Michael M Garner's research while affiliated with University of Wisconsin–Madison and other places

Publications (338)

Article
Neoplasia in porcupines is rarely reported in the literature, and the prevalence is unknown. A retrospective review of records from a private zoo diagnostic pathology service found four cases of mammary adenocarcinoma in Indian crested porcupines (Hystrix indica) from four separate zoological institutions. All cases presented in geriatric females (...
Article
This case series is the first description of mast cell neoplasia in green iguanas, Iguana iguana. All iguanas were adults. Six were females, and four were males. Lesions were associated with the oral cavity in 3 of 10 cases, and on the head in 3 of 10 cases. Three of the cases had masses over the trunk; a single case had a lesion on a limb. Single...
Article
Neoplasia is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in captive nondomestic felids. Seven tigers (Panthera tigris), two African lions (Panthera leo), and two snow leopards (Panthera uncia) were diagnosed with melanocytic neoplasia (10 malignant melanomas, two benign melanocytomas) over a 20-yr period. Animals were 10-19 yr old and 5/7 tigers were...
Article
The grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) is a species of ground-dwelling passerine bird with 12 different subspecies. The Florida subspecies (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus) is classified as federally endangered, with the most common threats including habitat loss, nest predation, and floods. A managed breeding program was established at W...
Article
Ocular lesions are uncommonly reported and described in invertebrate species. In this study, cases from 2 diagnostic laboratories, in which lesions were noted in 33 diagnostic specimens from various species of cephalopods, including octopuses, squid, nautiluses, and cuttlefish, were reviewed. Clinical information and gross lesions were described in...
Article
Parasitism of cephalopods is common, including infection with Aggregata spp., Ichthyobodo spp., dicyemids, cestodes of the orders Tetraphyllidea and Trypanorhynchidea, and various crustaceans. Cestodiasis in octopuses is reported, although a full histologic description of lesions has not been previously described. Cestodiasis was identified in 10 o...
Article
Full-text available
A probe-hybridization quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay specific for Cryptosporidium serpentis (qPCR) has been developed and shown to be extremely sensitive in the laboratory, but clinical sensitivity and specificity for this test are lacking. To approximate the sensitivity and specificity of the C. serpentis qPCR, the medical records fr...
Article
Cryptosporidium serpentis is a common parasitic disease in captive snakes that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new drug regimen for treating C. serpentis in eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi) (EIS). Twenty-four EIS naturally infected with C. serpentis were randomly divided...
Preprint
Full-text available
The ecology in which species live and evolve likely affects their health and vulnerability to diseases including cancer. Using 14,267 necropsy records across 244 vertebrate species, we tested if animals in low productivity habitats, with large habitat range, high body temperature and weight-inferred estimates of metabolic rates, and in high trophic...
Article
A 15-year-old female peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) was presented to the hospital for a possible left wing injury and an inability to fly after falling in its cage. On physical examination the left elbow was swollen and painful. Radiographic images revealed left wing soft tissue swelling surrounding the elbow and lysis of the distal h...
Article
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Mimicking natural parameters and complexities in zoo conservation breeding programs can facilitate natural physiological and behavioral traits, which in turn can inform more effective species reintroduction efforts. To curtail population declines of threatened narrow-headed gartersnakes (Thamnophis rufipunctatus), the Arizona Center for Nature Cons...
Preprint
Full-text available
The ante-mortem diagnosis of squamate gastric cryptosporidiosis can be elusive if the proper diagnostic test is not performed on the proper sample. Molecular diagnostic tests ( e.g. , PCR) have been shown to be superior to other tests ( e.g. , acid-fast stain, IFA, and ELISA) in detecting the presence of Cryptosporidium in a sample. Samples collect...
Article
Neoplasms of the intestinal tract are uncommon in rabbits and primary lymphoma of the intestinal tract is rare. This case series is the first detailed description of primary intestinal lymphoma in rabbits. We reviewed four cases of primary intestinal lymphoma in rabbits aged 5–9.5 years old with an average age of 7.8 years. Neoplastic cells in thre...
Article
Full-text available
Mucorales infections are increasing in frequency and are a One Health pathogen of concern. In humans and domestic animals, risk factors include being immunocompromised, elevated circulating serum iron, contaminated open wounds, or metabolic diseases such as ketoacidosis or uncontrolled diabetes. Mucormycosis was first identified in 2012 in Pacific...
