these significant variables can aid in determining patient prognosis and triage therapy for injured aquatic turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison P. H. Savo
- North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yaxin Zheng
- North Carolina State University, Department of Statistics, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yuting Zheng
- North Carolina State University, Department of Statistics, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Arguedas R, Steinberg D, Lewbart GA, Deresienski D, Lohmann KJ, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Valle CA. Haematology and biochemistry of the San Cristóbal Lava Lizard ( Microlophus bivittatus). Conserv Physiol 2018; 6:coy046. [PMID: 30135738 PMCID: PMC6097591 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The San Cristóbal lava lizard, Microlophus bivittatus, is one of nine species of lava lizards endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. No information presently exists about baseline health parameters for any of these species. We analysed blood samples drawn from 47 lizards (25 males and 22 females) captured at two locations on San Cristóbal Island. A portable blood analyser (iSTAT) was used to obtain near-immediate field results for total CO2, lactate, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, glucose and haemoglobin. Standard laboratory haematology techniques were employed for differential white blood cell counts and haematocrit determination. Body temperature, heart rate and body measurements were also recorded. We found significant differences in haematocrit values between males and females. The values reported in this study provide baseline data that may be useful in detecting changes in health status among lava lizards affected by natural disturbances or anthropogenic threats. Our findings might also be helpful in future efforts to demonstrate associations between specific biochemical or haematological parameters and disease. Because there are several related species on different islands in the Galápagos archipelago, comparisons between populations and species will be of interest. Lay Summary:Haematology and biochemistry values of the San Cristóbal lava lizard Microlophus bivittatus, along with several other health parameters (morphometrics and temperature), are reported for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall Arguedas
- Zoológico Nacional Simón Bolívar, Barrio Amón, Calle 13, Apdo. 11594-1000, San José, Costa Rica
| | - David Steinberg
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Galápagos Science Center GSC (Universidad San Francisco de Quito-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Galapagos Science Center GSC, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá Av. Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Galápagos Casilla Postal 17-1200-841, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | - Diane Deresienski
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Kenneth J Lohmann
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Galápagos Science Center GSC (Universidad San Francisco de Quito-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Carlos A Valle
- Galápagos Science Center GSC (Universidad San Francisco de Quito-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Galapagos Science Center GSC, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Campus Cumbayá Av. Diego de Robles S/N e Interoceánica, Galápagos Casilla Postal 17-1200-841, Quito 170901, Ecuador
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Valle CA, Ulloa C, Deresienski D, Regalado C, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Garcia J, Hardesty BD, Skehel A, Lewbart GA. Health Status of Great Frigatebirds ( Fregata minor) Determined by Haematology, Biochemistry, Blood Gases, and Physical Examination. Conserv Physiol 2018; 6:coy034. [PMID: 30026947 PMCID: PMC6044400 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The great frigatebird, Fregata minor, is a widely distributed seabird native to the Galápagos archipelago. Haematology and blood chemistry parameters have been published for this species but not from the San Cristóbal and North Seymour great frigatebird breeding colonies. Analyses were run on blood samples drawn from 25 great frigatebirds captured by hand at their nests at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island and 30 birds on North Seymour Island, Galápagos Islands. A portable blood analyser (iSTAT) was used to obtain near immediate field results for pH, pO2, pCO2, TCO2, HCO3- , haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), ionized calcium (iCa), creatinine, urea nitrogen, anion gap and glucose. Blood lactate was measured using a portable Lactate Plus™ analyser. Average heart rate, respiratory rate, body weight, body temperature, biochemistry and haematology parameters were comparable to healthy individuals of other Fregatidae. The reported results provide baseline data that can be used for comparisons among populations and in detecting changes in health status among Galápagos great frigatebirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Valle
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Extensión Galápagos, Galápagos Casilla Postal 17-1200-841, Quito, Ecuador
- Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Catalina Ulloa
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Extensión Galápagos, Galápagos Casilla Postal 17-1200-841, Quito, Ecuador
- Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Diane Deresienski
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University,1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Cristina Regalado
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Extensión Galápagos, Galápagos Casilla Postal 17-1200-841, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juan-Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Juan Garcia
- Dirección Parque Nacional Galápagos, Unidad Técnica Operativa San Cristóbal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Britta Denise Hardesty
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Alice Skehel
- Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Extensión Galápagos, Galápagos Casilla Postal 17-1200-841, Quito, Ecuador
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University,1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
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50
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Oda A, Messenger KM, Carbajal L, Posner LP, Gardner BR, Hammer SH, Cerreta AJ, Lewbart GA, Bailey KM. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) following immersion in propofol. Vet Anaesth Analg 2018; 45:529-538. [PMID: 29705687 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that plasma propofol concentration (PPC) is associated with anesthetic effect in koi carp administered propofol by immersion. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS Twenty mature koi carp (mean ± standard deviation, 409.4 ± 83.7 g). METHODS Fish were immersed in propofol (5 mg L-1). Physiological variables and induction and recovery times were recorded. In phase I, blood was sampled for PPC immediately following induction and at recovery. In phase II, following induction, fish were maintained with propofol (4 mg L-1) via a recirculating system for 20 minutes. Following established induction, blood was sampled at 1, 10 and 20 minutes. In phase III (n = 19), fish were anesthetized as in phase II with blood sampled nine times in a sparse sampling strategy. Simultaneously, a pharmacodynamics rubric was used to evaluate anesthetic depth. PPC was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Following evaluation of normality, data were analyzed using paired t test or Spearman correlation test (significance was set at p < 0.05). RESULTS In phase I, mean PPCs at induction (20.12 μg mL-1) and recovery (11.62 μg mL-1) were different (p < 0.001). In phase II, only mean PPCs at induction (17.92 μg mL-1) and 10 minutes (21.50 μg mL-1) were different (p = 0.013). In phase III, a correlation between PPCs and the pharmacodynamic rubric scores was found (p < 0.001, r = -0.93). There was no correlation between PPCs and recovery time (p = 0.057, r = 0.433). A two-compartment open model was chosen for the pharmacokinetic model. Absorption rate constant, elimination rate constant and intercompartmental rate constant were 0.48, 0.006 and 0.02 minute-1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Measurable PPCs were achieved in koi carp anesthetized with propofol by immersion. Anesthetic depth of fish was negatively correlated with PPCs, but recovery time was not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Oda
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Kristen M Messenger
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Liliana Carbajal
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Lysa P Posner
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Brett R Gardner
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Scott H Hammer
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Anthony J Cerreta
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Gregory A Lewbart
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Kate M Bailey
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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