Zoo Veterinary Research Articles

Pseudophyllidean tapeworm infection in Common Indian Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis)

1 Professor of Pathology and Wildlife Health Coordinator, 2 Professor of Parasitology, Department of Wildlife Health and Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, JNKVV, Jablpur, Madhya Pradesh 482001, India. 3 Zoo Veterinarian, Gandhi Zoological Park, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. 4 Head, Faculty of Wildlife Health, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal, India.

Zoo Nurse

Veterinary Nursing continues its ‘Off the beaten track’ series, focusing on veterinary nurses whose career paths have tended away from general practice. In this second instalment, Sheona McGovern describes life as a zoo veterinary nurse at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

A postcryogenic comparison of membrane fatty acids of elephant spermatozoa

Cryogenic protocols have been successful in storing spermatozoa collected from African elephants (Loxodonta africana). However, these same protocols and modifications of these protocols have failed to preserve spermatozoa collected from Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) [Buice et al., 1995, Proceedings of the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians, Baltimore, MD; O’Brien et al., 1997, Second International Elephant Research Symposium, Springfield, MO]. Because the success or failure of cryogenic freezing may rely on differences in membrane composition, a postcryogenic comparison of the membrane fatty acid composition of spermatozoa isolated from African and Asian elephants was studied. The spermatozoa of African elephants possessed significantly higher levels of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6, n-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5, n-6) as compared to the spermatozoa of Asian elephants. Meanwhile, the spermatozoa of Asian elephants had higher levels of myristic acid (14:0), arachidonic acid (20:4, n-6), and docosatetraenoic acid (22:4, n-6) as compared to the spermatozoa of African elephants. The most abundant membrane fatty acid was docosahexaenoic acid (22:6, n-3). The percentage of membrane docosahexaenoic acid (22:6, n-3) in the spermatozoa of African elephants was 68.13 ± 0.52 as compared to 42.88 ± 0.87 in the spermatozoa of Asian elephants (t = 31.48, P ≤ 0.0001). Zoo Biol 19:461–473, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Cross-species vaccination in wild and exotic animals

These are two examples of organisms which may cause morbidity and/or mortality among numerous unrelated species. Since it is cost prohibitive in most instances to have a biological licensed for wild or exotic species, it remains a challenge to the zoo or wildlife veterinarian to determine if a licensed vaccine for other species is safe and efficacious for a particular exotic species.

Canadian Muskoxen in Central Europe - A Zoo Veterinary Review

This paper summarizes 29 years of veterinary experience maintaining a herd of muskoxen at the Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde, Berlin, Germany. The transplanted muskoxen acclimated to the zoo enviroment without fatalities. However, a few striking changes were seen. They exhibit a high sensitivity to sudden changes in weather conditions (especially falling atmospheric pressure); there is a tendency for their qiviut to become sparser with time; rutting and subsequent calving occur later than in their native habitat. Details of medical conditions in both calves and adults ate given along with information on hematology and immobilization.

Epicardial Keratinaceous Cyst in a Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides plumiferus)

Tissues from a tawny frogmouth that died acutely in a zoo collection were submitted for histopathologic examination. A small yellow nodule was observed grossly on the ventricular wall by the zoo veterinarian during collection of tissues. Histologically, the epicardial nodule consisted of a well-circumscribed, thinly encapsulated cyst, 4 mm in diameter. The cyst was composed of gradually keratinizing, attenuated, stratified squamous epithelium, one to three cell layers in thickness. The cyst was filled with laminated keratin and a few keratinized epithelial cells. The cyst was separated from the myocardium by a thin layer of adipose tissue. Based on these observations, the structure was diagnosed as an epicardial keratinaceous cyst.

The relevance of a knowledge of animal behaviour to the veterinary care of zoo animals

Very little is taught about non-domestic animals in the formal part of most veterinary courses. As more veterinary surgeons become involved in zoo work, they are rapidly having to become practical zoologists, in addition to developing a branch of their profession where there is still relatively little specific information. The more time a veterinary surgeon spends on zoo work, the more likely he is to become involved in the day-to-day running of the collection, in the design of new exhibits, in the collecting together and development of viable breeding groups, and in cooperative breeding programmes with other zoos, as well as in the preventive and clinical care of those animals once established. A knowledge of the way in which different animals react to one another, to other species, and under different circumstances to their keepers and the general public becomes an essential part of the zoo veterinary surgeon's store of knowledge. Many modern exhibits show a number of species sharing the same space. This is not only a feature of the park type of zoo, but is also now seen in the new forms of habitat exhibit where mammals, birds, reptiles and often even invertebrates are kept together. At a time when many animals are not only expensive but in many cases difficult to replace, the veterinary surgeon, curator and keeper must be aware of the likely interactions of their charges. Reactions within a group of animals of the same species and with other species will change dramatically under a number of circumstances such as the introduction of new adult individuals, birth in the group, an animal becoming sick, a young male reaching maturity or even the appearance of a strange keeper. The design of new animal accommodation must take account of these likely changes.

Practical Applications of Real Time Ultrasound Scanning to Problems of Zoo Veterinary Medicine

Practical Applications of Real Time Ultrasound Scanning to Problems of Zoo Veterinary Medicine