Editorial: 'Advanced Veterinary Topics in Elasmobranchs'

Natalie D. Mylniczenko ^*

• Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, United States

Two articles synergistically focus on the health and diseases of the inner ear. A vivid pictorial description of chondrocranial anatomy highlights normal inner ear anatomy and contrasts it with three large disease cases. Then a case series from multiple institutions describes diseases, diagnostics, and treatments of the endolymphatic system of the inner ear for the first time.Multiple papers present important diagnostics. Butyrate, a known energy molecule in sharks and rays, was reliably evaluated using hand held point of care units. A traumatic stingray case receives extensive veterinary medical imaging. Ultrasound is used to identify embryo abnormalities in shark eggs.Clinical papers provide additional tools for the treatment of elasmobranch disease. A pharmacologic paper identifies systemically appropriate doses of voriconazole in undulate rays. A large case series of varying levels of ocular parasitic infiltration of corneas in cownose rays presents treatment strategies and outcomes. A sand tiger paper diagnoses adomavirus in skin lesions and documents full resolution of clinical signs.Finally, an important evaluation of thyroid assays found that traditional hormone testing has limited value for goiter, but that iodine testing may be valuable for this in combination with ultrasound and some previously unreported conditions.