Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype is a parasite that causes a disease in cattle that results in major economic issues in Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. The parasite is transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks, which have recently been reported in numerous states throughout the eastern United States. Concurrently, cattle in Virginia showed clinical signs consistent with a hemoprotozoan infection. We used amplicons specific for the major piroplasm surface protein and small subunit rDNA of piroplasms to test blood samples from the cattle by PCR. Bidirectional Sanger sequencing showed sequences with 100% identity with T. orientalis Ikeda genotype 2 sequences. We detected the parasite in 3 unrelated herds and from various animals sampled at 2 time points. Although other benign T. orientalis genotypes are endemic to the United States, detection of T. orientalis Ikeda genotype might represent a risk for the cattle industry in Virginia.

Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are kept in zoological collections, maintained as companion pets, and aretested in field and laboratory settings. Biochemical analysis for routine health and research purposes can be performed byusing point-of-care (POC) testing; however, analyzer- and species-specific reference intervals need to be determined. In this prospective study, 50 captive-raised sexually intact prairie dogs (16 females, 34 males) underwent plasma biochemical analysisby using a veterinary POC biochemical analyzer. We used a manufacturer-predetermined profile of 14 analytes: albumin, ALP,ALT, amylase, BUN, calcium, creatinine, glucose, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, total bilirubin, total protein and globulin.A subset of 17 samples was tested concurrently for the same 14 analytes by using a reference laboratory analyzer, and wedetermined RI for the POC analyzer for these 14 biochemical analytes. Sex had a significant effect on albumin and creatininevalues, which were higher in females than males, and on ALT, which was lower in females. In addition, age had an effect on9 plasma analytes: juvenile animals had higher plasma concentrations of albumin, ALP, ALT, BUN, and glucose than adultanimals, whereas adults had higher concentrations of creatinine, sodium, total protein, and globulins. Only calcium and BUNhad acceptable analytical agreement between the POC and reference analyzers. The reference intervals determined in this study can aid clinicians and researchers performing POC plasma biochemical analysis in prairie dogs, providing that they consider potential analyzer-, sex-, and age-related effects.

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BackgroundBone marrow aspirate assessments provide valuable information about hematopoietic status and hematologic disease. Hematopoietic cell differentials and morphologies have been anecdotally described in psittacines, but quantitative studies are lacking.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine differential cell counts and calculate granulocyte:erythroid (G:E) ratios in bone marrow aspirates from Hispaniolan Amazon parrots and report representative morphologies of the hematopoietic cells.MethodsBone marrow aspirates were collected from 32 clinically healthy, captive, parrots. Peripheral blood was obtained for CBCs. Bone marrow differential cell counts (%) were determined by counting 500 cells on modified Wright's‐stained smears. G:E ratios were calculated. Representative images of hematopoietic cells at all stages of development were taken.ResultsOf the 32 parrots sampled, 17 bone marrow samples were of sufficient cellularity and quality for evaluation. Erythroid cells comprised 68.9 ± 8.6% (total ± SD) of the hematopoietic cells and consisted primarily of early‐ and late‐stage polychromatophilic rubricytes (43.6 ± 2.1% of total erythroid cells). Granulocytic cells comprised 28.1 ± 3.8% of the hematopoietic cells and consisted primarily of mature and band heterophils (11.9 ± 5.2% and 6.5 ± 3.4%, respectively, of total granulocytic cells). A unique morphologic finding in avian progranulocytes was the presence of multiple different granules. The G:E ratio was 0.4 ± 0.2 (median 0.4, range 0.1‐0.9). Thrombocyte lineage cells could not be reliably identified and were not counted. CBC results were largely within expected limits.ConclusionsThe low G:E ratios observed could be normal in this species; however, these ratios could be affected by factors related to sampling and cell identification. These findings will be a valuable resource for the diagnostic evaluation of clinical bone marrow samples from Hispaniolan Amazon parrots and could serve as a general reference for psittacine bone marrow evaluation.

A 9-y-old, zoo-housed, male red panda ( Ailurus fulgens) became progressively lethargic and inappetent over a 1-wk period. Physical examination was unremarkable. A complete blood count showed mild normocytic, normochromic, non-regenerative anemia with the presence of trypomastigote organisms, consistent with a Trypanosoma sp. The organism was confirmed later as Trypanosoma cruzi lineage TcI via PCR and genome sequencing. The panda was initially treated supportively; however, its clinical status within 24 h from presentation deteriorated, and euthanasia was elected. Autopsy showed severe systemic T. cruzi infection with the presence of amastigotes in the heart, brain, peripheral nerves, skeletal muscles, tongue, liver, and testes. We used genome sequencing and serology in identifying the agent.