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Wildlife health assessments at remote sites may lead to delayed testing of whole blood for complete blood counts (CBC) resulting in artifacts affecting clinical interpretation. Streck Cell Preservative (SCP) is a proprietary liquid stabilization reagent designed to preserve human leukocytes and may be applicable to wildlife health assessments when immediate processing of blood is not possible. The purpose of this study was to determine if SCP adequately preserved EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood from koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) for up to 14 days. Blood from 12 captive adult koalas was collected and combined with SCP in a 1 : 1 ratio and refrigerated. Paired samples of SCP treated and untreated blood had CBCs performed at five time-points over 14 days. Streck Cell Preservative extended koala EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood viability to 14 days by decreasing cellular lysis. Species- and method-specific reference intervals for SCP should be generated to avoid clinical misinterpretation, especially when evaluating anemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is a gammaretrovirus that has been identified in both captive and free-ranging koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus) with variable geographic distribution in Australia. KoRV is capable of both exogenous and endogenous transmission, which provides an interesting research platform for scientists to study active retrovirus endogenization into a host genome and offers veterinary scientists an opportunity to examine the clinical consequences of KoRV infection in koalas. Causation between KoRV and frequently recognized clinical conditions associated with immune suppression and neoplasia in koalas has not been definitively established, however research continues to evaluate a potential association. Three KoRV variants, KoRV-A, KoRV-B, and KoRV-J, have been the most thoroughly described and preliminary evidence suggests KoRV variability may be fundamental in host pathogenicity. In addition to reviewing what is currently known about KoRV, this article discusses treatment, management, and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study conducted to describe computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) for the cross-sectional imaging of the normal anatomy of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses of the koala Phascolarctos cinereus. Further the study compares the features of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses of the normal koala with those in other domestic species. The study concludes that images can be used diseased koalas to help with diagnosis and surgical intervention.

The article presents the case study of three koalas at the San Diego Zoo with moderate to severe interproximal Eucalyptus spp. retention. Study used premise trimodal composite to create dental onlay bridge-like prostheses to eliminate enlarged interproximal spaces. Study found that the prosthesis replicates normal tooth coloration and appearance and wears at a similar rate to surrounding teeth.

The article offers information on a research on the gastrointestinal torsions and intussusception in the northern koala. Topics discussed include conservation and health management of Australian marsupial, diagnoses of ileocecal intussusception, and signs of colic including anorexia, lethargy and acute abdominal distension. Also mentioned are need for timely recognition and surgical correction, and postoperative management and affects of Eucalyptus species on koala.

The article focuses on a comparative health investigation program between 18 free-ranging and 22 zoo-based koalas conducted by the San Diego Zoo in California. Topics discussed include quantification of serum concentrations that revealed high quantity of calcium, chloride and molybdenum in zoo-based koalas and high quantity of magnesium, manganese and phosphorus in free-ranging koalas. It mentions the significance of study in finding correct circulating nutrient concentrations in koalas.

The article presents as case study related to levels of vitamin D in Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). It states that koalas tend to develop metabolic bone disease due to a lack of exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation becasue of harsh climatic conditions in Northern America and Europe. Infotrmation on detecting level of vitamin D values by using serum collected from 20 free-ranging koalas on St. Bees Island, Queensland, Australia is presented.

The article focuses on a study that discusses the incidence of metabolic bone disease (MBD) in Phascolarctos cinereus. It states that due to the climatic restrictions in North America and Europe, young Koalas are susceptible to the development of metabolic bone disease due to a lack of exposure to natural ultraviolet light (UV). The study reveals that all koalas that were considered for the evaluation of MBD have mild to severe hip and shoulder dysplasia and it also reveals the relationship between the exposure to UV light and MBD development.

The article presents information on a study related to the preshipment testing which is performed to ensure that only healthy animals are subjected to the stress of the translocation process, as well as to reduce the risk that the receiving institution introduces disease into the existing animal population. It informs that under the study a three year old Koala was diagnosed with a nasal sinus granuloma caused by Cryptococcus gattii after a pre-shipment was used a subject. It further informs that majority of preshipment examinations produce negative or normal results.

The article presents information on a study related to the removal of the nasal mass in koala, which is a very challenging to diagnose and treat. It informs that the diagnoses for nasal masses in the koala are cryptococcal granulomas, nasal polyps, nasal adenocarcinoma, and osteochondromatosis and requires photodocumentation and description of the anatomy of the koala nasal passages. It further informs that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) could be used in the treatment of the animal.

The article analyzes the protein electrophoresis (EPH) values for free-ranging and zoo-based koalas. The EPH is considered important as adjunct tool in veterinary medicine for general health and monitoring of the species. Both groups of koalas are found to differ in total protein, albumin, and albumin-globulin (A-G) ratio and moderate-to-marked differences are also noted which are attributed to liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal disease. It is considered that the difference in A-G ratio is due to the infectious stimuli found in the wild and zoo environments.

The article presents a study which was aimed at determining the extent of shoulder dysplasia in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California. The retrospective study involves the examination of all archived radiographs of koalas while the prospective study involves the obtainment of shoulder radiographs of the current koala collection at the zoo. The study concludes that shoulder dysplasia is common in koalas at the San Diego Zoo and most of them do not have clinical signs.

The article explores the condition of a 16-year-old male koala with nonspecific signs of illness and weight loss. The animal was euthanized after its health declined despite two months of diagnostics and supportive care. It was found through histopathologic examination that lesions containing fungal organisms in the koala are consistent with coccidioidomycosis in the lung, liver, and spleen. The animal was noted to be seronegative for immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Ig G (IgG) for Coccidioides spp. before euthanasia.