Aktivnost glutation peroksidaze (gpx 3) u plazmi semiakvatičnih kornjača trachemys scripta elegans nakon inhalacione anestezije izofluranom

Introduction. Glutathione peroxidases are selenoenzymes which have a crucial role in the protection of animals against oxidative stress. Materials and Methods. From September 2017 to April 2018, a group of eight red-eared sliders were admitted at the Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade for elective diagnostic celioscopy. The turtles were of unknown age, weight from 1.20 kg to 1.86 kg. The anesthesia protocol involved using ketamine and medetomidine, both at a low dosage (10 mg kg-1 and 0.1 mg kg-1, respectively) as induction, after which anesthesia was maintained using isoflurane at 3% (vapor setting) in 100% oxygen (0.5 L min-1). Medetomidine was reversed with atipamezole (0.2 mg kg-1), given intramuscularly. The elective celioscopy was performed according to standard protocols. One day prior to anesthesia, heparinized blood samples were taken using the subcarapacial venous plexus for venipuncture. The second sampling took place three hours after the anesthetics were administered. Results and Conclusions. GPx3 activity in the blood plasmas (n=8) was measured by the coupled test as described by Günzler et al. (1974). Data were tested for normality by the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and the groups were compared using a paired t-test. Blood plasma GPx3 activity was significantly higher (p=0.009) after a three-hour recovery period from inhalation anesthesia performed for elective diagnostic celioscopy, than before anesthesia. The measured post-anesthesia GPx3 activities were, on average, 80% higher than the measurements prior to anesthesia. It can be concluded that the statistically significant increase in the activity of plasma GPx3 from 91.02±36.05 mKat L-1 prior to anesthesia to 160.21±58.94 mKat L-1 three hours after anesthesia is due to the change in oxygen saturation. This is increased to 100% during the procedure, thus exposing the turtles to conditions of high oxygen saturation.Uvod. Glutation peroksidaze su selenoenzimi koji igraju ključnu ulogu u zaštiti životinja od oksidativnog stresa. Materijal i metode. Od septembra 2017. do aprila 2018. godine, grupa od osam crvenouhih kornjača je primljena na Kliniku za male životinje, Fakulteta Veterinarske Medicine, Univerziteta u Beogradu zbog izvođenja elektivne dijagnostičke celioskopije. Kornjače su bile nepoznate starosti, mase između 1,20 kg i 1,86 kg. Anastetički protokol je uključivao primenu ketamina (10 mg kg-1) i medetomidina (0.1 mg kg-1) za indukciju, oba u niskim dozama, nakon čega je anestezija održavana primenom izoflurana u koncentraciji od 3% (podešen na isparavanje) u 100% kiseoniku (0.5 L min-1). Dejstvo medetomidina je neutralizovano atipamezolom (0.2 mg kg-1), aplikovanim intramuskularno. Elektivna celioskopija je izvedena u skladu sa standardnim protokolima. Heparinizovani uzorci krvi su uzeti jedan dan pre uvođenja u anesteziju venepunkcijom iz subkarapacijalnog venskog pleksusa. Drugo uzorkovanje krvi je uzvršeno tri sata nakon administracije anestetika. Rezultati i zaključak. GPx3 aktivnost u krvnoj plazmi (n=8) je izmerena primenom kuplovane reakcije, kao što su opisali Günzler i sar. (1974). Normalna distribucija podataka je testirana pomoću Shapiro - Wilk testa normalnosti (p>0,05), a grupe su poređene koristeći t test za zavisne uzorke. Aktivnost GPx3 u krvnoj plazmi je bila značajno viša (p=0.009) u uzorcima uzetim nakon trosatnog perioda oporavka od inhalacione anestezije aplikovane radi izvođenja elektivne celioskopije, nego u uzorcima uzetim pre aplikovanja anestezije. Vrednosti GPx3 izmerene nakon anestezije bile su u proseku 80% više od vrednosti pre anestezije. Može se zaključiti da je statistički značajan porast u aktivnosti GPx3 u plazmi od 91.02±36.05 mKat L-1, pre anestezije do 160.21±58.94 mKat L-1, tri sata nakon anestezije uzrokovan promenom u saturaciji kiseonika. Tokom intervencije saturacija kiseonika se povećava i do 100% čime se kornjače uvode u uslove visoke saturacije kiseonikom

