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At least 703 records · Page 39Linked to original sources
USGS1953

Therapy of bacterial fish diseases

During the past decade considerable progress has been made in the therapy of bacterial fish diseases. This progress was possible largely because of the introduction of powerful chemotherapeutic agents such as sulfonamides and antibiotics. Fish furunculosis can be treated with very good results with sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, and sulfaguanidine as well as by chloramphenicol and terramycin. Ulcer disease caused by Hemophilus piscium resists treatment with sulfonamides but responds well to the above mentioned antibiotics. Chemotherapy of fish diseases caused by pseudomonads is possible with chloramphenicol, but sanitary measures are preferred. External disinfections with Roccal and pyridylmercuric acetate (PMA) are satisfactory in treatment and prophylaxis of gill diseases which are probably caused by superficial infections with myxobacteria. Sulfonamides are helpful in systemic infections with myxobacteria and are also being used with some success for the control of a recently described kidney disease of salmonold fishes. Also described are methods of control of other fish diseases and of immunity in cold‐blooded animals and fishes. Most of the drugs in the described treatments may be toxic to fishes, and therefore should be used with caution.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1971

Effects of temperature on electrolyte balance and osmoregulation of the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in fresh and sea water

A study of the effects of temperature and salinity on ionoregulation in the alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, revealed that concentrations of sodium, potassium, and calcium in plasma and muscle were similar in fish adapted to fresh water and those adapted to sea water. The non-stressed alewife is apparently an excellent ionoregulator in both environments. Acute exposure to cold caused a shift in plasma concentrations of sodium and calcium toward environmental concentrations, i.e., these ions decreased in fresh water and increased in sea water. An ionoregulatory failure due to cold is suggested. High temperatures had little effect on plasma electrolyte levels in fresh water whereas in sea water the concentrations of sodium, potassium, and calcium were elevated. Mortalities of the alewife in the Great Lakes may be caused by osmoregulatory failure induced by acute exposure to cold, but are probably not induced by exposure to elevated temperatures. Fish thermally acclimated in the laboratory or in Lake Michigan had essentially normal concentrations of blood electrolytes. In muscle, sodium was reduced during exposure to acute cold in both fresh water and sea water. The effect of warm water on ion levels in muscle was, in general opposite that of cold. These data suggest shifts of ions or water between cellular and extracellular fluids of muscle. Such shifts might affect the function of excitable tissue. Muscle tremors and loss of equilibrium observed in dying alewives during summer mortalities might be brought about when sudden temperature drops (e.g., as a result of upwellings which are common occurrences in the Great Lakes) induce disturbances in cellular or extracellular concentrations of ions. In the laboratory, alewife mortalities caused by increasing or decreasing temperatures were about equal in fresh water and sea water. These findings suggest that salinity does not modify the capacity of alewives to tolerate acute temperature stress.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1976

Physiological response to hooking stress in hatchery and wild rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

This study evaluated the physiological response of rainbow trout to hooking stress after being played under standardized conditions (0–5 min) and estimated the time needed for recovery (to 72 h). Plasma osmolality and chloride measurements were used to evaluate osmoregulatory disturbances and gill ion-exchange function, and plasma glucose was used as an index of the generalized nonspecific physiological stress response. Hooking stress caused more severe blood chemistry differences in hatchery fish than in wild trout. Also, hooking stress imposed a greater stress on larger than on smaller hatchery rainbow trout. Higher water temperatures aggravated the delayed hyperglycemia and hyperchloremia in both hatchery and wild trout but only about 3 days were needed for recovery at 4, 10, or 20 C.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1980

