05-19-2012, 01:10 PM
"Kristy and I talked to Dr. Oz via conference call yesterday.
Here is a summation:
While there is evidence that there is ranavirus in private captive dendrobatids at this time, there is not enough known about these viruses in dendrobatids to indicate that it is a severe, immediate threat to individual animals. There is also some unpublished reports that the prevalence in the hobby is high. As hobbyists, the best way to address the issue is to have your collection tested for it as well as Bd (chytrid). There is a good chance that ranavirus has been circulating in captive frogs for much longer than people have been looking for it - so determine what frogs you have that are positive. If any frog in your collection (positive or negative) dies or becomes severely sick and cannot be treated successfully, then the frog should be sent off for necropsy/histopath to determine the cause of the clinical disease. Disease surveillance in dead or debilitated frogs is going to be key to understanding the importance of ranavirus in collections - as well as to look for other sources of disease.
After getting PCR testing results, you should then maintain your collection in a way to limit infections in naive frogs (although a negative test may just mean absence of active viral shedding). Use strict biosecurity protocols - work with negative frogs first, and then work with positive frogs, wash your hands, restrict movement of organic matter, etc. It is then very important to properly deal with new acquisitions - use strict QT measures, test new frogs, etc. There is a great publication that was the result of a workshop at the San Diego Zoo in conjunction with the ATAG, Zoo Atlanta, Amphibian Ark and CBSG that contains great information and protocols for biosecurity. It can be accessed for free here: http://www.cbsg.org/cbsg/workshopreport ... manual.pdf
Regardless if you decide to test your collection or not, hobbyists should be sure to disinfect all waste water and properly dispose of all solid waste to protect the environment and native amphibians from any potential infectious agents, not just ranavirus.
As for specimen submission, I would recommend Northwest Zoopath (http://www.zoopath.com/). Samples can also be submitted http://www.zooexotic.com/ - but I am not sure if either group works directly with the public or if you need a veterinarian to submit samples for you. Samples can be submitted to Cornell (http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/submission/). However, for Cornell, you will need a veterinarian to submit samples for you. I would love to have samples submitted to me at Cornell - but as I will only be here until June 30 - that may not be ideal. If I can find a way to organize a larger project - I will let you know.
Rob Ossiboff, DVM, PhD"
Thanks again Dr. Oz for your time and input.
Here is a summation:
While there is evidence that there is ranavirus in private captive dendrobatids at this time, there is not enough known about these viruses in dendrobatids to indicate that it is a severe, immediate threat to individual animals. There is also some unpublished reports that the prevalence in the hobby is high. As hobbyists, the best way to address the issue is to have your collection tested for it as well as Bd (chytrid). There is a good chance that ranavirus has been circulating in captive frogs for much longer than people have been looking for it - so determine what frogs you have that are positive. If any frog in your collection (positive or negative) dies or becomes severely sick and cannot be treated successfully, then the frog should be sent off for necropsy/histopath to determine the cause of the clinical disease. Disease surveillance in dead or debilitated frogs is going to be key to understanding the importance of ranavirus in collections - as well as to look for other sources of disease.
After getting PCR testing results, you should then maintain your collection in a way to limit infections in naive frogs (although a negative test may just mean absence of active viral shedding). Use strict biosecurity protocols - work with negative frogs first, and then work with positive frogs, wash your hands, restrict movement of organic matter, etc. It is then very important to properly deal with new acquisitions - use strict QT measures, test new frogs, etc. There is a great publication that was the result of a workshop at the San Diego Zoo in conjunction with the ATAG, Zoo Atlanta, Amphibian Ark and CBSG that contains great information and protocols for biosecurity. It can be accessed for free here: http://www.cbsg.org/cbsg/workshopreport ... manual.pdf
Regardless if you decide to test your collection or not, hobbyists should be sure to disinfect all waste water and properly dispose of all solid waste to protect the environment and native amphibians from any potential infectious agents, not just ranavirus.
As for specimen submission, I would recommend Northwest Zoopath (http://www.zoopath.com/). Samples can also be submitted http://www.zooexotic.com/ - but I am not sure if either group works directly with the public or if you need a veterinarian to submit samples for you. Samples can be submitted to Cornell (http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/submission/). However, for Cornell, you will need a veterinarian to submit samples for you. I would love to have samples submitted to me at Cornell - but as I will only be here until June 30 - that may not be ideal. If I can find a way to organize a larger project - I will let you know.
Rob Ossiboff, DVM, PhD"
Thanks again Dr. Oz for your time and input.