Yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) toxicosis in 4 goats.

Four alpine goats developed diarrhea soon after the owner placed plant clippings believed to be yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) into their pen on a suburban property near Palm Desert, CA, USA. A 1-y-old female goat died suddenly ~1 h after eating the plant clippings and was submitted to the San Bernardino Branch of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System for postmortem examination. The main autopsy and histopathologic findings were myocardial hemorrhage and necrosis, consistent with cardiac glycoside intoxication. Rumen contents were analyzed by LC-MS/MS; peruvoside, a cardiac glycoside, was detected, but oleandrin, the cardiac glycoside of common oleander (Nerium oleander), was not. An LC-high-resolution MS (LC-HRMS) analysis revealed the presence of peruvoside and neriifolin in the rumen contents and in a tested plant fragment, indicating that the plant was a member of the Thevetia genus. A clipping from the plant fed to the goats and submitted by the owner was identified as yellow oleander, Thevetia peruviana (also known as Cascabela thevetia)

Anticoagulant rodenticides on our public and community lands: spatial distribution of exposure and poisoning of a rare forest carnivore.

Anticoagulant rodenticide (AR) poisoning has emerged as a significant concern for conservation and management of non-target wildlife. The purpose for these toxicants is to suppress pest populations in agricultural or urban settings. The potential of direct and indirect exposures and illicit use of ARs on public and community forest lands have recently raised concern for fishers (Martes pennanti), a candidate for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act in the Pacific states. In an investigation of threats to fisher population persistence in the two isolated California populations, we investigate the magnitude of this previously undocumented threat to fishers, we tested 58 carcasses for the presence and quantification of ARs, conducted spatial analysis of exposed fishers in an effort to identify potential point sources of AR, and identified fishers that died directly due to AR poisoning. We found 46 of 58 (79%) fishers exposed to an AR with 96% of those individuals having been exposed to one or more second-generation AR compounds. No spatial clustering of AR exposure was detected and the spatial distribution of exposure suggests that AR contamination is widespread within the fisher's range in California, which encompasses mostly public forest and park lands Additionally, we diagnosed four fisher deaths, including a lactating female, that were directly attributed to AR toxicosis and documented the first neonatal or milk transfer of an AR to an altricial fisher kit. These ARs, which some are acutely toxic, pose both a direct mortality or fitness risk to fishers, and a significant indirect risk to these isolated populations. Future research should be directed towards investigating risks to prey populations fishers are dependent on, exposure in other rare forest carnivores, and potential AR point sources such as illegal marijuana cultivation in the range of fishers on California public lands

Patterns of Natural and Human-Caused Mortality Factors of a Rare Forest Carnivore, the Fisher (Pekania pennanti) in California.

Wildlife populations of conservation concern are limited in distribution, population size and persistence by various factors, including mortality. The fisher (Pekania pennanti), a North American mid-sized carnivore whose range in the western Pacific United States has retracted considerably in the past century, was proposed for threatened status protection in late 2014 under the United States Endangered Species Act by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in its West Coast Distinct Population Segment. We investigated mortality in 167 fishers from two genetically and geographically distinct sub-populations in California within this West Coast Distinct Population Segment using a combination of gross necropsy, histology, toxicology and molecular methods. Overall, predation (70%), natural disease (16%), toxicant poisoning (10%) and, less commonly, vehicular strike (2%) and other anthropogenic causes (2%) were causes of mortality observed. We documented both an increase in mortality to (57% increase) and exposure (6%) from pesticides in fishers in just the past three years, highlighting further that toxicants from marijuana cultivation still pose a threat. Additionally, exposure to multiple rodenticides significantly increased the likelihood of mortality from rodenticide poisoning. Poisoning was significantly more common in male than female fishers and was 7 times more likely than disease to kill males. Based on necropsy findings, suspected causes of mortality based on field evidence alone tended to underestimate the frequency of disease-related mortalities. This study is the first comprehensive investigation of mortality causes of fishers and provides essential information to assist in the conservation of this species

White muscle disease in three selenium deficient beef and dairy calves in Argentina and Uruguay

