Romain Pizzi

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Romain Pizzi BVSc MSc PhD DZooMed DipECZM MACVS(Surg) FRES FRGS FRSB FRCVS is a specialist wildlife veterinary surgeon working internationally
Phone: +44 7761 982404
Address: Wildlife Surgery International
40 Charlton Grove
Roslin
EH25 9NX
Scotland
United KIngdom

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Julian D Reynolds

Trinity College Dublin

Alex Mauricio Jimenez-Ortega

Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó

David Seamon

Kansas State University

Mahendra Maharjan

Tribhuvan University

Armando Marques-Guedes

UNL - New University of Lisbon

Richard Sullivan

King's College London

Andrew C Breed

The University of Queensland, Australia

David Soeiro

UFMG - The Federal University of Minas Gerais

Dr Noore Alam Tufani

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)

Dr. Eluvathingal Antony Jayson

Kerala Forest Research Institute

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Papers by Romain Pizzi

Factors affecting the survival of harbor ( Phoca vitulina ) and gray seal ( Halichoerus grypus ) juveniles admitted for rehabilitation in the <scp>UK</scp> and Ireland

Marine Mammal Science, Oct 14, 2022

Treating injured hedgehogs

Veterinary Record, Jul 1, 2019

We would like to thank Lynne Garner for raising the issue of veterinary care for hedgehogs (VR, 1... more We would like to thank Lynne Garner for raising the issue of veterinary care for hedgehogs (VR, 13 July 2019, vol 185, p 56) and would agree that this species, along with all British wildlife, does not always receive an acceptable standard of care. Additionally, we also agree that the work of rescue centres – particularly related to native patients returning to the wild – is vital, as their specialised training in wildlife animal care usually falls outside the remit of veterinary professionals. > All veterinary surgeons should have working knowledge of …

Parasites of Tarantulas (Theraphosidae)

Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, Oct 1, 2009

ABSTRACT Exotic animal medicine has evolved to include an increasing amount of veterinary treatme... more ABSTRACT Exotic animal medicine has evolved to include an increasing amount of veterinary treatment of a wide variety of species, including invertebrates. Tarantula spiders, being long-lived and visually charismatic, are among the most popular invertebrate pets and zoological exhibits. Several diseases are recognized in captive tarantulas, some of the most important of which are parasitic. Management and treatment of invertebrate parasites of patients such as tarantulas, which are themselves invertebrates, present some unique challenges to the exotic animal clinician.

Capillaria hepatica (syn Calodium hepaticum) in primates in a zoological collection in the UK

PubMed, Dec 6, 2008

Capillaria hepatica (syn Calodium hepaticum ), first described by [Bancroft (1893)][1] is a zoono... more

Examination, triage and hospitalization

Signs that may not be an emergency when described in a dog or cat could well be so in an avian pa... more Signs that may not be an emergency when described in a dog or cat could well be so in an avian patient. Simple written guidelines are the best means of ensuring that urgent cases are correctly prioritized, especially in large practices with several reception staff. This chapter assesses accepting an avian case; history and assessment of husbandry; clinical examination; physical examination; triage and emergency medicine; fluid therapy; stabilization and further examination; and hospitalization.

Minimally Invasive Surgery Techniques

Laparoscopic repair of an umbilical hernia in a Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) rescued in Sierra Leone

Journal of Medical Primatology, Apr 3, 2019

Laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair was performed in an adult female Western chimpanzee (Pan tro... more Laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair was performed in an adult female Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) in a rescue centre in Sierra Leone. Biological mesh and laparoscopic spiral tacks via three 5 mm laparoscopy ports were used to close a 4 cm hernia. The chimpanzee recovered quickly and the hernia did not recur.

