MANED WOLF SSP VETERINARY UPDATE 1 Aug 2010
Maned Wolf Veterinary Advisor Contact Information:
Name:Elizabeth Hammond, DVM
Address: Lion Country Safari
2003 Lion Country Safari Rd
Loxahatchee, FL33470
Phone: (561) 793-1084 x 320
Fax: (561) 793-9603
Email:
Name: Mitchell Bush, DVM
Email:
MORBIDITY (Significant illnesses/issues facing this species the past few years):
- Gastrointestinal illness (Inflammatory Bowel Disease, diet-related illness, loose stool, etc)
- Suspected hepatitis from adenovirus
- Tick-borne disease (Babesia, tick paralysis) – consider flea and tick control
- Pancreatic flukes (Eurytremaprocyonis) – see below
- Taurine deficiency – consider plasma and whole blood testing of taurine levels
- Resurgence of cystine urolithiasis and cystinuria – consider treating high-risk maned wolves by alkalinizing urine with potassium citrate
MORTALITY: Deaths from 1 July 07-23 Jul 10
Maned wolves / Adult (M:F) / Average age at death (rounded to nearest half year)2007 / 9 (6:3:0) / 9.8 (n=9/9)
2008 / 7 (2:5:0) / 12.9 (n=7/7)
2009 / 7 (2:5:0) / 12.7 (n=7/7)
2010 / 8 (3:5:0) / 7.4 (n=6/8)
Total / 31
2007: Diagnoses of note (Mortality info received for 8/9 adults: 6 gross & histo; 2 gross; 1 no report)
Degenerative: n=5
Degenerative joint disease (1)
Endocardiosis (1)
Intervertebral disc disease(1)
Spinal cord degeneration secondary to intervertebral disc disease (1)
Vertebral body fracture (pathologic) (1)
Inflammatory: n=4
Lymphohistiocytic enteritis (2)
Nephritis (1)
Non-suppurative encephalitis (1)
Surgical complications of tumor removal (1)
Neoplastic: n=4
Malignant neoplasia: n=3
Lymphangiosarcoma (1)
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (1)
Malignant pheochromocytoma with mets (1)
Benign neoplasia: n=1
Testicular interstitial cell tumor (1)
Nutritional/Metabolic: n=5
Urolithiasis (4)
Cholelithiasis (1)
Parasitic: n=1
Pulmonary nematodiasis (1)
Sepsis: n=1
Sepsis secondary to surgical complications (1)
2008: Diagnoses of note(Mortality info received for 3/7 adults: 1 gross & histo; 1 histo; 5 no report)
Degenerative: n=1
Degenerative joint disease (1)
Inflammatory: n=4
Enteritis (1)
Myocardial fibrosis (1)
Nephritis (1)
Pancreatitis (1)
Nutritional/Metabolic: n=2
Nephrosclerosis (1)
Urolithiasis (1)
Neoplastic: n=2
Malignant: n=1
Thyroid carcinoma (1)
Benign: n=1
Thyroid adenoma and adenomatous hyperplasia (1)
Traumatic: n=1
Femoral fracture (1)
2009: Diagnoses of note(Mortality info received for 6/7 adults: 1 gross & histo; 3 histo; 2 other -tentative info)
Degenerative: n=5
Endocardiosis (1)
Heart failure (1)
Renal failure (2)
Vascular mineralization and medial hypertrophy (1)
Vascular thrombosis with cerebral necrosis (1)
Inflammatory: n=7
Enteritis (lymphoplasmacytic) (2)
Gastritis (2)
Membranoproliferative glomerulophathy (1)
Nephritis (2)
Neoplastic: n=2
Malignant: n=2
Malignant dysgerminoma with mets (1)
Metastatic cancer (NOS) (1)
Benign: n=2
Cholesteatoma (1)
Parathyroid adenoma (1)
Nutritional/Metabolic: n=1
Urolithiasis (1)
Parasitic: n=2
Heartworm (1)
Trichinella (1)
2010: Diagnoses of note(Mortality info received for 6/8 adults: 2 gross & histo; 2 histo; 1 gross; 1 other-tentative info)
Degenerative: n=1
Endocardiosis (1)
Inflammatory: n=15
Cystitis (1)
Dehiscence of intestinal surgical site with septic peritonitis (1)
Enteritis (lymphoplasmacytic)(2)
Epicarditis (1)
Liver disease (NOS) (1)
Necrotizing hepatitis(1)
Nephritis (1)
Non-suppurative encephalitis (1)
Gastritis(2)
Peritonitis (1)
Pneumonia (1)
Pyelonephritis (1)
