Gastrointestinal parasites are frequently encountered in captive non-human primates and infestation may have severe consequences on the animal’s health status. Most of these parasites are also transmissible to humans. Nevertheless, little is known about the prevalence and monitoring modalities of gastrointestinal parasitoses in non-human primates housed in zoological institutions and there are currently no guidelines available for their detection and identification. The objective of this study was to identify the main gastrointestinal parasites that may be observed in non-human primates in zoological institutions in France, as well as to develop a decision-making tree to ease their identification. Twenty-four zoological institutions were surveyed, most of which performed fecal examinations routinely on their non-human primates (91.7%). Most institutions used flotation enrichment protocols to detect gastrointestinal parasites (95.2%) and nematodes were the most frequently encountered parasites (73.0%). A total of 252 fecal samples corresponding to 68 different non-human primate species from these institutions were analyzed using sedimentation and flotation protocols. Protozoa (47.3%) were found to be more frequent than helminths (15.6%). Furthermore, old-world monkeys exhibited a higher parasite load (93.6%) than any other non-human primate species category. Compiled data from fecal examinations allowed the development of a decision-making tree and diagnostic atlas to facilitate parasite diagnosis in captive non-human primates.

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases have been identified as a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Borneo orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus). Transthoracic echocardiography is usually performed under anesthesia in great apes, which may be stressful and increase risks of peri-anesthetic complications in case of cardiac alteration. The aim of the present pilot study was hence to develop a quick and non-stressful echocardiographic method (i.e., the COOLEST method) in awake Borneo orangutans (CardiOvascular examination in awake Orangutans: Low-stress Echocardiography including Speckle Tracking imaging) and assess the variability of corresponding variables. Materials and methods Four adult Borneo orangutans trained to present their chest to the trainers were involved. A total of 96 TTE examinations were performed on 4 different days by a trained observer examining each orangutan 6 times per day. Each examination included four two-dimensional views, with offline assessment of 28 variables (i.e., two-dimensional (n = 12), M-mode and anatomic M-mode (n = 6), Doppler (n = 7), and speckle tracking imaging (n = 3)), representing a total of 2,688 measurements. A general linear model was used to determine the within-day and between-day coefficients of variation. Results Mean±SD (minimum-maximum) images acquisition duration was 3.8±1.6 minutes (1.3–6.3). All within-day and between-day coefficients of variation but one (n = 55/56, 98%) were <15%, and most (51/56, 91%) were <10% including those of speckle tracking systolic strain variables (2.7% to 5.4%). Discussion Heart morphology as well as global and regional myocardial function can be assessed in awake orangutans with good to excellent repeatability and reproducibility. Conclusions This non-stressful method may be used for longitudinal cardiac follow-up in awake orangutans.

BackgroundThird heart sounds in cats frequently are associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) but their exact characterization and timing within the cardiac cycle remains unknown.ObjectivesCharacterize third heart sounds in cats by phonocardiography and test the ability of 3 observers with different levels of experience and training to recognize third systolic heart sounds in cats.AnimalsFifty client‐owned cats of different breeds presented for heart screening.MethodsCats were prospectively assessed using an electronic stethoscope (with digital recording) and then underwent full conventional echocardiographic examination. Audio recordings were blindly assessed in a random order by 3 observers: the cardiologist who collected clinical data, as well as a trained and an untrained junior veterinarian. Cohen's kappa coefficients were calculated to quantify agreement between the opinion of each observer and the echocardiography results (considered the gold standard).ResultsTwenty cats had a third systolic sound on phonocardiography and an obstructive HCM phenotype with systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) on echocardiography. Agreement with echocardiography was very good for the experienced cardiologist, substantial for the trained junior veterinarian, and poor for the untrained junior veterinarian (kappa of 0.92, 0,64, and 0.08, respectively).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceWe describe here a new auscultatory abnormality in cats with obstructive HCM. It could help a trained non‐cardiologist veterinarian in suspecting obstructive HCM in cats based on auscultation only.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases have been identified as a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Borneo orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus). Transthoracic echocardiography is usually performed under anesthesia in great apes, which may be stressful and risky in cardiac animals. The aim of the present pilot study was hence to develop a quick and non-stressful echocardiographic method (i.e., the COOLEST method) in awake Borneo orangutans (CardiOvascular examination in awake Orangutans: Low-stress Echocardiography including Speckle Tracking imaging) and assess the variability of corresponding variables.Materials and Methods: Four adult Borneo orangutans trained to present their chest to the trainers were involved. A total of 96 TTE examinations were performed on 4 different days by a trained observer examining each orangutans 6 times per day. Each examination included four two-dimensional views, with offline assessment of 28 variables (i.e., two-dimensional (n=12), M-mode and anatomic M-mode (n=6), Doppler (n=7), and speckle tracking imaging (n=3)), representing a total of 2,688 measurements. A general linear model was used to determine the within-day and between-day coefficients of variation.Results: Mean±SD (minimum-maximum) images acquisition duration was 3.8±1.6  minutes (1.3-6.3). All within-day and between-day coefficients of variation but one (n=55/56, 98%) were <15%, and most (51/56, 91%) were <10% including those of speckle tracking  systolic strain variables (2.7% to 5.4%).Discussion: Heart morphology as well as global and regional myocardial function can be assessed in awake orangutans with good to excellent repeatability and reproducibility.Conclusions: This non-stressful method may be used for longitudinal cardiac follow-up in awake orangutans.