About

Jennifer N. Langan is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research interests include preserving endangered species and educating the public about zoological medicine. She is particularly focused on emerging and zoonotic diseases in wildlife and their impact on public health, as well as infectious diseases and anesthesia in zoological species. Dr. Langan teaches courses such as Zoological Medicine Seminar, Advanced Topics in Zoological Medicine, Introduction to Zoological Medicine/Clinical Radiology of Zoological Species, and Conservation Medicine & Ecosystem Health. She has been recognized with the President's Award from the Chicago Zoological Society for excellence in veterinary medical sciences.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Biology
• Pathology
• Zoology
• Virology
• Veterinary medicine
• Microbiology

Selected publications

• Use of Velcro to aid in surgical closure of a large wound in an African painted dog ( <i>Lycaon pictus</i> ) puppy with successful pack introduction after hospitalisation

  Veterinary Record Case Reports · 2026-02-27

  articleSenior author

  Abstract African painted dogs ( Lycaon pictus , APD) are endangered canid species with sophisticated social and pack behaviours. In this case report, a 4‐month‐old male APD puppy sustained an extensive full‐thickness left abdominal wound from conspecifics. After initial primary wound closure led to complete incisional dehiscence, penrose drains and tie‐over bandages were used for wound management. Due to the degree of skin loss and inability to complete primary closure, strategically applied Velcro strips were used to relieve skin tension. This allowed for modifications every few days under anaesthesia, which ultimately allowed for delayed primary wound closure. After almost 4 weeks of treatment and hospitalisation, the puppy was successfully re‐integrated into the pack without incident. This case demonstrates the utilisation of a novel wound management technique in a zoo canid.

  PublisherDOI

• RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF MORTALITY AND CLINICAL MANAGEMENT TACTICS IN A SINGLE EX SITU POPULATION OF WHITE-BELLIED PANGOLINS (PHATAGINUS TRICUSPIS): 2016–2024

  Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine · 2025-11-17

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Morbidity and mortality of Asian small-clawed otters ( <i>Aonyx cinereus</i> ) and North American river otters ( <i>Lontra canadensis</i> ) in US zoos and aquaria from 2000 to 2020: A survey of lesions in 2 popular otter species

  Veterinary Pathology · 2025-06-24 · 1 citations

  article

  , NAROs) are commonly housed at zoos and aquaria in the United States. The few reports of diseases in these species have mainly focused on free-ranging populations and do not represent otters in managed care. Necropsy reports from 93 individuals, 71 ASCO and 22 NARO, that died or were euthanized between 2000 and 2020 from 10 separate institutions were evaluated, including 47 females, 45 males, and 1 unreported sex. All otters with known ages ranged between 2 months and 21 years of age (median = 14 years). Otters were further divided into age classes according to known lifespan. ASCO age classes were juvenile (4; 6%), adult (26; 37%), older adult (9; 13%), and geriatric (32; 45%). NARO age classes were juveniles (0; 0%), adult (5; 23%), older adult (5; 23%), and geriatric (12; 55%). Common causes of death or euthanasia in both species included malignant neoplasia (29), chronic renal disease and/or urolithiasis (27), degenerative joint disease (13), and cardiovascular disease (10). Severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused mortality in 9 (13%) ASCOs. Common morbidities or comorbidities included periodontal disease (30) and degenerative joint disease (21). Consistent health and disease surveillance of these otter species in managed care will further elucidate mechanisms of disease, aid in the development of preventative and therapeutic strategies, and continue optimizing standards of care.

  PublisherDOI

• Development of a validated quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay and fungal culture for the diagnosis of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

