Two adult sibling red-handed tamarins ( Saguinus midas) presented with weight loss and multifocal skin masses. A skin biopsy revealed pyogranulomatous dermatitis with intrafollicular Demodex sp. mites. Subsequent skin scrapes confirmed the presence of live mites within lesions. Initial treatment with topical and oral ivermectin was unsuccessful, and lesions continued to progress. A single dose of fluralaner (Bravecto®, Merck Animal Health, Kenilworth, New Jersey, 07033, USA; 28.125 mg po) was administered to each animal approximately 5 mo after initial presentation. Lesions resolved over the next 3 mo, and all follow-up skin scrapes were negative for both animals. No adverse effects were noted. A single oral administration of fluralaner at 30-35 mg/kg appears adequate and safe for the treatment of generalized demodicosis in red-handed tamarins.

BackgroundNocardiosis is often a multi-systemic disease in humans and other mammals. Nocardiosis in birds is uncommon. Laboratory identification of Nocardia to the species level is difficult by traditional phenotypic methods based on biochemical reactions and hydrolysis tests, and is most accurately performed by sequencing multiple gene targets.Case presentationWe report the first case of fatal Nocardia nova infection in a yellow-bibbed lory nestling in an oceanarium diagnosed by multilocus sequencing. Necropsy examination showed effacement of normal sternal musculature with yellowish, firm aberrant material, and diffuse infiltration of the lungs with nodular, tan to yellow foci. Histologically, severe granulomatous inflammation with marked necrosis was observed in the lung, spleen and sternal musculature. Fine, sometimes Gram-positive, 0.5–1 μm wide, branching and beaded filamentous organisms were visible within the lesions. They were acid-fast on Fite-Faraco stain. Tissue samples obtained from the sternum, liver, right lung and right kidney recovered Nocardia species. Sequencing of four gene loci and phylogenetic analysis of concatenated (gyrB-16S-secA1-hsp65) sequences revealed that the isolate was N. nova.ConclusionsWe report the first case of N. nova infection in yellow-bibbed lorry (Lorius chlorocercus). The present case is the first one of which the species identity of the isolate was determined by multilocus sequencing. Molecular diagnosis is important for identifying the Nocardia to species level and understanding the epidemiology of nocardiosis in birds.

Background Vessel collision induces blunt and sharp force traumas to aquatic animals and is a leading anthropogenic impact affecting cetaceans worldwide. Vessel collision is an important threat affecting vulnerable coastal cetaceans such as the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) which reside in coastal waters of Hong Kong amongst heavy marine traffic. Case presentation A severely injured subadult S. chinensis was sighted in the waters off southwestern Hong Kong with four gaping incision wounds on its dorsum. It was in poor body condition and seemed unable to use the fluke effectively. The deepest wound located at the caudal peduncle near the base of the fluke and exposed the underlying fractured caudal vertebrae. The dolphin was monitored in the field over three weeks and eventually captured for medical intervention as veterinary assessment indicated progressive and life-threatening deterioration. During rehabilitation, the dolphin demonstrated initial signs of improvement over the first 36 hours as supported by diagnostic tests but then deteriorated rapidly. It was humanely euthanised after three days of rehabilitation. Postmortem investigation was carried out using virtopsy (postmortem computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) and conventional necropsy, with special attention to the traumatic musculoskeletal injuries caused by vessel collision and also revealed acute gastrointestinal compromise and respiratory disease that further hampered the rehabilitation. Conclusion In cetaceans, the prognosis for recovery from injuries caused by vessel collision depends on the extent, location, and gravity of the injuries (i.e., superficial, deep, penetrating, blunt vs. sharp, fresh vs. septic), as well as the health status of the individual and its ability to respond to the insult. Injuries extending deep into the vertebral column may lead to delayed death and associated welfare issues. The prognosis of this case was likely poor given the severity and location of the injuries, but the attempted rehabilitation and postmortem investigation provided valuable insights for clinical management if similar cases are encountered in the future. Being able to non-invasively assess and document traumatic injuries and other pathologies, diagnostic imaging is particularly useful in the clinical assessment and postmortem investigation (virtopsy) of cases with vessel-induced injuries.

Post mortem computed tomography as a complementary tool for diagnosing cholangiohepatitis in a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca