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Avian & Exotic News
AVIAN & EXOTIC NEWS Edited by Connie Orcutt, DVM, Dip. ABVP (Avian; Exotic Companion Mammal)
ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AVIAN VETERINARIANS ___________________
BLOOD TEST DEVELOPED FOR INCLUSION BODY DISEASE ________________________________
The Annual Conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) will take place from August 2 to 6, 2014, in New Orleans, LA, USA. The Sheraton Hotel will be hosting the conference, which will offer 90 different topics focusing on avian medicine, surgery, research, and conservation. The schedule includes lectures, master classes, round-table discussions, and wet-laboratory studies. Contact information can be found at the AAV website: http://www.aav.org/?page=conferencehome.
A 6-week line course, entitled Birds and Reptiles Online, will be presented from veterinary clinicians by the Royal Veterinary College in London from September 8 to October 19, 2014. Topics to be addressed include current anesthesia, analgesia, and critical care therapy for the species covered in the course. Emphasis will be on common conditions and current management protocols. Discussion groups may allow for commentary on more advanced cases. The course will include notes, case presentations, self-assessment activities, and online discussion. For a full course outline and additional information, refer to http://cpd.rvc.ac.uk/courses/ birds-and-reptiles-online-0.
Inclusion body disease (IBD) is a highly infectious and usually fatal disease that commonly affects captive boa species, although it has also been diagnosed in other snake species. IBD targets the nervous system and the clinically infected animal usually presents with torticollis, an inability to “right” itself, and weight loss may be the only signs. Snakes with a subclinical infection can appear healthy. The causative agent(s) and pathogenesis of IBD have not yet been elucidated. Researchers at the University of California-San Francisco identified the Golden Gate virus in 2012, which scientists now consider to be a potential cause of IBD. Currently, the diagnosis of IBD is based on light microscopic identification of eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in hematoxylin and eosin–stained tissues (from biopsy or specimens) or blood smears from infected animals. Being able to detect subclinical carriers of the infection is important in preventing transmission. According to Elliot Jacobson, DVM, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Zoological Medicine at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, the incidence of IBD is high in the United States because of the 2 million boas kept as pets in this country. Dr Jacobsen is the coauthor of a recently published study describing an antigenically unique protein, called IBD protein (IBDP), which has been identified within the characteristic inclusion bodies in IBD. This protein is genetically linked to a family of viruses that primarily infect rodents. By utilizing hybridoma technology, a mouse anti-IBDP monoclonal antibody was produced. The antigenic specificity of this antibody was confirmed and validated by Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunotransmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical staining. The validated antibody can potentially serve as a tool for the development of antemortem immunodiagnostic tests for IBD. This research was performed at the University of Florida’s Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research through the university’s veterinary diagnostic laboratories, where the new test is
Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 23 (2014), pp 223–225
2 2 3
JOINT CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF EXOTIC MAMMAL VETERINARIANS, ASSOCIATION OF REPTILIAN AND AMPHIBIAN VETERINARIANS, AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS _____ A joint conference of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV), the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) will be held from October 18 to 24, 2014, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Convention Center & Resort in Orlando, FL, USA. More information regarding each association’s schedule can be found at http://www.aazv.org/?page=AnnConfLanding (AAZV), http://www.aemv.org/2014-conferenceorlando.cfm (AEMV), and http://www.arav.org/ arav-conference-2013/ (ARAV). BIRDS AND REPTILES ONLINE _______________