White muscle disease (WMD), nutritional myodegeneration or enzootic muscular dystrophy, is a nutritional condition associated with selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency in ruminants. These elements are constituents of the major body antioxidant systems. Depletion of selenium results in oxidative damage to cardiac and skeletal muscle cells, resulting in myodegeneration and myonecrosis, typical lesions of WMD. Selenium deficiency is common in South America, but WMD is underreported. This research describes clinical, biochemical and pathological findings in two episodes of WMD associated with selenium deficiency in beef and dairy calves in Argentina and Uruguay with concurrent copper deficiency in one of them, which resulted in spontaneous calf mortality. Further studies are necessary to estimate the true incidence and economic impact of clinical and subclinical mineral deficiencies in livestock production systems in the southern cone of South America.Doença do músculo branco (DMB), miodegeneração nutricional ou distrofia muscular enzoótica é uma condição nutricional associada à deficiência de selênio e/ou vitamina E em ruminantes. Esses elementos são constituintes dos principais sistemas antioxidantes do corpo. O esgotamento de selênio resulta em dano oxidativo às células musculares cardíacas e esqueléticas, resultando em miodegeneração e mionecrose, lesões típicas da DMB. A deficiência de selênio é comum na América do Sul, mas a DMB está subnotificada. Este trabalho descreve os achados clínicos, bioquímicos e patológicos em dois surtos de DMB associados à deficiência de selênio em bezerros para carne e leite na Argentina e Uruguai com concomitante deficiência de cobre em um surto, que resultaram em mortalidade espontânea de bezerros. São necessários mais estudos para estimar a verdadeira incidência e impacto econômico das deficiências minerais clínicas e subclínicas nos sistemas de produção pecuária no sul da América do Sul.EEA Cuenca del SaladoFil: Rodriguez, Alejandro Martin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado; ArgentinaFil: Schild, Carlos Omar. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; UruguayFil: Canton, German Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Riet‐Correa, Franklin. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; UruguayFil: Armendano, Joaquín Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Caffarena, Rubén Dario. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; UruguayFil: Brambilla, Emilio Cesar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: García, Juan Agustín. Universidad de la República. Centro Universitario Regional Este; UruguayFil: Morrell, Eleonora Lidia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Poppenga, Robert. University of California at Davis. School of Veterinary Medicine. California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS). Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Giannitti, Federico. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; Uruguay. University of Minnesota. College of Veterinary Medicine. Veterinary Population Medicine Department; Estados Unido

Spatiotemporal Patterns and Risk Factors for Lead Exposure in Endangered California Condors during 15 Years of Reintroduction

Large-scale poisoning events are common to scavenging bird species that forage communally, many of which are in decline. To reduce the threat of poisoning and compensate for other persistent threats, management, including supplemental feeding, is ongoing for many reintroduced and endangered vulture populations. Through a longitudinal study of lead exposure in California condors (Gymnogyps californianus), we illustrate the conservation challenges inherent in reintroduction of an endangered species to the wild when pervasive threats have not been eliminated. We evaluated population-wide patterns in blood lead levels from 1997 to 2011 and assessed a broad range of putative demographic, behavioral, and environmental risk factors for elevated lead exposure among reintroduced California condors in California (United States). We also assessed the effectiveness of lead ammunition regulations within the condor’s range in California by comparing condor blood lead levels before and after implementation of the regulations. Lead exposure was a pervasive threat to California condors despite recent regulations limiting lead ammunition use. In addition, condor lead levels significantly increased as age and independence from intensive management increased, including increasing time spent away from managed release sites, and decreasing reliance on food provisions. Greater independence among an increasing number of reintroduced condors has therefore elevated the population’s risk of lead exposure and limited the effectiveness of lead reduction efforts to date. Our findings highlight the challenges of restoring endangered vulture populations as they mature and become less reliant on management actions necessary to compensate for persistent threats.Keywords: Gymnogyps californianus, Vulture, Scavenger, Ecotoxicology, Epidemiology, Wildlife diseaseKeywords: Gymnogyps californianus, Vulture, Scavenger, Ecotoxicology, Epidemiology, Wildlife diseas

Impact of the California Lead Ammunition Ban on Reducing Lead Exposure in Golden Eagles and Turkey Vultures

Predatory and scavenging birds may be exposed to high levels of lead when they ingest shot or bullet fragments embedded in the tissues of animals injured or killed with lead ammunition. Lead poisoning was a contributing factor in the decline of the endangered California condor population in the 1980s, and remains one of the primary factors threatening species recovery. In response to this threat, a ban on the use of lead ammunition for most hunting activities in the range of the condor in California was implemented in 2008. Monitoring of lead exposure in predatory and scavenging birds is essential for assessing the effectiveness of the lead ammunition ban in reducing lead exposure in these species. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of the regulation in decreasing blood lead concentration in two avian sentinels, golden eagles and turkey vultures, within the condor range in California. We compared blood lead concentration in golden eagles and turkey vultures prior to the lead ammunition ban and one year following implementation of the ban. Lead exposure in both golden eagles and turkey vultures declined significantly post-ban. Our findings provide evidence that hunter compliance with lead ammunition regulations was sufficient to reduce lead exposure in predatory and scavenging birds at our study sites

