Hematological and biochemical reference intervals for wild caught Eurasian otter from Spain

Blood Profiling of Captive and Semi-Wild False Gharial in Peninsular Malaysia

Simple Summary

Ill or injured wildlife species are been rescued, treated and or rehabilitated usually at the wildlife rescued centers, zoos clinic facilities and or wildlife conservation centers. The false gharial also known as Malayan gharial is a crocodile species native to Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Indonesia with extirpation in Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand. The false gharial is facing a threat of extinction due to habitat destruction and hunting Policies were implemented to conserve this species through the establishment of Ex-Situ Conservation centers, as such to maintain the health and welfare status of this species while in captivity, understanding its normal Haematology and serum biochemistry values becomes necessary to save the false gharial from extinction.

Abstract

The involvement of veterinary medicine in wildlife research has played an important role in understanding the health status of various wildlife species. Health status is a very important aspect of species conservation. However, it requires a widely employed knowledge of veterinary clinical pathology, as a diagnostic tool in diagnosing the various disease conditions of wildlife species. Notwithstanding, a gap exists in the literature about the clinical pathology of the false gharial, due to the lack of normal reference values for hematological and serum biochemical analysis. The present study investigated the normal blood profile of 10 healthy false gharials, from two different zoos, and wildlife conservation centers located in three different states of Peninsular Malaysia. Blood samples were collected from the lateral caudal vein and divided into a vacutainer without anticoagulant for biochemical analysis, and a lithium heparin vacutainer (containing sodium heparin) for hematological studies. The results of the study indicated that the false gharial has a smaller erythrocyte dimension compared to other crocodilian species. At the same time the study revealed that the false gharial in a natural captive pond showed more leukocytes than false gharial kept in zoos, hence, habitat and environmental factors significantly affect hematological values. The biochemistry values also showed differences between the false gharial in different environmental conditions. Total protein, albumin (Alb), globulin (Glob), and Alb: Glob ratio were higher in false gharials kept in wildlife conservation centers than in false gharials kept in zoos. The values obtained in this study provide baseline data of hematological and serum biochemical values of the false gharial for future research and routine clinical diagnosis.

Pulmonary hair embolism in a rescued free-ranging Eurasian otter Lutra lutra in Kinmen, Taiwan

Eurasian otters Lutra lutra are listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List and are imperiled by habitat loss, water pollution, and poaching. Harassment and attacks by stray animals are also recognized threats to the health of wild Eurasian otters. Pulmonary hair embolism is a possible complication in animals with deep traumatic injury, but to date no cases have been reported in wildlife. A free-ranging, adult male Eurasian otter was rescued due to severe emaciation and multiple bite wounds. The otter died 3 d after rescue and was necropsied. Grossly, a 1.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 cm firm nodule was observed in the left cranial lung lobe. Histologically, a fragment of hair shaft surrounded by multinucleated foreign body giant cells was observed in a medium-sized vein, and extensive eosinophilic infiltration was noted in the adjacent vascular wall and lung parenchyma. Based on the gross and histological findings, the pulmonary lesion was consistent with eosinophilic pneumonia and vasculitis induced by hair embolism. The presence of well-formed multinucleated foreign body giant cells and eosinophils may imply a late stage of foreign body reaction, and thus the presumptive source of hair embolism is an animal bite. This is the first report of pulmonary hair embolism associated with animal bite in a rescued free-ranging Eurasian otter.

Clinical leishmaniosis in a captive Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in Spain: a case report

Background

Captive and free-ranging wild mammals have been recognized as potential reservoirs of Leishmania infantum infection. The aim of this study was to describe the first clinical case of leishmaniosis in the Eurasian otter.

Case presentation

A case of clinical leishmaniosis is reported in a 4-year-old male Eurasian otter housed at a wildlife park (Murcia, South Eastern Spain). The Eurasian otter showed bilateral epistaxis, anorexia, apathy, and weight loss. A complete blood cell count and biochemical analyses revealed hyperproteinemia, hyperglobulinemia, decreases of paraoxonase-1, increases of haptoglobin and ferritin, and proteinuria. Bilateral nephropathy with hydronephrosis, mesenteric lymphadenomegaly, and ascites were also observed. L. infantum infection was confirmed by microscopy (amastigotes were detected in macrophages from spleen aspirate), molecular diagnosis (L. infantum DNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction), and serology (anti-Leishmania IgG2 antibodies were detected by time-resolved immunofluorometry). The animal was treated with allopurinol for 3 months and gained weight, the epistaxis disappeared, and the ferritin concentration decreased.

Conclusions

This is the first report of clinical leishmaniosis in the Eurasian otter. Our results suggest that Eurasian otters are susceptible to infection with L. infantum and can develop clinical leishmaniosis in endemic areas.

HEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY VALUES OF THE RED PANDA SUBSPECIES ( AILURUS FULGENS STYANI)

  Health evaluations were conducted on individuals ( n = 62, age < 1 to 11 yr) from a captive red panda ( Ailurus fulgens styani) population at the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. Individuals were anesthetized using combinations of ketamine, dexmedetomidine, diazepam, isoflurane, and tiletamine/zolazepam. Whereas physical exams revealed no abnormalities for 40% of red pandas, 24% had dental abnormalities and 18% had orthopedic abnormalities. As the red panda is the only member of the family Ailuridae, complete blood count and serum biochemistry samples were collected and used to develop reference intervals for this species. When hematologic and serum chemistry values of male and female red pandas were compared within this A. f. styani population, males had higher mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, and blood urea nitrogen concentrations, whereas females had higher alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and iron. Adult red pandas (≥2 yr) had higher lymphocyte percentage, total protein, globulin, and chloride levels, whereas juveniles (<2 yr) had higher white blood cell concentrations, neutrophil percentage and absolute neutrophil values, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, cholesterol, potassium, total and ionized calcium, and phosphorus levels. Reference values and expected age and sex differences will assist with health management of the captive A. f. styani population.

The safety and immunogenicity of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in European badgers (Meles meles)

European badgers (Meles meles) are a wildlife reservoir for Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) in Great Britain (GB) and the Republic of Ireland and therefore constitute a potential source of infection for cattle. Reduction of badger densities in the Republic of Ireland has resulted in an associated reduction in the risk of a herd break-down with bovine tuberculosis and a study to determine whether this is also the case in GB has been running since 1997. If badgers are a significant source of M. bovis infection for cattle, vaccinating badgers with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) might prove to be a long term, cost-effective strategy for controlling bovine tuberculosis whilst preserving badger populations. As a first step towards BCG vaccination of wild badgers, it was necessary to demonstrate safety of the vaccine in captive badgers. Therefore, captive badgers were vaccinated with a commercial source of BCG that is already licensed for administration to humans in GB-BCG Danish SSI. Using a protocol prescribed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) of GB, badgers were vaccinated with two consecutive doses of BCG via either the subcutaneous (s.c.) or intra-muscular (i.m.) routes. The first dose was high, ranging from 16 to 22 x 10(7) colony-forming units (CFU), and was followed 15 weeks later by a lower dose in the range of 4-7 x 10(5)CFU. Local reaction at the site of injection and general responses (body temperature, haematology and blood serum chemistry), behaviour and excretion of BCG were monitored for 28 weeks from the time of the first vaccination. The only side-effect observed was the occurrence of localised swelling at the site of BCG injection that disappeared 48 days after i.m. vaccination but persisted longer in the group vaccinated by the s.c. route. Immunological responses were measured at regular intervals. Strong cellular responses were observed 13 days after the first vaccination, which persisted for 76 days. The lower dose induced a weaker and shorter-lived response.

Stress in wild-caught Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra): effects of a long-acting neuroleptic and time in captivity

As part of a translocation project, 28 Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) were captured from the wild and transported to the Barcelona Zoo for veterinary evaluation, quarantine and intraperitoneal implantation of telemetry devices. Eleven animals were injected with the long-acting neuroleptic (LAN) perphenazine enanthate at the time of capture and the remaining animals served as a control group. During their time in captivity, which averaged 23 days, all of the animals were bled three times. Haematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated, including red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell count (WBC), blood urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), albumin, and serum cortisol. No significant differences were found between treated and control otters except for monocyte count, which was higher in treated animals. Time after capture had an effect on many parameters. RBC and Hb decreased at first and then increased, while WBC and segmented neutrophils decreased over time. Most of the biochemical parameters considered to vary in relation to stress, including AST, ALT, CK, AP and LDH, decreased over time, suggesting that the stress responses of the animals decreased throughout the period of captivity. However, no significant change in serum cortisol levels was noted. The lack of effect of perphenazine treatment on haematological parameters should encourage further research on other stress indicators applicable to wild animals, such as behaviour or faecal cortisol concentration. Finally, the results obtained in this study suggest that, when captive conditions are adequate, keeping wild-caught animals in human care for a period of time prior to their release into the wild can be beneficial. However, further studies taking into account other welfare indicators would be useful.

Quantification of perphenazine in eurasian otter (Lutra lutra lutra) urine samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Perphenazine enanthate has been used in wild animals as a tranquilizer during the period of adaptation to new environments to reduce stress, mortalities and injuries. A gas chromatographic procedure for the quantitative measurement of perphenazine in otter urine has been developed and validated. The method involved an enzymatic hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase-arylsulfatase from Helix pomatia, followed by a solid-phase extraction with Bond Elut Certify cartridges. The resulting organic phase was evaporated, and the dry extract was derivatised with MSTFA to form the O-TMS derivative. The derivatised extracts were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using SIM acquisition mode, measuring three diagnostic ions (m/z 246, 372 and 475). Another phenothiazine derivative, fluphenazine, was used as the internal standard (I.S.). Extraction recoveries for perphenazine and I.S. were 87.6 +/- 8.2% (n=4) and 106.7 +/- 13.4% (n=4), respectively. The calibration curves were linear in the range from 4 to 100 ng/ml (r2=0.99). The limits of detection and quantification were estimated as 1.2 and 3.5 ng/ml, respectively. Precision and accuracy obtained in intra-assay studies were in the ranges of 1.3-8.7 and 1.7-19.5%, respectively, using control samples containing 6, 16 and 60 ng/ml of perphenazine. In inter-assay experiments, precision ranged from 4.3 to 14.9% and accuracy from 3.1 to 11.8%. Examples of the application of the perphenazine quantification method in otter urines after administration of perphenazine enanthate are presented.