  American Journal of Veterinary Research · 2025-02-19 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Objective: To develop and validate a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for detecting Macrorhabdus ornithogaster (MO) and reproducibly culture MO from infected budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Methods: A TaqMan qPCR assay targeting a 94-bp segment of MO 18S rRNA was evaluated for limit of detection, dynamic range, intra-assay variability, interassay variability, and efficiency. Proventricular-ventricular samples and feces from deceased budgerigars positive for MO on cytology were plated with Basal Medium Eagle or chicken serum media, 20% fetal bovine serum, 5% sucrose, 100 U/mL penicillin, 100 µg/mL streptomycin, and 25 µg/mL chloramphenicol at pH 3 to 4 and 42 °C under microaerophilic conditions. Results: The qPCR was successfully developed and performed with high efficiency (slope = -3.355; R2 = 0.999; efficiency = 98.622) and low intra- and interassay variability (coefficient of variation < 2.63% at all dilutions). The dynamic range was 107 to 101 copies/reaction with a limit of detection of 10 target copies/reaction. Macrorhabdus ornithogaster was successfully cultured from 4 different infected budgerigars using this culture protocol; however, cultures did not maintain long enough for antifungal susceptibility testing. Conclusions: We developed and analytically validated a TaqMan qPCR assay for MO detection. Macrorhabdus ornithogaster culture is possible, but further research is needed for culture maintenance and susceptibility testing. Clinical Relevance: This analytically validated qPCR MO assay will be a useful diagnostic tool for the detection and quantification of MO in infected budgerigar feces. Reliable culturing of MO will provide the basis for antifungal drug susceptibility testing to improve treatment methods for MO in birds.

  PublisherDOI

• Case Report: Shark bite resulting in a urethral obstruction and urinary tract-body wall fistula in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2025-05-09

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  ), were observed at the proximal ventral peduncle bilaterally, involving the area at the distal genital slit. A left ventrolateral urinary tract-body wall fistula was identified at the cranial margin of the healed shark bite scar. The area was closely associated with palpable scar tissue at the base of the penis within the genital slit. Physical and ultrasonographic examination and attempts at urinary catheter placement supported findings of a urethral stricture with a urethral or vesicocutaneous fistula. Hematuria was detected on urinalysis, and mild hydronephrosis and lymphadenopathy were observed via ultrasonography. Despite experiencing substantial soft tissue trauma from the shark bite and subsequently developing a urinary tract obstruction with fistula formation, this animal has maintained good body condition since the health exam. Due to the location of the urethral obstruction and fistula, this animal may not be able to reproduce if it survives to breeding age. Long-term prognosis will likely be determined by the sequelae of potential progressive hydronephrosis. This case report documents a rare medical condition as a result of a shark bite not previously described in a free-ranging bottlenose dolphin, including unique historical and ensuing behavioral/health data, which is rarely possible when monitoring free-ranging wildlife.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteriosis due to <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> subsp. <i>hominissuis</i> infection in a reindeer from a zoo

  Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation · 2025-01-28

  articleOpen access

  Bacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and nontuberculous mycobacteria may affect a variety of animal species under human care and pose public health risks as zoonotic pathogens. A case of sudden onset of lethargy and increased respiratory effort in a 5-y-old, intact female reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ) under managed care had progressed to severe dyspnea despite aggressive treatment. The animal was euthanized due to poor prognosis. Postmortem findings included: disseminated miliary nodules in the lungs, pleura, small intestine, liver, and spleen; enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes; dilated mesenteric and serosal lymphatic vessels; and renal infarcts. Histologically, granulomatous lymphadenitis and lymphangitis with intrahistiocytic acid-fast bacilli were observed. Mycobacterium sp. DNA was detected in lung via real-time PCR. Mycobacterial culture and sequencing identified Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) within pulmonary lesions. Infection with MAH has been reported in humans and many animal species; this nontuberculous mycobacterial infection may be an emerging concern in animals under managed care. To our knowledge, MAH infection has not been reported previously in reindeer.

  PublisherDOI

• Otariid gammaherpesvirus 1 in South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) and a novel related herpesvirus in free-ranging South American sea lions (Otaria byronia): Prevalence and effects of age, sex, and sample type

