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Papers by Tara Harrison

Animals, Jan 31, 2024

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Photobiomodulation therapy (cold laser or low-level laser therapy) has been evaluated in human an... more Photobiomodulation therapy (cold laser or low-level laser therapy) has been evaluated in human and small animal medicine; however, there is a lack of knowledge about the role photobiomodulation therapy could play in reptile rehabilitation and release. This study used a quantifiable unit, Hounsfield units (bone density measurement), in computed tomography (CT) to evaluate if photobiomodulation therapy showed a significant healing difference between groups treated with photobiomodulation and those that were not. This study included 20 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) presented to a rehabilitation center that sustained shell fractures without penetrating the coelom. They all received similar medical treatments, except that the photobiomodulation group received 250 Hz of red light laser for three minutes three times a week for eight weeks. The turtles were evaluated over the course of two months of therapy. Computed tomography scans were performed prior to therapy, at the midpoi...

Cancer is pervasive across multicellular species. Are there any patterns that can explain differe... more Cancer is pervasive across multicellular species. Are there any patterns that can explain differences in cancer prevalence across species? Using 16,049 necropsy records for 292 species spanning three clades (amphibians, sauropsids and mammals) we found that neoplasia and malignancy prevalence increases with adult weight and decreases with gestation time, contrary to Peto’s Paradox. Evolution of cancer susceptibility appears to have undergone sudden shifts followed by stabilizing selection. Outliers for neoplasia prevalence include the common porpoise (<1.3%), the Rodrigues fruit bat (<1.6%) the black-footed penguin (<0.4%), ferrets (63%) and opossums (35%). Discovering why some species have particularly high or low levels of cancer may lead to a better understanding of cancer syndromes and novel strategies for the management and prevention of cancer.

Cancer is a disease that affects nearly all multicellular life, including birds. However, little ... more Cancer is a disease that affects nearly all multicellular life, including birds. However, little is known about what factors explain the variance in cancer prevalence among species. Litter size is positively correlated with cancer prevalence in managed species of mammals, and larger body size, but not incubation or nestling period, is linked to tumor prevalence in wild birds. Also, birds that produce more elaborate sexual traits are expected to have fewer resources for cancer defenses and thus higher cancer prevalence. In this study, we examined whether cancer prevalence is associated with a wide variety of life history traits (clutch size, incubation length, body mass, lifespan, and the extent of sexual dimorphism) across 108 species of managed birds in 25 different zoological facilities, sanctuaries, and veterinary clinics. We found that clutch size was positively correlated with cancer and neoplasia (both benign and malignant) prevalence, even after controlling for body mass. Can...

Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens

There are very few studies describing euthanasia complications in non-domestic species. The goal ... more There are very few studies describing euthanasia complications in non-domestic species. The goal of this study was to survey veterinarians to determine what complications may commonly occur during the euthanasia of non-domestic species. An online survey was sent to seven professional organization listservs containing veterinarians most likely to practice on non-domestic species. Forty-one cases of euthanasia complications were reported. The most common taxa reported were mammals, (23/41, 56%), followed by avian (8/41, 20%), reptile (7/41, 17%), and fish (3/41, 7%). Most animals were reported to have been anesthetized prior to euthanasia (28/41, 68%). The most common method of euthanasia was pentobarbital (27/41, 66%). The reported euthanasia complications included “took an excessive amount of euthanasia solution” (12/41, 29%), “heart would not stop” (9/41, 22%), “animal awoke at a later time” (4/41, 10%), “a secondary method of euthanasia was required” (4/41, 10%), and “other” (12/4...

Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences, 2020

Fish transportation methods for fish culture operations, public aquariums, biologists, and resear... more Fish transportation methods for fish culture operations, public aquariums, biologists, and researchers often employ methods and use equipment which the average aquarium hobbyist does not have access to. Aquarium hobbyists typically transport fish via sealed plastic bags that are inflated with oxygen and shipped by next day mail service or as cargo on commercial airlines, however, the build-up of ammonia and carbon dioxide limit the duration that fish can be kept within these sealed bags to approximately 24 to 36 hours. This study outlines a novel technique for fish transportation suitable for the aquarium hobbyist. This protocol allowed for the successful transport of three fish and one marine invertebrate for 7 days, with minimal effects on water chemistry and stress. The use of a standardized transport procedure such as the method outlined in this study may help to reduce fish stressors; thereby, reducing short-and long-term morbidity and mortality associated with the transport of fish.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2022

OBJECTIVE To evaluate income and family planning decisions of American College of Zoological Medi... more OBJECTIVE To evaluate income and family planning decisions of American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) diplomates. SAMPLE 98 ACZM diplomates. PROCEDURES An online survey was sent to 201 ACZM diplomates. Participation was voluntary. RESULTS 98 (49%) diplomates responded to the survey. The most commonly reported income categories were 90,000to90,000 to 90,000to94,999, 100,000to100,000 to 100,000to104,999, and 110,000to110,000 to 110,000to114,999. Overall, the mean of the salary-category midpoint responses was 105,357butwas105,357 but was 105,357butwas122,917 for those in academia and $94,508 for those working in zoos and aquaria. When incomes of males and females were matched (24 pairs matched for gender and age), no difference in income was observed. There were no significant differences in income between males and females with and without children. Diplomates who did not complete a residency had significantly higher incomes than diplomates who did. Sixteen of 21 (76%) females and 9 of 19 (47%) males reported delaying having children because of t...