Ulcerative colitis (1)
Infectious: n=1
Mycoplasma hemocanis (1)1
Neoplastic: n=5
Malignant: n=4
Cancer (NOS) (1)
Dysgerminoma (1)
Hepatocellular carcinoma with mets (1)
Ovarian tumor (NOS)
Benign: n=1
Dermal melanoma (1)
Parasitic: n=1
Babesia (1)
Pups (M:F:U) / Reported history2007 / 1 (0:0:1) / Disappeared (n=1)
2008 / 2 (0:0:2) / Disappeared (n=1)
2009 / 2 (2:0:0) / Disappeared (n=1) Found dead (n=1)
2010 / 4 (0:0:4) / Disappeared (n=1)
Total / 9
BIRTHS:For 2007-8
Males: 2 Females: 0 Unknown: 1
Number of pairs recommended for breeding:12
Number of pairs bred: 2
Number of births: 3 in 2 litters (2.0.1) produced, 2.0 in 1 litter survived
MALES: mother or parent-reared:2 hand-reared: 0
FEMALES: mother or parent-reared:0 hand-reared: 0
For 2008-2009
Males: 2 Females: 1 Unknown: 3
Number of pairs recommended for breeding: 18
Number of pairs bred: 3
Number of births: 6 in 3 litters (2.1.3) produced, 2.1 pups in 1 litter survived
MALES: mother or parent-reared:2 hand-reared: 0
FEMALES: mother or parent-reared:1 hand-reared: 0
For 2009-10
Males: 5 Females: 5
Number of pairs recommended for breeding: 22
Number of pairs bred: 10, 17 pups total (6.7.4)
Number of births: 8 litters produced, but 5litters survived w/ 12 pups total (5.7)
MALES: mother or parent-reared:5hand-reared: 0
FEMALES: mother or parent-reared:6 hand-reared: 1 (after 2 died)
ANESTHESTIC PROTOCOLS (Please list successful and unsuccessful protocols):
No new protocols to report
PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE(Vaccine reactions, new vaccines to be considered):
Vaccines:
Parvovirus: As of 2006, killed canine parvovirus vaccine is no longer being manufactured. Thus, the current recommendation is to initially vaccinate maned wolf pups with a killed feline parvo vaccine, such as Fel-O-Vax PCT.
- If titer is acceptable (> 1:80), begin using a modified-live product, such as Duramune Max Pv by Ft. Dodge, at six (6) months of age and continue using MLV product yearly.
- If titer is unacceptable (<1:80), continue using killed product at 6 months of age, and check titer again. Switch to MLV product at one (1) year of age (if titer is >1:80) and continue immunizing adults annually with MLV.
Canine Distemper: The MWSSP recommends using Merial’s PUREVAX Ferret Distemper recombinant canary pox vector vaccine annually for maned wolves.
Consider vaccinating annually for other common canine viruses in endemic areas. Please report all adverse vaccine reactions to the MWSSP veterinarian.
Deworming/Heartworm prophylaxis:
Maned wolves are given monthly heartworm prevention in the form of milbemycin oxime or ivermectin at standard canine doses. In addition, the flea growth regulator lufenuron (either alone or with heartworm prevention) has been used safely in several maned wolves. This may be an important aspect of flea control in maned wolves.
CONTRACEPTION (Methods used, successes, failures):
There are currently 0.4 maned wolves successfully contracepted with deslorelin with no reports of side effects.
NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
Systematically determining an appropriate diet to minimize cystinuria and maintain mw health is a priority for the MWSSP. For animals with inflammatory bowel disease or idiopathic loose stool, hypoallergenic diets may have helped assuage clinical signs. In addition, the MWSSP is working to develop an experimental diet to meet the nutritional needs of maned wolves as well as preventing common clinical problems (ie, urolithiasis and loose stool).