Effects of environmental pH and calcium on ammonia toxicity in channel catfish

The twenty-four-hour median lethal concentrations (24-hour LC50) of total ammonia nitrogen (TA-N) to channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) at pH 7, 8, and 9 (total hardness, 40 mg/liter; temperature, 21–25 C) were 263.6 ± 11.3 (SE), 38.8 ± 1.8, and 4.5 ± 0.2 mg/liter, respectively. The 24-hour LC50 of un-ionized ammonia nitrogen (UIA-N) concentration at pH 8 was significantly higher (1.82 ± 0.06 mg/liter) than at pH 7 or 9 (1.39 ± 0.06 and 1.49 ± 0.12 mg/liter). Enrichment of the water to 440 mg/liter total hardness at pH 7 significantly increased the 24-hour LC50 of TA-N and UIA-N (356.3 ± 16.4 and 1.79 ± 0.07). Fish exposed to 25 mg/liter TA-N for 12 hours at pH 7 and 8 showed no differences from control fish in hematocrit, percent total plasma protein, or plasma and muscle chloride. Plasma sodium showed no difference between control and experimental groups at pH 7; however, a significant decrease occurred in fish exposed to 25 mg/liter TA-N at pH 8. No differences in blood pH were found between the control groups and fish exposed to 100 and 200 mg/liter TA-N at pH 7, and to 10 and 25 mg/liter TA-N at pH 8. Plasma sodium depletion is suggested as a contributing mechanism of ammonia toxicity.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1983

Dietary requirements for essential branched-chain amino acids by lake trout

In a 12‐week growth study of the dietary requirements of young lake trout Salvelinus namaycush for essential branched‐chain amino acids, the leucine requirement was between 2.74 and 3.66%, and the isoleucine requirement between 1.54 and 2.06%, of dietary protein (as‐fed basis). These ranges are substantially lower than those published and widely used in formulation of salmonid feeds. On the basis of both growth criteria and concentration of free amino acids in blood plasma, the valine requirement was within the range of 1.77 to 2.23% of dietary protein. The upper value of this range is substantially lower than the requirement reported for chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Plasma valine concentrations in lake trout responded to dietary supplements of valine above the requirement level; the concentrations increased sharply once the requirement was exceeded. This finding is similar to observations recorded in other animals.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1983

Physiological effects of handling and hauling stress on smallmouth bass

Mortalities associated with the handling and transporting (hauling) of fishes have long been a problem. Tolerance to these stressors varies greatly among species (Davis and Parker 1979; Tomasso et al. 1980; Wydoski and Wedenmeyer 1976). In most fishes, however, handling and hauling losses are caused by two major factors - activation of latent infections as a result of increased endocrine activity (cf. Wedemeyer 1970), and osmoregulatory dysfunctions due to blood electrolyte disturbances (Lewis 1971; Wydoski and Wedemeyer 1976). Basic physiological information on the stress caused by current hatchery practices is helpful in developing new and improved techniques to increase survival. In view of the present fishery management requirements for stocking smallmouth bas ( Micropterus dolomieu ), baseline information on the physiological effects of handling and hauling hatchery-reared fish is needed to serve as the foundation for improving transport methods. Shell (1959) summarized several physiological characteristics of smallmouth bass, but little information on their physiological tolerance to stress exists. The present study was designed to determine the physiological effects of handling and short-term hauling in small mouth bass. Plasma chloride, sodium, potassium, and glucose dynamics were monitored in indicate the severity of the resulting stress and the recovery time needed.

Progressive Fish-Culturist↗
USGS1987

Comparison of five techniques for the detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum in adult coho salmon.

Samples of kidney, spleen, coelomic fluid, and blood from 56 sexually mature coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch were examined for infection by Renibacterium salmoninarum by five methods. The overall prevalence (all sample types combined) of R. salmoninarum in the fish was 100% by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, 86% by the combined results of the direct fluorescent antibody and the direct filtration-fluorescent antibody techniques, 39% by culture, 11% by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, and 5% by agarose gel immunodiffusion. There was a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001) between the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay absorbance levels and the counts by fluorescent antibody techniques for kidney, spleen, and coelomic fluid, and significant positive correlations (P < 0.001) in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay absorbance levels for all four of the sample types.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1989

Electrofishing mark-recapture and depletion methodologies evoke behavioral and physiological changes in cutthroat trout

