Neural angiostrongylosis in three captive rufous bettongs (Aepyprymnus rufescens).
Neurological disease attributed to migration of the rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), is described in three captive rufous bettongs (Aepyprymnus rufescens). Clinical signs, including ascending paralysis and multifocal neurological deficits, were similar to those seen in other species. Histologically, the severity of meningoencephalomyelitis ranged from mild to moderate. In one animal cerebrospinal fluid contained a high percentage of eosinophils but peripheral blood cell counts were within normal limits. Treatment with dexamethasone, diazepam and vitamin E was unsuccessful. The prognosis for bettongs with this disease is poor. The susceptibility of this species to this disease has implications for enclosure design.
Higgins
D P
DP
Currumbin Sanctuary, Queensland.
Carlisle-Nowak
M S
MS
Mackie
J
J
D017185:Angiostrongylus cantonensis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000469:parasitology*; D010243:Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014810:Vitamin E; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003975:Diazepam