Article
There are multiple reports of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma in bearded dragons (Pogona spp), but other types of alimentary neoplasia are rarely reported. In a retrospective study, we identified 51 cases of neoplasia, including gastric (n = 26), oral (n = 18), intestinal (n = 13), oesophageal (n = 3) and cloacal (n = 2) neoplasms. Round cell neop...
Article
Herpesviruses are found in free-living and captive chelonian populations, often in association with morbidity and mortality. To date, all known chelonian herpesviruses fall within the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae. We detected a novel herpesvirus in 3 species of chelonians: a captive leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) in western TX, USA; a ste...
Article
Metastatic soft tissue mineralization has emerged as a major cause of death in captive Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis). A cross-sectional survey-based study was performed to evaluate husbandry-related risk factors for metastatic mineralization in zoo-housed Komodo dragons in the United States. Nineteen institutions participated, nine of which...
Article
Full-text available
Chromatophoromas are neoplasms that arise from pigment cells of reptiles, amphibians, and fish. They include melanophoromas (melanomas), iridophoromas, and xanthophoromas. Most chromatophoromas develop spontaneously, but genetic and environmental factors may also play a role in their oncogenesis. The diagnosis is typically through histologic examin...
Article
Testudine Intranuclear Cocidiosis is a extremely contagious coccidian epidemic disease primarily affecting tortoises. Diagnosis, clinical signs, transmissibility, species affected, treatment and control are discusssed by a panel of veterinary experts.
Article
Full-text available
Two captive vulturine guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum) were presented with lethargy, hyporexia, weight loss, and progressive neurologic signs. One of the guineafowl was seropositive for Sarcocystis falcatula (1:50 dilution). Both guineafowl died within 5 d of presentation. Histologic examination revealed nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis with gli...
Article
OBJECTIVE To determine hepatic copper concentrations and zonal distribution in ferrets with and without hepatobiliary disease, validate rhodanine-based qualitative copper scoring and digital copper quantification in ferret hepatic samples, and ascertain whether clinical features predicted copper accumulation. ANIMALS 34 ferrets, including 7 with n...
Article
An approximately 38-year-old captive male lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) was presented with a mass involving the right ventral gnathotheca. The mass was surgically excised after which the flamingo was treated with parenteral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drugs. Histological analysis identified an abscess with intralesional fu...
Article
Full-text available
This multi-institutional collaborative study of neoplasia in snakes reviewed medical records of snakes at each facility to determine species prevalence, survival, and methods of treatment. Complete species numbers of snakes were also collected at each facility. In total, 65 species, 133 snakes, and 149 unique neoplasias were included in this study....
Article
Mammary gland neoplasms in macropods are uncommonly reported, and the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics are incompletely described. The goal of this study was to describe the morphologic features of macropod mammary neoplasms and to determine the molecular subtypes of mammary carcinomas using a panel of antibodies against estrog...
Article
A 4-yr-old male intact lesser spot-nosed guenon (Cercopithecus petaurista), housed at a North American zoological facility, presented with acute lethargy, inappetence, and mild neurologic signs. Physical examination revealed hemorrhagic pleural effusion in the right hemithorax. This guenon's condition improved over several days but then deteriorate...
Article
Metastatic soft tissue mineralization has emerged as a major cause of death in captive Komodo dragons ( Varanus komodoensis ). A cross-sectional survey-based study was performed to evaluate husbandry-related risk factors for metastatic mineralization in zoo-housed Komodo dragons in the United States. Nineteen institutions participated, nine of whic...
Article
Xanthogranulomatosis is an inflammatory lesion characterized by lipid-containing macrophages, extracellular lipid, hemorrhage, and necrosis. We describe disseminated intracoelomic xanthogranulomatosis in 5 eclectus parrots ( Eclectus roratus) and 2 budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus). Postmortem, clinicopathologic, and historical case material w...
Article
Full-text available
Cryptococcus gattii is a fungal pathogen that primarily affects the respiratory and nervous systems of humans and other animals. C. gattii emerged in temperate North America in 1999 as a multispecies outbreak of cryptococcosis in British Columbia (Canada) and Washington State and Oregon (USA), affecting humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Here...
