Understanding the dietary composition of the Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) is critical for informing conservation efforts, particularly given the species’ vulnerable status in the Republic of Korea and its limited ecological data. Previous dietary studies have relied on conventional methods with limitations in taxonomic precision, hindering comprehensive insights into their feeding ecology. To address this gap, we used Next-Generation Sequencing to analyze 16 fecal samples collected in April from Gangwon Province, the habitat of M. moschiferus. Our results revealed 213 unique plant species, with Morus, Quercus, and Prunus accounting for the majority of the diet. Notably, nearly half of the identified genera, including Morus, Actinidia, and Viscum, were reported for the first time as dietary plants of M. moschiferus. This study confirms that M. moschiferus is a concentrate feeder that primarily relies on woody plants (98.8%) and may exhibit tree-climbing behavior to access parasitic shrubs like Viscum. These findings provide a foundation for future dietary analysis research and serve as valuable baseline data for the long-term conservation of M. moschiferus.

Although the use of incision-free endoscopy for foreign body (FB) removal in dogs and cats has been extensively documented, its application in birds remains limited. Thus, we present the endoscopic removal of gastrointestinal (GI) FBs from psittacine birds, employing different patient positioning and anesthesia methods. Two blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) and a Triton cockatoo (Cacatua galerita triton) were examined. X-ray imaging revealed FBs situated in the proventriculus in each case. The FBs, all identified as feeding tubes, were safely removed using grasping forceps during the endoscopic procedure, and no severe complications occurred. Based on the outcomes of each operation, the most suitable patient position may be ventral recumbency rather than dorsal recumbency, with the use of a mask or endotracheal intubation, depending on the anticipated operation time. However, a larger number of cases would be necessary to confirm the optimal patient positioning and anesthesia method.

Neoplastic diseases are common in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) being the most prevalent oral tumor. Traditional imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT) have limitations in accurately defining tumor extent and detecting metastasis. In this study, a hedgehog with a suspected oral tumor underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, revealing a hypermetabolic lesion consistent with SCC and indications of metastatic activity. The lesion was too extensive for a lumpectomy, and suspected metastasis led to the decision for euthanasia due to the impracticability of further treatment. A histopathological examination after autopsy confirmed the diagnosis and metastatic spread, as suggested by PET/CT findings. This is the first case report demonstrating the potential use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in hedgehogs, facilitating the accurate staging and management of oral SCC. Further research is needed to establish PET/CT as a standard diagnostic tool for neoplastic diseases in hedgehogs.

This retrospective study aimed to establish vertebral heart score (VHS) reference ranges for Asiatic black bear ( Ursus thibetanus ; ABB) and sun bear ( Helarctos malayanus ; SB), and to evaluate interspecific differences and the effects of biological variables on VHS measurement. Although cardiovascular disease is a common health concern for these species in captivity, objective radiographic reference ranges for cardiac size assessments are currently lacking. Thoracic radiographs from 46 clinically healthy sanctuary bears (22 ABBs, 24 SBs) were reviewed. VHS was measured on right lateral (RL) and dorsoventral (DV) views, and thoracic conformation was quantified using the thoracic depth-to-width (D/W) ratio. The influence of sex, age, and morphometric parameters (body weight, body condition score, and chest circumference) on VHS was evaluated within each species. In ABBs, the mean VHS was 10.65 ± 0.48 vertebrae (v) (95% range, 9.90 ‒ 11.67) on RL view and 10.82 ± 0.73 v (95% range, 8.90 ‒ 11.96) on DV views. Corresponding values in SBs were 10.68 ± 0.62 v (RL) (95% range, 9.19 ‒ 11.68) and 11.18 ± 0.67 v (DV) (95% range, 10.13 ‒ 12.28). No significant differences in VHS were observed between the two species, despite distinct differences in thoracic conformation; D/W ratio was 0.73‒1.00 (95% range) in ABBs and 0.59‒0.77 (95% range) in SBs. Sex, age, and morphometric variables were not significantly associated with VHS in either species. Despite significant interspecific variations in thoracic morphology, the VHS remained consistent between species and robust across various biological traits. These species-specific VHS reference ranges provide a practical radiographic tool for objective screening of cardiomegaly and longitudinal monitoring of cardiac size in captive bears, enhancing the clinical management and welfare of captive bears.

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of wildlife. However, its composition and diversity remain unexplored, particularly in threatened species such as the Siberian musk deer (SMD). This study aimed to elucidate the gut microbiota composition within different wild SMD communities for assessing their health status. We conducted the first comprehensive fecal microbiome analysis of wild SMD inhabiting three distinct locations in Gangwon Province, Republic of Korea (Korea). Fecal samples were collected non-invasively and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for gut microbiota characterization. Consistent with previous research, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla in the gut microbiota of wild SMD. Planctomycetota was a prevalent phylum in wild SMD gut microbiota, warranting further investigation of its ecological significance. While significant differences were observed in the gut microbiota richness among the three groups, no significant disparities were detected in the beta diversity. Additionally, certain genera exhibited distinct relative abundances among the groups, suggesting potential associations with geographic factors, gut disorders, and dietary habits. Our findings provide valuable insights into the gut microbiome of wild SMD and offer a foundation for future microbiome-based conservation efforts for this vulnerable species.