commercially available for veterinary submissions. This test is an adjunct to current molecular assays and histological tests, which are widely available but expensive to run. The new test’s ease of use is expected to offer veterinary clinicians a good first-line diagnostic tool to screen for IBD in snake species that have either a clinical or subclinical infection. Dr Jacobson cautions that management is the key to mitigating the spread of IBD. A 2013 fact sheet prepared by the Infectious Disease Committee of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians recommends strict quarantine of new snakes that are to be introduced into established snake populations, culling of infected snakes, and mite control. The full report of this study can be found at http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi% 2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0082916. FAMILY SUES PETCO AFTER CHILD DIES FROM INFECTED RAT ________________________________ A family in San Diego is suing Petco after their 10year-old son died on June 12, 2013 from a bacterial infection the family claims was transmitted from his pet rat. The San Diego County medical examiner’s office ruled that the boy’s cause of death was infection with Streptobacillus moniliformis, which is commonly known as “ratbite fever,” after exposure to an infected rat. A family member purchased the apparently healthy rat on May 27, 2013. The boy, under whose care the animal was maintained, woke up on the night of June 11 in severe pain, with fever and stomach distress. When the boy was examined, he was reportedly pale, lethargic, and could barely walk. He died early the following morning. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has tested the rat in an attempt to determine if the animal may have been the source of infection, but test results were not been made available as of this writing. According to an Associated Press report on this case, “the lawsuit states that Petco should have known about the rat’s health and did not adequately test for the disease.” Along with a claim of negligence in this regard, the parents state that Petco did not post adequate warnings about possible health risks, especially for children. According to the CDC, people can get rat-bite fever from bites or scratches from infected rodents (e.g., rats, mice, and gerbils), handling rodents with the disease, or consuming food or drink contaminated with the bacteria. Streptobacillus moniliformis is not spread horizontally from person to person. Penicillin is highly effective in treating ratbite fever, and death is rare except in untreated cases. 2 2 4
The CDC further states that people at greatest risk of contracting rat-bite fever are those who live in ratinfested buildings, owners of pet rats, or individuals who work with rats in laboratories or pet stores. People who handle rats or clean their cages should wear protective gloves, regularly wash their hands, and avoid touching their mouth with their hands. Petco has an information sheet entitled Recommendations for Preventing the Transmission of Infectious Disease in Small Animals, which is available online and is provided in stores. More than 200 cases of rat-bite fever have been documented in the United States, although the incidence is likely underrepresented because ratbite fever is not a reportable disease. As rats have become popular pets, children now reportedly account for more than 50% of cases of rat-bite fever in the United States, followed by laboratory personnel and pet shop employees (Elliott SP: Rat bite fever and Streptobacillus moniliformis. Clin Microbiol Rev 20(1):13-22, 2007). A MORE HUMANE METHOD OF EUTHANIZING STRANDED WHALES __________________________ Stranded whales outside of their customary neutral buoyancy suffer slow cardiovascular collapse from gravitational forces. Simultaneously, exposure to sunlight causes a whale’s skin to blister and peel while gulls pick at the whale’s body. It can take several days to a week for a stranded whale to die. The suffering involved has motivated efforts to discover a method of humane euthanasia for these animals. A new study published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases identifies a novel euthanasia protocol for stranded whales, which involves injection of readily available, relatively low-cost, preanesthetic and anesthetic drugs (midazolam, acepromazine, and xylazine) followed by potassium chloride delivered via custom-made needles and a low-cost, pressurized canister. Historically, euthanasia protocol techniques have been difficult to perform in whales. Some of these include explosive charges, which reportedly kill the animal as quickly as possible, and exsanguination after transecting a major artery where the tail meets the body. In most cases, intravenous injection of a barbiturate (e.g., sodium pentobarbital) has been the preferred method of euthanasia. However, drug residues can be toxic to scavengers in a phenomenon named secondary toxicity. A case report published in 2011 described a 36-hour period of sedation in a dog that had eaten what was presumed to be tissue from a
Orcutt/Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 23 (2014), pp 223–225
humpback whale euthanized with a solution containing pentobarbital (Bischoff K, et al: An unusual case of relay pentobarbital toxicosis in a dog. J Med Toxicol 7:236-239, 2011). Pentobarbital is also an environmental concern because of its stability and prolonged presence in the environment. In addition, pentobarbital is a controlled substance in the United States, requiring a license for use from the Drug Enforcement Agency. U.S. guidelines dictate that if barbiturates are used on a whale, the carcass must be removed to prevent the danger of secondary toxicity. Carcasses of small whales can be removed by trucks and cranes, however, that is not possible for large whales such as humpbacks, sperm whales, and pilot whales. Therefore, pentobarbital euthanasia is not an option for these species. Teri