Captive Prairie Dogs Research Articles

Monkeypox: Considerations as a New Pandemic Looms

Monkeypox: Considerations as a New Pandemic Looms

Plasma amylase and lipase concentrations in captive black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)

This study was conducted in order to determine plasma amylase and lipase concentrations in captive black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Twenty-six healthy intact captive prairie dogs of both sexes were studied as part of an overall clinical health evaluation performed under general isoflurane anesthesia. Each animal underwent a complete physical examination, complete blood count, plasma biochemistry, and venous blood gas analysis. Venous blood samples were placed in heparinized blood-collection tubes and submitted for plasma amylase and lipase concentration analyses. The reference interval for amylase was 111.3–499.1 IU/L, and the mean and median plasma amylase concentrations were 323.2 and 341 IU/L, respectively (min = 152 IU/L, max = 481 IU/L). The reference interval for lipase was 25.7–78.4 IU/L, and the mean and median plasma lipase concentrations were both 49.5 IU/L (min = 27 IU/L, max = 80 IU/L). The new data presented in this report can promote better physiological understanding and improve clinical management of this rodent species.

SEROLOGIC SURVEY AND RESULTS OF URINARY PCR TESTING FOR LEPTOSPIROSIS IN CAPTIVE BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOGS (CYNOMYS LUDOVICIANUS).

Leptospirosis is an important zoonotic disease occurring clinically and subclinically in humans and a wide variety of mammal species worldwide. Often, rodents and wild animals are identified as important reservoirs for the disease. Twenty-two captive black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) housed within a zoo were examined as part of a routine census and preventive medicine program. During examinations, blood and urine were collected to screen for exposure to, or infection with, leptospirosis. All animals were apparently healthy at the time of examination. Leptospira microscopic agglutination test identified 12 of 22 (54.5%) prairie dogs with antibody titers ≥1 : 100 against Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava on initial serologic examination. All prairie dogs within this collection were serologically negative for L. interrogans serovars canicola, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona and Leptospira kirschneri serovar grippotyphosa. Leptospira polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of urine was negative in all animals tested. This report describes evidence that captive prairie dogs may be exposed to leptospirosis, most likely from wild rodent reservoirs; however, serum titers are low, and lack of leptospiral DNA detected by PCR indicates that these captive animals are unlikely to be important reservoirs for the disease.

Effects of predator training on behavior and post-release survival of captive prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus)

Reintroduction of captive animals to the wild is a conservation strategy that has rarely succeeded. For many species, the blame has been placed on ineffective post-release behavior. In particular, predation on newly released animals can be devastating. To deal with this problem, biologists have initiated programs of pre-release predator training. However, the success of these programs as a function of long-term post-release survival has yet to be measured. The development of effective antipredator behavior is known to be dependent upon experience. In social species, this experience may involve hearing alarm vocalizations, observing a conspecific interacting with a predator, or encountering a predator in the presence of an experienced group member. Here, we examine the effects of training captive juvenile black-tailed prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus) with presentations of black-footed ferret, red tailed hawk, prairie rattlesnake predators, and a nonpredator control (cottontail). Training consisted of presenting appropriate alarm vocalizations during predator exposure. Playbacks of alarm vocalizations enhanced antipredator behavior toward these predators. Results revealed that training had an immediate and lasting effect on juveniles prior to release to the wild and that these differences appeared to promote post-release survival.

Qualitative Assessment of Risk for Monkeypox Associated with Domestic Trade in Certain Animal Species, United States

In 2003, US officials identified several human monkeypox cases and traced the virus exposure to infected captive prairie dogs. The virus was likely introduced through a shipment of imported African rodents, which were kept with other mammals, including prairie dogs, in a pet distribution facility in the Midwest. To prevent the further introduction and spread of the virus, federal agencies restricted the importation of African rodents and restricted the domestic trade or movement of prairie dogs and certain other rodents. In this qualitative assessment of the risk for monkeypox associated with the 2003 outbreak, we conclude that the probability of further human infection is low; the risk is further mitigated by rodent import restrictions. Were this zoonotic disease to become established domestically, the public health effects could be substantial.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludivicianus): tumor morphology and immunohistochemistry for hepadnavirus core and surface antigens.

From 1994 to 2002, tissues from 61 prairie dogs were submitted to Northwest ZooPath for histopathology. Of these, 12 (20%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Three were pets submitted from private veterinary practices. The others were submitted from zoos in the United States. All were adults, ranging from young adult to 7 years of age, with average age of 5.1 years. The most common clinical signs were weight loss, lethargy, palpable abdominal mass, and respiratory difficulty. All tumors were well-differentiated HCCs in which four histologic patterns were recognized. The trabecular pattern was predominant in nine tumors, and the pseudoglandular pattern was predominant in two tumors. The pelioid pattern was also represented in eight tumors. A papillary pattern was present in one case. In seven cases vacuolar change resembling lipidosis was present in the neoplastic hepatocytes of both primary and metastatic tumors. Anaplasia was mild to moderate in most tumors, but a marked degree of anaplasia was noted in the metastatic foci of the case with papillary differentiation. Metastasis to lung was noted in five cases. One of these also had metastasis to the spleen, and another had metastasis to heart and mediastinum. In two cases there was concurrent hepatitis and in two cases, cirrhosis. All tumors and nonneoplastic liver stained negatively for woodchuck hepatitis virus surface and core antigens, and orcein and Victoria blue positive staining of hepatocytes typical of hepadnavirus infection in humans and woodchucks was not present. HCC is apparently common in captive prairie dogs. The hepatic neoplasia observed in prairie dogs was similar to that associated with hepadnaviral infection in humans, woodchucks, and ground squirrels, but no direct evidence of hepadnaviral infection was detected. The rate of metastasis in captive prairie dogs was higher than that reported in woodchucks.