Article
A 97-year-old, male, captive desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ) had a 2 month history of lethargy. Imaging with ultrasound, X-ray, and computed tomography revealed a 10-cm-diameter mass in the caudal coelom. Fine needle aspiration revealed spindle and epithelial cell proliferations with formation of rosettes. Exploratory surgery was performed a...
Article
Thirty-four eastern indigo snakes ( Drymarchon couperi ) naturally infected with Cryptosporidium serpentis were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received 360 mg/kg paromomycin twice weekly in a food item for six weeks, while the second group received the food item with no treatment. Cloacal swabs were collected every two months for...
Article
There are anecdotal reports of iron storage disease in captive kori bustards ( Ardeotis kori), but detailed descriptions of this disease have not been reported. The goals of this retrospective, multi-institutional study were to (1) describe microscopic findings associated with iron accumulation in postmortem tissues of kori bustards and (2) use an...
Article
Recent reports have highlighted a lower-than-expected prevalence of neoplasia in elephants and suggested mechanisms for cancer resistance. But despite infrequent reports in the literature, uterine neoplasia is common in managed Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). This study is an archival review of reproductive tract neoplasia in 80 adult female Asi...
Article
Chromatophoromas are neoplasms that develop from the dermal pigment-bearing and light-reflecting cells (chromatophores) in the skin of reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Seventeen cutaneous chromatophoromas were identified from 851 bearded dragon submissions (2%) to a private diagnostic laboratory in a 15-y period. No sex predilection was found. Ages...
Article
Hepatic toxicosis caused by copper accumulation has been reported in most domestic species, as well as multiple small exotic mammals, including ferrets, fruit bats, and sugar gliders. The purpose of this study was to determine the signalments, clinical presentation, and histologic findings associated with hepatic copper accumulation in sugar glider...
Article
Background Sea cucumbers possess a toxin, holothurin, which has been shown to cause irreversible changes in the gills and nervous system leading to death in marine fish. Case Description A 250-gallon saltwater home aquarium was evaluated for an acute mortality event. The aquarium housed multiple invertebrate species and fish for several years and...
Article
A multiparous pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) dam produced three consecutive calves that died acutely at 13-15 wk of age from bacterial sepsis, for which diagnostic and therapeutic intervention was not possible. Streptococcus iniae (Cases 1 and 3), Escherichia coli (Case 2), and an unidentified member of the family Pasteurellaceae (Case...
Article
A review of archival cases at Northwest ZooPath from 1995-2018 identified 16/96 (17%; eight females, eight males) lesser kudus (Tragelaphus imberbis) with chronic pancreatic disease (CPD) from three institutions, all of which originated from an initial founder stock of 12 animals. Ages at time of death or euthanasia ranged from 2 to 132 mo (average...
Article
A retrospective study of neoplasia was conducted from necropsy and histologic reports of 446 cranes representing all 15 extant species. Cases were obtained from the International Crane Foundation (ICF), Northwest ZooPath (NWZP), and six other zoologic institutions in the United States during 1993 to 2019. Only reports from ICF (n = 61) and NWZP (n...
Article
This retrospective study of neoplasia in nondomestic felids in human care presents the cases diagnosed at Northwest ZooPath (NWZP), Monroe, Washington, from 1998 to 2017 in conjunction with a scoping literature review. The 554 neoplasms identified in 20 species in the NWZP archive were combined with the 984 neoplasms identified in those same specie...
Article
Full-text available
Postmortem data for harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsii) in the Salish Sea were analyzed for epidemiologic trends in congenital diseases. Cleft palate, cleft lips, or both (n=8) and cardiac defects (n=5) were the most common congenital abnormalities, followed by cases with multiple defects (n=4). No temporal trends or spatial clusters of cases...
Article
Mesothelioma has been reported frequently in large felids. These neoplasms present a diagnostic challenge given their highly variable morphology that mimics carcinomas or sarcomas at different locations. Our goal was to characterize mesotheliomas morphologically and immunohistochemically to determine if a panel of antibodies could be used to more a...
Article
Full-text available
Disease susceptibility and resistance are important factors for the conservation of endangered species, including elephants. We analyzed pathology data from 26 zoos and report that Asian elephants have increased neoplasia and malignancy prevalence compared with African bush elephants. This is consistent with observed higher susceptibility to tuberc...