Rowles (coordinator of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program at the U.S. National Marine Fisheries), Dr Craig Harms (an aquatic animal veterinarian at North Carolina State University), and several colleagues have been working for years to solve the challenge of euthanizing large whale species. The method developed has been the culmination of nearly 2 decades of work by the National Marine Fisheries to arrive at a workable solution that would be safe for the environment, safe for humans, and humane for whales. Using the reported protocol, midazolam and acepromazine are first administered to sedate the whale. Once the whale is quiet, xylazine is administered for pain relief and anesthesia. Finally, potassium chloride is administered as the euthanasia agent. A pressurized garden sprayer enables delivery of the high-volumes of drugs required, and the customized needles allow workers to access veins near the fins, which keeps them away from the potentially dangerous tail. The report can be read in its entirety at http:// www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/pdf/10.7589/2013-03074. LARGEST COCKFIGHTING RAID IN NEW YORK HISTORY RESCUES 3000 BIRDS ______________ A total of 3000 roosters and hens were rescued and 9 people arrested in early February 2014 when authorities in New York City busted a cockfighting ring reported to be one of the largest ever discovered in the United States. Simultaneous raids took place at a cockfight in Queens, a pet shop in Brooklyn that sold fighting chickens, and a farm in Plattekill, NY, where thousands of roosters and
hens were kept and trained. The confiscated cockfighting gear included syringes used to inject birds with performance-enhancing drugs. There were 9 people charged with felonies, which carry up to 4-year prison sentences and $25,000 in fines. Cockfighting is illegal in the United States. Humane societies and animal rescue groups in 7 states are helping to house and transfer the confiscated birds. SEA STAR WASTING SYNDROME AFFECTS ANIMALS IN THE WILD AND CAPTIVITY ______ Millions of starfish have been dying, primarily along the U.S. West Coast. Scientists are working to discover the cause of these fatalities, which are affecting both captive and free-ranging starfish. The mysterious syndrome, named starfish wasting disease, first leads to white lesions on the affected animal’s arms. The body becomes distorted as the lesions spread. Eventually, the animal’s body softens and an arm or arms are lost. Most animals die within days. Mass deaths were first noticed in June 2013. The 2 species most affected are Pisaster ochraceus (the purple sea star or ochre starfish) and Pycnopodia helianthoides (the sunflower sea star). The sunflower sea star, with an armspan or more than a meter, is one of the largest starfish. Eight sea stars at the Anchorage Museum in Anchorage, AK, USA developed signs of the disease in 2013 and had to be euthanized. Whole populations of starfish have been decimated in Puget Sound off the coast of Washington state, the Salish Sea off the coast of British Columbia, and along the coast of California. The mortality rate for these populations has been nearly 95%. A smaller outbreak also killed sea stars along the East Coast last year. Although previous cases were thought to be associated with warmer waters, the prevalence of the disease on Kayak Island in the Gulf of Alaska in the summer of 2013 did not substantiate that hypothesis. Theories regarding the cause of the disease include infection by a primary parasite or virus, which compromises the animal’s immune system and makes it then susceptible to secondary bacterial infection(s) that result in the characteristic lesions associated with starfish wasting disease.
Orcutt/Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 23 (2014), pp 223–225
1557-5063/14/2101-$30.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2014.05.001
2 2 5
ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AVIAN VETERINARIANS ___________________
BLOOD TEST DEVELOPED FOR INCLUSION BODY DISEASE ________________________________
The Annual Conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) will take place from August 2 to 6, 2014, in New Orleans, LA, USA. The Sheraton Hotel will be hosting the conference, which will offer 90 different topics focusing on avian medicine, surgery, research, and conservation. The schedule includes lectures, master classes, round-table discussions, and wet-laboratory studies. Contact information can be found at the AAV website: http://www.aav.org/?page=conferencehome.
A 6-week line course, entitled Birds and Reptiles Online, will be presented from veterinary clinicians by the Royal Veterinary College in London from September 8 to October 19, 2014. Topics to be addressed include current anesthesia, analgesia, and critical care therapy for the species covered in the course. Emphasis will be on common conditions and current management protocols. Discussion groups may allow for commentary on more advanced cases. The course will include notes, case presentations, self-assessment activities, and online discussion. For a full course outline and additional information, refer to http://cpd.rvc.ac.uk/courses/ birds-and-reptiles-online-0.