An Outbreak of Francisella Tularensis in Captive Prairie Dogs: An Immunohistochemical Analysis

An immunohistochemical assay was developed and tested for detection of Francisella tularensis lipopolysaccaride antigen in tissues of captive prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Tissues from 59 cases of F. tularensis were examined by this technique, which was corroborated by direct fluorescent antibody assay and direct isolation of the organism. In infected prairie dogs, studies indicated multiple, severe, necroprurulent foci occurring in the liver, lung, spleen, terminal ileum, and mandibular lymph node. Immunohistochemical analysis of the same formalin-fixed tissues indicated the presence of F. tularensis antigen in neutrophils and macrophages of these lesions and occurring extracellularly in areas of necrosis. This report demonstrates that immunohistochemical analysis is a rapid procedure that can be used to determine the pathogenesis of F. tularensis in rodent populations.

A baiting system for delivery of an oral plague vaccine to black-tailed prairie dogs.

Laboratory and field studies were conducted between July and October 1999 to identify bait preference, biomarker efficacy, and bait acceptance rates for delivering an oral plague vaccine to black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Twenty juvenile captive prairie dogs were offered alfalfa baits containing either alfalfa, alfalfa and 5% molasses, or alfalfa, 5% molasses and 4% salt. Based on the results of these trials we selected a bait containing alfalfa, 7% molasses, and 1% salt for field trials to determine bait acceptance rates by free-ranging animals. The biomarkers DuPont Blue dye, iophenoxic acid, and tetracycline hydrochloride were orally administered to captive prairie dogs to determine their efficacy. Only tetracycline proved effective as a biomarker. Two field trials were conducted at separate prairie dog colonies located at the Buffalo Gap National Grassland (Pennington County, South Dakota, USA). In Trial 1, three baits containing tetracycline were distributed around each active burrow entrance and an additional bait was placed inside the burrow (1,276 baits total). In Trial 2, baits were distributed at the same density per burrow as Trial 1, but along transects spaced 10 m apart (1,744 baits total). Trapping began 3 days after bait distribution, and 30 prairie dogs then were captured at each site to determine the percentage of animals marked. In Trial 1, 67% of the prairie dogs captured had tetracycline deposits indicative of bait consumption. In Trial 2, 83% of the prairie dogs had ingested a bait. Approximately 15% of the animals in both trials ate more than one bait. Fleas (Opisocrostis hirsutus) were found on 64 of 70 (91%) of the prairie dogs captured during this study.

A confirmatory note on the effects of captivity and space on the behavior of the black-tailed prairie dog ( Cynomys ludicianus)

The annual cycle of agonistic behavior exhibited by captive prairie dogs in the Philadelphia Zoo was also observed in a colony in the St. Louis Zoo. This behavior appeared to be an adaptation of a similar cycle exhibited by females in the wild. By scaling down the coterie territory to the size of the female's nesting territory in the wild, the need for agonistic behavior was reduced to a short period of time. Thus, territorial adjustment apparently lessened the amount of stressors imposed on the prairie dog individual. By the associated reduction in stress, the prairie dog can maintain the essential characteristics of its natural social structure.

Sound Communications of Black-tailed, White-tailed, and Gunnison's Prairie Dogs

The sounds of black-tailed, white-tailed, and Gunnison's prairie dogs were studied in Colorado and Wyoming from February 1964 to June 1966. Observations, photographs, and tape recordings were made in the field and were supplemented by data collected from captive prairie dogs. The sounds of black-tailed prairie dogs were named and had the usual function as follows: ( 1 ) repetitious barks alert; (2) chuckle alert; (3) barks threat; (4) wee-oo contact; (5) snarl threat; (6) growl threat; (7) scream distress; (8) raspy purr pleasure; and (9) tooth chatter threat. The sounds of white-tailed prairie dogs were: (1) repetitious barks alert; (2) chuckle alert; (3) laughing barks contact; (4) snarl threat; (5) growl threat; and (6) scream distress. The sounds of Gunnison's prairie dogs were: (1 ) repetitious barks alert; (2) rapid barks apprehension; (3) chuckle alert; (4) raspy chatter contact; (5) snarl threat; (6) growl threat; (7) scream distress; and (8) tooth chatter threat.

Habits of the Prairie Dog

Previous articleNext article FreeHabits of the Prairie DogB. C. JillsonB. C. Jillson Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 5, Number 1Mar., 1871 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/270697 Views: 51Total views on this site Citations: 1Citations are reported from Crossref PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:John L. Hoogland, Dianne A. James, Lynda Watson Nutrition, Care, and Behavior of Captive Prairie Dogs, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice 12, no.22 (May 2009): 255–266.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2009.01.013