Body condition scoring (BCS) in corn snakes (<i>Pantherophis guttatus</i>) and comparison to pre‐existing body condition index (BCI) for snakes

Gimmel, Angela; Öfner, Sabine; Liesegang, Annette

doi:10.1111/jpn.13291

Cited by 11 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Additional ethical or regulatory (access in protected species) constraints such as the degree of invasiveness, the need for anesthesia, and sampling duration might further hinder the collection of biological data. Diagnostic imaging tools such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging are increasingly used as alternative methods to estimate the body composition of wildlife and companion animals (Barba et al, 2018 ; Clelland et al, 2018 ; De Persio et al, 2019 ; Eastick et al, 2021 ; Gimmel et al, 2020 ; Kim et al, 2018 ). CT is widely established in human and veterinary medicine and provides reliable results for adipose tissue mass estimation (Mattsson & Thomas, 2006 ; Zopfs et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Diagnostic imaging tools such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging are increasingly used as alternative methods to estimate the body composition of wildlife and companion animals (Barba et al, 2018;Clelland et al, 2018;De Persio et al, 2019;Eastick et al, 2021;Gimmel et al, 2020;Kim et al, 2018). CT is widely established in human and veterinary medicine and provides reliable results for adipose tissue mass estimation (Mattsson & Thomas, 2006;Zopfs et al, 2020).…”

Section: Future Directions and Study Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Field‐based adipose tissue quantification in sea turtles using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy validated with CT scans and deep learning

Kophamel

Ward

Коновалов

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Loss of adipose tissue in vertebrate wildlife species is indicative of decreased nutritional and health status and is linked to environmental stress and diseases. Body condition indices (BCI) are commonly used in ecological studies to estimate adipose tissue mass across wildlife populations. However, these indices have poor predictive power, which poses the need for quantitative methods for improved population assessments. Here, we calibrate bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) as an alternative approach for assessing the nutritional status of vertebrate wildlife in ecological studies. BIS is a portable technology that can estimate body composition from measurements of body impedance and is widely used in humans. BIS is a predictive technique that requires calibration using a reference body composition method. Using sea turtles as model organisms, we propose a calibration protocol using computed tomography (CT) scans, with the prediction equation being: adipose tissue mass (kg) = body mass − (−0.03 [intercept] − 0.29 * length 2 /resistance at 50 kHz + 1.07 * body mass − 0.11 * time after capture). CT imaging allows for the quantification of body fat. However, processing the images manually is prohibitive due to the extensive time requirement. Using a form of artificial intelligence (AI), we trained a computer model to identify and quantify nonadipose tissue from the CT images, and adipose tissue was determined by the difference in body mass. This process enabled estimating adipose tissue mass from bioelectrical impedance measurements. The predictive performance of the model was built on 2/3 samples and tested against 1/3 samples. Prediction of adipose tissue percentage had greater accuracy when including impedance parameters (mean bias = 0.11%–0.61%) as predictor variables, compared with using body mass alone (mean bias = 6.35%). Our standardized BIS protocol improves on conventional body composition assessment methods (e.g., BCI) by quantifying adipose tissue mass. The protocol can be applied to other species for the validation of BIS and to provide robust information on the nutritional and health status of wildlife, which, in turn, can be used to inform conservation decisions at the management level.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Future Directions and Study Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Field‐based adipose tissue quantification in sea turtles using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy validated with CT scans and deep learning

Kophamel

Ward

Коновалов

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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“…The angle of the vent (shown in Figure 2) was calculated based on TL and the width of the tail at the level of the vent using the formula: arctan (

\frac{\frac{\mathrm{TL}}{\mathrm{Width}}}{2}

). Body condition score was determined on a scale of 1–5 in accordance with previously published methods (Gimmel et al, 2021). Once all measurements had been collected, snakes were probed with a 1.4 mm well‐lubricated probe to confirm sex.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual dimorphism in Louisiana pine snakes (Pituophis ruthveni)