Inclusion body disease (IBD) is a highly infectious and usually fatal disease that commonly affects captive boa species, although it has also been diagnosed in other snake species. IBD targets the nervous system and the clinically infected animal usually presents with torticollis, an inability to “right” itself, and weight loss may be the only signs. Snakes with a subclinical infection can appear healthy. The causative agent(s) and pathogenesis of IBD have not yet been elucidated. Researchers at the University of California-San Francisco identified the Golden Gate virus in 2012, which scientists now consider to be a potential cause of IBD. Currently, the diagnosis of IBD is based on light microscopic identification of eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in hematoxylin and eosin–stained tissues (from biopsy or specimens) or blood smears from infected animals. Being able to detect subclinical carriers of the infection is important in preventing transmission. According to Elliot Jacobson, DVM, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Zoological Medicine at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, the incidence of IBD is high in the United States because of the 2 million boas kept as pets in this country. Dr Jacobsen is the coauthor of a recently published study describing an antigenically unique protein, called IBD protein (IBDP), which has been identified within the characteristic inclusion bodies in IBD. This protein is genetically linked to a family of viruses that primarily infect rodents. By utilizing hybridoma technology, a mouse anti-IBDP monoclonal antibody was produced. The antigenic specificity of this antibody was confirmed and validated by Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunotransmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical staining. The validated antibody can potentially serve as a tool for the development of antemortem immunodiagnostic tests for IBD. This research was performed at the University of Florida’s Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research through the university’s veterinary diagnostic laboratories, where the new test is
Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 23 (2014), pp 223–225
2 2 3
JOINT CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF EXOTIC MAMMAL VETERINARIANS, ASSOCIATION OF REPTILIAN AND AMPHIBIAN VETERINARIANS, AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS _____ A joint conference of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV), the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV), and the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) will be held from October 18 to 24, 2014, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Convention Center & Resort in Orlando, FL, USA. More information regarding each association’s schedule can be found at http://www.aazv.org/?page=AnnConfLanding (AAZV), http://www.aemv.org/2014-conferenceorlando.cfm (AEMV), and http://www.arav.org/ arav-conference-2013/ (ARAV). BIRDS AND REPTILES ONLINE _______________
commercially available for veterinary submissions. This test is an adjunct to current molecular assays and histological tests, which are widely available but expensive to run. The new test’s ease of use is expected to offer veterinary clinicians a good first-line diagnostic tool to screen for IBD in snake species that have either a clinical or subclinical infection. Dr Jacobson cautions that management is the key to mitigating the spread of IBD. A 2013 fact sheet prepared by the Infectious Disease Committee of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians recommends strict quarantine of new snakes that are to be introduced into established snake populations, culling of infected snakes, and mite control. The full report of this study can be found at http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi% 2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0082916. FAMILY SUES PETCO AFTER CHILD DIES FROM INFECTED RAT ________________________________ A family in San Diego is suing Petco after their 10year-old son died on June 12, 2013 from a bacterial infection the family claims was transmitted from his pet rat. The San Diego County medical examiner’s office ruled that the boy’s cause of death was infection with Streptobacillus moniliformis, which is commonly known as “ratbite fever,” after exposure to an infected rat. A family member purchased the apparently healthy rat on May 27, 2013. The boy, under whose care the animal was maintained, woke up on the night of June 11 in severe pain, with fever and stomach distress. When the boy was examined, he was reportedly pale, lethargic, and could barely walk. He died early the following morning. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has tested the rat in an attempt to determine if the animal may have been the source of infection, but test results were not been made available as of this writing. According to an Associated Press report on this case, “the lawsuit states that Petco should have known about the rat’s health and did not adequately test for the disease.” Along with a claim of negligence in this regard, the parents state that Petco did not post adequate warnings about possible health risks, especially for children. According to the CDC, people can get rat-bite fever from bites or scratches from infected rodents (e.g., rats, mice, and gerbils), handling rodents with the disease, or consuming food or drink contaminated with the bacteria. Streptobacillus moniliformis is not spread horizontally from person to person. Penicillin is highly effective in treating ratbite fever, and death is rare except in untreated cases. 2 2 4
