VETERINARY NEUROPATHOLOGY OF EXOTIC WILDLIFE

Abstract

Neuropathological diseases of exotic animal species are difficult to diagnose because there are too many species, little reference material exists and the connection between anatomical lesions and behavioural manifestations is so complex.  This research employed both approaches experimentally with mixed-methodology: quantitative examination, quantitative histology, immunohistochemistry, and morphometric analysis and the qualitative assessment of behaviour that was applied to investigate neurological disorders among birds, reptile and small mammals.  To examine the presence of astrocytosis and microglial activation, we performed hematoxylin-eosin and Luxol blue stain and immunolabeling of the brain and spinal cord samples of patients with clinical manifestations with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1).  We made quantitative optical density and lesion load measurements and found that the distribution of lesions across species were not the same and differed significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.05).  Functional deficits such as ataxia, aberrant movement and difficulty eating were observed repeatedly by theme and correlated with histologic data in behavioural observations.  A mixture of expert neuropathologist ratings with morphometric and behavioural data resulted in more reliable and less observer biassed diagnoses.  The findings demonstrate that combination of quantitative tissue data and qualitative behavioural evaluation amounts to a good approach in obtaining a complete profile of exotic animal neuropathology.  The approach proposed in the study is accessible to a variety of species and allows diagnosing more reliably and includes a great potential in conservation medicine, prognosis of rehabilitation, and preventative veterinary practice.