ABSTRACT: A 19-year-old female entire Diana monkey (Cercopithecus diana) has presented with seasonal scratching and associated alopecia for a duration of 12 years with limited response to oral treatments. Atopic dermatitis was suspected. Intradermal allergy testing and the formulation of allergy-specific immunotherapy is often used in companion animal veterinary practice, however documentation of its use in zoo species and non-human primates is less available. This case report demonstrates the application of allergy testing and immunotherapy in a captive Diana monkey and how the involvement of the veterinary nurse and operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training helped to facilitate this treatment.

Author

Sheryl Bradley MSc, BSc (Hons), RVN, CertVNES

Since qualifying as a veterinary nurse in 2011, Sheryl has dedicated her career to nursing in charity environments, including working for an NGO in China. She is passionate about conservation and has spent the last 3 years working at Zoological Society London, London Zoo where she values the opportunity to work for wildlife.

sheryl.bradley@zsl.org

Keywords: allergy; allergy testing; atopic dermatitis; Diana monkey; zoo

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 36 (05)• May 2021 pp153-157

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