Ronan Eustace

The diagnostic utility and reference intervals for blood studies in Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) are not well described. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been evaluated in non-mammalian vertebrates and shows a higher fraction resolution and less overall variation in results than agarose gel electrophoresis. To date, the investigation of novel biomarkers has been limited in reptiles. MRP-126, a calgranulin homologue in reptiles, has not been evaluated for its diagnostic potential in tortoises. The goals of this study were to establish preliminary reference intervals for CZE protein electrophoresis and to examine MRP-126 as a potential biomarker of inflammation in Aldabra giant tortoises. In 27 clinically healthy tortoises, CZE resolved seven protein fractions. In tortoises with an inflammatory or infectious disease process (n = 4), MRP-126 concentrations and CZE fractions did not consistently increase or were abnormal. To strengthen the understanding of the diagnostic value of CZE and MRP-126 concentration in this species, future studies should evaluate a larger sample set inclusive of repeated measures of clinically abnormal tortoises as well as CZE and MRP-126 variations in regard to additional health conditions, age, sex, season, and geographic location.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are common well-described cutaneous neoplasms in many domestic species. Few cutaneous neoplasms have been reported in cervids, other than papilloma virus–induced benign cutaneous fibromas (BCFs). Two wild-caught Alaskan moose ( Alces alces), housed at different North American zoos, were both presented with lameness and a mass. The gross appearance of each mass varied greatly; case 1 had a distinct, exophytic, ulcerated mass near the right carpal joint similar in appearance to a BCF, and case 2 had a pronounced swelling over the left hip. Based on histologic evaluation, both masses were diagnosed as STS. The clinical presentation of these masses included rapid growth and associated lameness; however, gross appearance was markedly different. Histopathology revealed characteristics typical of STS in other species, including spindle-shaped cells arranged in streaming sheets with ovoid nuclei. STS should be included as a differential diagnosis for moose with a cutaneous or subcutaneous soft tissue mass or swelling.