Pneumonia and concurrent eggs retention in a river terrapin (Batagur baska)

A case report of pneumonia and egg retention in a river terrapin was presented in this paper. A 20 year-old river terrapin (Batagur baska) was presented with complaint of coughing with blood discharge, wheezing breathing and inappetance. Plain radiograph showed both right and left lung lobes were consolidated due to pneumonia 90% and 70%, respectively. Tentative diagnosis of pneumonia due to opportunistic bacterial infection of Chromobacterium sp. and Plesiomonas shigelloides was made in this case based on bacterial isolation and response to antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Enrofloxacin and flunixin meglumine were administered from Day-1 to -5. Enrofloxacin was then changed to gentamicin since it showed resistance in those bacteria. No clinical changes were observed. Gentamicin was given at rate 2.5 mg/kg once a week intramuscularly and prednisolone 2 mg/kg once on Day-6 given intramuscularly, showed a response on Day-10 of hospitalisation with the evidence of reduction in lung consolidation by almost 90% clear of lung lobes from pneumonia. Sixteen thin-shelled eggs were also observed in the coelomic cavity on radiographic images. Active laying season, prolonged laying period and the history of laying only two eggs a week before presenting to hospital gives a highly suggestive diagnosis of egg retention syndrome. To encourage laying, the terrapin was given a daily parenteral calcium supplement, oxytocin 5 IU/kg intramuscularly (Day-10 hospitalisation) and was released for sunbath and to sand twice daily. The eggs were completely laid on Day-11 and the overall terrapin condition was greatly improved 2 weeks post-hospitalisation

Blood profile of rusa deer (Cervus timorensis).

The objective of the study was to establish the reference range for blood and coagulation parameters in normal, healthy male and female rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) of different ages. The study was conducted at Taman Pertanian Universiti, Universiti Putra Malaysia. The sample population comprised of 40 rusa deer, which was divided into 4 groups of 13 young (≤1-year-old) males, 5 young females, 13 adult males and 9 adult females. Jugular venous blood samples were collected to determine concentrations of blood and coagulation parameters. The data obtained were normally distributed. However, the analytical results revealed that significant (p0.05) in blood or coagulation parameters was observed between sex in the young deer. Between age group, adult deer had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean cell volume, plasma protein and globulin concentrations than young rusa deer. Thus, it is necessary to take into account the age and sex when using blood reference values for the diagnosis of diseases in the rusa deer

Microbiological profile of oral cavity of and occurrence of Salmonella spp. in sugar gliders

Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) are popular pockets pets in Japan, Canada and United States and now gaining popularity in Malaysia. The close relationship between humans and pets may lead to possible health hazards if the animals are infected with zoonotic pathogens. To date, not much is known about the potential health hazard of keeping sugar gliders as pet. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the microbiological profile of oral mucosa in sugar gliders, to determine the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in sugar gliders and to determine the antibiotic resistance of the isolates against six types of antibiotics namely enrofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethazole, tetracycline, ceftiofur, penicillin G and neomycin. Thirty-seven oral swabs and 37 faecal samples were collected from 18 individual owners and a breeder. Nine species of bacteria isolated were Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus delphini and Streptococcus viridans. Most of the isolates were normal microflora in other pet animals, such as cats, dogs, and parrots. Eight (22.9%) faecal samples were positive for Salmonella spp of which only 1 (12.5%) was from individual owner, while the other seven (87.5%) were from the breeder. Two serovars of Salmonella spp. isolated were Salmonella Albany (62.5%) and Salmonella London (37.5%). The high occurrence of Salmonella in the animals suggested that they are of potential risk in disease transmission to humans. All the Salmonella spp. isolates were susceptible to three types of antibiotic, Enrofloxacin, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethazole, and Tetracycline. Of these isolates, 33.3% were sensitive to Ceftiofur and the rest were intermediately sensitive. However, all were resistant to Penicillin G and Neomycin. The presence of Salmonella spp. in these pet animals poses a health risk to the owners. Owners are advised to their wash their hands thoroughly after handling these animals, clean the cages frequently, bring these animals for regular veterinarian check-ups, and for immunocompromised people, to avoid handling these animals

Effects of repeated comparative intradermal tuberculin testing on test results: a longitudinal study in TB-free red deer