Use of parasitological and molecular methods in Giardia sp. detection in animals held in captivity

Protozoa of the genus Giardia cause the disease giardiosis in a large number of animal species, but also in humans. This disease can be either subclinical or followed by diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss and stunted growth. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of Giardia sp. in different species of animals in Belgrade Zoo (asymptomatic infection) and to compare the sensitivity of parasitological and molecular-genetic methods. Examination of the presence of Giardia sp. protozoa was performed in 52 fecal samples, using fecal fl otation and molecular-genetic PCR method. No positive samples were detected when deploying the parasitological method, while PRC analysis revealed the presence of Giardia sp. in one animal - ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), which indicates the advantage of the molecular-genetic method over the parasitological one. The absence of Giardia sp. in other samples can be explained by adequate housing conditions, successful implementation of hygienic and sanitary measures, as well as good veterinary practice. Use of PCR method for testing the presence of Giardia sp. showed a higher sensitivity when compared to the fecal fl otation method

Eight-Year Study of Haemogregarina stepanowi Infection in Poached European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) Held in Belgrade Zoo Quarantine

The eight-year study (2015–2023) was performed on a large sample of poached European pond turtles infected with Haemogregarina stepanowi and held in a pond that belongs to a quarantine section of Belgrade Zoo. The protected species of European pond turtles have been found in poor health, with general weakness, anorexia, and low motility. Comprehensive cytological, hematological, molecular, and postmortem evaluations have been performed. Initially, Diff Quick staining of the blood smears revealed rounded or elongated erythrocytes, often bearing premeront or U-shaped gamont of the hemogregarines inside. The reduced erythrocyte numbers, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values found in the examined population of infected turtles indicated anemia. Macroscopically, shell necrosis and massive skin hemorrhages were the most prominent findings observed in diseased turtles. Microscopically, the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen revealed hyperemia, hemorrhages, and the presence of parasitic stages in tissue samples in 31 of 40 necropsied turtles. Cytological and microscopic examination of the samples proved to be sufficient for establishing the infection, but molecular analyses of the 18S sequence were used for phylogenetic studies. Over the years, the number of diseased and dead turtles has decreased, which could be hypothetically attributed to the elimination of leeches as the definitive host

Skin and skeletal system lesions of european pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) from natural habitats

Water pollution is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of plastron, carapace and skin diseases of turtles. In this study, a total of 150 European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) of different age and both sexes, originating from natural habitats in Serbia, were examined for morphological changes of the skin, plastron, carapace and skeletal system. The turtles were taken out from their natural habitats in Lake Ludas, Lake Palic and Lake Tresetiste. After artificial hibernation, they were subjected to detailed examination, sampled and treated, and finally returned into their natural habitat. Biopsies from the skin and shell were subjected to histopathological examination and microbiological analysis. X-ray scanning was also performed to detect changes in the skeletal system. Macroscopic changes of the skin, most frequently degenerative, inflammatory or neoplastic diseases, were diagnosed in 49.33% of the turtles examined. Dermatitis of different origin and form was the most prominent histopathological finding (28.00%). In the plastron, inflammatory and degenerative processes were frequently found. Osteopathy and mechanical injuries were the dominant findings. Macroscopic changes of the plastron, carapace and skeletal system were diagnosed in 67.33% of the turtles examined. Using X-ray scanning, generalised osteopathy, anomalies and malformations of different aetiology were also diagnosed on the tail and legs. Microbiological examinations showed the presence of a variety of bacterial and fungal agents, either primary pathogens or potential polluters, which invaded the skin and shell, or were present in cloacal swab samples. Bacterial infection was diagnosed in 76.66% of the turtles, first of all in those with skin and shell necrosis. Mycoses were diagnosed in 33.33% of the animals

Epitheliogenesis imperfecta in dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas)

Proceeding

Single left coronary artery in a common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

Proceeding