Article
A 7-month-old, male Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), housed in an outdoor exhibit, developed acute neurologic signs that progressed to death over 2 days. On gross examination, the bird had congested, edematous lungs, and cerebellar hemorrhage. Histologic examination identified granulomatous pneumonia and encephalitis, with thrombosis a...
Article
Full-text available
In psittacine birds, round cell neoplasms that originate from lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes, or mast cells are sporadic and poorly described. The lack of morphological and immunohistochemical diagnostic criteria or grading schemes make specific diagnoses and prognoses challenging. We assessed cases of psittacine birds diagnosed with round...
Article
A retrospective study was performed by reviewing all Heloderma spp. submissions to Northwest ZooPath from 1996 to 2019. Necropsy and biopsy specimens from 106 captive Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) and 49 captive beaded lizards (Heloderma horridum) were reviewed. Inflammatory diseases were the most frequently diagnosed condition in Heloderma s...
Article
Acute hemorrhagic disease caused by elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) infection is well recognized as a major threat to young Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) but has been less frequently documented in African elephants (Loxodonta africana). This report describes five sequential cases of EEHV3A infection in African elephants in managed...
Article
Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) are commonly managed in zoos and conservation programs worldwide, but the current understanding of the occurrence and progression of neoplastic disease in this species is limited by the scarcity of published reports. This study collated documented cases of neoplasia on the basis of gross and histologic evaluation o...
Article
Takin (Budorcus taxicolor) are classified as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List. Thus, ex situ conservation efforts provide assurance populations for future survival of this species. The objective of this study was to identify common causes of morbidity and mortality in takin populations in human care. T...
Chapter
This class of chelicerate arthropods has only four extant species: one from North America (Limulus polyphemus, American horseshoe crab) and three from Asia (Tachypleus tridentatus, tri‐spine horseshoe crab, Tachypleus gigas, Indo‐Pacific horseshoe crab, and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, mangrove horseshoe crab). Horseshoe crabs (HSC) are often refe...
Article
Full-text available
The pathogenesis of steatitis that infrequently occurs in cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (KRT; Lepidochelys kempii) has been undetermined. The objectives of this study were to investigate the clinical (n = 23) and histologic findings (n = 11) in cold-stunned KRT, and to compare plasma concentrations of α-tocopherol (vitamin E), thiobarbitur...
Article
Infections with Entamoeba spp. are recognized as a cause of clinical disease in many species including humans and reptiles; however, cases in amphibians are under-reported. Investigation of a mortality event among a captive population of Cranwell’s horned frogs Ceratophrys cranwelli at a production facility in Florida, USA, revealed that deaths wer...
Article
A novel pathogen was documented after two wild‐caught, juvenile, splitnose rockfish presented with buphthalmia, grey corneal endothelial plaques and evidence of uveitis. Cytologic evaluation of ocular contents revealed fungal hyphae. Histologic evaluation identified multiple fungal granulomas and granulomatous inflammation in the globes, periocular...
Article
Full-text available
Between 2015 and 2016, 16 adult Solomon Island leaf frogs (Ceratobatrachus guentheri) were evaluated at a zoological institution for proliferative epidermal lesions on the head, and occasionally the dorsum and limbs. In most cases, the lesions were severe enough that they could not be surgically resected. Five frogs were diagnosed histologically wi...
Article
This case series describes hepatocellular neoplasms in 10 Nile lechwe (Kobus megaceros) at two separate zoological institutions in Florida. Histologically, the neoplasms were classified as hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 7), hepatocellular adenoma (n = 2), and hepatobiliary carcinoma (n= 1). Common clinical signs were nonspecific and included thin bo...
Article
Odontogenic lesions are well described in domestic cats, but published literature describing these lesions in nondomestic felids is limited. This study reports oral lesions in 109 captive, non-domestic felids. Ten cases of odontogenic lesions were diagnosed, including 9 with fibromatous epulis of periodontal ligament origin (FEPLO) and one odontoge...
Poster
At a southeastern conservation center in the United States, two giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis), a 1.5-yr-old male and 7-yr-old female, were being managed for chronic poor body condition, inappetence and weakness. Despite treatment, both animals died. Gross findings in both animals included serous atrophy of cavitary fat, serosanguinous abdominal...
