Four cases of neoplasia in captive wild birds

Four cases of malignant neoplasia in captive wild birds are described: an adenocarcinoma of the adrenal gland in a Mountain duck (Tadorna tadornoides), a malignant melanoma in the thoracic cavity of a Combed duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos), a hepatocellular carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis in an Asian Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), and an undifferentiated carcinoma in the abdomen with metastasis to skeletal muscle in a White-Breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus). The tumors were diagnosed during a 1-year period and represented an incidence of neoplasia of 3.1%. These appear to be the first documented cases of a malignant adrenal gland tumor and a non-ocular melanoma in the order Anseriformes. The hepatocellular carcinoma failed to react with an immunoperoxidase stain for alphafetoprotein

Salivary gland oncocytes in African hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) mimicking cytomegalic inclusion disease

The salivary glands from three African hedgehogs contained multiple foci of cytomegalic cells, which occasionally had a mild to moderate infiltrate of lymphocytes at the periphery. The cytomegalic cells were 35 to 40 microns in diameter with abundant acidophilic granular to hyalin cytoplasm. The nuclei were enlarged with clumped marginalized chromatin and a large, (6 to 8 microns in diameter) central, brightly eosinophilic nucleolus that had the appearance of an inclusion body by light microscopy. Histochemically most of the cytomegalic cells contained cytoplasmic metachromatic granules with Feyrter's thionine inclusion stain. Scattered cells at the periphery of the cytomegalic foci contained periodic acid-Schiff-positive cytoplasmic granules. Ultrastructurally the cytomegalic cells contained numerous tightly-packed, often bizarre, enlarged mitochondria that completely filled the cytoplasm. The nucleus consisted of a dense central core of chromatin associated with the nucleolus and the remaining chromatin was clumped and marginalized. Nuclear and cytoplasmic virions consistent with cytomegalovirus were not present. Histochemical stains of the nucleus for heavy metals were negative. The ultrastructural and histochemical findings of the cytomegalic cells were consistent with oncocytes. Previous reports in the literature of similar cells in the salivary glands of insectivores appear to have been erroneously described as cytomegalovirus infections

Hypocalcaemia in a six‐month‐old hand‐reared female giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis

Radiological examination and surgical biopsy were required of a swelling in the cervical region in a healthy 200 kg, six-month-old hand-reared female giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). Induction was with intramuscular administration of medetomidine, butorphanol and ketamine and maintained with 1.5 per cent isoflurane-in-oxygen on a circle anaesthetic machine. Induction and maintenance were uneventful but recovery delayed and characterised by hindlimb weakness, opistotonus and torticollis of the head and neck. Atipamezole and naltrexone were administered to facilitate recovery but with minimal clinical improvement. Venous blood gas analysis indicated moderate metabolic acidosis, hypochloraemia, increased anion gap and marked hypocalcaemia (0.64 mmol/l). Intravenous administration of 60 ml calcium borogluconate resulted in a rapid improvement in muscle tone and the ability to stand. Hypocalcaemia was diagnosed in a juvenile giraffe after anaesthesia characterised by delayed recovery. Intravenous administration of calcium borogluconate resulted in rapid recovery of muscle strength and ambulance.http://vetrecordcasereports.bmj.comhb2016Companion Animal Clinical Studie

Reproductive Status of Endemic Felid Species in Latin American Zoos and Implications for Ex Situ Conservation

Reproductive evaluations were conducted on 185 male cats representing eight endemic Latin American species that were maintained in 44 zoos and private facilities in 12 Latin American countries. Reproductive assessments (testicular measures, ejaculate quality, and blood testosterone/cortisol concentration) were used to establish normative values for large- and small-sized cats in Latin American collections. Data also were analyzed using multiple regression to study the impact of proven breeder status, diet, and various animal housing combinations. Most felids (\u3e95%) in the survey were of wild-born origin, and \u3c20% had produced offspring in captivity. Larger felids had bigger testes and produced more semen, but tended to produce low-sperm-density ejaculates. The ejaculates of small felids were more sperm-concentrated, but contained fewer total spermatozoa. Sperm motility was unrelated to species size, and certain species (puma, margay, tigrina, and jaguarundi) consistently produced few (\u3c40%) normal sperm forms. Across species, \u3e50% of males had low sperm counts (\u3c1 million total sperm per ejaculate). Among large cats (jaguars and pumas), proven breeders had larger (P\u3c0.05) testes, greater semen volume, and more normal sperm than nonbreeders. Males on adequate diets had higher (P\u3c0.05) circulating cortisol. Among small-sized felids, proven breeders had higher (P\u3c0.05) testosterone, and males housed alone or paired with a conspecific female had more (P\u3c0.05) total sperm per ejaculate and greater (P\u3c0.05) seminal and testicular volumes. Fifty-nine ejaculates (potentially representing ∼100 artificial insemination (AI) or 26,000 in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures) were cryopreserved for a felid genome resource bank. In conclusion, breeding success and reproductive traits for many endemic felids in Latin American zoos appear to be suboptimal, and likely would benefit from improvements in diet and exhibitry. Technology transfer and continued training of zoo staff and scientists in Latin American countries are essential if these zoos are to achieve their tremendous conservation potential for felids and other threatened endemic species

Epizootiology and Management of Feline Leukemia Virus in the Florida Puma

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was not detected in Florida pumas (Puma concolor coryi) in almost 20 yr of surveillance; however, the finding of two FeLV antigen-positive pumas during the 2002–2003 capture season led to an investigation of FeLV in the population. Between January 1990 and April 2007, the proportion of pumas testing FeLV antibody positive increased, with antibody-positive pumas concentrated in the northern portion of puma range. Five of 131 (4%) pumas sampled between July 2000 and April 2007 were viremic, with all cases clustered in Okaloacoochee Slough (OKS). Clinical signs and clinical pathology at capture were absent or included lymphadenopathy, moderate-to-severe anemia, and lymphopenia. All viremic pumas died; causes of death were septicemia (n=2), intraspecific aggression (n=2), and anemia/dehydration (n=1). Outcome after FeLV exposure in pumas was similar to that in domestic cats, with evidence of regressive, latent, and persistent infections. Management of the epizootic included vaccination, and as of April 2007, 52 free-ranging pumas had received one or more inoculations. Vaccinations were concentrated in OKS and in a band between OKS and the remainder of the puma population. There have been no new cases since July 2004; however, the potential for reintroduction of the virus remains

Petromin: the slow death of statist oil development in Saudi Arabia

The paper recounts the history of Saudi Arabia's first national oil company, Petromin, which was originally supposed to take the place of foreign-owned Aramco. As a result of Petromin's inefficiency and personal rivalries among the Saudi elite, however, Petromin was progressively relegated to the sidelines in favour of a gradually 'Saudiised' Aramco. As a result, the organisation of the Saudi oil sector today is very different from - and more efficient than - that of most other oil exporters in the developing world. The paper concludes with a tentative taxonomy of national oil companies, based on the circumstances of nationalisation