We examined the behavioral and physiological responses of wild and hatchery-reared cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki subjected to a single electroshock, electroshock plus marking, and multiple electroshocks in natural and artificial streams. In a natural stream, cutthroat trout released after capture by electrofishing and marking showed distinct behavioral changes: fish immediately sought cover, remained relatively inactive, did not feed, and were easily approached by a diver. An average of 3–4 h was required for 50% of the fish to return to a seemingly normal mode of behavior, although responses varied widely among collection sites. Using the depletion method, we observed little change in normal behavior offish remaining in the stream section (i.e., uncaptured fish) after successive passes with electrofishing gear. In an artificial stream, hatchery-reared and wild cutthroat trout immediately decreased their rates of feeding and aggression after they were electroshocked and marked. Hatchery fish generally recovered in 2–3 h; wild fish required at least 24 h to recover. Analysis of feeding and aggression data by hierarchical rank revealed no distinct recovery trends among hatchery fish of different ranks; among wild cutthroat trout, however, socially dominant fish seemed to recover faster than intermediate and subordinate fish. Physiological indicators of stress (plasma cortisol and blood lactic acid) increased significantly in cutthroat trout subjected to electroshock plus marking or single or multiple electroshocks. As judged by the magnitude of the greatest change in cortisol and lactate, multiple electroshocks elicited the most severe stress response; however, plasma concentrations of both substances had returned to unstressed control levels by 6 h after treatment. It was evident that electrofishing and the procedures involved with estimating fish population size elicited a general stress response that was manifested not only physiologically but also behaviorally. These responses may affect the accuracy of population size estimates by violating key assumptions of the methods, especially the assumption of equal catchability offish.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1991

Physiological response of largemouth bass to angling stress

The physiological effects of catch-and-release fishing on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides from Lake Powell and Mantua Reservoir, Utah, were evaluated, and an estimate of the time needed for recovery from hooking stress was obtained. Fatigue in Lake Powell fish, as indicated by elevated blood lactate, was directly proportional to hooking time (1–5 min) and water temperature, but recovery from the hyperlacticemia was relatively rapid (about 24 h). Hyperglycemia, an indicator of stress hormone production, did not occur in largemouth bass hooked and played for 1–5 min in the coldest water (11–13°C), was moderate in fish hooked and played at l6–20°C, and was severe in fish played for 5 min at 28–30°C. Fish held for recovery in live cages suffered further hyperglycemia, presumably because of the stress of confinement. Ionoregulation, as indicated by relatively stable plasma chloride values, was not immediately affected in largemouth bass caught at water temperatures of 11–13°C or 28–30°C, but an unusual hyperchloremia developed in fish hooked and played at 16–20°C. During recovery, the expected progressive hypochloremia developed. Plasma osmolality was somewhat affected by hooking at all water temperatures tested, but recovery was almost complete within about 8 h. Mantua Reservoir fish were hooked and played only at water temperatures of 23–26°C. The hyperlacticemia and hyperglycemia that occurred were generally more severe than in the Lake Powell fish hooked and played at either 16–20°C or 28–30°C. However, effects on plasma chloride and osmolality were similar to those occurring in Lake Powell fish.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1998

Effect of dietary amprolium on tissue thiamand Cayuga syndrome Atlantic salmon

Broodfish of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar were fed either thiamin-deficient diets fortified with 0.05% and 0.1% amprolium chloride (Amp, a thiamin antagonist) or thiamin-sufficient diets (0% Amp and ASD2-30, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service open-formula feed) for 6 months before spawning. We observed Cayuga syndrome (CS) only in the fry produced from broodfish fed the amprolium diets. The percent fry mortality due to CS was less than 1% in the 0.05% Amp group and was more than 3% in the 0.1% Amp group. Free thiamin was the predominant form of thiamin in the eggs of all broodfish; concentrations were two orders of magnitude greater than that of thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) and thiamin monophosphate (TMP). Free thiamin was greatest in eggs of broodfish fed the thiamin-sufficient diets. Total thiamin and TMP in red blood cells (RBCs) of broodfish fed the thiamin-deficient diets were reduced to the initial levels by the end of the study. Levels of free thiamin in RBCs were similar in all treatment groups at spawning, as were levels of TPP. Amprolium feeding significantly reduced total thiamin levels in heart, liver, and muscle but not in kidney. Except for thiamin found in eggs, TPP was the predominant form of thiamin in all the other tissues, whereas free thiamin was the least predominant. The data support the hypothesis that thiamin deficiency may cause Cayuga syndrome in Atlantic salmon sac fry. The low incidence of the syndrome in this study may be due to the short duration of the feeding trial or to the low levels of amprolium added to the diets.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS2000