[Background]: Diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) is challenging and might require combining cellular and humoral diagnostic tests. Repeated skin-testing with mycobacterial purified protein derivatives (PPDs) might sensitize or desensitize the subjects to both kinds of diagnostic tools. We evaluated the effect of repeated (every 6 months) comparative tuberculin skin testing on skin test and ELISA responsiveness in farmed red deer hinds from a TB-free herd. Eighteen 8-month old hinds were inoculated with bovine and avian PPDs and the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), as positive control and concurrently tested by ELISA for antibodies against avian (avian PPD, aPPD and protoplasmatic antigen 3, PPA3) and bovine antigens (bPPD and MPB70). Blood serum was also sampled three weeks after each skin testing round and tested for antibodies against aPPD and bPPD, in order to detect eventual antibody level boosts. Testing took place every six months from winter 2012 until winter 2015. [Results]: The skin test response to both PPDs peaked during the second and third test round, returning to standard values thereafter. Individual variability was particularly high at the first year and early second year testing rounds (first intradermal test and blood sampling; first winter). The antibody response to avian antigens increased through time, while no such increase was recorded for bovine antigens. The antibody boost three weeks after skin testing was more marked for avian PPD. However, there was no consistent trend in the boosting response through time. [Conclusion]: Repeated comparative skin testing at six month intervals did not cause progressive increments in skin test responsiveness or antibody production. Specifically, we observed no loss of the skin test response to bPPD and also no progressive loss of the boosting effect in the ELISA responses. However, we recorded increases through time in the antibody levels against avian mycobacterial antigens, possibly due to the progressive exposure to MAP or to other cross-reacting environmental mycobacteria. These findings should be taken into account in designing and interpreting TB testing schemes in farmed deer.Research funding is acknowledged to Plan Nacional grant AGL2014-56305 (MINECO, Spain and FEDER). ACA was supported by a grant from University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, and MAR had a research contract from Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM), Spain.Peer Reviewe

Anaesthesia of the Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) using tiletamine-zolazepam-xylazine combination

Eight Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) were immobilised with Zoletil® (x = 3.44 mg/kg) and xylazine (x = 0.65 mg/kg). The sun bears were darted intramuscularly by using a blow pipe at muscular areas such as the rump and shoulder regions. Psychological data were recorded every 10 min throughout the immobilisation period. No antagonist drug was used. The drug combination was able to induced smooth, rapid and good anaesthesia with analgesia within 11-30 minutes (mean ± S. D. = 21.1 ± 6.44 min). Time from complete immobilisation to recovery (walking) range from 157 ± 25.6 min (range = 124 – 186 min). No pedal pinch reflex was observed in all animals. The anesthetic depth and analgesia were reasonably adequate to conduct a physical examination and perform minor clinical procedures. There were no significant clinical adverse effects observed except for hypersalivation and frothing during the reversible period

Gastrointestinal helminths in large felines from a zoo in Malaysia

In nature, wild animals live in an enormous space and usually have very low genetic resistance against parasitic infection mainly due to low exposure towards the parasites themselves. However, when herds of these wild animals are kept in captivity, or in zoological gardens, parasitic infections might be worse and pose a serious threat to endangered species. The present study was conducted to observe the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in large felines in a Malaysian zoo. Ten faecal samples were collected from pumas (Puma concolor, n = 5), African lions (Panthera leo, n = 3), a spotted leopard (Panthera pardus, n = 1), and a black panther (Panthera onca, n = 1). All faecal samples were examined for parasite eggs, larvae, and oocysts by simple faecal floatation and formalin – ether sedimentation technique. All large felines in the zoo were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. A total of six species of gastrointestinal parasites were recovered including four nematodes (Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma spp., Toxascaris leonina, and Oxyuris sp.), a cestode (Spirometra sp.), and a protozoan (Isospora sp.). Half (n=5/10) of the large felines had mixed infections with Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma spp