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2021

Abstract: The ABCB1 gene is responsible for encoding the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter... more Abstract: The ABCB1 gene is responsible for encoding the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter that prevents accumulation of exogenous substances in the body by utilizing ATP hydrolysis to transport these substances against their concentration gradient. In dogs, homozygous or heterozygous mutations for the previously described ABCB1-1Δ mutation lead to ineffective P-gp efflux transport function and puts the animal at risk for potentially devastating adverse drug effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ABCB1-1Δ gene mutation status in species belonging to the Canidae family, including each of the following: maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), gray wolf (Canis lupus), red wolf (Canis rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), dingo (Canis lupus dingo), New Guinea singing dog (Canis lupus dingo), arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), and fennec fox (Vulpes zerda). These species were chosen based on an evolutionary study conducted by Belyaev that noted foxes, bred for temperament, tended to have similar behaviors seen in the modern-day dog. Wolves, known predecessors to the modern dog, were also included. In the current study, a buccal swab was performed on each animal and then tested at Washington State University's Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab, where they were tested according to previously published methods validating buccal swab samples and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) –based genetic analysis. Knowledge of Canidae species ABCB1-1Δ gene mutation status allows for safe and effective therapeutic treatment of nondomestic animals, ensuring any anticipated adverse drug events are prevented. All eight species were found to have the wild-type ABCB1 gene and thus, expected to have normally functioning P-gp efflux transporters. Although these data can be used to guide clinical decision making, because of a small sample size, a more robust study is necessary to assess Canidae ABCB1-1Δ mutation status comprehensively.

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2021

Abstract: The unique reproductive and energetic features of lesser hedgehog tenrecs (Echinops tel... more Abstract: The unique reproductive and energetic features of lesser hedgehog tenrecs (Echinops telfairi) have been intensively studied in the field and within laboratory settings, but information on their propagation in zoological settings is limited. Based on a survey sent to zoological institutions currently housing reproductively active lesser hedgehog tenrecs in North America, this study reports on husbandry, veterinary practices, and demographics of reproducing lesser hedgehog tenrecs and their offspring. All 14 zoological institutions in the Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec Species Survival Plan who bred tenrecs within the last 12 years responded to the online survey. Provision of a nest box, nesting material, and a diet consisting of a commercial insectivore diet, insects, and produce was found in the majority of institutions, in addition to the practice of separating the breeding male and female before parturition. From the 24 dams representing 39 pregnancies and 158 young included in ...

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2021

CASE DESCRIPTION 2 male and 3 female adult bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) were evaluated at t... more CASE DESCRIPTION 2 male and 3 female adult bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) were evaluated at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Exotic Animal Medicine Service between September 2018 and October 2019 because of severe lymphocytosis. CLINICAL FINDINGS All 5 bearded dragons had nonspecific clinical signs, including lethargy, poor appetite, ocular discharge, and weight loss. Clinicopathologic testing revealed extremely high lymphocyte counts with morphological findings consistent with lymphocytic leukemia. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME All 5 patients were treated with lomustine, prednisolone, and antimicrobials. In addition, 1 or 2 doses of L-asparaginase were administered when the drug was available. Partial remission was achieved in all 5 patients. One patient, after disease progression was documented, was treated with cyclophosphamide and achieved a second partial remission. One of the 5 patients was still alive and continuing to receive chemotherapy ...

American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2021

OBJECTIVE To use CT-derived measurements to calculate a shape constant (K constant) and create a ... more OBJECTIVE To use CT-derived measurements to calculate a shape constant (K constant) and create a formula to calculate body surface area (BSA) on the basis of body weight in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). ANIMALS 12 adult client-owned bearded dragons that underwent CT between December 4, 2019, and April 2, 2020. PROCEDURES Each bearded dragon in this prospective cohort study underwent physical examination, body weight measurement, and CT. A 3-D surface model was then reconstructed from CT data with available software and used for BSA calculations. Animals were considered collectively and grouped by sex and age. Nonlinear regression analysis of BSA versus body weight was performed, and a species-specific formula was derived for calculating BSA in bearded dragons. RESULTS Mean age, body weight, and CT-derived BSA were 2.1 years, 356 g, and 580 cm2. The calculated K constant was 11.6 (R2 = 0.994; SE = 0.275) for the 12 bearded dragons, and the CT-derived BSA formula was as follows:...