Interaction of infection with Renibacterium salmoninarum and physical stress in juvenile chinook salmon: Physiological responses, disease progression, and mortality

We experimentally infected juvenile spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha with Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs), the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD), in order to compare the physiological responses of Rs-infected and Rs-noninfected fish to a series of multiple, acute stressors and to determine whether exposure to these stressors worsens the infection and leads to increased mortality. After subjecting groups of fish to a waterborne challenge of Rs, we sampled them biweekly to monitor infection levels, mortality, and some stress-related physiological changes. As infections worsened, fish developed decreased hematocrits and blood glucose levels and increased levels of cortisol and lactate, indicating that BKD is stressful, particularly during the later stages. Eight weeks after the challenge, when fish had moderate to high infection levels, we subjected them, along with unchallenged control fish, to three 60-s bouts of hypoxia, struggling, and mild agitation that were separated by 48-72 h. Our results indicate that the imposition of these stressors on Rs-infected fish did not lead to higher infection levels or increased mortality when compared with diseased fish that did not receive the stressors. Furthermore, the kinetics of plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate over a 24-h period following each application of the stressor were similar between fish with moderate to high Rs infections and those that had low or no detectable infection. Some differences in the stress responses of these two groups did exist, however. Most notably, fish with moderate to high Rs infections had higher titers of cortisol and lactate prior to each application of the stressor and also were unable to consistently elicit a significant hyperglycemia in response to the stressors. Collectively, our results should be important in understanding the impact that BKD has on the survival of juvenile salmonids, but we caution that our results represent the combined effects of one type of stressor and one disease only and probably cannot be applied to other scenarios.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS2003

Swimming performance and physiological responses to exhaustive exercise in radio-tagged and untagged Pacific lampreys

Populations of Pacific lamprey Lampetra tridentata have declined in the Columbia River basin. One factor that may have contributed to this reduction in population size is an excessive use of energy by adult lampreys as they negotiate fishways at dams during spawning migrations. To gain an understanding of the performance capacity of Pacific lampreys, we estimated the critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and documented physiological responses of radio-tagged and untagged adult lampreys exercised to exhaustion. The mean (??SD) Ucrit of untagged lampreys was 86.2 ?? 7.5 cm/s at 15??C, whereas the Ucrit for radio-tagged lampreys was 81.5 ?? 7.0 cm/s, a speed that was significantly lower than that of untagged fish. The physiological responses of tagged and untagged lampreys subjected to exhaustive exercise included decreases in blood pH of 0.3-0.5 units, a 40% decrease in muscle glycogen levels, a 22% increase in hematocrit for untagged fish only, and a 4- to 5-fold increase in muscle and a 40- to 100-fold increase in plasma lactate concentrations. These physiological changes were significant compared with resting control fish and usually returned to resting levels by 1-4 h after fatigue. Our estimates of Ucrit for Pacific lampreys are the first quantitative measures of their swimming performance and suggest that these fish may have difficulty negotiating fishways at dams on the Columbia River, which can have water velocities approaching 2 m/s. Our physiological results indicate that tagged and untagged Pacific lampreys show similar metabolic dysfunction after exhaustive exercise but recover quickly from a single exposure to such a stressor.

