Dolphin/Whale Hospital Mote Marine Laboratory

Dolphin & Whale Hospital
Mote Marine Laboratory

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Current Patients

Vixen
(Steno bredanensis)

Moonshine
(Stenella attenuata)

Harley
(Stenella longirostris)

Former Patients

Seven Dwarfs
(Steno bredanensis)

Mayo
(Tursiops truncatus)

Caesar II
(Tursiops truncatus)

Toro
(Tursiops truncatus)

Jack
(Tursiops truncatus)

Carter
(Tursiops truncatus)

Simone
(Kogia sima)

CR
(Tursiops truncatus)

Armand
(Kogia breviceps)

Ami
(Kogia breviceps)

Anna
(Kogia sima)

Maria
(Kogia sima)

Jade
(Tursiops truncatus)

Nemo
(Kogia breviceps)

Mia
(Kogia breviceps)

Jason
(Kogia breviceps)

Dana
(Kogia breviceps)

Hemingway
(Tursiops truncatus)

Hutch
(Kogia breviceps)

Ginny
(Delphinus delphis)

Peanut
(Tursiops truncatus)

Hercules
(Steno bredanensis)

Holly
(Steno bredanensis)

Pumbaa
(Mesoplodon europaeus)

Pasco
(Feresa attenuata)

Vera
(Kogia breviceps)

Alvin
(Steno bredanensis)

Blitzen
(Steno bredanensis)

Comet
(Steno bredanensis)

Donner
(Steno bredanensis)

Abbey
(Feresa attenuata)

Buster
(Tursiops truncatus
hybrid coastal/offshore)

Gulliver
(Tursiops truncatus
offshore stock)

Mark
(Tursiops truncatus)

Belle
(Tursiops truncatus)

Benny
(Tursiops truncatus
offshore stock)

Juno
(Kogia breviceps)

Richey
(Kogia breviceps)

Lunar
(Feresa attenuata)

Freeway
(Tursiops truncatus)

Matt
(Tursiops truncatus)

Case Synopsis for MML 9628 aka Mark

Species: Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin)
Age Class: adult
Gender: Male
Date Stranded: 17 Sep 1996
Location of Stranding: Gulfside of Longboat Key, FL
Date of Arrival at MML: 17 Sep 1996
Number of Days of Care: 15
Final Disposition: Euthanized on 1 Oct 1996
Mark stranded with numerous, fresh, severe shark bite wounds and unusual, extensive, discrete, hyperplastic, firm skin nodules of unknown etiology. Antibiotic therapy and treatment for Nasitrema parasites were begun along with wound and supportive care. Infection of shark bite wounds and pneumonia developed. The dolphin's condition slowly deteriorated, resulting in the decision to euthanize.

Necropsy and histopathology revealed pneumonia and hepatic failure with a resultant septicemia. Additionally, three fractured ribs showing some healing were also discovered.
Lessons:
1- On the beach, consider removing dolphin with fresh, bleeding wounds from the water rather than holding animal in the water, exposing people to possible attack by sharks.
2- Multiple full biopsies of unusual lesions should be taken. Some should be stored in -70 freezer, some in formalin, and some in gluteraldehyde.


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