Animal Health Abstracts
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Quantification Method for Decacotyle floridana after Praziquantel Treatment
in spotted eagle rays Charlene Burns, The Seas at Epcot, Walt Disney World Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Aquariums are experiencing morbidity and mortality challenges with a monogenean fluke, Decacotyle floridana, found in the spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari. Praziquantel baths have been a longstanding treatment against external monogeneans but are not often effective in eliminating these infestations completely. In order to better evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, a standardized method to quantify monogeneans removed from rays after praziquantel baths was developed. Treatment water is filtered to collect the monogenes, the sample is then suspended in a sugar base solution, and microscopically evaluated to quantify the number of monogeneans. Using this technique, we can better determine how successful trial treatments are against this resilient parasite. |
Identifying an Effective Treatment for Lobster Shell Disease Charlotte Seid, Anita Kim, Michael Tlusty, New England Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Shell disease is an infection of emerging concern in lobsters and other crustaceans, both in aquarium exhibits and in wild populations. Shell disease results in disfiguring erosive lesions and, in severe cases, death. Currently, there is no effective treatment for shell disease. The existing best practice is limited to waiting for the lobster to shed the diseased shell and hoping that the new shell avoids infection. The New England Aquarium's Lobster Research and Rearing Facility maintains hundreds of juvenile lobsters and conducts research to optimize lobster husbandry and health. With the aim of identifying an optimal treatment for shell disease in captive American lobsters, we compared the effectiveness of five different treatment methods, including betadine, formalin, malachite green, vitamin E oil, and freshwater, as well as an untreated control (n = 8 lobsters per treatment). Lobsters were intentionally punctured on one claw to simulate a wound leading to shell disease. Starting one week post-puncture and continuing over the course of one molt cycle (approximately 90-120 days), each lobster was treated 2-3 times per week with a bath (formalin, malachite green) or topical application (other treatments). The lobsters were analyzed every two weeks for the progression of shell disease on each animal (number of body areas affected) and the spread of lesions on the puncture wound (change in affected surface area). We expect the results to indicate an optimal course of treatment and to suggest further measures to improve the management of shell disease in lobsters and other crustaceans in public aquariums. |
The Effects of Deslorelin Implantation on the Reproductive Steroid Hormones of Female Freshwater Stingrays
Jolene Hanna, Newport Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
This study was designed to define the reproductive steroid hormone response within female freshwater stingrays once they had been challenged with deslorelin; a GnRH agonist and effective contraceptive used predominantly in mammalian species. Changes occurring within two principal hormones associated with reproduction in elasmobranchs (17-β estradiol and progesterone) were monitored for a 12 month period. Six female Potamotrygon castexi hybrids currently housed within the Newport Aquarium animal collection were placed within the parameters of the project. Four of the six animals received deslorelin implants while the remaining two animals were used as controls for baseline hormone dynamics. The primary goal of the study being the characterization of the length of estrous suppression associated with the implantation of deslorelin in an elasmobranch species. Secondary goals included changing the ability or inability to house heterospecific freshwater stingray species within the same exhibit without concerns of hybridization. |
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Aulani System Sanitation Protocol 2.0
Eric Curtis, Marj Awai, Jeff Sedon, and Kirk Murakami, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In 2014 at RAW, Marj Awai presented our changed quarantine procedures and several hypotheses as to why we so far have had no significant disease outbreaks on exhibit despite significant “Biosecurity” challenges. Fast forward to 2015 and we will discuss our experience with the cryptocaryon life cycle in our quarantine systems here at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, and the resulting changes in system sanitation protocols whenever pathogens are suspected. The details of our new multistep sanitation protocol will be discussed but include draining, acid cleaning, freshwater, 60 ppm chlorine, drying, filling and adding bacteria to the system. We will cover some other possible reasons for the lack of disease outbreaks including water calcium level. Our salt water well has significantly elevated calcium levels (average 757 ppm vs. 418 ppm for Ocean). We will present some interesting ways that elevated calcium levels in water can affect fish along with possible ways it might also affect protozoa. |
Medical Aquarist, What is it
and why you want one Rebecca Bray & Sarah Halbrend, Mystic Aquarium & Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
As advances in Aquatic Medicine continue to be made, particularly in the area of fish and invertebrates, there are more and more successful ways that Veterinarians and Aquarists can address animal health concerns as they arise. How does a facility effectively manage the number of health concerns that a collection of thousands of individual animals can generate? With a Medical Aquarist. This talk will cover the evolution of the Medical Aquarists' role at Mystic Aquarium and how it has aided in the overall care of our collection; how it has drastically improved the communication between the Fish & Invertebrates Department and the Veterinary team; how to potentially implement the position at other facilities; and the basic requirements of the position. |