Oregon, Washington↗
USGS1993

Volitional migration of Atlantic salmon from seasonal holding ponds

For 5 years we used seawater tolerance tests (seawater challenges) to identify smolts, and tunnel fish counters to record the time of migration, of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar that volitionally left holding ponds on the Merrimack River near Litchfield, New Hampshire. We compared timing of Atlantic salmon movements with environmental conditions and blood composition of migrating and nonmigrating fish. None of the pan from the Nashua National Fish Hatchery (NFH) tested in seawater in 1984–1986 and from the North Attleboro NFH tested in 1987–1988 smoltified in the ponds. Yet, smolts were seemingly produced because 50 of 135 Atlantic salmon with radio transmitters from these ponds were traced to the ocean, and 9 of the 20,680 Atlantic salmon marked in 1984 from Litchfield subsequently returned to spawn. In all years except 1987, we forced Atlantic salmon out of the ponds by mid‐May because of high water temperatures. In 1987, all Atlantic salmon from the North Attleboro NFH left the smolt‐holding ponds by April 10. Only 25% of these fish that were caught in the river passed a seawater tolerance test. In 1988, seawater tolerance tests revealed that salmon held at the North Attleboro NFH smoltified in May after fish in the Litchfield ponds had either been forced out or emigrated. Rearing at a constant temperature in the hatchery may have delayed the time of smoltification. Peak migrations were associated with periods of sustained rising temperatures, river flow, and turbidity. Volitional migration occurred before smoltification was detectable and may be the best predictor of smoltification's early stages.

New Hampshire↗
USGS2000

Physiological development and migratory behavior of subyearling fall chinook salmon in the Columbia River

We describe the migratory behavior and physiological development of subyearling fall chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha migrating through John Day Reservoir on the Columbia River, Washington and Oregon. Fish were freeze-branded and coded-wire-tagged at McNary Dam, Oregon, from 1991 to 1994, to determine travel time to John Day Dam and subsequent adult contribution. Stepwise multiple regression showed that 47% of the variation in subyearling fall chinook salmon travel time was explained by the reciprocal of minimum flow and fish size. Smoltification, as measured by gill Na+-K+ adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity, was not important in explaining variability in travel time of subyearling chinook salmon. Fish marked early in the out-migration generally traveled faster than middle and late migrants. Seawater challenges were used to describe physiological development and showed that osmoregulatory competence of premigrants in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River increased with fish size and gill ATPase activity. Once active migrants began passing McNary Dam, fish generally had survival exceeding 90% and were able to regulate their blood plasma Na+ in seawater. Gill ATPase activity increased as premigrants, reared in nearshore areas of the Hanford Reach, reached a peak among active migrants in late June and early July then decreased through the remainder of the out-migration. Salinity preference also peaked in subyearling fall chinook salmon during late June to mid July in 1995. Return of adults from marked groups showed no consistent patterns that would suggest a survival advantage for any portion of the juvenile out-migration. Presumed wild migrants from the middle and late portions of the out-migration were primary contributors to all fisheries, except the Priest Rapids Hatchery. As such, fishery managers should take action to ensure the survival of these fish, especially because they migrate under more unfavorable environmental conditions than early migrants.

Oregon; Washington↗
USGS2005

Hooking mortality and physiological responses of striped bass angled in freshwater and held in live-release tubes

Mortality and physiological responses of adult striped bass Morone saxatilis angled from Lake Murray, South Carolina, and held in live-release tubes were evaluated during the spring and summer of 2003. To estimate mortality, we attached external ultrasonic transmitters to 59 striped bass (mean total length [TL] = 585 mm). Striped bass were caught with angling gear, tagged, and immediately released or held in live-release tubes for 2, 4, or 6 h prior to release. No mortality of striped bass was observed during spring. Overall mortality during summer was 83%. Mortality of summer-caught striped bass was not related to tube residence time, fish TL, depth of capture, or surface water temperature. To characterize physiological stress, we measured the plasma cortisol, glucose, lactate, and osmolality levels of 62 additional striped bass (mean TL = 563 mm) that were angled and immediately released or angled and held in live-release tubes. Plasma cortisol, glucose, lactate, and osmolality were positively related to tube residence time. When the hematological characteristics were considered only in relation to tube residence time, responses indicative of physiological stress continued for about 150 min, after which blood chemistry began to return to normal. Live-release tubes appear to be useful for keeping striped bass alive when they are angled from cool water, but they are not effective for striped bass angled from warm water. The high summer mortality of striped bass suggests a need for restrictive fishing regulations during the summer for the Lake Murray striped bass fishery. ?? Copyright by the American Fisheries Society 2005.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗
USGS2010

Physiological response of wild dugongs ( Dugong dugon ) to out-of-water sampling for health assessment