  PLoS ONE · 2024-03-06 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Otariid gammaherpesvirus 1 (OtGHV1) is associated with high rates of urogenital carcinoma in free-ranging California sea lions (Zalophus californianus; CSL), and until recently was reported only in the Northern Hemisphere. The objective of this study was to survey free-ranging South American sea lions (Otaria byronia; SASL) and South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis: SAFS) in Punta San Juan, Peru for OtGHV1 and to determine prevalence characteristics. Twenty-one percent (14/67) of urogenital swabs collected over three years (2011, 2014, 2015) from live pinnipeds of both species tested positive with a pan-herpesvirus conventional PCR. Sequencing of SAFS amplicons revealed 100% homology to OtGHV1 at the DNA polymerase, glycoprotein B, and viral bcl2-like genes. Sequencing of SASL amplicons revealed a novel related virus, herein called Otariid gammaherpesvirus 8 (OtGHV8). For comparison of sample sites, urogenital, conjunctival, and oropharyngeal swabs collected from 136 live pinnipeds of both species at Punta San Juan between 2011-2018 were then assayed using quantitative PCR for a segment of the OtGHV1/8 DNA polymerase gene using a qPCR assay now determined to cross-react between the two viruses. In total, across both species, 38.6% (51/132) of urogenital swabs, 5.6% (4/71) of conjunctival swabs, and 1.1% (1/90) of oropharyngeal swabs were positive for OtGHV1/8, with SASL only positive on urogenital swabs. Results from SASL were complicated by the finding of OtGHV8, necessitating further study to determine prevalence of OtGHV1 versus OtGHV8 using an alternate assay. Results from SAFS suggest a potential relationship between OtGHV1 in SAFS and CSL. Though necropsy surveillance in SAFS is very limited, geographic patterns of OtGHV1-associated urogenital carcinoma in CSL and the tendency of herpesviruses to cause more detrimental disease in aberrant hosts suggests that it is possible that SAFS may be the definitive host of OtGHV1, which gives further insight into the diversity and phyogeography of this clade of related gammaherpesviruses.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Perioperative management of umbilical herniorrhaphy with ileal resection and anastomosis in a pygmy hippopotamus ( <i>Choeropsis liberiensis</i> )

  Veterinary Record Case Reports · 2023-07-19

  article

  Abstract A 28‐year‐old 278 kg female pygmy hippopotamus ( Choeropsis liberiensis ) with a chronic, static umbilical hernia presented acutely for lethargy and anorexia. Ultrasonography and abdominocentesis were consistent with an incarcerated umbilical hernia. An exploratory laparotomy, ileal resection and anastomosis, and herniorrhaphy were carried out via a ventral midline incision and the hippopotamus remained hospitalised for 9 weeks postoperatively. A second surgery was necessary to debride the incision site after the primary skin closure dehisced. Improved support to skin sutures was provided using sterilised plastic cable zip ties, which were better suited to the unique skin of the hippopotamus and tension associated with the animal's size and anatomy. Incisional closure is a recognised challenge in this species and significant reinforcement is required to prevent wound dehiscence. The novel use of cable zip ties provided stability where suture material had transected the incision and should be considered in hippopotamus surgery.

  PublisherDOI

• Animal Welfare and Birds

  Elsevier eBooks · 2023-01-01

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Regional Anesthesia of the Dentition in Bennett's Wallaby ( <i>Macropus rufogriseus</i> ): Anatomical Landmarks and Approaches Assessed with Computed Tomography and Gross Dissection

  Journal of Veterinary Dentistry · 2023-12-15

  article

  Dental disease is common in captive-managed macropods, including Bennett's wallabies, and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Dental extractions and debridement of diseased tissue is often necessary for those undergoing treatment for severe dental disease. Regional anesthesia of the dentition is considered standard of care for domestic animals undergoing orofacial surgery, however, it is not routinely performed in macropods due to limited information on dental anatomy and block approaches. Regional block descriptions for the infraorbital, maxillary, inferior alveolar, and mental blocks in domestic dogs and cats were evaluated and adapted for use in Bennett's wallabies based on descriptions of their anatomy and examination of 2 skulls. These approaches were then performed on cadaver heads with iohexol and methylene blue dye, and block placement was assessed on computed tomography scans and by gross dissection. All block approaches described in this study resulted in appropriate placement of regional anesthesia of the dentition in Bennett's wallabies. They can thus be used by clinicians to improve the intra and postoperative pain control of patients and provide a high level of veterinary care.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Michael J. Adkesson

  129 shared

• Matthew C. Allender

  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  102 shared

• Lisa M. Naples

  77 shared

• Jennifer A. Landolfi

  Chicago Zoological Society

  72 shared

• Susana Cárdenas‐Alayza

  Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

  70 shared

• Kathryn C. Gamble

  70 shared

• Claude Lacasse

  64 shared

• Jörg M. Steiner

  Texas A&M University

  64 shared

Awards & honors

• President's Award - Chicago Zoological Society, Excellence i…