• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.297-300
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• 2010

A female reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), 20-month-old, 342 kg, died at Seoul Zoo on January 2, 2009 after a stressful episode of chronic diarrhea. Given the appearances postmortem, it was strongly suspected that the giraffe suffered from malnutrition for a long time. Typical appearances of serous fat atrophy were shown on most fat tissues of body organs such as heart, bone, liver, mesentery and kidney. In this study, the sudden death that had been known as "peracute mortality syndrome" was clearly identified to have resulted from a lack of understanding the Browser's diet and general failure in giraffe husbandry. Individualized care and high quality hay must be provided to compensate higher consumption of metabolic energy and to prevent animal loss in winter season.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.263-267
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• 1997

Eighty-seven strains of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from feces of wild mammals in Choniu zoo were tested for their biochemical reaction and susceptibility to 19 antibiotics or chemicals by using disc diffusion test and/or Microscan Walkway 40/96. Out of 87 isolates, Enterobacteriaceae (44), Hafinia alvei (9), Citrobacterfreundi (5) and Proteus vulgaris (5) were frequently detected. The detective frequency of Enterobacteriaceae in animals classified by their eating pattern was higher in carnivorous and omnivorous than in herbivorous animal. In antibiotic susceptibility tests most of isolates were susceptible to cefazolinl ceftazidime, aztreoname, trimethoprin/sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, cofuroximel ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and eftizoximel and moderately susceptible to cephalotin and ticarcillin but resistant to ticarcillin/K and amikacin.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.615-619
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• 2004

A three years old male Jackass penguin(Spheniscus demersus) showed anorexia, depression, respiratory problem for a few days, followed by clinical treatment for 20 days resulted in death. Grossly, multiple white nodules measuring 2~3 mm in diameter were observed in the surface of and inside lung, liver, kidney, thoracic wall. Microscopically, granuloma formations were observed in the lung and liver. The margin of granuloma surrounded by connective tissue barrier and infiltrated lymphocytes, and also observed giant cell near the granuloma. By Periodic acid Schiff reaction, hyphae were detected in granuloma of lung and liver. This case was a chronic and systemic aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus infection in a Jackass penguin at a zoo.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.103-114
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• 2022

Zoological Parks house exclusive animal species, thus creating a source of education and awareness for visitors. Big cats like tigers and leopards are among the most visited species in zoos globally. However, they often display stressful or stereotypic behaviours. Such behaviours are influenced by multiple factors including visitors, animal history, and captive environment. To understand this impact, we investigated the behavioural response of tigers and leopards to visitation, captive, and biological factors. The behaviour of eight big cats housed in the National Zoological Park, New Delhi, was monitored using focal sampling technique during May and June 2019. We recorded the captive and biological factors and visitor density for the subjects. The study revealed high proportions of inactive and stereotypic behaviours amongst the species. Tigers and leopards were found to perform stereotypic behaviours for 22% and 28% of their time, respectively. Generalised Linear Models revealed a significant variation of stereotypy in association with the factors. Stereotypy was influenced by visitor density, age, sex, breeding history, coat colour, and enclosure design. Adults, males, white-coated, previously bred, and those housed in smaller and simple enclosures display more stereotypy than young, females, normal-coated, unbred, and those housed in larger and complex enclosures, respectively. A high density of visitors induced more stereotypic behaviours amongst the big cats. As providing entertainment and awareness amongst the public is one of the fundamental objectives of the zoo, visitors can not be avoided. Thus, we suggest providing appropriate enrichments that would reduce stereotypies and promote naturalistic behaviours.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.52.1-52.10
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• 2024

Importance: Kidney disease is prevalent among veterinary species, including zoo animals; however, investigations into this condition in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are scarce. Diagnostic tools for kidney diseases in this species also remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess the utility of symmetric dimethylarginine as a biomarker for kidney disease in captive striped skunks in Korea. Methods: This retrospective study analysed 11 striped skunks housed at the Everland Zoo between 2017 and 2021. Blood samples were collected during health checks. Kidney function was assessed through blood analysis and diagnostic ultrasound, with necropsies conducted on deceased animals. Symmetric dimethylarginine levels were measured in 27 plasma samples collected from 11 skunks. Results: Over the study period, seven skunks were diagnosed with kidney disease. Analysis of 27 blood samples revealed a concurrent increase in SDMA levels with concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and blood creatinine. In 3 of the 7 skunks with kidney disease, symmetric dimethylarginine exceeded 14 ㎍/dL prior to the elevation of blood urea nitrogen and blood creatinine above the upper reference limit. Conclusions and Relevance: To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating symmetric dimethylarginine in captive striped skunks in Korea. Our findings suggest that symmetric dimethylarginine may serve as an early and consistent biomarker for renal dysfunction in striped skunks. Further studies with larger clinical sample size from striped skunks are needed to validate the clinical utility of blood symmetric dimethylarginine concentration.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
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• 2001.09a
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• pp.16-17
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• 2001