Book
I think these two volumes hold the most information ever accrued into one publication on the diseases and pathology of this class of animals. The first edition, Infectious Diseases and Pathology of Reptiles: An Atlas and Text (Jacobson, 2007) set the tone for this second edition and the addition of Volume 2, Noninfectious Diseases. I have chosen au...
Article
Four captive, lesser hedgehog tenrecs ( Echinops telfairi) were euthanized for soft bones that prevented normal mastication and/or ambulation. Antemortem radiographs (available in 2 cases) revealed osteopenia. Antemortem bloodwork (available in 2 cases) revealed hypophosphatemia. Dietary history (available in 2 cases) indicated the animals were eat...
Book
It is hard to believe that approximately 13 years have passed since the publication of Infectious Diseases and Pathology of Reptiles: An Atlas and Text. Once completed, I never contemplated a second edition. Yet, friends commented that if there ever was a second edition, then a second volume on noninfectious diseases should be added. Since its publ...
Article
Full-text available
Primary fungal diseases in marine mammals are rare. Mucormycosis, a disease caused by fungi of the order Mucorales, has been documented in few cetaceans and pinnipeds. In 2012, the first case of mucormycosis in the Pacific Northwest was documented in a dead stranded harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Washington state. Since then, mucormycosis h...
Preprint
Full-text available
Disease susceptibility and defense are important factors in conservation, particularly for elephants. We report that in addition to endotheliotropic herpesvirus and tuberculosis, Asian elephants are also more susceptible to cancer than African elephants. To determine mechanisms underlying elephant traits including disease resistance, we analyzed ge...
Article
An 11-day-old little blue penguin ( Eudyptula minor) died unexpectedly. Prior to hatching, the egg experienced trauma and resultant defects were repaired. The chick hatched without complication and was clinically normal prior to death. Necropsy revealed congested lungs. Histologic examination showed moderate nonsuppurative encephalitis with focally...
Article
Multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) are a prominent histological feature of various mesenchymal neoplasms and are often considered a criterion of malignancy. Mesenchymal neoplasms with MGCs for which the cell lineage is unclear generally are referred to as giant cell sarcomas. Here we characterize the gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical featur...
Article
We identified a novel herpesvirus in a captive juvenile white stork ( Ciconia ciconia) that experienced progressive weight loss followed by death. Histologic findings included severe splenic and hepatic necrosis, and intranuclear inclusion bodies in hepatocytes and unidentified splenic cells. The virus was amplified, sequenced, and subsequently acc...
Article
Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are particularly susceptible to feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1). Recommendations for preventive health care in cheetahs include vaccination against FHV-1 using killed and modified live virus (MLV) vaccines. Although MLV vaccines tend to induce a more robust immune response than killed vaccines, they can induce disease. This...
Article
We report herein a fatal case of acute human orthopneumovirus (formerly respiratory syncytial virus) infection in a captive white-handed gibbon ( Hylobates lar). Other members of the housing group had mild respiratory signs. Gross examination revealed bilateral pulmonary congestion and froth in the bronchi. Microscopically, the lungs had lymphocyti...
Article
Infection with a novel species of the genus Coxiella was first described in three Swainson’s blue mountain rainbow lorikeets from a zoological collection, and days later in a group of seven other psittacine birds and a toucan. We provide an update on coxiellosis in nine additional psittacines, and two non-psittacines. Psittacines originated in New...
Article
Full-text available
The genus Exophiala is composed of ubiquitous, pigmented, saprotrophic fungi and includes both terrestrial and waterborne species. Though Exophiala species are generally considered opportunistic pathogens, exophialosis can be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Over a 6-year period, a captive 32-year-o...
Article
Curvularia spp. are globally distributed saprophytic fungi, classified in the literature as dematiaceous, or darkly pigmented fungi. These fungi have been increasingly recognized as causing cutaneous, ocular, respiratory, and central nervous system infections in humans, but have been infrequently documented as pathogens in the veterinary literature...
Article
Mycobacterium orygis, a newly identified member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, has been isolated predominantly from hoofstock in eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and sporadically in cattle (Bos taurus indicus), rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), humans, and a greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in South Asia. In...
Article
Nephrolithiasis has been reported in several aquatic mammals including bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), small clawed otters (Amblonyx cinereus), European river otters (Lutra lutra), North American river otters (Lontra canadensis), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris), and Cali...
