Kimberly L. Boykin

Diagnosing fractures in hummingbirds is challenging because of their small size. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance and inter-reviewer agreement of four imaging modalities—conventional radiography, dental radiography, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and three-dimensional (3D)-reconstructed images from micro-CT scans—for identifying fractures in 16 ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) admitted to a wildlife hospital. Six independent reviewers, with or in training for a specialty in veterinary radiology or wildlife medicine, assessed randomized image sets. Gross dissection of the carcasses using dermestid beetle larvae established the gold standard. Diagnostic performance metrics—sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios—were calculated for each modality. Inter-reviewer agreement was assessed using Fleiss’ kappa. Our results demonstrated that advanced imaging techniques improved diagnostic performance and inter-reviewer agreement compared to traditional radiography. While specificity (>88%) was comparable to other small animal studies, the sensitivity did not exceed 50% across all modalities. This low sensitivity reflects the challenges posed by minimal fracture displacement and hummingbirds’ extremely small size. Only 3D images achieved high positive likelihood ratios and superior inter-reviewer agreement, highlighting the unique value of 3D visualization in complex anatomical evaluations. Overall, the minute structures of hummingbirds present inherent diagnostic limitations, underscoring that negative radiographic results must be interpreted cautiously, and the possibility of false negatives should prompt consideration of advanced or follow-up imaging when clinical suspicion persists.

Pre-, pro-, and post-biotics have been used with success in several commercially grown insect species to increase yields and improve health outcomes. However, few studies have been published evaluating the use of nutritional supplements in Acheta domesticus. For this study, we fed day-old, farm-raised, A. domesticus a Saccharomyces cerevisiae postbiotic product at one of three different inclusion rates (0, 0.25, and 0.5%) for 32 days. Crickets were analyzed for differences in average weights, total biomass, percent survival, nutritional analyses, viral qPCR, and 16S/18S microbiomes. Crickets receiving the 0.5% inclusion feed trended towards having a higher total biomass (F = 3.823, p = 0.052) and a higher percent survival per bin (F = 3.667, p = 0.057) than the crickets receiving lower inclusion feeds. No significant differences were found in viral prevalences or loads. Significant changes to the microbiomes were mostly defined by increased abundances of presumed beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia, Catenibacillus, and Odoribacter) in the groups receiving postbiotics rather than by losses of harmful bacteria. For the 18S results, there was an increased abundance of a Gregarian apicomplexan, Leidyana erratica in the treatment groups. Overall, the 0.5% inclusion feed appeared to be beneficial and further study investigating other forms of feed additives is warranted.

Research on the gut microbiome, which includes microbial communities and genetic material in the gastrointestinal tract, has revealed essential roles beyond digestion, such as immune regulation, metabolism, and homeostasis. However, studies on birds—key ecosystem members—remain limited. Injured wild birds admitted to wildlife hospitals often receive antibiotics that can alter gut microbiota, leading to dysbiosis and promoting antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. This study examined how hospitalization and antibiotics influence the cloacal microbiota of barred owls admitted for fracture repair. A total of 17 cloacal swab samples were analyzed using next-generation sequencing targeting 16S rRNA and AMR genes. Across all samples, Bacillota (Firmicutes), Actinomycetota (Actinobacteria), and Pseudomonadota (Proteobacteria) were the most abundant phyla. In non-antibiotic-treated owls, alpha and beta diversity showed no significant changes between admission and release; however, antibiotic-treated owls exhibited significant diversity shifts in these parameters at release. AMR genes were detected in most samples at admission, with some increasing significantly during hospitalization, suggesting an impact of antibiotic exposure. These findings provide insights into how antibiotics used in wildlife rehabilitation affect host microbiota and contribute to AMR gene dissemination.