The CDC further states that people at greatest risk of contracting rat-bite fever are those who live in ratinfested buildings, owners of pet rats, or individuals who work with rats in laboratories or pet stores. People who handle rats or clean their cages should wear protective gloves, regularly wash their hands, and avoid touching their mouth with their hands. Petco has an information sheet entitled Recommendations for Preventing the Transmission of Infectious Disease in Small Animals, which is available online and is provided in stores. More than 200 cases of rat-bite fever have been documented in the United States, although the incidence is likely underrepresented because ratbite fever is not a reportable disease. As rats have become popular pets, children now reportedly account for more than 50% of cases of rat-bite fever in the United States, followed by laboratory personnel and pet shop employees (Elliott SP: Rat bite fever and Streptobacillus moniliformis. Clin Microbiol Rev 20(1):13-22, 2007). A MORE HUMANE METHOD OF EUTHANIZING STRANDED WHALES __________________________ Stranded whales outside of their customary neutral buoyancy suffer slow cardiovascular collapse from gravitational forces. Simultaneously, exposure to sunlight causes a whale’s skin to blister and peel while gulls pick at the whale’s body. It can take several days to a week for a stranded whale to die. The suffering involved has motivated efforts to discover a method of humane euthanasia for these animals. A new study published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases identifies a novel euthanasia protocol for stranded whales, which involves injection of readily available, relatively low-cost, preanesthetic and anesthetic drugs (midazolam, acepromazine, and xylazine) followed by potassium chloride delivered via custom-made needles and a low-cost, pressurized canister. Historically, euthanasia protocol techniques have been difficult to perform in whales. Some of these include explosive charges, which reportedly kill the animal as quickly as possible, and exsanguination after transecting a major artery where the tail meets the body. In most cases, intravenous injection of a barbiturate (e.g., sodium pentobarbital) has been the preferred method of euthanasia. However, drug residues can be toxic to scavengers in a phenomenon named secondary toxicity. A case report published in 2011 described a 36-hour period of sedation in a dog that had eaten what was presumed to be tissue from a
Orcutt/Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 23 (2014), pp 223–225
humpback whale euthanized with a solution containing pentobarbital (Bischoff K, et al: An unusual case of relay pentobarbital toxicosis in a dog. J Med Toxicol 7:236-239, 2011). Pentobarbital is also an environmental concern because of its stability and prolonged presence in the environment. In addition, pentobarbital is a controlled substance in the United States, requiring a license for use from the Drug Enforcement Agency. U.S. guidelines dictate that if barbiturates are used on a whale, the carcass must be removed to prevent the danger of secondary toxicity. Carcasses of small whales can be removed by trucks and cranes, however, that is not possible for large whales such as humpbacks, sperm whales, and pilot whales. Therefore, pentobarbital euthanasia is not an option for these species. Teri Rowles (coordinator of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program at the U.S. National Marine Fisheries), Dr Craig Harms (an aquatic animal veterinarian at North Carolina State University), and several colleagues have been working for years to solve the challenge of euthanizing large whale species. The method developed has been the culmination of nearly 2 decades of work by the National Marine Fisheries to arrive at a workable solution that would be safe for the environment, safe for humans, and humane for whales. Using the reported protocol, midazolam and acepromazine are first administered to sedate the whale. Once the whale is quiet, xylazine is administered for pain relief and anesthesia. Finally, potassium chloride is administered as the euthanasia agent. A pressurized garden sprayer enables delivery of the high-volumes of drugs required, and the customized needles allow workers to access veins near the fins, which keeps them away from the potentially dangerous tail. The report can be read in its entirety at http:// www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/pdf/10.7589/2013-03074. LARGEST COCKFIGHTING RAID IN NEW YORK HISTORY RESCUES 3000 BIRDS ______________ A total of 3000 roosters and hens were rescued and 9 people arrested in early February 2014 when authorities in New York City busted a cockfighting ring reported to be one of the largest ever discovered in the United States. Simultaneous raids took place at a cockfight in Queens, a pet shop in Brooklyn that sold fighting chickens, and a farm in Plattekill, NY, where thousands of roosters and
hens were kept and trained. The confiscated cockfighting gear included syringes used to inject birds with performance-enhancing drugs. There were 9 people charged with felonies, which carry up to 4-year prison sentences and $25,000 in fines. Cockfighting is illegal in the United States. Humane societies and animal rescue groups in 7 states are helping to house and transfer the confiscated birds. SEA STAR WASTING SYNDROME AFFECTS ANIMALS IN THE WILD AND CAPTIVITY ______ Millions of starfish have been dying, primarily along the U.S. West Coast. Scientists are working to discover the cause of these fatalities, which are affecting both captive and free-ranging starfish. The mysterious syndrome, named starfish wasting disease, first leads to white lesions on the affected animal’s arms. The body becomes distorted as the lesions spread. Eventually, the animal’s body softens and an arm or arms are lost. Most animals die within days. Mass deaths were first noticed in June 2013. The 2 species most affected are Pisaster ochraceus (the purple sea star or ochre starfish) and Pycnopodia helianthoides (the sunflower sea star). The sunflower sea star, with an armspan or more than a meter, is one of the largest starfish. Eight sea stars at the Anchorage Museum in Anchorage, AK, USA developed signs of the disease in 2013 and had to be euthanized. Whole populations of starfish have been decimated in Puget Sound off the coast of Washington state, the Salish Sea off the coast of British Columbia, and along the coast of California. The mortality rate for these populations has been nearly 95%. A smaller outbreak also killed sea stars along the East Coast last year. Although previous cases were thought to be associated with warmer waters, the prevalence of the disease on Kayak Island in the Gulf of Alaska in the summer of 2013 did not substantiate that hypothesis. Theories regarding the cause of the disease include infection by a primary parasite or virus, which compromises the animal’s immune system and makes it then susceptible to secondary bacterial infection(s) that result in the characteristic lesions associated with starfish wasting disease.
Orcutt/Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine 23 (2014), pp 223–225
1557-5063/14/2101-$30.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2014.05.001
2 2 5