Veterinary Medicine International, 2020

Current recommendations for wound management in amphibians are based primarily on clinical experi... more Current recommendations for wound management in amphibians are based primarily on clinical experience and on extrapolation from other taxa, whereas controlled clinical studies are lacking. Low-level laser therapy, also termed photobiomodulation, has gained popularity in veterinary medicine and may represent a valuable adjunct therapy for wound care in amphibians, though dosing and safety evaluations have not been previously reported. Silver sulfadiazine (SSD), a topical antimicrobial, is commonly utilized in amphibian medicine but little is known about its effects on wound healing in this class of animals. This pilot study evaluated the effects of repeated treatments of low-level laser therapy or topical SSD on second-intention healing characteristics of surgically induced full-thickness dermal wounds in 33 adult wild-caught marine toads. Toads were anesthetized, and a 6 mm cutaneous biopsy was performed over the right dorsum. They were then randomly assigned to one of three groups:...

Veterinary Medicine International, 2020

Biochemical testing is an important clinical tool in evaluating the physiology of reptiles and am... more Biochemical testing is an important clinical tool in evaluating the physiology of reptiles and amphibians. Suitable point of care analyzers can allow for rapid delivery of results, but small patient size can inhibit sufficient sample collection. This study evaluated the utility of sample dilution with sterile distilled water as a means of biochemical evaluation when sample volume is limited. Blood was collected from 12 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) and 12 marine toads(Rhinella marinus) and analyzed via i-STAT CHEM8+ cartridges. Two undiluted samples and two samples diluted 1 : 1 with sterile water were evaluated immediately following collection for each animal in the study. Analytes reported in the diluted samples were limited to glucose, ionized calcium, and total carbon dioxide. The expected dilution ratio value of diluted to undiluted samples was 0.5, of which glucose in both turtles and toads was nearest. Dilution ratio values for ionized calcium, however, we...

American journal of veterinary research, 2018

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the microbial integrity of preservative-free cyclodextrin-based alfaxalone ... more OBJECTIVE To evaluate the microbial integrity of preservative-free cyclodextrin-based alfaxalone in a multiple-use system. SAMPLE 22 vials of preservative-free alfaxalone. PROCEDURES 2 storage conditions (room temperature, 22°C; refrigerated temperature, 4°C) and 3 handling techniques (closed system transfer device, nonclosed dispensing pin, and manufacturer-supplied vial stopper) comprised 6 treatment groups (3 replicates/group). An aliquot (0.5 mL) was withdrawn from each vial daily for 14 days. Samples were immediately inoculated into tryptic soy broth and incubated at 36°C for 24 hours; samples were subcultured onto 5% Columbia sheep blood agar and incubated for 48 hours. Isolated colonies were evaluated for identification. RESULTS There was no evidence of microbial contamination of vials stored for 7 days in refrigeration and handled with a protected port (closed system transfer device or nonclosed dispensing pin). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The US FDA prohibits the use...

Comparative medicine, 2016

During 1999 through 2014, retained placenta was the most common cause of clinical admission for r... more During 1999 through 2014, retained placenta was the most common cause of clinical admission for reproductive complications in breeding colonies of baboons (approximate colony size, 2000 animals), cynomolgus macaques (approximately 1000), and rhesus macaques (approximately 500) at the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Retained placentas occurred in 2.7% of baboons, 3.3% of cynomolgus macaques, and 1.0% of rhesus macaques. Apparent risk factors for retained placenta included stillbirth or abortion and at least one prior cesarean section. There was a significant association between stillbirth and retained placenta in all species. Cesarean sections were performed routinely for baboons to meet research objectives but occurred only as needed for cynomolgus and rhesus macaques. Having had at least one prior cesarean section was an incidence factor for retained placenta in 37.0% of baboons and 4.7% of cynomolgus macaques; none of the rhesus macaques with retained placentas had und...

Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 2016

A 13-yr-old female binturong ( Arctictis binturong ) presented with a 1 wk history of decreased a... more A 13-yr-old female binturong ( Arctictis binturong ) presented with a 1 wk history of decreased appetite. The animal was thin, with hypercalcemia (calcium 12.2 mg/dl). A right renal mass was identified on ultrasound and removed via nephrectomy. Histopathology indicated a renal adenocarcinoma. Treatment with toceranib phosphate, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, was initiated and well tolerated by the animal. Four months after initial diagnosis radiographs indicated metastases to the lungs and the animal was euthanized. Necropsy revealed disseminated adenocarcinoma. Although treatment did not prevent metastasis, it was minimally invasive and well tolerated by the animal with minimal side effects. Review of records at the institution revealed that the cause of death for the primary case's dam and sire was disseminated renal carcinoma. These cases suggest that there may be a hereditary component to development of renal neoplasia in binturongs. Renal carcinoma should be considered an agg...

