Gastrointestinal parasites in wild and exotic animals from a Zoobotanical Park in Northeast of Brazil

One of the obstacles for ex situ conservation of wild and exotic animals are the diseases that affect them in captivity and, among them, the endoparasitoses, which are very frequent. The objective of this study is to report the occurrence of endoparasites in the fecal samples of animals from the Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park, at João Pessoa, Paraiba State, Brazil, as well as to identify significant statistical differences between the percentages of each parasite species found. To this end, 66 fecal samples were obtained from 50 species of animals including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Statistical differences between the percentages of each parasite species were obtained using the binomial test at 5% significance level. A total of 54.5% (36/66) of the fecal samples were positive (p=0.539), among which 80.5% (29/36) presented nematodes, followed by cestodes 19.4% (07/36), protozoans 13.9% (05/36), and mites 16.7% (06/36). This study reports for the first time the association of Balantidium sp. with Tapirus terrestris, Bertiella sp. with Alouatta caraya, Hymenolepis spp., and Aspiculuris spp. as spurious parasites in reptiles; and Entamoeba coli and Eimeria spp. with Iguana iguana in the northeastern part of the country. This study provides knowledge about some of the endoparasites that may occur in zoos in the northeastern region of the country, as well as in expanding the ecological data on wild and exotic animals.

Using a Commercial Gut-Loading Diet to Create a Positive Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio in Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)

Mealworms ( Tenebrio molitor ) are one of the most common feeder insects fed to exotic animals due to their high acceptance rate, larval longevity, and ease of care. Unfortunately, in their natural commercial state, they are severely deficient in calcium and can predispose exotic animals to hypocalcemia and related metabolic disorders. Gut loading insects with calcium-rich diets is recommended to improve the insects’ nutrient content and to achieve a calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio of at least 1:1; however, there are few commercial gut loading diets specifically made for mealworms. In this study, mealworms were gut loaded with a newly developed high calcium mealworm diet for 0, 24, or 48 hours. All mealworms were analyzed for dry matter (DM), moisture, calcium, and phosphorus at each time point. Due to the dry nature of the diet, moisture content decreased over time (mean moisture content= 75%, 70%, and 66% at time 0, 24, and 48 hrs, respectively). Calcium content was significantly increased by 24 hrs (p=0.011) and remained elevated at 48 hrs for both the as fed and DM measurements (median calcium DM: 0.07%, 3.5%, and 3.7% at 0, 24, and 48 hrs, respectively). Ca:P ratios were also significantly increased for both the 24 hr (p=0.028) and 48 hr (p= 0.028) periods (median Ca:P DM:1:20, 3.2:1, and 3.6:1 at 0, 24, and 48 hrs, respectively). This data supports the diet’s claim to provide a positive Ca:P ratio in mealworms fed the diet for 48 hours.

Post-Operative Wound Infection by Multiple Zoonotic Organisms

Rhodococcus hoagii (formerly Rhodococcus equi), originally isolated from equine species, is primarily transmitted through inhalation of contaminated aerosols such as dust and even breath of infected livestock. Pasteurella multocida is a common cause of cellulitis secondary to canine and feline bites. These are 2 zoonotic microbes that can present with potentially life-threatening, systematic illness in immunocompromised patients. In this brief report, we delineate the clinical course of a 42-year-old post-operative patient (status post-elective exploratory laparotomy, extensive adhesiolysis, and excision of enterocutaneous fistula with creation of an end ileostomy) who developed multiple infections involving these two zoonotic microbes. The patient is an enthusiast of exotic animals with an extensive occupational history as a zookeeper. She was determined to be HIV negative but has a significant history of Crohn’s disease managed with systemic immunosuppressive therapy. This case highlights her unusual constellation of post-operative infections and her subsequent medical management.

Names of Large Exotic Animals and the Urheimat of Japonic

This article argues that three words designating large tropical animals not endemic for Japan: kisa ‘elephant’, tora ‘tiger’, and wani ‘saltwater crocodile’ were borrowed into Japonic from Austroasiatic or Kradai languages. If so, this becomes another important piece of evidence for locating the Urheimat of the Japonic Language family in Southern China and/or Northern South-East Asia driving yet another nail into the coffin of the ‘Altaic’ theory. Since all these words are disyllabic, they also contribute to the reconstruction of the disyllabic words in Austroasiatic and Kradai. This is especially important in the case of Kradai, where in spite of the rather recent fall of the monosyllabic curtain, the idea about the ‘primordial’ nature of the monosyllabic structure is still enjoying considerable support.