NEW HEALTH CARE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Maned wolves should be opportunistically tested for taurine levels at annual exams. A suggested lab is the Amino Acid Lab at UC Davis (530) 752-5058. Please contact the lab for special sample handling instructions.
The pancreatic fluke Eurytremaprocyonis was found on necropsy in an adult male maned wolf that died. Clinical signs are subtle and may mirror food allergy or malabsorbtion. Ante mortem diagnosis may be possible via fecal exam (sedimentation, float), but false negatives may occur. Definitive diagnosis is by performing a pancreatic biopsy, but this is an invasive procedure that can have serious complications. As such, pros and cons should be weighed carefully prior to performing this procedure. Anecdotally, treatment may be successful by using praziquantel. In certain cases pancreatic enzyme supplementation may be warranted.
NEW SSP/TAG PROTOCOLS: Maned WolfHusbandry Manual from 2007 is available. A Spanish translation of the husbandry manual is currently underway and will hopefully be completed by the end of 2010.
INFORMATION FROM THE FIELD AND ACTIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS:
1. Nutrition:Characterization of circulating nutritional profiles in captive maned wolves
(Elizabeth Hammond and collaborators)
With generous funding from the AAZV Mazuri Grant Fund, the Maned Wolf SSP and the FossilRimWildlifeCenter, circulating nutritional profiles were evaluated from 34 maned wolves from 13 different US zoological facilities. Parameters measured include amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and trace minerals.
Preliminary results show low taurine levels (when compared to domestic dog reference values) in some individuals. It is recommended that taurine levels (plasma and whole blood) be evaluated on captive maned wolves opportunistically. If the levels are low, taurine supplementation should be considered.
Fatty acids, vitamins and minerals data have yet to be analyzed. Preliminary results show varying results among individuals, which may reflect the disparate diets fed to captive maned wolves.
Another aspect of the project is to obtain CBC and chemistry profile data from the day the maned wolves were anesthetized for the nutritional profile sampling. We will also try to correlate diet offered, health status and reproductive history at the time of sampling. The data is currently being compiled and results should be published late this year or early 2011.
Funding is being sought to collect samples from wild maned wolves for nutritional profiles to compare to captive wild maned wolf values. It might be possible to manipulate the captive maned wolf diet to better mimic the nutritional profile of wild maned wolves.
2. Maned wolf SSP Gastrointestinal Problems Survey
In April 2010 the MWSSP distributed a survey to find out how many maned wolves have experiencedgastrointestinal illness, including loose stool and weight loss, in the past 3-5 years, what diet they were fed when the clinical signs occurred, and what diagnostics/treatments were done.
Fifteen zoos responded. Preliminary results show that out of 60 animals, approximately 16 maned wolves (26%) have had problems with gastrointestinal illness or disease, including loose stool and weight loss (except 1 animal that did not have documented weight loss). Five severely affected animals had gastrointestinal biopsies done, which showed several different histologic changes (gastritis/colitis/diverticulitis; ulcerative/neutrophilic colitis; lymphoplasmacytic gastritis/colitis; lymphoplasmacytic colitis; suppurative enteritis/lymphoplasmacytic colitis).
It must be noted that, anecdotally, healthy maned wolves may occasionally have loose stool. This survey tried to differentiate animals that had an illness that correlated with the loose stool/diarrhea.
Treatments have varied widely among institutions and include antibiotics, steroids, diet change (to hypoallergenic or other diet), etc. Data compilation (to include other diagnostics, treatments and diet) is underway and final survey results will be distributed to institutions holding maned wolves.
3. Maned Wolf Ecology in Serra da Canastra Nat. Park, Brazil (N. Songsasen and Brazilian collaborators)
The Maned Wolf Conservation Project, initiated in 2004, is a collaboration involving the Instituto Pró-Carnivoros (a local non-government organization), the government’s NationalResearchCenter for Predator Conservation (CENAP/ICM-Bio) and the Smithsonian’s NationalZoologicalPark. This multi-disciplinary study aims at determining the influence of human development and related factors (including domestic species) on ecology, behavior, health and reproduction of maned wolves living in the Serra da Canastra National Park, a core area of maned wolf conservation. The project involves monitoring radio-collared wolves, analysis of fecal cortisol metabolites (indicative of stress) and periodic, hands-on assessment of health and reproduction. In addition to this scholarly research, education and community outreach, focusing on reduce human-wolf conflict are also important components of this project.
