Analgesia is an important part of veterinary medicine, but until recently there have been limited studies on analgesic drugs in avian species. Tramadol represents an orally administered opioid drug that has shown analgesic potential in numerous species, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of tramadol and its primary metabolite, O-desmethyltramadol (M1), after oral administration of tramadol hydrochloride (HCl) in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus). A dose of 10 mg/kg of tramadol HCl was administered orally to 15 birds, and blood was collected at various time points from 0 to 36 hr. Tramadol and M1 concentrations were determined and were consistent with therapeutic concentrations in humans through 12 hr in 9/15 birds for tramadol and 36 hr in 14/15 birds for M1. Based on these findings and a comparison with other avian studies, an oral dose of 10 mg/kg of tramadol once daily appears to be a promising analgesic option for African penguins.

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Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a pandemic virus that has caused mortality in numerous captive wildlife species worldwide. An experimental killed vaccine was created from two EMCV isolates associated with zoo animal mortality in the southern United States. The vaccine was tested for safety and efficacy in eleven llamas (Llama glama). All animals received an initial vaccination and a second booster vaccination 4 wk later. Serum antibody responses were monitored at initial vaccination and at 4 wks, 8 wk, 6 mo, and 12 mo postvaccination. Eight of the 11 llamas vaccinated experienced at least a 4-fold increase in serum antibody titers to EMCV. Antibody titers of those eight animals remained elevated above prevaccination levels when measured at 12 mo. The experimental killed EMCV vaccine tested may be a useful tool to prevent EMCV infection in llamas when given in 2 doses 4 wk apart, and then revaccinated or with antibody levels monitored annually thereafter.

Antibiotic usage is a vital component of veterinary medicine but the unique anatomy of some species can make administration difficult. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA), a long-acting cephalosporin antibiotic, after parenteral administration in American flamingos ( Phoenicopterus ruber ). A dose of 10 mg/kg of CCFA was administered intramuscularly to 11 birds and blood was collected at various time points from 0 to 192 hr. Pharmacokinetic parameters for ceftiofur equivalents were determined and reached levels above minimum inhibitory concentrations of various bacterial organisms in other avian species through 96 hr in 9/11 birds. Based on these findings and comparison to other avian studies, ceftiofur crystalline free acid appears to be a long-acting antibiotic option for American flamingos. Administration of this antibiotic should be utilized in conjunction with culture and sensitivity of suspected pathogens.

HistoryA 13-year-old 24-kg (52.8-lb) sexually intact female red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) was evaluated because of a 1-day history of mild ataxia, lethargy, and increased expiratory effort. Appetite was considered normal, but there had been weight loss of 5.5 kg (12.1 lb) over a 5-month period. Five months prior to the evaluation, the kangaroo had been immobilized for routine melengestrol acetate implantation; no abnormalities were evident at that time. Clinical and Cytologic FindingsThe kangaroo was immobilized for the evaluation with ketamine and medetomidine, and anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and oxygen. Thoracic auscultation revealed occasional wheezes and muffled and harsh lung sounds. The sclera of each eye was markedly icteric. A CBC and serum biochemical analysis revealed icteric serum and marked hyperbilirubinemia (8.7 mg/dL; reference range, 0.0 to 0.4 mg/dL), hypoalbuminemia (1.2 g/dL; reference range, 3.3 to 4.7 g/dL), hypoproteinemia (4.4 g/dL; reference range, 5.4 to 7.4 g/dL), and mild leukocytosis (7.3 X 10 3 leukocytes/µL; reference range, 3.17 X 10 3 leukocytes/µL to 6.75 X 10 3 leukocytes/µL). Thoracic radiography revealed a diffuse interstitial nodular lung pattern, which was more concentrated in the dorsal pulmonary fields.A tracheal wash was performed. Aspiration yielded serosanguineous fluid and blood clots. EvaluationIn cooperation with of cytologic specimens in-house identified numerous RBCs, occasional WBCs, and rare epithelial cells. Samples of the fluid were submitted for further cytologic examination at a diagnostic laboratory. a Direct smear preparations of the tracheal wash fluid were stained with Romanowsky stain. On microscopic examination, the smears contained moderate numbers of atypical epithelial cells, scattered mature ciliated columnar epithelial cells, and occasional leukocytes in a background of blood (Figure 1). The atypical epithelial cells were present in tightly cohesive, disorganized clusters with crowded nuclei. These cells were poorly differentiated, ranged from 15 to 30 µm in diameter, and had a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio. Nuclei were round to oval and had moderate to marked anisokaryosis. Some cells had prominent elongated nucleoli. Cytoplasm was scant and deeply basophilic.Anesthesia was reversed with atipamezole, and the kangaroo had a prolonged recovery. The next day, the kangaroo' s condition improved slightly and it was eating, drinking, urinating, and defecating normally; however, it died in the afternoon. A complete gross necropsy was performed. Disseminated throughout the lungs were multifocal to coalescing, variably sized, pale, firm, and bulging nodules (Figure 1). The centers of larger nodules were dark and necrotic. The liver contained similar nodules throughout all lobes. The gallbladder and bile duct were markedly distended and could not be manually expressed. A nodule (1 cm in diameter) similar to those described was found in the pancreas and was the cause of the biliary obstruction. Once the bile duct was severed proximal to the ...