Oral microbes of pet sugar gliders and detection of Salmonella in their faeces

Clinically healthy pets may carry zoonotic pathogens and shed them, thus act as potential public health threat. Small, exotic animals are gaining popularity as pets which include iguanas, turtles and sugar gliders. Salmonellosis is an important disease affecting human and animal populations worldwide. It is reported that sugar gliders are becoming popular pets among young Malaysians, not only are they cute and adorable but are easily carried around. Of 35 pet sugar gliders and 17 from a breeder, 15% were positive for salmonellae and the serovars identified were Salmonella enterica serovar Albany (62.5%) and Salmonella enterica serovar London (37.5%). Staphylococcus spp. (41.0%) were most frequently identified from oral mucosae, followed by Enterococcus faecalis (17%), Streptococcus viridians (15.0%), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (13.0%) and Enterococcus faecium, Pasteurella spp., Staphylococcus delphini and Escherichia coli (2.0–4.0%). The close interaction between infected pet sugar gliders and their owners poses public health risk. Breeders with infected animals present direct risk to pet shops and pet owners

Plasma fatty acid profile comparisons between the lesser mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus) and the common muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak)

The Lesser Mouse Deer and the Common Muntjac are native to the South-east Asian region. The main aim of this study was to compare the extent of plasma fatty acid unsaturation between these two species. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids are expected to undergo extensive biohydrogenation and saturation in the gut of the Common Muntjac, as is expected for a 'true' ruminant. Being a 'partial' ruminant, the Lesser Mouse Deer is expected to allow some dietary unsaturated fatty acids to escape rumen biohydrogenation, thus allowing accumulation of more unsaturated fatty acids in the plasma. Six Lesser Mouse Deer and six Common Muntjac, kept for recreational purposes, were used in this study. Plasma fatty acids were extracted from blood and feed samples, methylated using 14 % boron triflouride and separated using gas liquid chromatography. It was found that both species had higher unsaturated fatty acid content in their plasma compared to saturated fatty acids. This is different from domesticated ruminants where saturated fatty acids usually are about 60 % of total plasma fatty acids. The plasma unsaturated fatty acid content of the Lesser Mouse Deer is marginally higher (52.9 %) than the Common Muntjac (51.8 %). However, the Lesser Mouse Deer had higher plasma n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) at 16 %, and a more balanced n-3 PUFA content. This resulted in better and lower n-6 PUFA: n-3 PUFA ratios in the Lesser Mouse Deer (4.2). These findings could be attributed to the reduced biohydrogenation and destruction of dietary unsaturated fatty acids in the gut of Lesser Mouse Deer, thus enabling more of these fatty acids to be absorbed by the body. In conclusion, true and partial wild ruminants found to have different plasma fatty acid profile as a result of their differences in gut function and morpholog

Hematological profiles of the Malayan sun bear (Heiarctos Malayanus) kept in captivity

Nineteen haematological parameters for the Malayan sun bear which include PCV, RBC count, differential counts for leucocytes, plasma protein, PT and APTT were evaluated. Twenty-six biochemical parameters were analysed namely sodium, potassium, chloride, inorganic phosphate, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol, total bilirubin, total protein, alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, craetine kinase, globulin, albumin, globulin-albumin ratio, amylase, lactate dehydrogenase, lipase, lactate, uric acid, triglyceride and gammaglutamyl transferase. Comparing males and females, males showed a significantly higher value for haemaglobin. Leucocytes and segmented neutrophils were significantly higher in sub-adults. Current values showed low haemoglobin and leucocytes compared to previous data. Preliminary data on anticoagulation factors namely PT and APTT were recorded. Biochemistry showed ALT, GGT and CK were significantly higher in males. The sub-adult group showed higher values of ALT, GGT, CK, LDH and albumin. Compared to previous reports, current data showed lower values of calcium, inorganic phosphate, BUN and AST. Additional preliminary data on GGT, amylase, CK, total triglyceride, lipase and lactate were recorded

Plastron osteotomy in the management of fishing hook ingestion in a Malayan box turtle (Cuora amboinensis)

An adult male Malayan box turtle was diagnosed with foreign body obstruction of fishing hook. Upon presentation, the animal had pale mucous membrane and fishing line protruding out from the oral cavity. Diagnosis of foreign body ingestion was based on plain radiograph where the fishing hook was evidenced on the lateral and ventrodorsal radiographic view. Plastron osteotomy surgical removal was performed after endoscopy guided forcep removal failed. Procedures were carried out under the injectable anesthesia using a combination of ketamine and xylazine hydrochloride. Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and parenteral fluid therapy was given pre and post-surgically as medical treatment and stabilisation