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Cystoscopic removal of a urolith from a pet guinea pig

Veterinary Record, Aug 1, 2009

... 6th edn. John Hopkins University Press. pp 1213-1714. ↵: Okewole PA,; Odeyemi PS,; Oladunmade... more

Postmortem Evaluation of Left Flank Laparoscopic Access in an Adult Female Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Veterinary Medicine International, 2010

There are still few reports of laparoscopy in megavertebrates. The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardali... more There are still few reports of laparoscopy in megavertebrates. The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is the tallest land mammal, and the largest ruminant species. An 18-year-old multiparous female hybrid giraffe, weighing 650 kg, was euthanized for chronic health problems, and left flank laparoscopy was performed less than 30 minutes after death. Safe primary access was achieved under visualisation using an optical bladed trocar (Visiport Plus, Tyco healthcare UK Ltd) without prior abdominal insufflation. A left paralumbar fossa approach allowed access to the spleen, rumen, left kidney, and intestines, but did not allow access to the reproductive tract which in nongravid females is intrapelvic in nature.

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Veterinarians and Taxonomic Chauvinism: The Dilemma of Parasite Conservation

Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, Oct 1, 2009

Abstract Preservation of biodiversity is one of the fundamental objectives of conservation. Anima... more Abstract Preservation of biodiversity is one of the fundamental objectives of conservation. Animal conservation programs, however, tend to be dominated by charismatic vertebrate species. Many parasites are highly specialized, having evolved to depend on a single species and may be rarer and hence more endangered than their specific hosts. The phenomenon of coextinction, in which there is the loss of affiliated species such as parasites, needs consideration if conservation is not to fall victim to taxonomic chauvinism. Broad-spectrum antiparasitic drugs when used in free-living wildlife can have an effect on nontargeted species and the wider ecosystem. It is also recognized that parasites may have a role to play in the normal functioning of a host's immune system when the two have coevolved over an extended period of time. Although the concept of parasite conservation is in itself controversial, this is further complicated when deciding to which areas of conservation medicine it should apply.

Learning from lions: frugal surgical innovation in the wild

Bulletin of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2023

Congenital cardiovascular abnormalities in lions--do we have a genetic problem in our captive lion populations?

... Romain Pizzi 1, Yolanda Martinez Pereira 2, Edmuch Flach 1, Andrew Routh 1, Virginia Middleto... more

Wading birds

British Small Animal Veterinary Association eBooks, Dec 1, 2016

Disease Management in Ex-Situ Invertebrate Conservation Programs

Elsevier eBooks, 2008

Salmonella Enteritidis ST183: emerging and endemic biotypes affecting western European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and people in Great Britain

Scientific Reports, Feb 5, 2018

The impacts of hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) Salmonella infection on public health and on animal... more The impacts of hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) Salmonella infection on public health and on animal welfare and conservation are unknown. We isolated Salmonella Enteritidis multi-locus sequence-type (ST)183 from 46/170 (27%) hedgehog carcasses (27 S. Enteritidis phage type (PT)11, 18 of a novel PT66 biotype and one with co-infection of these PTs) and from 6/208 (3%) hedgehog faecal samples (4 PT11, 2 PT66) from across Great Britain, 2012-2015. Whole genome phylogenetic analysis of the hedgehog isolates and ST183 from people in England and Wales found that PT11 and PT66 form two divergent clades. Hedgehog and human isolates were interspersed throughout the phylogeny indicating that infections in both species originate from a common population. PT11 was recovered from hedgehogs across England and Scotland, consistent with endemic infection. PT66 was isolated from Scotland only, possibly indicating a recent emergence event. People infected with ST183 were four times more likely to be aged 0-4 years than people infected by the more common ST11 S. Enteritidis. Evidence for human ST183 infection being non-foodborne included stronger correlation between geographic and genetic distance, and significantly increased likelihood of infection in rural areas, than for ST11. These results are consistent with hedgehogs acting as a source of zoonotic infection. Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is one of the commonest types of Salmonella to infect people and animals 1,2. The majority of human S. Enteritidis infections in England and Wales are due to sequence type (ST)11, but ST183 accounted for circa 3% of infections, April 2014-December 2015 (Public Health England (PHE) data, provisional). Contaminated food is the most common source of human Salmonella infection in Great Britain (GB) 3 , however there are examples of zoonotic infection from both captive and free-living wildlife; for example Salmonella enterica subspecies arizonae from pet reptiles 4 and Salmonella Typhimurium from wild birds 5,6. The western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is a small nocturnal insectivore whose GB population has declined over recent decades 7. The reasons for this decline are incompletely understood but believed to be multi-factorial, including habitat fragmentation, food shortage, road traffic collision injuries and predation. Whether infectious or non-infectious disease is a contributory factor is unknown. Hedgehogs are the most frequently admitted mammal to wildlife rehabilitation centres in GB 8 and supplementary feeding of hedgehogs in

