@article{cabot_papich_harrison_thomson_defrancesco_ozawa_2023, title={Population pharmacokinetics of single dose oral pimobendan in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo)}, volume={48}, ISSN={["1931-6283"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2023.09.002}, DOI={10.1053/j.jepm.2023.09.002}, abstractNote={: Therapeutic options and dosing recommendations for congestive heart failure in the domestic ferret are currently extrapolated from domestic dogs and cats. The goal of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of oral pimobendan in the domestic ferret. : Twelve domestic ferrets were administered a single dose (average 0.4 mg/kg) of pimobendan in a commercially available, chewable, meat-flavored tablet formulation. High-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection were used to measure pimobendan and the metabolite O-desmethylpimobendan (ODMP) in plasma samples collected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 hours after administration using a sparse sampling protocol. : peak plasma concentration, 14.29 ng/mL and 16.88 ng/mL; time to peak plasma concentration, 1.69 hr and 1.97 hr; area under the curve, 129.87 ng*hr/mL and 190.97 ng*hr/mL; and elimination half-life, 4.97 hr and 6.32 hr, respectively. No adverse events were noted. : A single dose of oral pimobendan in ferrets reached concentrations higher than that reported for dogs by the manufacturer and similar to peak plasma concentrations correlated with a therapeutic effect in healthy dogs in a separate study. Individual variability was high and plasma concentrations in at least half of the ferrets remained at or below the lower limit of quantification throughout the duration of the study. Additional studies are needed to characterize the pharmacodynamics, oral bioavailability, and duration of action to facilitate dosing recommendations for pimobendan in the domestic ferret.}, journal={JOURNAL OF EXOTIC PET MEDICINE}, author={Cabot, Megan L. and Papich, Mark G. and Harrison, Tara M. and Thomson, Andrea E. and Defrancesco, Teresa and Ozawa, Sarah M.}, year={2023}, month={Jan}, pages={1–5} }
 @article{cabot_dannemiller_cray_minter_2023, title={Reference Intervals and Clinical Utility of Acute Phase Proteins and Serum Proteins Electrophoresis in the Hamadryas Baboon (<i>Papio hamadryas</i>)}, volume={4}, ISSN={["2673-5636"]}, DOI={10.3390/jzbg4010012}, abstractNote={Measurements of specific acute phase proteins (APP) and protein electrophoresis (EPH) fractions have been widely used to better assess the health of species under managed care across numerous taxa. To date, APP assays have not been validated in the hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas), and reference intervals have not yet been established. This information is critical for the interpretation of APP and EPH measurements used in the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases during routine veterinary care of this species. To obtain this information, banked serum samples from hamadryas baboons of various age, sex, and health status, under managed care at the North Carolina Zoo, were analyzed. A small pilot study found significantly higher serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) but not haptoglobin in baboons with acute inflammation compared to healthy counterparts, so these two APPs were investigated further. Reagents for serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were validated, although differences in CRP reagents were observed. Based on the results of this study, SAA and CRP were defined as major APPs that were significantly increased in baboons with active inflammation or infection compared to healthy conspecifics. Baboons with acute inflammation additionally had significantly higher gamma globulins compared to healthy baboons. Although mean albumin concentrations were lower in baboons with acute inflammation, the difference from healthy baboons was not statistically significant. This study identifies SAA, CRP, and EPH as useful tools in the diagnosis of inflammatory disease in the hamadryas baboon and establishes reference intervals to aid in the future veterinary care of this species.}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS}, author={Cabot, Megan L. and Dannemiller, Nicholas G. and Cray, Carolyn and Minter, Larry J.}, year={2023}, month={Mar}, pages={108–117} }
 @article{womble_cabot_harrison_watanabe_2022, title={Outbreak in African lions of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection, with aberrant bacterial morphology}, volume={1}, ISSN={["1943-4936"]}, DOI={10.1177/10406387211072822}, abstractNote={A concurrent outbreak of infection with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis occurred in adult captive African lions (Panthera leo). Two 17-y-old male lions and one 14-y-old female lion developed respiratory distress, lethargy, ataxia, and hyporexia. Within 3–5 d of the onset of clinical signs, one male and the female lion died and were submitted for postmortem examination. Macroscopically, the liver and spleen had multifocal-to-coalescing, semi-firm, pale-tan nodules throughout the parenchyma. The lungs were non-collapsed and marked by petechiae. Histologic examination identified lytic, necrosuppurative foci in the liver, spleen, lungs, and kidney, with abundant intralesional gram-negative coccobacilli in the male lion. Similar findings were seen in the female lion in the liver, spleen, kidney, and mesenteric lymph node; however, the intralesional bacterial colonies were more pleomorphic, comprising rod and filamentous morphologies. Aerobic bacterial culture of the liver, spleen, and lung revealed Y. pseudotuberculosis growth. The source of infection is unknown, and an epidemiologic study was performed. Sources to be considered are from the predation of rodent and/or bird reservoirs, or contaminated soil or water. Mortality associated with Y. pseudotuberculosis has been described in an African lion cub, however, to our knowledge, Y. pseudotuberculosis has not been reported in adult African lions, and this is only the second report of Y. pseudotuberculosis with aberrant bacterial morphology observed histologically.}, journal={JOURNAL OF VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION}, author={Womble, Mandy and Cabot, Megan L. and Harrison, Tara and Watanabe, Tatiane Terumi Negrao}, year={2022}, month={Jan} }
 @article{cabot_watanabe_womble_harrison_2022, title={YERSINIA PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS INFECTION IN LIONS (PANTHERA LEO) AT A ZOOLOGICAL PARK}, volume={53}, ISSN={["1937-2825"]}, DOI={10.1638/2021-0106}, abstractNote={Abstract: Two co-housed 17-yr-old male lions (Panthera leo) and one 15-yr-old female lion in an adjacent enclosure developed acute lethargy, depression, anorexia, and ataxia at a zoological park in central North Carolina, United States. One of the male lions and the female lion were found dead 5 and 4 d after the onset of clinical signs, respectively. The other male lion recovered without any clinical treatment. A third male lion housed with the female lion never developed clinical signs. Postmortem examination, microscopic evaluation, and bacterial culture of the liver from both deceased lions confirmed systemic Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection. Susceptibility testing revealed resistance to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and cefazolin. To investigate the extent of the outbreak, qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Y. pseudotuberculosis was performed on feces and substrate from 15 enclosures housing nondomestic felids and canids, resulting in a positive sample from one enclosure housing four asymptomatic lions. This enclosure was adjacent to housing of the deceased female lion. Enrofloxacin was administered to all animals in the vicinity at doses of 5 mg/kg in nondomestic felids and 10 mg/kg in nondomestic canids, orally q24h for 14 d. Repeated fecal PCR performed 1 wk after completing the antibiotic treatment protocol found no positive samples. The source of the infection was not identified despite PCR testing of environmental samples from all enclosures in the vicinity, the remains of a prey item fed out prior to the outbreak, and a single dead rodent found on grounds. No further clinical cases have occurred within the following year.}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE}, author={Cabot, Megan L. and Watanabe, Tatiane Terumi Negrao and Womble, Mandy and Harrison, Tara M.}, year={2022}, month={Sep}, pages={593–599} }
 @article{cabot_troan_ange-van heugten_schnellbacher_smith_ridgley_minter_2021, title={Migration and Histologic Effects of Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Tags in the Marine Toad (Rhinella marina)}, volume={11}, ISSN={2076-2615}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11113255}, DOI={10.3390/ani11113255}, abstractNote={Simple Summary Passive integrated transponder (PIT) and visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags are commonly used to identify reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The aim of this study was to evaluate for pathologic changes associated with these tags in the marine toad (Rhinella marina). For the 56 toads in this study, all PIT tags were functional and 95% remained at the insertion site with little to no damage to the tissue. However, only 48% of VIE tags were functional, i.e., visible through the skin. Although there was little to no damage to the skin at the site of placement, the VIE was found to have migrated to the kidneys in 98% of toads as well as along the legs and sporadically in other internal organs. VIE in the kidney caused inflammation and damage to the vasculature that progressed in severity over time. Based on these findings, the authors recommend the use of PIT tags over VIE tags for identification of adult anurans, when feasible. Abstract Passive integrated transponder (PIT) and visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags are commonly used to identify reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Despite reports of good retention rates and little to no negative effect on survival time, migration remains a concern and histologic changes have not been widely evaluated. Fifty-six wild-caught marine toads (Rhinella marina) were marked with a PIT tag in the left caudal thigh and a VIE tag over the right gastrocnemius muscle prior to transport to the North Carolina Zoo. Fourteen toads were then humanely euthanized on day 9, 15, 32, and 62 for postmortem examination and histopathology which were compared to 10 control toads with no tags. All PIT tags were functional and 95% remained at the insertion site with minimal to no histologic changes. Externally, 48% of VIE tags were visible through the skin at the original site of injection under fluorescent or UV light. Upon gross examination of the tissues, VIE tags had an overall retention rate of 62% at the injection site, with similar retention rates across time points. Migrated VIE material was visible grossly and histologically in the kidneys of 98% of toads and along the right leg, proximally and distally, in 25% of toads. VIE material was also found sporadically in mesentery, colon, and free in the coelomic cavity. Histologically, VIE material in the skin was surrounded by minimal to mild granulomatous inflammation while in the kidney it was associated with dilation of the small vessels, edema, and granulomatous nephritis that progressed in severity over time. Based on these findings, the authors recommend the use of PIT tags over VIE tags for identification of adult anurans, when feasible.}, number={11}, journal={Animals}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Cabot, Megan L. and Troan, Brigid V. and Ange-van Heugten, Kimberly and Schnellbacher, Rodney W. and Smith, Dustin and Ridgley, Frank and Minter, Larry J.}, year={2021}, month={Nov}, pages={3255} }
 @article{cabot_ramsay_chaffins_sula_2020, title={HISTOLOGIC EVIDENCE OF SPONTANEOUS OVULATION IN TIGERS (PANTHERA TIGRIS)}, volume={51}, ISSN={["1937-2825"]}, DOI={10.1638/2019-0216}, abstractNote={Abstract: Spontaneous ovulation has been identified in several wild felid species and domestic cats previously thought to undergo only induced ovulation. Two studies have assessed ovulation patterns in tigers (Panthera tigris) and have not found evidence of spontaneous ovulation in this species. However, uterine pathology typically associated with prolonged progesterone exposure has been identified in unbred tigers, suggesting spontaneous ovulation occurs. Ovaries from 47 tigers were reviewed with histologic examination. The presence or lack of active corpora lutea was documented and compared with social housing conditions for each animal. Social housing categories were as follows: female housed alone, female housed with other females, and female housed with at least one male. Active corpora lutea were identified in 66% (10/15) of females housed alone, 85% (6/7) of females housed with other females, and 58% of females housed with a male. A chi-squared test found the presence of active corpora lutea was independent of social housing condition. These results offer strong evidence of spontaneous ovulation in tigers. This finding suggests that a luteal control protocol with an early follicular inhibition agent may improve assisted reproduction efforts and supports spaying nonreproductive or postreproductive female tigers to reduce the rate of uterine infections.}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE}, author={Cabot, Megan L. and Ramsay, Edward C. and Chaffins, Deborah and Sula, Mee-Ja M.}, year={2020}, month={Sep}, pages={652–656} }