Late Holocene spread of pastoralism coincides with endemic megafaunal extinction on Madagascar

Recently expanded estimates for when humans arrived on Madagascar (up to approximately 10 000 years ago) highlight questions about the causes of the island's relatively late megafaunal extinctions (approximately 2000–500 years ago). Introduced domesticated animals could have contributed to extinctions, but the arrival times and past diets of exotic animals are poorly known. To conduct the first explicit test of the potential for competition between introduced livestock and extinct endemic megafauna in southern and western Madagascar, we generated new radiocarbon and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope data from the bone collagen of introduced ungulates (zebu cattle, ovicaprids and bushpigs, n = 66) and endemic megafauna (pygmy hippopotamuses, giant tortoises and elephant birds, n = 68), and combined these data with existing data from endemic megafauna ( n = 282, including giant lemurs). Radiocarbon dates confirm that introduced and endemic herbivores briefly overlapped chronologically in this region between 1000 and 800 calibrated years before present (cal BP). Moreover, stable isotope data suggest that goats, tortoises and hippos had broadly similar diets or exploited similar habitats. These data support the potential for both direct and indirect forms of competition between introduced and endemic herbivores. We argue that competition with introduced herbivores, mediated by opportunistic hunting by humans and exacerbated by environmental change, contributed to the late extinction of endemic megafauna on Madagascar.

Viral infections shared between water buffaloes and small ruminants in Switzerland

Importation of exotic animals that may harbor infectious agents poses risks for native species with potentially severe impacts on animal health and animal production. Although the Asian water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis) population in Europe is steadily increasing, its susceptibility to viral infections and its role for interspecies transmission is largely unknown. To identify viral infections that are shared between exotic water buffaloes and native small ruminants, we collected blood samples from 3 Swiss farms on which water buffaloes were kept either without, or together with, sheep or goats. These samples were analyzed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) as well as by selected conventional tests, including PCR, ELISA, and in some cases a virus neutralization test. By NGS, a novel virus of the genus Gemykrogvirus (GyKV; Genomoviridae) was first detected in the buffaloes on one farm, and subsequently confirmed by PCR, and was also detected in the co-housed sheep. In contrast, this virus was not detected in buffaloes on the farms without sheep. Moreover, conventional methods identified a number of viral infections that were not shared between the exotic and the native animals, and provided evidence for potential roles of water buffaloes in the epidemiology of ruminant pestiviruses, especially bovine viral diarrhea virus, bluetongue virus, and possibly bovine alphaherpesvirus 2. Our results clearly indicate that water buffaloes are susceptible to interspecies viral transmission and may act as intermediate hosts, or even as reservoirs, for these viruses.

EFFICIENCY OF USING WORKING TIME OF VETERINARY SPECIALISTS SERVING ORNAMENTAL AND EXOTIC ANIMALS

The article presents the materials of the analysis of the efficiency of working time of veterinary specialists of private clinics serving ornamental and exotic animals. It was found that according to all the main indicators characterizing such an efficiency of using working time, all clinics work quite effectively.

HELMINTH FAUNA AND TREATMENT OF REPTILES IN ABAKAN

In recent years, exotic animals have been kept not only in zoos, but also at home quite often. This trend is growing. Special literature and training of specialists in this profile is not enough and a veterinarian who is engaged in private practice has to face the problem of how to correctly diagnose and treat such a patient. The aim of the study was to identify helminth fauna in reptiles in Abakan before and after treatment. During 2019 and 2020, on the basis of the veterinary office of BALTO, Abakan, studies of reptile feces were conducted by the flotation method and the direct smear method. A total of 40 reptiles were studied. We found Ascarididae, Oxyuridae, and Strongyloides. The prevalence of the infection ranged from 25% to 100%. All owners of reptiles were recommended to carry out disinfection of terrariums, and quarterly studies for helminths, and maintain a Pet Passport. It is also necessary to talk to the owner of reptiles about correct maintenance, feeding, and observance of zoohygienic requirements in keeping reptiles. Preventive measures will help the animal live a long and healthy life.