Category: Species

𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚 is the presence of a single, large eye, like a cyclops from Greek mythology. This is a problem that develops during development of the fetus, and is often associated with other 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 (present at birth) abnormalities.

BSE is a disease of 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, which are small proteins found primarily in nervous tissue. The exact function of these little proteins is unknown, however they can have big effects when they are 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐝 (change in shape).

The 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 are all viruses of the Togoviridae family, and they all cause inflammation in the brain. There are three viruses we think of in this group, Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), Western equine encephalitis virus (WEE) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE).

𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚 is failure to form communication between the nasal cavity and the 𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐧𝐱 (large open area right before the trachea) during development. This blockage can be a single membrane, or even a bone, and may be found in both nasal passages or just one.

𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 is a genetic condition where the animal looks heavily muscled, despite having normal exercise, diet, and other lifestyle factors.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐚 is a red to brown discolouration of the bones and teeth, starting from birth, due to the accumulation of 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐬 (compounds that bind metals, such as heme in red blood cells). The name porphyrin derives from the Greek word prophyra, which means purple, and tells you a bit about what colour these compounds are!

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 actually refers to two different conditions in chickens, somewhat confusingly. Both of these diseases result in similar clinical signs, hence being grouped under the same name.

𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 is a type of transmissible cancer that has been devastating Tasmanian devil populations in Australia. At one point, over 80% of the Tasmanian devil population was lost due to this disease, making scientists very concerned the species would go extinct. The tumour primarily affects the face, causing large masses and interfering with the devil’s ability to eat. The devils often end up starving to death because they simply can’t cope with the large masses.

𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬 is a viral disease caused by a 𝐋𝐲𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬, which are viruses typically found in bats. Current evidence suggests that rabies virus developed initially in vampire bats, and later became adapted to carnivores.

𝐋𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐣𝐚𝐰 or more scientifically known as 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲, is a disease where the bones of the jaw and skull proliferate, causing enlargement and an irregular surface. Interestingly, the enlargement is usually 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 (affecting both sides of the head equally).