et al. 2023

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The Louisiana pine snake, Pituophis ruthveni, is a cryptic, federally threatened snake species with several fragmented populations in Louisiana and Texas, USA. There are currently four captive breeding populations in zoos in the USA; however, little scientific data exists on their life history and anatomy. Accurate sex determination and identification of normal reproductive anatomy are an essential part of a veterinary exam and conservation programs. The authors had encountered various cases of sex misidentification in this species that were attributed to lack of lubrication of the sexing probes and enlarged musk glands. Anecdotal observation led to a hypothesis of sexual dimorphism based on body and tail shape. To test this hypothesis, we measured body length, tail length and width, and body to tail taper angle in 15 P. ruthveni (9 males and 6 females). We also obtained tail radiographs of all animals to document the presence of mineralized hemipenes. Significant dimorphism was identified in relative tail length, width, and taper angle; females consistently exhibited a more acute taper angle. Contrary to previous studies in other Pituophis species, a male‐biased sexual size dimorphism was not identified. Mineralized hemipenes were confirmed in all males (a newly described trait in this species), and we found that the lateral view was consistently more reliable for identification of hemipenes compared to the ventrodorsal view. This information contributes to the scientific community's understanding of this species and is of use to biologists and veterinarians working toward conservation of this threatened species.

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“…A UVB light 5.0 spectrum was provided. Body condition score was 4 of 5 [ 36 ] and minimal dehydration [ 37 ] (< 5%) was reported. No other alterations were evident at the physical examination.…”

Section: Case Presentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The snake was hospitalized again, and a CBC and biochemistry were repeated. Biochemistry showed severe increase of AST, ALT and ALP despite the first measurement performed one month prior (Table 3 ) [ 36 ]. Hematology showed severe leucocytosis and moderate to severe anemia, despite the first measurement (Table 4 ) [ 37 ].…”

Section: Case Presentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

First case of systemic fatal mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium goodii in a pet Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei)

Vetere¹,

Bertocchi

Pagano³

et al. 2022

BMC Vet Res

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Background Environmental nontuberculous mycobacteria species that are not members of the M. tuberculosis complex, are ordinary inhabitants of a wide variety of environmental reservoirs and their role in human and animal diseases has been fully recognized. Even if spontaneous mycobacterial infections have been reported in a wide variety of reptiles, this is the first report of systemic fatal mycobacteriosis sustained by Mycobacterium goodii in a pet reptile. Case presentation An adult, wild caught (WC), male Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) age unknown, was presented for clinical examination due to decreased activity level, decreased appetite and diarrhea. Blood tests showed unreliable results. Coprologic exam showed a moderate to severe presence of flagellates. X rays and ultrasound showed moderate presence of air and faeces in the large intestine. The snake was hospitalized and oral metronidazole was chosen as antiprotozoal agent in association with subcutaneous warm fluids. The snake was discharged after 2 weeks therapy in good clinical condition. Faecal exam resulted negative. One month after, the snake was quickly hospitalized again because of a recrudescence of symptoms. Biochemistry showed severe increase of AST, ALT and biliary acids. Severe leucocytosis and moderate to severe anemia were highlighted. Ultrasound examination revealed a severe diffused alteration of the liver parenchyma and a fine needle aspiration was performed. The cytological diagnosis was mixed inflammation, with a numerous of unstained rod-shaped bacteria both inside macrophages and free in the sample. The snake’s condition rapidly deteriorated and euthanasia was performed. The histology of the coelomic organs confirmed a systemic mycobacteriosis. Real-time PCR identified the mycobacteria as Mycobacterium goodii. Conclusions Species from the genus Mycobacterium are among the most important micro-organism including the causative agents of tuberculosis. Even if the general incidence of disease in reptiles due to mycobacteria is comparatively low, they can serve as reservoirs of many ubiquitous mycobacteria species. Mycobacterium goodii is a rapidly growing non‐tuberculous mycobacterium that has recently been associated with severe infections in animals and humans. Although in this case the pathogenesis was not completely clear, we highlight the zoonotic risk of mycobacteriosis in exotic animals especially in WC specimens.

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Body condition scoring (BCS) in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and comparison to pre‐existing body condition index (BCI) for snakes

Cited by 11 publications

References 10 publications

Field‐based adipose tissue quantification in sea turtles using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy validated with CT scans and deep learning

Field‐based adipose tissue quantification in sea turtles using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy validated with CT scans and deep learning

Sexual dimorphism in Louisiana pine snakes (Pituophis ruthveni)

First case of systemic fatal mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium goodii in a pet Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei)

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