The ISME journal, Jan 17, 2015

Butyrate-producing bacteria have an important role in maintaining host health. They are well stud... more Butyrate-producing bacteria have an important role in maintaining host health. They are well studied in human and medically associated animal models; however, much less is known for other Vertebrata. We investigated the butyrate-producing community in hindgut-fermenting Mammalia (n=38), Aves (n=8) and Reptilia (n=8) using a gene-targeted pyrosequencing approach of the terminal genes of the main butyrate-synthesis pathways, namely butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase (but) and butyrate kinase (buk). Most animals exhibit high gene abundances, and clear diet-specific signatures were detected with but genes significantly enriched in omnivores and herbivores compared with carnivores. But dominated the butyrate-producing community in these two groups, whereas buk was more abundant in many carnivorous animals. Clustering of protein sequences (5% cutoff) of the combined communities (but and buk) placed carnivores apart from other diet groups, except for noncarnivorous Carnivora, which cluste...

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Aug 23, 2022

The ecology in which species live and evolve likely affects their health and vulnerability to dis... more 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 levels (from lowest to highest: herbivores, invertivores, primary carnivores, and secondary carnivores) are linked with having increased prevalence of neoplasia. This study found that: (1) habitat productivity negatively correlated with the prevalence of malignancy and neoplasia across tissues, and malignancy and neoplasia in gastrointestinal tissues; (2) inferred metabolic rates negatively correlated with the prevalence of neoplasia; and (3) trophic levels positively correlated with malignancy and neoplasia prevalence in both mammals and non-mammals. However, only the correlations with trophic levels remained significant after Bonferroni corrections for multiple testing. There are several mechanisms that might explain these findings, including the biomagnification of carcinogens in higher trophic levels, as well as tradeoffs between cancer suppression versus reproduction and survival in low productivity environments.

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Jun 1, 2006

Wildlife Safari, a zoo located in Winston, Oregon, has fed donated carcass meat as a diet to carn... more Wildlife Safari, a zoo located in Winston, Oregon, has fed donated carcass meat as a diet to carnivores for over 30 yr. Carcass meat is an alternative to commercially prepared meat. Donated meat arrives at Wildlife Safari as an entire animal. Cattle (Bos taurus), horse (Equus caballus), deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) have been donated. Bacterial testing was performed on site with the use of Neogen Reveal immunosorbent assays. Testing focused on Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Twenty-five meat samples were randomly selected from 50 meat samples for the bacterial detection tests. Twenty-eight percent of the meat samples were positive for Salmonella spp. (n ϭ 25). One sample was positive for Listeria spp. None of the meat samples were positive for Escherichia coli O157:H7 (n ϭ 25). Thirty-two meat samples were analyzed off site for organic contaminants with the use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at Michigan State University's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Specific organic contaminants tested for were barbiturates, phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, and xylazine. None of the meat samples were found to have evidence of these or any other common organic toxicants. As monitored, carcass meat appears to be a reasonably safe food source for carnivores.

Theriogenology, Jul 1, 2014

Although the snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is a common endangered felid species in zoos, little is k... more Although the snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is a common endangered felid species in zoos, little is known about the complex endocrine interactions controlling ovarian function and conception in this species. The goal of this work was to characterize ovarian activity throughout the estrous cycle, nonpregnant luteal phase (pseudopregnancy), and gestation in female snow leopards. This goal was accomplished using an enzyme immunoassay to measure fecal concentrations of estrogen metabolites (E) and progesterone metabolites (P). Fecal samples were collected from 12 female snow leopards (ages 18 months to 18 years) during one to three breeding seasons. In each breeding season, the majority of females (78%, 88%, and 100%, respectively) began to exhibit ovarian activity in December or January. The estrous cycle, defined by the first day of estrus (E ! 2 Â basal concentration) to the first day of the subsequent estrus, was 12.7 AE 0.6 days (n ¼ 145 cycles). Estrus lasted 4.3 AE 0.4 days with mean concentrations of fecal E during the follicular phase (1661 AE 139 ng/g feces) increasing 3.2-fold above basal concentrations (515 AE 32 ng/g feces). No spontaneous ovulations were observed in any of the cycling females. Nonpregnant luteal phases were observed in eight females that bred but did not become pregnant. The length of the nonpregnant luteal phase ranged from 11 to 72 days (45.7 AE 5.7 days; n ¼ 10) with mean concentrations of fecal P during the luteal phase (12.46 AE 1.7 mg/g feces) increasing 6.2-fold above basal concentrations of P (2.01 AE 0.2 mg/g feces). Three of the females in the study became pregnant and gave birth after a gestation of 93 (n ¼ 2) and 95 (n ¼ 1) days. Fecal P concentrations during pregnancy increased to 11.64 AE 1.3 mg/g feces, or 5.8-fold above basal concentrations. The results of this study provide a comprehensive characterization of reproductive endocrinology in snow leopards, and confirm that fecal hormone monitoring is an effective way to monitor female snow leopards throughout the breeding season.