국내 수의학 분야에서 야생 및 동물원동물 (zoo and wild animal)의 질병은 주로 대단위 동물원에서 임상적인 측면에서 발전하여 왔으며, 일부 제한적인 분야이고 정밀 실험실 진단이 뒷받침되지 않은 예들이 많았다. 따라서 1990년 이후 서울대학교 수의과대학 및 국립수의과학검역원에 검사 의뢰된 야생동물 중 질병으로 판명된 예 들을 살펴봄으로써, 국내 야생 및 동물원동물 질병의 진단 및 치료에 다소나마 도움이 되고자 한다. (중략)

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.198-201
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• 2010

This case report describes capture myopathy in an 8-month-old female red-necked wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) that died after a 14-day history of depression, lameness and astasia following a bathing protocol for dermatitis. In a blood test performed the day after the wallaby fell down, serum chemistry showed a normal rangeof LDH but elevated CK, ALT and AST. Upon histopathologic examination after the animal's death, we found degeneration and necrosis of myofibers in skeletal muscle and myocardium. According to history that the wallaby was pressed by other individuals, suspected vitamin E insufficiency in the diet, physical stress during bathing as well as results of a blood test and microscopic examination, we diagnosed this case as capture myopathy. Although capture myopathy is a common problem in marsupials, this is the first reported case in Korea and understanding this case will help to manage future cases of capture myopathy in captive settings in Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1254-1260
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• 2003

The purpose of this study firstly was conducted to establish a radioimmunoassay (RIA) of estrone sulfate ($E_1S$), secondly to monitor the reproductive status of dairy cows using their urine samples. Urine and blood samples were collected in series within a day from four pregnant Holstein-friesian cows to evaluate the relationship between $E_1S$ levels in blood and urine with or without urinary creatinine basis. The urine was then collected biweekly from three cows in estrous and those artificially inseminated; collection from pregnant cows was made on a monthly basis. Results indicated that sensitivity for the $E_1S$ RIA was 5 pg/tube and the recovery rate was 100%. The daily urinary creatinine concentrations fluctuated within a day, but changes were slighter in midday, whereas the changes of concentrations of $E_1S$ in urine were relatively smaller. The concentrations of serum $E_1S$ during the estrous cycle were undetectable due to the limitation of assay, but the urinary $E_1S$ level could be measured with no obvious changes during the cycle. The urinary $E_1S$ levels increased remarkably around 7.7 to 8.3 ng/ml, 80 to 100 days after pregnancy but the serum $E_1S$ levels did not elevate until 120 to 150 days. The level of $E_1S$ increased gradually during pregnancy and eventually reached its peak before parturition at around 40 ng/ml and finally decreased to its basal level 2 days postparturition. During pregnancy, $E_1S$ concentrations of urine increased earlier than those in blood. The correlation coefficients between urinary and serum $E_1S$ concentration during pregnancy and postparturm were higher than those adjusted with creatinine (creatinine ratio). The concentrations of $E_1S$ in urine could be maintained unchanged for 8 days storing the samples in room temperature, which was extended to 8 days when the samples were pretreated by boiling for 30 minutes or treated with autoclave. In conclusion urinary $E_1S$ concentrations can be used directly for monitoring the pregnant status and fetal viability of dairy cows and can assist accurate confirmation of pregnancy in cows at least 80 to 100 days after insemination much earlier than by serum $E_1S$.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.443-447
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• 2007

A 7-year-old, female snow goose (Anser caerulescens hyperboreus) with history of decreased activity for 2 month died in Daejeon Zoo Land in September 2006. At necropsy, granulomatous pneumonia and hepatomegaly with multiple cysts were observed. Small masses were found in the spleen. Microscopically, fibrinous pneumonia distributed in most of the lung lobe with pulmonary edema and congestion. Especially, granulomatous inflammation with numerous multinucleated giant cells was observed around the dilated bronchi. To confirm the diagnosis, acid-fast (Ziehl-Neelsen method) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was performed. Acid-fast staining showed red bacterial colony indicating tuberculosis. PAS staining was also positive enough to diagnose aspergillus spp. co-infection that was an opportunistic fungi occurring in immuno-compromised animals. Based on the above results, we confirmed that the case submitted was diagnosed as avian tuberculosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.530-532
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• 2011

A Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) with lethargy, dyspnea, and poor physical condition was rescued and referred to the Animal Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Korea. The jay's eyelids were sealed with dark-colored hard scabs and it died the day after arrival. At necropsy, diphtheritic membranes on the tongue and oral mucosa were apparent, suggesting avian poxvirus infection based on the appearance of the oral diphtheritic lesions. PCR was conducted using a tissue sample to confirm the causative agent. The jay was diagnosed with an avian pox viral infection. This report describes the first case of a natural avian pox infection in a Eurasian jay in Korea.