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During a routine clinical examination of a four-year-old female Cuban boa (Epicrates angulifer) belonging to a zoological park located in northern Portugal, a skin lesion was observed. A skin swab was taken. Bacteriological analysis conducted using the Vitek® 2 Compact system identified the presence of the bacteria species Kocuria kristinae, a new bacterial pathogen that may be a potential pathogen in wild animals. This K. kristinae strain was resistant to kanamycin, pradofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole and was therefore classified as a multidrug-resistant bacterium. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that K. kristinae has been described in the skin of a Cuban boa. This report serves as a cautionary warning about the importance of recognising and investigating the potential pathogenicity of this agent, as well as contributing to the development of strategies to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this report, we describe the clinical, macro-, and microscopic findings of a newborn zebra victim of a fatal trauma and its possible causes are discussed in detail. Case Description: A plains zebra (Equus quagga) born in a Portuguese zoo was found in hypothermia and unable to get up. The animal was admitted to the hospital 36 hours later and, after the first hour of treatment and no attempts to get up, it began to convulse and died. At necropsy, subdural hematoma and atlantoaxial dislocation were the main findings. Conclusion: The inability to pinpoint the exact moment of the lesions' onset determines the importance of a thorough surveillance of the periparturient period and parturition of captive animals. Furthermore, literature concerning zebras, their reproduction, and neonatal period is scarce, reinforcing the need to report these cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular methods for sex identification in birds are important resources commonly used in population studies, management and conservation plans, breeding programs and commercial poultry/farms. Recently, advanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods based on melting curve analysis have been reported for Neognathae (non-ratite) birds. These genotyping strategies are simple, rapid, highly sensitive/specific and cost-effective, allowing high-throughput applicability. The evolutionary divergence and ancestral state of the sex chromosomes in the Palaeognathae (ratite) birds have hindered the utilisation of the sex-linked markers developed for non-ratite species. Therefore, the current PCR-based protocols for ratite species are restricted to agarose and polyacrylamide gels. The screening of new candidate sex-linked markers is mandatory to implement advanced PCR-based approaches in the routine molecular sexing of ratites. In this study, the nucleotide sequences of the Ostrich Z and W gametologous genes were used for the identification of new potential sex-linked markers, considering the optimisation of a molecular sexing protocol using the high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Four candidate markers (NTRK2, RASEF, TMEM2 and DAPK1) were characterised for four ratite species (Ostrich, Greater Rhea, Emu and Southern Cassowary). The male and female genotypes identified were accurately differentiated based on specific melting curve profiles generated. The discussion of the polymorphic patterns obtained and their influence on the reliability of molecular sexing are complemented with an overview of the classical PCR-based methods for ratite birds. This study highlights the potential and usefulness of the recently available genomic data for ratite sex chromosomes to identify new candidate sex-linked markers with simple in silico approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A volvulus is a twisting of the intestine on its mesenteric axis that could result in bowel obstruction and ischemic injury. Here the authors report a case of intestinal volvulus in a 20 years old captive hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius, Linnaeus, 1758), the first well described case in this specie. The animal died suddenly after a previous history of diarrhea. At post mortem examination the animal presented a good body condition and abdominal distention. Upon opening of the peritoneal cavity, a large twisted segment of small intestine was observed. The segment was rotated on its mesenteric axis and was dilated with gas and fluid and with dark red coloration, due to hemorrhage. The cause of death was intestinal volvulus. Its diagnosis is a challenge to veterinary surgeons due to the progressive onset of the symptoms that can delay diagnosis and treatment. The result is the progression to the acute fulminating type with bowel infarction and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]