Nucharin Songsasen and co-PI Rogerio de Paula are seeking additional funding; the most critical needs include support for the field crew, serological analysis, and purchasing additional GPS collars.
4.Maned Wolf Ecology and Health Status in Noel Kempff Mercado National
Park, Bolivia(PNNKM). Louise Emmons, PI, and Sharon Deem (St. Louis Zoo), Ellen Bronson (Maryland Zoo), Suzan Murray (NZP), and Sixto Angulo A., (Bolivia) Collaborators.
The field project in Bolivia continues studies of the small population of maned wolves in Los Fierros savanna of NoelKempffNational Park. The wolves are followed by GPS telemetry, and health is evaluated by physical examination and sampling during annual captures. Recent unpredictable changes in the ecology of the savanna, including a severe and prolonged decline in the rodent prey of maned wolves, have coincided with changes in wolf population size, diet, and perhaps health. The current research priority is to follow up and study dietary resource changes and their effects on the population. The results emphasize the importance of long-term studies. The two conservation posters developed, printed, and reprinted, with the MWSSP support, are now available online from the Canid Specialist Group website, in both Spanish and English, for free download: ( Health studies were updated in a publication available locally in Bolivia and online: Deem, S. L., E. Bronson, S. Angulo A., and L. H. Emmons. 2008. Monitoreo Sanitario del Borochi (Chrysocyon brachyurus) en el Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado, Bolivia. Revista Boliviana de Ecología y Conservación Ambiental 21:41-50.
5. Argentina Field Project (Lucia Soler)
Huellas continues to study maned wolves in northeastern Argentina. Education is another major component of this project.
6.Establishing assisted reproductive techniques for genetic management of captive population (Nucharin Songsasen):
This project is funded by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee (to purchase an endoscope) and Morris Animal Foundation. This project is comprised of two studies: develop an (1) effective cryopreservation method and (2) estrus induction procedure for the maned wolf.
7.Understanding the role of energy balance in maned wolf reproduction (N. Songsasen)
This project is partially funded by Abilene Zoo and we are looking for additional funding (Nucharin Songsasen and Elizabeth Hammond submitted a CEF grant and request funds for circulating nutritional profile and leptin analyses in captive and wild wolves). The objectives of this study are to establish a marker for nutritional condition and to determine the relationship between nutritional condition and reproductive success. In this study, we will determine leptin levels in the maned wolf because this peptide hormone that has been shown to regulate food intake, energy balance and reproduction.
8.Developing a bioassay for studying chemical communication in the maned wolf (N. Songsasen)
In the fall 2009, a pilot study was conducted to develop a bioassay for studying chemical communication and it impacts reproduction. The animals were presented with 4 scents (male urine, female urine, pyrazine, a compound found in maned wolf urine and lemon [control]) for 2 weeks and behavioral and hormonal responses were determined. Overall, wolves did not prefer one scent over the others, although there were individual differences in preference to the scent tubes. All wolves increased activity levels when the scents were presented. However, the hormonal responses (based on cortisol metabolites) varied among wolves; three wolves showed no change, one had low level and one had high cortisol metabolites during the scent period. The differences in hormonal response could be due to (1) age, (2) gender and (3) reproductive stage.
9.Interspecific Competition among the hoary fox, crab eating and maned wolf (N. Songsasen and Brazilian collaborators)
The study focuses on interspecific competition among sympatric canids living in the Cerrado, Brazil. We hypothesize that larger canids (maned wolf and crab-eating fox) are a threat to the hoary fox, especially in disturbed areas. We will determine (1) diet, habitat use and activity patterns of the three species living in protected versus disturbed habitats and (2) ‘stress’ response of the hoary fox to a changing landscape and two larger competitors. To date, we captured 11 hoary foxes and 4 crab-eating foxes. Although we observed maned wolves in the study areas, no wolf has been captured to date. The PI is seeking funding for field expense and analysis of fecal hormone metabolites.
