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Dolphin & Whale Hospital
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Current Patients
Vixen Moonshine Harley Former Patients CR Armand Ami Anna Maria Jade Nemo Mia Jason Dana Hemingway Hutch Ginny Peanut Hercules Holly Pumbaa Pasco Vera Alvin Blitzen Comet Donner Abbey Buster Gulliver Mark Belle Benny Juno Richey Lunar Freeway Matt |
| Species: Feresa attenuata (Pygmy killer whale) Age Class: adult Gender: Male (initally sexed as female) Date Stranded: 1 Oct 1997 Location of Stranding: Gulfside of Casey Key, FL Date of Arrival at MML: 1 Oct 1997 Number of Days of Care: 45 Final Disposition: Died on 14 Nov 1997 Cause of Death: Combined bacterial pneumonia, hepatic and possibly myocardial compromise with terminal septicemia (Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas sp). Additional finding of probable osteomyolitis in the peduncular vertebrae. |
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Abbey was seen with one other conspecific which departed early during the course of stranding. Initially he was weak, required support, possible pneumonia, occasional arching, underweight. Started on fluids, antibiotics, supportive care including physical therapy. Initial chest ultrasound not remarkable, but Right-sided congestion noted upon auscultation. Began eating on day 9, weak swimming. Removing possible stress of humans by use of floatation harness decreased frequency of arching dramatically. By day 22 Abbey was swimming actively unaided. Bloodwork charcterized by elevated ESR (~35-50), moderate elevation of WBC (~5.0-13.9), and elevated liver enzymes (ALT= 100-500). On day 29, treated with Droncit in case of liver trematodes; herring removed from diet in order to reduce fat load on liver cells. Ultrasound of liver not remarkable (day 36). On day 42 dramatic downward trend noted including lethargy, inappetance, vomiting, diarrhea; nonregenerative anemia developed, possibly due to administration of chloramphenicol. Remaining 3 days characterized by alternating periods of inappetance and excellent appetite. Abnormal lymphocytes seen on last day before death. Necropsy revealed pneumonia, septicemia, and parasite ova in the brain. |
| Lessons: 1- Males of this species have single long "genital fold". 2- Bloodwork not very helpful in this case,(nor in 9313) especially WBC. May be a species difference. 3- Whole body radiographs may be helpful when underlying causes of disease are unknown. 4- Floatation devices should be developed to reduce stress of human presence for some species. 5- This is the second live Feresa stranding; both males were accompanied by conspecific(s) close to the beach. 6- CT or MRI may be helpful when neurologic problems are suspected if movement can be controlled and the animal will fit inside the machine. |
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