Animals, Jan 31, 2024

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Photobiomodulation therapy (cold laser or low-level laser therapy) has been evaluated in human an... more Photobiomodulation therapy (cold laser or low-level laser therapy) has been evaluated in human and small animal medicine; however, there is a lack of knowledge about the role photobiomodulation therapy could play in reptile rehabilitation and release. This study used a quantifiable unit, Hounsfield units (bone density measurement), in computed tomography (CT) to evaluate if photobiomodulation therapy showed a significant healing difference between groups treated with photobiomodulation and those that were not. This study included 20 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) presented to a rehabilitation center that sustained shell fractures without penetrating the coelom. They all received similar medical treatments, except that the photobiomodulation group received 250 Hz of red light laser for three minutes three times a week for eight weeks. The turtles were evaluated over the course of two months of therapy. Computed tomography scans were performed prior to therapy, at the midpoi...

Cancer is pervasive across multicellular species. Are there any patterns that can explain differe... more Cancer is pervasive across multicellular species. Are there any patterns that can explain differences in cancer prevalence across species? Using 16,049 necropsy records for 292 species spanning three clades (amphibians, sauropsids and mammals) we found that neoplasia and malignancy prevalence increases with adult weight and decreases with gestation time, contrary to Peto’s Paradox. Evolution of cancer susceptibility appears to have undergone sudden shifts followed by stabilizing selection. Outliers for neoplasia prevalence include the common porpoise (<1.3%), the Rodrigues fruit bat (<1.6%) the black-footed penguin (<0.4%), ferrets (63%) and opossums (35%). Discovering why some species have particularly high or low levels of cancer may lead to a better understanding of cancer syndromes and novel strategies for the management and prevention of cancer.

Cancer is a disease that affects nearly all multicellular life, including birds. However, little ... more Cancer is a disease that affects nearly all multicellular life, including birds. However, little is known about what factors explain the variance in cancer prevalence among species. Litter size is positively correlated with cancer prevalence in managed species of mammals, and larger body size, but not incubation or nestling period, is linked to tumor prevalence in wild birds. Also, birds that produce more elaborate sexual traits are expected to have fewer resources for cancer defenses and thus higher cancer prevalence. In this study, we examined whether cancer prevalence is associated with a wide variety of life history traits (clutch size, incubation length, body mass, lifespan, and the extent of sexual dimorphism) across 108 species of managed birds in 25 different zoological facilities, sanctuaries, and veterinary clinics. We found that clutch size was positively correlated with cancer and neoplasia (both benign and malignant) prevalence, even after controlling for body mass. Can...

Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens

There are very few studies describing euthanasia complications in non-domestic species. The goal ... more There are very few studies describing euthanasia complications in non-domestic species. The goal of this study was to survey veterinarians to determine what complications may commonly occur during the euthanasia of non-domestic species. An online survey was sent to seven professional organization listservs containing veterinarians most likely to practice on non-domestic species. Forty-one cases of euthanasia complications were reported. The most common taxa reported were mammals, (23/41, 56%), followed by avian (8/41, 20%), reptile (7/41, 17%), and fish (3/41, 7%). Most animals were reported to have been anesthetized prior to euthanasia (28/41, 68%). The most common method of euthanasia was pentobarbital (27/41, 66%). The reported euthanasia complications included “took an excessive amount of euthanasia solution” (12/41, 29%), “heart would not stop” (9/41, 22%), “animal awoke at a later time” (4/41, 10%), “a secondary method of euthanasia was required” (4/41, 10%), and “other” (12/4...

Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences, 2020

Fish transportation methods for fish culture operations, public aquariums, biologists, and resear... more Fish transportation methods for fish culture operations, public aquariums, biologists, and researchers often employ methods and use equipment which the average aquarium hobbyist does not have access to. Aquarium hobbyists typically transport fish via sealed plastic bags that are inflated with oxygen and shipped by next day mail service or as cargo on commercial airlines, however, the build-up of ammonia and carbon dioxide limit the duration that fish can be kept within these sealed bags to approximately 24 to 36 hours. This study outlines a novel technique for fish transportation suitable for the aquarium hobbyist. This protocol allowed for the successful transport of three fish and one marine invertebrate for 7 days, with minimal effects on water chemistry and stress. The use of a standardized transport procedure such as the method outlined in this study may help to reduce fish stressors; thereby, reducing short-and long-term morbidity and mortality associated with the transport of fish.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2022

OBJECTIVE To evaluate income and family planning decisions of American College of Zoological Medi... more OBJECTIVE To evaluate income and family planning decisions of American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) diplomates. SAMPLE 98 ACZM diplomates. PROCEDURES An online survey was sent to 201 ACZM diplomates. Participation was voluntary. RESULTS 98 (49%) diplomates responded to the survey. The most commonly reported income categories were 90,000to90,000 to 90,000to94,999, 100,000to100,000 to 100,000to104,999, and 110,000to110,000 to 110,000to114,999. Overall, the mean of the salary-category midpoint responses was 105,357butwas105,357 but was 105,357butwas122,917 for those in academia and $94,508 for those working in zoos and aquaria. When incomes of males and females were matched (24 pairs matched for gender and age), no difference in income was observed. There were no significant differences in income between males and females with and without children. Diplomates who did not complete a residency had significantly higher incomes than diplomates who did. Sixteen of 21 (76%) females and 9 of 19 (47%) males reported delaying having children because of t...