Effect of Therapeutic Intervention on Pathophysiology, Pathology, and Survival in Rats and Swine Following Acute Intravenous Exposure to T-2 Toxin

402 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1987.Rats and swine were used to assess the efficacy of a number of drugs for the treatment of acute T-2 toxicosis induced by the intravenous administration of lethal doses of T-2 toxin. In rats, efficacy was assessed by analysis of survival times and rates and the severity of histologic tissue lesions in target organs. In swine, efficacy was assessed by analysis of survival times and rates and changes in physiologic parameters.The therapeutic efficacy of diltiazem hydrochloride, methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS), dazemgrel, N-acetylcysteine, dimethyl sulfoxide, trichodermin, adenosine triphosphate alone and in combination with magnesium chloride, ascorbic acid, aprotinin, superactivated charcoal (SAC), dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DEX), and prostaglandin E\sb1 alone and in combination with DEX was assessed in rats. At the doses used, only MPSS and DEX, given after T-2 toxin iv at 1 mg/kg, and SAC, given before T-2 toxin iv at 0.8 mg/kg, significantly improved survival times and rates. Trichodermin given either 2 hr prior to or 1 hr after T-2 toxin iv at 1 mg/kg significantly improved survival times and rates. Trichodermin given either 2 hr prior to or 1 hr after T-2 toxin iv at 1 mg/kg significantly decreased survival times. The iv administration of MPSS lessened the severity of T-2 induced histologic lesions in the stomach and the spleen, whereas the oral administration of SAC lessened the severity of T-2 induced histologic lesions in the ileum and closely associated lymphoid tissue (Peyer's patches).The efficacy of 4 therapeutic protocols was assessed in swine given T-2 toxin iv at 3.6 mg/kg (3X LD\sb{50}). One group was given metoclopramide, DEX, normal saline, sodium bicarbonate, and SAC in combination with magnesium sulfate (all therapy). The other 3 treatment groups were given all therapy less 1 of the following: normal saline, sodium bicarbonate, or SAC + magnesium sulfate. There were significantly improved survival rates and times in the treatment group given SAC + magnesium sulfate compared to the groups given all therapy less SAC + magnesium sulfate. The administration of normal saline did not maintain aortic mean blood pressure, whereas the administration of sodium bicarbonate ameliorated declines in arterial blood pH. Significant elevations in serum magnesium concentrations were noted in the treatment groups in which magnesium sulfate was included.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Dog and cat exposures to drugs of abuse identified by the California animal health and food safety laboratory system 2013-2023.

INTRODUCTION: While known animal exposures to human drugs of abuse (DA) were previously considered relatively uncommon in veterinary medicine, the trends are changing. Marijuana and amphetamines are among the 20 toxicants most frequently consulted about with the Pet Poison Helpline. When such exposures occur, they are typically considered emergencies. METHODS: This retrospective study describes confirmed cases of DA exposure in pets from the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), 2013-2023. RESULTS: Fifty-seven samples tested positive for DA through liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis (qualitative method). In 75% (43/57) of the DA screen tests, the detected drugs included amphetamine-type stimulants and metabolites (methamphetamine, amphetamine, or both). In 47% (27/57) of cases, a combination of more than one drug group was found. Most cases were diagnosed from a urine specimen. In at least 32% (18/57) of cases, the samples were submitted due to suspicions of animal cruelty, and at least 41% (23/57) of the patients were deceased when the samples were submitted. DISCUSSION: More studies on the prevalence of illicit drugs in small animals, using confirmatory testing, are warranted to fully understand the significance of this emerging toxicological hazard in veterinary medicine

Imidacloprid Poisoning of Songbirds Following a Drench Application of Trees in a Residential Neighborhood in California, USA.

In March 2017, 26 American goldfinches (Spinus tristis) were found dead following a drench application of imidacloprid in California (USA). Identical seed fragments were present in the digestive tracts. Imidacloprid was detected in 4 separate pooled samples from 18 birds, in crop/gizzard contents (4.8 ± 1.3 ppm; range 2.2-8.5 ppm) and liver tissues (3.9 ± 0.6 ppm; range 2.1-4.8 ppm). We suspect that fallen elm (Ulmus sp.) seeds were contaminated with imidacloprid during the drench application and subsequently ingested, resulting in acute toxicity and death. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1724-1727. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC