@article{raphtis_roeder_jimenez‐romero_meritet_chan_ozawa_linde henriksen_2025, title={An Ocular Manifestation of a Systemic Disease With <i>Encephalitozoon Pogonae</i> in a Juvenile Central Bearded Dragon ( <scp> <i>Pogona vitticeps</i> </scp> )}, volume={9}, DOI={10.1111/vop.70081}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Objective Encephalitozoon pogonae , a recently identified microsporidian species, has been associated with systemic infections in Central bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps ) manifesting as granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis. Despite the species similarity to Encephalitozoon cuniculi , which causes ocular, neurologic, and renal pathology in rabbits, ocular manifestations of E. pogonae in bearded dragons are underreported. This case report aims to explore the ocular manifestations of E. pogonae in a clinical case and highlight the challenges in diagnosis and treatment of microsporidial infections in reptiles. Animal Studied A 6‐month‐old male central bearded dragon with initial presentation of unilateral blepharoconjunctivitis. Procedures The patient was treated with topical ofloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic solution, systemic nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatories (meloxicam), and antimicrobials (ceftazidime). Diagnostic efforts included physical and ophthalmic examination, ocular high‐frequency ultrasound (48 mHz transducer), cytological examination of conjunctiva, and histopathological examination with PCR analysis confirming E. pogonae in both liver and conjunctiva. Results Despite treatment, the patient died from hemopericardium. Necropsy demonstrated severe granulomatous inflammation in multiple organs, including the liver, intestines, and ocular structures (conjunctiva and uveal tissue), as well as hypermature cataracts and phacoclastic uveitis, consistent with systemic microsporidiosis. Conclusions This case highlights the potential for an ocular manifestation of a systemic disease caused by E. pogonae , underscoring the importance of considering microsporidial infections in the differential diagnosis of refractory ocular disease in reptiles. The findings also emphasize the challenges in diagnosing and treating these infections.}, journal={Veterinary Ophthalmology}, author={Raphtis, Vanessa and Roeder, Megan and Jimenez‐Romero, Augusto and Meritet, Danielle and Chan, Kelli and Ozawa, Sarah and Linde Henriksen, Michala}, year={2025}, month={Sep} }
 @article{roeder_bapodra-villaverde_sadler_kinney_swenson_eustace_thibault_thompson_2025, title={EVALUATION OF THIAFENTANIL-MEDETOMIDINE-KETAMINE COMBINATIONS FOR ANESTHESIA WITHOUT THE USE OF A RESTRAINT DEVICE IN ZOO-HOUSED GIRAFFES (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS)}, DOI={10.1638/2024-0111}, abstractNote={Giraffe anesthesia is considered high risk due to inherent challenges associated with their distinctive anatomy and physiology. This retrospective study (January 2014-January 2024) in zoo-housed giraffes (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis)</i> evaluated three thiafentanil-medetomidine-ketamine based protocols without the aid of a giraffe restraint device (GRD) for induction of anesthesia (66 events, 45 individuals, 15 facilities). Individuals were categorized as either adult (≥1 yr old) (n = 52) or juveniles (1 mon to <1 yr old) (n = 14). Three protocols included: thiafentanil 7.4 ± 1.1 µg/kg, medetomidine 15.1 ± 2.1 µg/kg, and ketamine 0.7 ± 0.1 mg/kg as sole agents (TMK; 45/66) or with the addition of butorphanol 0.02 ± 0.01 mg/kg in both a one-stage (TMKB; 9/66) or two-stage (MB-TK; 12/66) induction protocol. Adult giraffes were induced in indoor and outdoor holdings (typically padded, 42/52, 81%) or pasture setting (10/52, 19%), intubated, and ventilated. Time between darts was 13.3 ± 3.5 min for MB-TK. Adult median antagonist ratios were 5 mg atipamezole (range 4-15 mg) per 1 mg medetomidine IM, 32 mg naltrexone (range 10-214 mg) per 1 mg thiafentanil IM/SC/IV, and additional 3 mg naltrexone (range 0-34 mg) per 1 mg butorphanol IM/SC/IV. Median total anesthesia length (initial dart to antagonist administration) was 81.0 mins (range 26.0-162.0 mins) across all procedures. Time to recumbency varied between one and two dart protocols. Recovery parameters after antagonists included time to extubation (6.0 ± 4.6 min), head control (12.5 ± 8.6 min), and standing (21.9 ± 19.9 min). Adult mortality attributed to anesthetic complications was 2% (1/52), juvenile mortality was 0%. This study and others support a decreasing risk of mortality during giraffe anesthesia (0-2%), compared with historical publications.}, journal={Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine}, author={Roeder, Megan M. and Bapodra-Villaverde, Priya and Sadler, Ryan and Kinney, Matthew E. and Swenson, Julie and Eustace, Ronan and Thibault, Christopher J. and Thompson, Kimberly A.}, year={2025}, month={Oct} }