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2021

Abstract: The ABCB1 gene is responsible for encoding the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter... more Abstract: The ABCB1 gene is responsible for encoding the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter that prevents accumulation of exogenous substances in the body by utilizing ATP hydrolysis to transport these substances against their concentration gradient. In dogs, homozygous or heterozygous mutations for the previously described ABCB1-1Δ mutation lead to ineffective P-gp efflux transport function and puts the animal at risk for potentially devastating adverse drug effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ABCB1-1Δ gene mutation status in species belonging to the Canidae family, including each of the following: maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), gray wolf (Canis lupus), red wolf (Canis rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), dingo (Canis lupus dingo), New Guinea singing dog (Canis lupus dingo), arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), and fennec fox (Vulpes zerda). These species were chosen based on an evolutionary study conducted by Belyaev that noted foxes, bred for temperament, tended to have similar behaviors seen in the modern-day dog. Wolves, known predecessors to the modern dog, were also included. In the current study, a buccal swab was performed on each animal and then tested at Washington State University's Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab, where they were tested according to previously published methods validating buccal swab samples and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) –based genetic analysis. Knowledge of Canidae species ABCB1-1Δ gene mutation status allows for safe and effective therapeutic treatment of nondomestic animals, ensuring any anticipated adverse drug events are prevented. All eight species were found to have the wild-type ABCB1 gene and thus, expected to have normally functioning P-gp efflux transporters. Although these data can be used to guide clinical decision making, because of a small sample size, a more robust study is necessary to assess Canidae ABCB1-1Δ mutation status comprehensively.

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2021

Abstract: The unique reproductive and energetic features of lesser hedgehog tenrecs (Echinops tel... more Abstract: The unique reproductive and energetic features of lesser hedgehog tenrecs (Echinops telfairi) have been intensively studied in the field and within laboratory settings, but information on their propagation in zoological settings is limited. Based on a survey sent to zoological institutions currently housing reproductively active lesser hedgehog tenrecs in North America, this study reports on husbandry, veterinary practices, and demographics of reproducing lesser hedgehog tenrecs and their offspring. All 14 zoological institutions in the Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec Species Survival Plan who bred tenrecs within the last 12 years responded to the online survey. Provision of a nest box, nesting material, and a diet consisting of a commercial insectivore diet, insects, and produce was found in the majority of institutions, in addition to the practice of separating the breeding male and female before parturition. From the 24 dams representing 39 pregnancies and 158 young included in ...

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2021

CASE DESCRIPTION 2 male and 3 female adult bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) were evaluated at t... more CASE DESCRIPTION 2 male and 3 female adult bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) were evaluated at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Exotic Animal Medicine Service between September 2018 and October 2019 because of severe lymphocytosis. CLINICAL FINDINGS All 5 bearded dragons had nonspecific clinical signs, including lethargy, poor appetite, ocular discharge, and weight loss. Clinicopathologic testing revealed extremely high lymphocyte counts with morphological findings consistent with lymphocytic leukemia. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME All 5 patients were treated with lomustine, prednisolone, and antimicrobials. In addition, 1 or 2 doses of L-asparaginase were administered when the drug was available. Partial remission was achieved in all 5 patients. One patient, after disease progression was documented, was treated with cyclophosphamide and achieved a second partial remission. One of the 5 patients was still alive and continuing to receive chemotherapy ...

American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2021

OBJECTIVE To use CT-derived measurements to calculate a shape constant (K constant) and create a ... more OBJECTIVE To use CT-derived measurements to calculate a shape constant (K constant) and create a formula to calculate body surface area (BSA) on the basis of body weight in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps). ANIMALS 12 adult client-owned bearded dragons that underwent CT between December 4, 2019, and April 2, 2020. PROCEDURES Each bearded dragon in this prospective cohort study underwent physical examination, body weight measurement, and CT. A 3-D surface model was then reconstructed from CT data with available software and used for BSA calculations. Animals were considered collectively and grouped by sex and age. Nonlinear regression analysis of BSA versus body weight was performed, and a species-specific formula was derived for calculating BSA in bearded dragons. RESULTS Mean age, body weight, and CT-derived BSA were 2.1 years, 356 g, and 580 cm2. The calculated K constant was 11.6 (R2 = 0.994; SE = 0.275) for the 12 bearded dragons, and the CT-derived BSA formula was as follows:...

