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Modica BP, Koutsos EA. Insectivore Nutrition - A Review of Current Knowledge. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2024; 27:47-69. [PMID: 37625941 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Insectivores are represented in virtually all taxa, although more is known about mammalian and avian insectivore nutrition than for reptiles, amphibia and fish. Establishing nutrient requirements is challenging but recommendations should be based on data from similar taxa, similar GI tract physiology, and known nutritional concerns. In order to provide an appropriate diet for insectivores, consideration must be given to anatomy and method for procuring insects in free-ranging habitats, availability of feeder insects and the resulting dietary nutrient profiles, and complementing those profiles with appropriate diet items from various other categories including formulated feed, produce, animal matter, seeds or grains etc. Consideration of known nutritional concerns for a given species, and the variation in energy requirements in a captively managed situation are essential.
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Mazzotta E, Foiani G, De Benedictis GM, Fiore E, Natale A, Spagnolo E, Vascellari M, Cento G, Corrò M. Salmonella Enteritidis Fatal Septicemia with Meningoencephalitis in a Tiger (Panthera tigris) Cub. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192490. [PMID: 36230231 PMCID: PMC9558993 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A 15-day-old, female, captive Panthera tigris cub was hospitalized after developing severe hyperthermia, depression, and lack of appetite. The clinical condition rapidly worsened, and the tiger cub died in 72 h after the onset of neurological symptoms, septic shock, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The postmortem main gross findings consisted of a severe and diffuse bilateral fibrino-suppurative meningoencephalitis and ventriculitis, mild fibrinous and sero-hemorrhagic polyserositis and cystitis, severe pulmonary edema, and hemorrhages. Microscopically, the meninges, ependyma, and choroid plexuses were diffusely expanded by abundant infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, with multifocal fibrinous exudation. Histiocytic interstitial pneumonia, fibrinous and neutrophilic polyserositis, and pyelocystitis were also observed. Vascular thrombosis with multifocal vasculitis and vascular necrosis were frequently observed. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures performed on the brain, lungs, intestine, kidneys, and in pericardial effusion reported the presence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis. Environmental and nutritional contamination were identified as putative sources of infections. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of Salmonella Enteritidis septicemia with meningoencephalitis in a tiger cub, which highlights the need to further investigate the cause of acute perinatal death to reduce the risk of infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mazzotta
- Diagnostics in Animal Health Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Greta Foiani
- Specialist Diagnostics, Histopathology and Parasitology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giulia Maria De Benedictis
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 12, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Enrico Fiore
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health (MAPS), University of Padua, Viale dell’Università 12, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alda Natale
- Diagnostics in Animal Health Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Elena Spagnolo
- Diagnostics in Animal Health Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Marta Vascellari
- Specialist Diagnostics, Histopathology and Parasitology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Giulia Cento
- WOAH and National Reference Laboratory for Salmonellosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Michela Corrò
- Diagnostics in Animal Health Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
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Iske CJ, Morris CL, Colpoys JD, Kappen KL, Iennarella CA, Johnson AK. Nutrient evaluation of a pork by-product and its use as environmental enrichment for managed large exotic cats. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202144. [PMID: 30208036 PMCID: PMC6135386 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
North American zoological institutions typically feed ground raw meat diets to large exotic cats. These diets typically are nutritionally complete, but lack physical properties characteristic of whole prey. Lack of mastication and prey manipulation may contribute to behavioral and health challenges. Pork by-products may provide environmental enrichment to mitigate these challenges. The objectives of this study were to evaluate a pig head for nutritional composition and to determine if a pig head was biologically relevant environmental enrichment for managed large exotic cats. Pig heads consisted of: DM: 48.5%; OM: 60.7%; CP: 38.4%; fat: 22.0%; CF: 13.5%; TDF: 3.4%; GE: 4.1 kcal/g DM. Five individually housed exotic cats (Panthera tigris tigris, Panthera tigris altaica (n = 2), Panthera tigris jacksoni, Panthera leo) were observed in 2-h blocks, 24-h before pig head introduction (Baseline), at time of pig head introduction (Enrichment) and immediately after the pig head was removed (Post Enrichment) via instantaneous scan sampling for 4 consecutive weeks. Active behaviors were 55.7% higher on Enrichment compared to Baseline days, and 26.4% higher compared to Post Enrichment days (p<0.0001). Active behaviors were 39.8% higher on Post Enrichment compared to Baseline days (p<0.0001). Total active behaviors were highest (p<0.0001) in week 3 and lowest (p<0.0001) in week 4 with differences as high as 64.5% seen among weeks. In conclusion, pig heads have potential to provide nutrient dense enrichment to large exotic cats, and employing a pig head as environmental enrichment increased active behaviors and did not lose novelty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cayla J. Iske
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Cheryl L. Morris
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Jessica D. Colpoys
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Kelly L. Kappen
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Chelsea A. Iennarella
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Anna K. Johnson
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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