Article
Infections with Entamoeba spp. are recognized as a cause of clinical disease in many species including humans and reptiles; however, cases in amphibians are under-reported. Investigation of a mortality event among a captive population of Cranwell’s horned frogs Ceratophrys cranwelli at a production facility in Florida, USA, revealed that deaths wer...
Article
Larval parasites morphologically identified as Crenosoma goblei were found in orphaned raccoons (Procyon lotor) admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Washington State. Partial 18S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences were most similar to other Crenosoma spp. Although commonly reported in free-ranging raccoons throughout much of th...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
A review of archival cases from 1995-2018 identified 14/96 lesser kudus (15%) with pancreatic disease. The kudus were from three institutions, and originated from an initial founder stock of 18 animals. Eight affected animals were females and seven were males. Ages at the time of death or euthanasia ranged from 2-132 mo and average age at time of d...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Over the span of 6 yr, six adult bongo antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus) from a single institution died without premonitory signs or with brief morbidity and with no historically abnormal medical history. All animals were of the same genetic lineage and in good body condition at the time of death. Gross necropsy findings in all cases included multif...
Article
Odontomas are variably differentiated, hamartoma-like proliferations of odontogenic epithelium, pulp ectomesenchyme (odontoblasts), and dental matrix. Frogs are polyphyodont and homodont. Their teeth also differ from mammals in that they are restricted to the upper jaw in adults and lack a periodontal ligament and cementum, attaching directly to th...
Article
Histopathology of 61 captive American horseshoe crabs (HSCs; Limulus polyphemus) is reviewed. HSC organs evaluated histologically included body wall (chitin, epidermis, dermis, and skeletal muscle), hepatopancreas, gut, gonads, book gills, eyes, heart, brain, and coxal gland. In descending order, lesions were most frequently identified in compound...
Article
Postmortem examination of an 8-year-old intact female sugar glider euthanized for end-stage neoplasia revealed a large mass in the mammary gland, masses in the liver, and a few small masses in the lung. Histologic evaluation of the lesions revealed hepatocellular carcinoma, mammary gland adenocarcinoma, and pulmonary granulomata associated with a t...
Article
A retrospective histologic study was performed for 96 deceased bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) submitted to Northwest ZooPath from 1995 to 2015. Histologic data were assessed for associations with sex, age, cause of death/euthanasia, and affected organ systems. Female bongo lived significantly longer than males. Males were more likely to die from inf...
Article
A 47-day-old black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) kit was found dead in June 2016. Histologic examination revealed pyogranulomatous tubulointerstitial nephritis, pneumonia, and encephalitis, with intralesional microsporidia. Transmission electron microscopic examination showed microsporidia with ultrastructural characteristics consistent with Enc...
Article
Reproductive management in zoos requires contraception or physical separation of sexes to ensure captive population viability, but information is sparse on the effects of parity, age, and contraceptive use on lifetime reproductive health in captive Suidae and Tayassuidae species. This retrospective study evaluated reproductive tissues and histories...
Article
Proventricular infection with the anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast Macrorhabdus ornithogaster and disease associated with infection (macrorhabdiosis) have been widely reported in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Proventricular adenocarcinoma has also been previously reported in this species. In a retrospective archival search of clinical cases...
Article
We report several cases of fungal infections in snakes associated with a new species within the genus Paranannizziopsis. Three juvenile Wagler’s vipers (Tropidolaemus wagleri) presented with skin abnormalities or ulcerative dermatitis, and two snakes died. Histologic examination of skin from the living viper revealed hyperplastic, hyperkeratotic, a...
Article
Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) are the most common primary hepatic neoplasm of dogs and occur at a high prevalence in captive fennec foxes ( Vulpes zerda). Of 54 captive fennec fox submissions to Northwest ZooPath, 15 (28%) foxes were diagnosed with HCC. This group consisted of nine males, four females, and two foxes of unspecified gender. Affecte...
Article
Full-text available
A 22-yr-old, female gray-banded kingsnake ( Lampropeltis alterna) was examined for stomatitis and hard ventral scales. On examination, the ventral scales palpated as rigid and brittle. A blood sample yielded marked hypovitaminosis D (11 nmol/L). Radiographs revealed a generalized bone radiopacity outlining the ventral scales; scale biopsies were ob...