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Small Exotic Animal Endosurgery

Secundum atrial septal defect in a Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis )

Veterinary Record, Apr 1, 2009

Background: We report the sequencing, assembly and analysis of the genome of the Komodo dragon (V... more Background: We report the sequencing, assembly and analysis of the genome of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), the largest extant lizard, with a focus on antimicrobial host-defense peptides. The Komodo dragon diet includes carrion, and a complex milieu of bacteria, including potentially pathogenic strains, has been detected in the saliva of wild dragons. They appear to be unaffected, suggesting that dragons have robust defenses against infection. While little information is available regarding the molecular biology of reptile immunity, it is believed that innate immunity, which employs antimicrobial host-defense peptides including defensins and cathelicidins, plays a more prominent role in reptile immunity than it does in mammals.. Results: High molecular weight genomic DNA was extracted from Komodo dragon blood cells. Subsequent sequencing and assembly of the genome from the collected DNA yielded a genome size of 1.6 Gb with 45x coverage, and the identification of 17,213 predicted genes. Through further analyses of the genome, we identified genes and gene-clusters corresponding to antimicrobial host-defense peptide genes. Multiple β-defensin-related gene clusters were identified, as well as a cluster of potential Komodo dragon ovodefensin genes located in close proximity to a cluster of Komodo dragon β-defensin genes. In addition to these defensins, multiple cathelicidin-like genes were also identified in the genome. Overall, 66 β-defensin genes, six ovodefensin genes and three cathelicidin genes were identified in the Komodo dragon genome. Conclusions: Genes with important roles in host-defense and innate immunity were identified in this newly sequenced Komodo dragon genome, suggesting that these organisms have a robust innate immune system. Specifically, multiple Komodo antimicrobial peptide genes were identified. Importantly, many of the antimicrobial peptide genes were found in gene clusters. We found that these innate immunity genes are conserved among reptiles, and the organization is similar to that seen in other avian and reptilian species. Having the genome of this important squamate will allow researchers to learn more about reptilian gene families and will be a valuable resource for researchers studying the evolution and biology of the endangered Komodo dragon.

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Analysis of applications and outcomes of minimally invasive surgical techniques in wildlife

invasive surgery Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is perfo... more

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Laparoscopic appendectomy to remove a metallic foreign body in a wild Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus ) undergoing rehabilitation

Journal of Medical Primatology, Aug 12, 2016

A laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in a wild orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) undergoing rehabil... more A laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in a wild orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) undergoing rehabilitation, for a metal nail found on radiographs, using 3-mm instrumentation. Post-operative healing was rapid and uneventful, with return to the forest within 10 days. This is the first report of minimally invasive surgery in a wild orangutan.

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Amputation of a Mycobacterium marinum -infected hindlimb in an African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus )

Veterinary Record, Jun 1, 2005

THE African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) is a long-lived southern African species, and is on... more THE African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) is a long-lived southern African species, and is one of the largest anurans kept in captivity. It can spend up to 10 months per year below ground during dry periods (O’Shea and Halliday 2001), and its health may be difficult to monitor in captivity. This short communication describes the amputation of a Mycobacterium marinum-infected hindlimb of an African bullfrog. A captive adult male African bullfrog was presented with swelling and ulcerations of the right hindlimb (Fig 1). The referring veterinarian had attempted treatment with topical fusidic acid ointment (Fucithalmic; Vetxx) and bandaging; bacterial and fungal culture had yielded no growth. The animal’s condition deteriorated and the case was referred. Besides swelling and skin ulceration, crepitus was present in the tibiofibular region. Radiographs demonstrated a midshaft tibiofibular fracture at the nutrient foramen, with osteomyelitis and surrounding cellulitis, and it was decided to amputate the leg. Subcutaneous enrofloxacin (Baytril 2·5 per cent injectable; Bayer) injections at 5 mg/kg once daily (Stein 1996, Carpenter and others 2001) were administered for five days preoperatively. Anaesthesia was induced in a shallow bath of 2 g/l tricaine methane sulphonate (MS222; Thompson and Joseph) and was deemed to be deep enough for surgery when there was no corneal reflex, no righting reflex, slow, regular respiration and no response or change in respiration with painful stimuli (Downes 1995, Williams 2002). The bullfrog was positioned in dorsal recumbency on a wet, soft towel in a tray. Surgicaldepth anaesthesia was maintained by syringing the tricaine solution over the skin when needed. Healthy musculature was sectioned at least 2 cm from the nearest lesions. The ishiadic and cutaneous femoral arteries and veins, the major vessels of the anuran hindlimb (Duellman and Trued 1986), were ligated with 4/0 polydioxanone (PDS II; Ethicon). The femur was transected at the proximal quarter and the remaining musculature was sutured with 4/0 polydioxanone to form a protective cushion. Closure was with simple interrupted 2/0 polydioxanone sutures, and the wound was protected with a protective paste composed of gelatin, pectin and sodium carboxymethylcellulose in a plasticised hydrocarbon gel (Orabase; ConvaTec). The bullfrog was rinsed, and recovered from anaesthesia over the following 30 minutes. The enrofloxacin injections were continued. Skin discoloration appeared dorsally over the suprascapula, vertebrae and urostyle five days after surgery, developing into full-thickness skin ulcerations. These were judged to be due to the dorsal recumbency during surgery. Enrofloxacin administration continued until healing had occurred, four weeks after surgery, and the ulcers were protected with Orabase. The skin sutures were removed eight weeks after surgery. Histological examination of the leg showed necrotic bone fragments and debris containing acid-fast bacteria. Surrounding the fracture was a small quantity of new bone and cartilage, with granulation tissue and an inflammatory exudate, again with large numbers of acid-fast bacteria. The owner was advised about the zoonotic potential at this stage but declined euthanasia or any further diagnostics. The bullfrog presented four months after surgery with two 4 to 7 mm diameter cutaneous ulcerations over the urostyle and haemorrhage from the cloaca. The animal was euthanased by administration of intracardiac pentobarbitone sodium (Euthatal; Merial Animal Health) and a postmortem examination was performed. Cellulitis and early granuloma formation were present in the remaining femoral musculature. Numerous large hepatic granulomas with necrotic centres, and adhesions between the liver and adipose bodies, were the most noticeable macroscopic lesions (Fig 2). Granulomas were also present in the lungs, adipose bodies and kidneys, with numerous adhesions between the organs. Multifocal granulomatous and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the liver, lung, kidney and spleen, all containing large numbers of acid-fast bacteria, was evident on histology. Microbiological culture from a hepatic granuloma isolated Mycobacterium marinum. The amputation described in the present case differs from those described previously in anurans in which coxofemoral dislocation was performed (Brown 1995, Frye and Williams 1995). Abrasion was adequately prevented by suturing the well-developed femoral muscles over the transected bone, due to the sedentary nature of the species. This also allowed for a shorter period of anaesthesia. Non-absorbable skin sutures have been recommended in amphibians (Wright 1994, Brown 1995); however, in the present case interrupted polydioxanone absorbable sutures were used as this species is not aquatic. The surgical site healed normally. Short Communications

Factors affecting the survival of harbor ( Phoca vitulina ) and gray seal ( Halichoerus grypus ) juveniles admitted for rehabilitation in the <scp>UK</scp> and Ireland

Marine Mammal Science, Oct 14, 2022

Treating injured hedgehogs

Veterinary Record, Jul 1, 2019