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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: Kogia breviceps (pygmy sperm whale) Age Class: Calf Gender: Female Date Stranded: 28 Dec 1997 Location of Stranding: Vero Beach, FL Date of Arrival at MML: 28 Dec 1997 Number of Days of Care: 109 Final Disposition: Died on 15 Apr 1998 Cause of Death: Metabolic complication secondary to reduced liver function. Other findings: thyroid hyperplasia, cardiomyopathy, possible blood staining of bones |
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Vera stranded along with her mother. Both were being transported to MML by SeaWorld staff, but unfortunately, the mother died enroute. Calf was estimated at 1-4 months of age at stranding. Started on prophylactic antibiotics and dilute artificial formula q 2 hr. On day 5 she was transferred to 30'isolation pool, from turtle rehab tank, once Morbillivirus results showed that she was negative (3 Steno bredanensis were already in other isolation pool). Vera was able to swim strongly. Numerous adjustments to formula were made in response to electrolyte imbalance, rising uric acid levels. On Jan 22 Candida albicans cultured from her blowhole and feces (eosinophilia noted), reddend area of 1st stomach with possible fungal plaques. Case characterized by persistent fungal infection (C. albicans, then later Torulopsis glabrata), repeated suspected bacterial infections necessitated several courses of antibiotics. Gastric lesions resolved. By 9 April the whale could no longer swim on her own and had to be placed in a stretcher for support. IP fluids were given when she began vomiting all oral fluids. Suspected aspiration pneumonia and pancreatitis. On last day she showed signs of improvement in am (some swimming, no vomiting), however she began nondirected paddling of the flukes and died shortly thereafter. Necropsy revealed liver disease, heart disease, and an intestinal infection (colitis). |
| Lessons: 1- Evaluation of immune status in neonates should contribute to rehab decisions (protein electrophoresis of serum and milk), presence of IGG from flow cytometry, T:B cell ratio from buffy coat smears, lymphocyte counts, "Ferrick/Stott" immune panel) 2- More work on getting this species to nurse from a bottle is needed. 3- "security blanket" (floating mat) which had been important to 9415, was not to Vera. 4- Sporanox oral soln unaffected by pH; therefore effective if using acid blocker. 5- Low dose lasix effective at stimulating kidneys at 0.1 mg/kg IM 6- Bronchodilator (albuterol) minimally effective by inhaler in cetaceans |
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