The dugong ( Dugong dugon ) is a vulnerable marine mammal with large populations living in urban Queensland waters. A mark-recapture program for wild dugongs has been ongoing in southern Queensland since 2001. This program has involved capture and in-water sampling of more than 700 dugongs where animals have been held at the water surface for 5 min to be gene-tagged, measured, and biopsied. In 2008, this program expanded to examine more comprehensively body condition, reproductive status, and the health of wild dugongs in Moreton Bay. Using Sea World's research vessel, captured dugongs were lifted onto a boat and sampled out-of-water to obtain accurate body weights and morphometrics, collect blood and urine samples for baseline health parameters and hormone profiles, and ultrasound females for pregnancy status. In all, 30 dugongs, including two pregnant females, were sampled over 10 d and restrained on deck for up to 55 min each while biological data were collected. Each of the dugongs had their basic temperature-heart rate-respiration (THR) monitored throughout their period of handling, following protocols developed for the West Indian manatee ( Trichechus manatus ). This paper reports on the physiological response of captured dugongs during this out-of-water operation as indicated by their vital signs and the suitability of the manatee monitoring protocols to this related sirenian species. A recommendation is made that the range of vital signs of these wild dugongs be used as benchmark criteria of normal parameters for other studies that intend to sample dugongs out-of-water.

Queensland↗
USGS2001

Antibody response to rabies vaccination in captive and freeranging wolves (Canis lupus)

Fourteen captive and five free-ranging Minnesota gray wolves (Canis lupus) were tested for the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) after vaccination with an inactivated canine rabies vaccine. Blood was collected from all wolves prior to vaccination and at 1 mo postvaccination (PV) and from all captive and three wild wolves at 3 mo PV. In addition, one free-ranging wolf was sampled at 4 mo PV, and two free-ranging wolves were sampled at 6 mo PV. All wolves were seronegative prior to vaccination. RVNA were detected in 14 (100%) captive wolves and in four of five (80%) free-ranging wolves. The geometric mean titer of the captive wolves at 1 mo PV was significantly higher (P = 0.023) than in the free-ranging wolves. Five of 13 (38.5%) captive wolves and none of the three (0%) free-ranging wolves had measurable RVNA at 3 mo PV. No measurable RVNA were detected in the serum samples collected from the free-ranging wolves at 4 and 6 mo PV. These results should be interpreted with caution because of the small number of free-ranging wolves tested. Further research is needed to properly assess immune function and antibody response to vaccination in captive wolves in comparison with their free-ranging counterparts.

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine↗
USGS2011

Short-term survival and effects of transmitter implantation into western grebes using a modified surgical procedure

Two pilot trials and one study in a closely related grebe species suggest that Western grebes ( Aechmophorus occidentalis ) will not tolerate intracoelomic transmitter implantation with percutaneous antennae and often die within days of surgery. Wild Western grebes (n = 21) were captured to evaluate a modified surgical technique. Seven birds were surgically implanted with intracoelomic transmitters with percutaneous antennae by using the modified technique (transmitter group), 7 received the same surgery without transmitter implantation (celiotomy group), and 7 served as controls (only undergoing anesthesia). Modifications included laterally offsetting the body wall incision from the skin incision, application of absorbable cyanoacrylate tissue glue to the subcutaneous space between the body wall and skin incisions, application of a waterproof sealant to the skin incision after suture closure, and application of a piece of porcine small intestine submucosa to the antenna egress. Survival did not differ among the 3 groups with 7 of 7 control, 6 of 7 celiotomy, and 6 of 7 transmitter birds surviving the 9-day study. Experimental birds were euthanized at the end of the study, and postmortem findings indicated normal healing. Significant differences in plasma chemistry or immune function were not detected among the 3 groups, and only minor differences were detected in red blood cell indices and plasma proteins. After surgery, the birds in the transmitter group spent more time preening tail feathers than those in the control and celiotomy groups. These results demonstrate that, in a captive situation, celiotomy and intracoelomic transmitter implantation caused minimal detectable homeostatic disturbance in this species and that Western grebes can survive implantation of intracoelomic transmitters with percutaneous antennae. It remains to be determined what potential this modified surgical procedure has to improve postoperative survival of Western grebes that are intracelomically implanted with transmitters with percutaneous antennae and released into the wild.

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine↗