Veterinary Medicine International, 2020

Current recommendations for wound management in amphibians are based primarily on clinical experi... more Current recommendations for wound management in amphibians are based primarily on clinical experience and on extrapolation from other taxa, whereas controlled clinical studies are lacking. Low-level laser therapy, also termed photobiomodulation, has gained popularity in veterinary medicine and may represent a valuable adjunct therapy for wound care in amphibians, though dosing and safety evaluations have not been previously reported. Silver sulfadiazine (SSD), a topical antimicrobial, is commonly utilized in amphibian medicine but little is known about its effects on wound healing in this class of animals. This pilot study evaluated the effects of repeated treatments of low-level laser therapy or topical SSD on second-intention healing characteristics of surgically induced full-thickness dermal wounds in 33 adult wild-caught marine toads. Toads were anesthetized, and a 6 mm cutaneous biopsy was performed over the right dorsum. They were then randomly assigned to one of three groups:...

Veterinary Medicine International, 2020

Biochemical testing is an important clinical tool in evaluating the physiology of reptiles and am... more Biochemical testing is an important clinical tool in evaluating the physiology of reptiles and amphibians. Suitable point of care analyzers can allow for rapid delivery of results, but small patient size can inhibit sufficient sample collection. This study evaluated the utility of sample dilution with sterile distilled water as a means of biochemical evaluation when sample volume is limited. Blood was collected from 12 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) and 12 marine toads(Rhinella marinus) and analyzed via i-STAT CHEM8+ cartridges. Two undiluted samples and two samples diluted 1 : 1 with sterile water were evaluated immediately following collection for each animal in the study. Analytes reported in the diluted samples were limited to glucose, ionized calcium, and total carbon dioxide. The expected dilution ratio value of diluted to undiluted samples was 0.5, of which glucose in both turtles and toads was nearest. Dilution ratio values for ionized calcium, however, we...

American journal of veterinary research, 2018

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the microbial integrity of preservative-free cyclodextrin-based alfaxalone ... more OBJECTIVE To evaluate the microbial integrity of preservative-free cyclodextrin-based alfaxalone in a multiple-use system. SAMPLE 22 vials of preservative-free alfaxalone. PROCEDURES 2 storage conditions (room temperature, 22°C; refrigerated temperature, 4°C) and 3 handling techniques (closed system transfer device, nonclosed dispensing pin, and manufacturer-supplied vial stopper) comprised 6 treatment groups (3 replicates/group). An aliquot (0.5 mL) was withdrawn from each vial daily for 14 days. Samples were immediately inoculated into tryptic soy broth and incubated at 36°C for 24 hours; samples were subcultured onto 5% Columbia sheep blood agar and incubated for 48 hours. Isolated colonies were evaluated for identification. RESULTS There was no evidence of microbial contamination of vials stored for 7 days in refrigeration and handled with a protected port (closed system transfer device or nonclosed dispensing pin). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The US FDA prohibits the use...

Comparative medicine, 2016

During 1999 through 2014, retained placenta was the most common cause of clinical admission for r... more During 1999 through 2014, retained placenta was the most common cause of clinical admission for reproductive complications in breeding colonies of baboons (approximate colony size, 2000 animals), cynomolgus macaques (approximately 1000), and rhesus macaques (approximately 500) at the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Retained placentas occurred in 2.7% of baboons, 3.3% of cynomolgus macaques, and 1.0% of rhesus macaques. Apparent risk factors for retained placenta included stillbirth or abortion and at least one prior cesarean section. There was a significant association between stillbirth and retained placenta in all species. Cesarean sections were performed routinely for baboons to meet research objectives but occurred only as needed for cynomolgus and rhesus macaques. Having had at least one prior cesarean section was an incidence factor for retained placenta in 37.0% of baboons and 4.7% of cynomolgus macaques; none of the rhesus macaques with retained placentas had und...

Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 2016

A 13-yr-old female binturong ( Arctictis binturong ) presented with a 1 wk history of decreased a... more A 13-yr-old female binturong ( Arctictis binturong ) presented with a 1 wk history of decreased appetite. The animal was thin, with hypercalcemia (calcium 12.2 mg/dl). A right renal mass was identified on ultrasound and removed via nephrectomy. Histopathology indicated a renal adenocarcinoma. Treatment with toceranib phosphate, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, was initiated and well tolerated by the animal. Four months after initial diagnosis radiographs indicated metastases to the lungs and the animal was euthanized. Necropsy revealed disseminated adenocarcinoma. Although treatment did not prevent metastasis, it was minimally invasive and well tolerated by the animal with minimal side effects. Review of records at the institution revealed that the cause of death for the primary case's dam and sire was disseminated renal carcinoma. These cases suggest that there may be a hereditary component to development of renal neoplasia in binturongs. Renal carcinoma should be considered an agg...