10.Fecal testing for inflammatory bowel markers (Kristen Barnaby)
This project will identify inflammatory bowel markers in maned wolves and then compare these markers in animals fed several different diets. In addition, plasma taurine and urine cystine levels will also be evaluated. Funding is currently being sought.
NEW REFERENCES: From 2006 – present
Bitencourt VL, de Paula TAR, da Matta SLF, et al. 2007. The seminiferous epithelium cycle and daily spermatic production in the adult maned wolf (ChrysocyonbrachyurusIlliger 1815). Micron. 38(6):584-589.
Bronson E, Emmons LH, Murray S. 2008. Serosurvey of pathogens in domestic dogs on the border of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia. J Zoo Wildl Med. 39(1):28-36.
Bueno AD, Motta JC. 2009. Feeding habits of the maned wolf, Chrysocyonbrachyurus (Carnivora: Canidae), in southeast Brazil. Stud Neotrop Fauna Environ. 44(2): 67-75.
Cassali GD, Bertagnolli AC, Ferreira E, et al. 2009. A simple ductal mammary pailloma in a male maned wolf (Chrysocyonbrachyurus). J Vet Diagn Invest. 21(1):153-155.
Childs-Sanford SE, Angel CR. 2006. Transit time and digestibility of two experimental diets in the maned wolf (Chrysocyonbrachyurus) and domestic dog (Canislupus). Zoo Biol. 25(5):369-381.
Coelho CM, Melo LFB, Sabato MAL, et al. 2008. Habitat use by wild maned wolves (Chrysocyonbrachyurus). J Mamm. 89(1):97-104.
Consorte-McCrea AG, Rubin R. 2009. Attitudes of zoo visitors and professionals towards the conservation of the maned wolf in southeast Brazil. Canid News 12.1 [online] URL:
Cracknell JM, McCort RJ, Benigni L, et al. 2009. Synovial cell sarcoma in a captive maned wolf (Chrysocyonbrachyurus). Vet Rec. 164(16):501-501.
Cummings D, Brown JL, Rodden MD, et al. 2007. Behavioral and physiologic responses to environmental enrichment in the maned wolf (Chrysocyonbrachyurus). Zoo Biol. 26(5):331-343.
Deem, SL, Bronson E, AnguloAS, and Emmons LH. 2008. Monitoreo Sanitario del Borochi (Chrysocyon brachyurus) en el Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado, Bolivia. Revista Boliviana de Ecología y Conservación Ambiental 21:41-50.
Estrada AH, Gerlach TJ, Schmidt MK, et al. 2009. Cardiac evaluation of clinically healthy captive maned wolves (Chrysocyonbrachyurus). J Zoo Wildl Med. 40(3): 478-486.
Feliciano MAR, Vicente WRR, Motheo TF, et al. 2010. Ultrasonographic detection of fetal ovary in maned wolf (Chrysocyonbrachyurus): case report. Arquv Bras Med Veter Zootech. 62(1):100-106.
Furtado MM, Kashivakura CK, Ferro C, et al. 2006. Immobilization of free-ranging maned wolves (Chrysocyonbrachyurus) with tiletamine and zolazepam in central Brazil. J Zoo Wildl Med. 37 (1):68-70.
Jacomo ATD, Kashivakura CK, Ferro C, et al. 2009. Home range and spatial organization of maned wolves in the Brazilian grasslands. J Mamm. 90(1):150-157.
Lacerda ACR, Tomas WM, Marhinho J. 2009. Domestic dogs as an edge effect in the Brasilia National Park, Brazil: interactions with native mammals. Anim Conserv. 12(5):477-487.
Luppi MM, Malta MCC, Silva TMA, et al. 2008. Visceral leishmaniasis in captive wild canids in Brazil. Vet Parasitol. 155(1-2):146-151.
De Melo LFB, Sabato MAL, Magni EMV, et al. 2007. Secret lives of maned wolves (ChrysocyonbrachyurusIlliger 1815): as revealed by GPS tracking collars. J Zool. 271(1):27-36.
Maia OB, Jacomo ATA, Bringel BA, et al. 2008. Comparison of serum hormone levels of captive and free-living maned wolves (Chrysocyonbrachyurus). Braz J Med Biol Rsch. 41(2):176-179.