Commercial cricket production has been plagued by viral disease outbreaks that have decimated their potential outputs and profit margins. To date, no epidemiological studies have been performed to estimate the prevalence of major viruses affecting crickets raised in commercial settings. A cross-sectional study was performed to estimate the prevalence of three important viruses (Acheta domesticus densovirus [AdDV], Acheta domesticus volvovirus [AdVVV], and invertebrate iridovirus 6 [CrIV]). Samples were collected across age groups (2-, 4-, and 6-week-olds) and seasons (January, May, August, and October) to determine the effect that these variables had on the prevalence rates. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed and revealed the following high overall prevalence rates: 46.7, 100, and 100% for AdDV, AdVVV, and CrIV, respectively. Viral loads varied from 10^1–5 for AdDV, 10^2–7 for AdVVV, and 10^2–9 for CrIV. AdDV prevalence rates were statistically significant across age and season (age: χ² = 8.3, p = 0.015; season: χ² = 59.7, p < 0.001), with crickets more likely to be infected as they aged and during the colder winter months. CrIV followed similar trends when looking at changes in viral loads between ages and seasons. AdVVV experienced a spike in viral loads across all ages during the month of August. Understanding the epidemiology of these viruses is instrumental in determining best management practices for commercially raised crickets.

Over the last two decades, the insects-as-food-and-feed industry has rapidly emerged. Its growth is largely because insects require substantially less resources (water, food, and energy) to produce than traditional sources of animal protein, making it a sustainable alternative food option. As this industry continues to grow, veterinarians will likely be called upon to assist in identifying food safety concerns, assessing animal health, implementing biosecurity measures, and formulating/prescribing treatment protocols comparable to what we have seen with the honeybee industry and the institution of veterinary feed directives (VFDs). Similar to other agricultural markets, high animal densities and management practices put insects at high risk for infectious diseases. Veterinarians interested in working with these species will need to become knowledgeable regarding the diseases afflicting the feeder insect industry and how best to diagnose and treat pathogens of concern. Using the edible cricket industry as an example, this review will highlight health and production issues while drawing similarities to other traditional livestock operations. If the insects-as-feed-and-food industry is going to be viable, veterinary involvement will be essential to ensure that insects can be used as a safe source of food for all.

Anthropogenic activities have negatively affected many birds, including owls. The Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana (WHL) has seen a 3.2-fold increase in barred owl (Strix varia) cases over the past eight years (2023, 134; 2015, 42). Because most of these animals present with traumatic injuries, analgesics should be considered in their treatment plan. To date, no study has measured the pharmacokinetics of an analgesic in barred owls. The goals of this study were to determine the harmonic means, times to maximum concentration, and elimination half-lives for single 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg intramuscular doses of meloxicam. Twelve barred owls (1 mg/kg, n = 6; 2 mg/kg, n = 6) admitted to the WHL and determined to be clinically normal based on examination and blood work were recruited for this study. Meloxicam was administered intramuscularly, and blood samples were collected intermittently over 12 h to measure plasma concentrations using high-performance liquid chromatography. Both doses had rapid elimination half-lives (1 mg/kg, 0.99 ± 0.1 h; 2 mg/kg, 1.07 ± 0.43 h) and were below the limits of quantification (0.1 µg/mL) by 6–12 h. Based on these results, 1 and 2 mg/kg doses of meloxicam were found to produce plasma concentrations below therapeutic concentrations for less than four hours, making current twice-daily recommended dosing intervals unlikely to provide desired analgesia.

Reptiles are highly susceptible to anthropogenic activities as a result of their narrow geographical ranges and habitat specialization, making them a conservation concern. Geckos represent one of the mega-diverse reptile lineages under pressure; however, limited assisted reproductive technologies currently exist for these animals. Exogenous pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) has been found to exhibit follicle stimulating hormone-like action and has been routinely used to alter reproductive hormones of vertebrates in assisted reproductive protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of serial injections of 20 IU and 50 IU PMSG on circulating testosterone concentrations, testicular dynamics, and semen production in a model species of gecko. Twenty-four captive-bred, adult, male leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) were divided into three treatment groups and administered a once-weekly injection of either PMSG or saline for a total of nine weeks. Ultrasonographic testicular measurements, electrostimulation for semen collection, and venipuncture were performed on days 0, 21, 42, and 63. Right unilateral orchidectomies and epididymectomies were performed in all animals on day 63; tissues were submitted for histopathology. PMSG treated geckos had significantly higher testicular volumes and weights, spermatozoa motility, and spermatozoa concentrations compared with controls. However, there were no significant differences in testosterone concentrations by treatment or time. Under the conditions outlined, PMSG is effective at stimulating spermatogenesis and increasing testicular size, but not effective at increasing testosterone concentrations in the leopard gecko between October–December in the Northern hemisphere.

Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae are potentially an excellent source of calcium for insectivores; however, previous studies have identified that they lack appreciable amounts of fat‐soluble vitamins (A, D₃, and E). To make BSF larvae a more complete food item, fat‐soluble vitamins should either be provided via gut loading or with a multivitamin dusting supplement. The purpose of this study is to identify factors associated with gut loading vitamin A into BSF larvae and to develop feeding recommendations for a more consistent gut‐loading process. Factors that were addressed include the vitamin A concentration added to the diet, length of time given to gut load, moisture content of the diet, and density of larvae during feeding. Diets and larvae were analyzed for vitamin A concentration using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Larval vitamin A concentrations increased in a nonlinear fashion with increasing dietary vitamin A. Length of time (F = 150.818, p < .001), moisture content of the diet (F = 41.436, p < .001), and larval density (F = 78.407, p < .001) were all found to be significant factors contributing to the larvae's gut‐loading capacity. On the basis of our results and vitamin A recommendations from the National Resource Council for rats and poultry, gut‐loading recommendations for BSF larvae when fed to insectivorous reptiles and amphibians are as follows: vitamin A concentration of diet between 16,000 and 20,000 mcg retinol equivalents/kg, gut‐loading time period of 24 h, moisture content of the diet approximately 60%, and larval density between 0.1 and 1 larvae per each gram of moist substrate.

Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae have been marketed as an excellent choice for providing calcium to reptiles without the need of dusting or gut loading. However, previous studies have indicated that they have limited calcium digestibility and are deficient in fat soluble vitamins (A, D₃, and E). In this feeding and digestibility trial, 24 adult male leopard geckos were fed one of three diets for 4 months: 1) whole, vitamin A gut loaded larvae; 2) needle pierced, vitamin A gut loaded larvae; or 3) whole, non-gut loaded larvae. Fecal output from the geckos was collected daily and apparent digestibility was calculated for dry matter, protein, fat, and minerals. There were no differences in digestibility coefficients among groups. Most nutrients were well digested by the leopard geckos when compared to previous studies, with the exception of calcium (digestibility co-efficient 43%), as the calcium-rich exoskeleton usually remained intact after passage through the GI tract. Biochemistry profiles revealed possible deficits occurring over time for calcium, sodium, and total protein. In regards to vitamin A digestibility, plasma and liver vitamin A concentrations were significantly higher in the supplemented groups (plasma- gut loaded groups: 33.38 ± 7.11 ng/ml, control group: 25.8 ± 6.72 ng/ml, t = 1.906, p = 0.04; liver- gut loaded groups: 28.67 ± 18.90 μg/g, control group: 14.13 ± 7.41 μg/g, t = 1.951, p = 0.03). While leopard geckos are able to digest most of the nutrients provided by BSF larvae, including those that have been gut loaded, more research needs to be performed to assess whether or not they provide adequate calcium in their non-supplemented form.

Objective: Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are popular pets and can be affected by a range of ocular disorders. Our objective was to report ocular findings in a group of healthy captive leopard geckos and to establish reference ranges for commonly performed ocular diagnostic tests.Animals studied: Twenty‐six healthy male geckos aged 1 year old (n = 4) and >2 years old (n = 22).Procedures: All animals underwent ophthalmic examination, corneal esthesiometry, modified Schirmer tear test (mSTT), rebound tonometry, conjunctival bacterial aerobic and fungal culture, and measurement of ocular dimensions. Student's t test was used to compare values of corneal esthesiometry, tonometry and mSTT between groups. Multiple correlations were assessed by Pearson correlation coefficient.Results: All animals had a normal ocular examination. Tear production as measured with a mSTT (mean ± SD) technique was 3.1 ± 1.3 mm/min and tonometry values (mean ± SD) were 8.2 ± 1.7 mm Hg. Corneal touch threshold (median, range) was 4.4 cm, 2.5‐5.0. Younger animals had a significantly increased corneal sensitivity compared to older animals (P = .0383). Results of culture showed no growth for fungal organism in any animals. Conjunctival bacterial isolation rates were low, with only 7/26 samples positive for nine bacterial species.Conclusions: Leopard geckos are amenable to ophthalmic examination and ocular diagnostic database testing with minimal manual restraint.