title: DIAGNOSIS AND MEDICAL AND SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC INFECTIOUS FIBRINOUS PLEURITIS IN AN OKAPI (OKAPIA JOHNSTONI).
abstract: A 10-yr-old female okapi (Okapia johnstoni) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park was evaluated for intermittent malaise, inappetence, occasional cough, abdominal splinting, and licking at both flanks. Physical examination revealed tachypnea, tachycardia, and fluid sounds on thoracic auscultation. Transthoracic ultrasound showed multiple uniform, anechoic filled structures in the right and left pleural space. Surgical exploration of the thoracic cavity revealed bilateral, mature, fibrous, compartmentalizing adhesions between the visceral and parietal pleura, confirming a diagnosis of chronic, infectious, fibrinous pleuritis. The suspected etiology was occult aspiration pneumonia secondary to historical episodes of regurgitation associated with general anesthesia. Culture of the pleural fluid and fibrous adhesions grew Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes, Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, and few Fusobacterium species. Treatment consisted of chest-tube placement to establish drainage, thoracic lavage, unilateral surgical debridement, and long-term antibiotics. The animal made a complete clinical recovery over 7 mo.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Franzen
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lamberski
authors.forename: Jeffery
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zuba
authors.forename: G Lynn
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Norman W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Rantanen
mesh_terms: D000192:Actinomycetales / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D000583:Amikacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; C053503:ceftiofur; D000583:Amikacin; D010400:Penicillin G
keywords: Aspiration pneumonia; Okapia johnstoni; Trueperella pyogenes; okapi; pleuritis; thoracotomy