The ISME journal, Jan 17, 2015

Butyrate-producing bacteria have an important role in maintaining host health. They are well stud... more Butyrate-producing bacteria have an important role in maintaining host health. They are well studied in human and medically associated animal models; however, much less is known for other Vertebrata. We investigated the butyrate-producing community in hindgut-fermenting Mammalia (n=38), Aves (n=8) and Reptilia (n=8) using a gene-targeted pyrosequencing approach of the terminal genes of the main butyrate-synthesis pathways, namely butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase (but) and butyrate kinase (buk). Most animals exhibit high gene abundances, and clear diet-specific signatures were detected with but genes significantly enriched in omnivores and herbivores compared with carnivores. But dominated the butyrate-producing community in these two groups, whereas buk was more abundant in many carnivorous animals. Clustering of protein sequences (5% cutoff) of the combined communities (but and buk) placed carnivores apart from other diet groups, except for noncarnivorous Carnivora, which cluste...

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Aug 23, 2022

The ecology in which species live and evolve likely affects their health and vulnerability to dis... more 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 levels (from lowest to highest: herbivores, invertivores, primary carnivores, and secondary carnivores) are linked with having increased prevalence of neoplasia. This study found that: (1) habitat productivity negatively correlated with the prevalence of malignancy and neoplasia across tissues, and malignancy and neoplasia in gastrointestinal tissues; (2) inferred metabolic rates negatively correlated with the prevalence of neoplasia; and (3) trophic levels positively correlated with malignancy and neoplasia prevalence in both mammals and non-mammals. However, only the correlations with trophic levels remained significant after Bonferroni corrections for multiple testing. There are several mechanisms that might explain these findings, including the biomagnification of carcinogens in higher trophic levels, as well as tradeoffs between cancer suppression versus reproduction and survival in low productivity environments.

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Jun 1, 2006

Wildlife Safari, a zoo located in Winston, Oregon, has fed donated carcass meat as a diet to carn... more Wildlife Safari, a zoo located in Winston, Oregon, has fed donated carcass meat as a diet to carnivores for over 30 yr. Carcass meat is an alternative to commercially prepared meat. Donated meat arrives at Wildlife Safari as an entire animal. Cattle (Bos taurus), horse (Equus caballus), deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) have been donated. Bacterial testing was performed on site with the use of Neogen Reveal immunosorbent assays. Testing focused on Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Twenty-five meat samples were randomly selected from 50 meat samples for the bacterial detection tests. Twenty-eight percent of the meat samples were positive for Salmonella spp. (n ϭ 25). One sample was positive for Listeria spp. None of the meat samples were positive for Escherichia coli O157:H7 (n ϭ 25). Thirty-two meat samples were analyzed off site for organic contaminants with the use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at Michigan State University's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Specific organic contaminants tested for were barbiturates, phenylbutazone, flunixin meglumine, and xylazine. None of the meat samples were found to have evidence of these or any other common organic toxicants. As monitored, carcass meat appears to be a reasonably safe food source for carnivores.

Theriogenology, Jul 1, 2014

Although the snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is a common endangered felid species in zoos, little is k... more Although the snow leopard (Uncia uncia) is a common endangered felid species in zoos, little is known about the complex endocrine interactions controlling ovarian function and conception in this species. The goal of this work was to characterize ovarian activity throughout the estrous cycle, nonpregnant luteal phase (pseudopregnancy), and gestation in female snow leopards. This goal was accomplished using an enzyme immunoassay to measure fecal concentrations of estrogen metabolites (E) and progesterone metabolites (P). Fecal samples were collected from 12 female snow leopards (ages 18 months to 18 years) during one to three breeding seasons. In each breeding season, the majority of females (78%, 88%, and 100%, respectively) began to exhibit ovarian activity in December or January. The estrous cycle, defined by the first day of estrus (E ! 2 Â basal concentration) to the first day of the subsequent estrus, was 12.7 AE 0.6 days (n ¼ 145 cycles). Estrus lasted 4.3 AE 0.4 days with mean concentrations of fecal E during the follicular phase (1661 AE 139 ng/g feces) increasing 3.2-fold above basal concentrations (515 AE 32 ng/g feces). No spontaneous ovulations were observed in any of the cycling females. Nonpregnant luteal phases were observed in eight females that bred but did not become pregnant. The length of the nonpregnant luteal phase ranged from 11 to 72 days (45.7 AE 5.7 days; n ¼ 10) with mean concentrations of fecal P during the luteal phase (12.46 AE 1.7 mg/g feces) increasing 6.2-fold above basal concentrations of P (2.01 AE 0.2 mg/g feces). Three of the females in the study became pregnant and gave birth after a gestation of 93 (n ¼ 2) and 95 (n ¼ 1) days. Fecal P concentrations during pregnancy increased to 11.64 AE 1.3 mg/g feces, or 5.8-fold above basal concentrations. The results of this study provide a comprehensive characterization of reproductive endocrinology in snow leopards, and confirm that fecal hormone monitoring is an effective way to monitor female snow leopards throughout the breeding season.