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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: Steno bredanensis (rough-toothed dolphin) Age Class: Adult Gender: Male Date Stranded: 29 Dec 98 Location of Stranding: Santa Rosa Beach, FL Date of Arrival at MML: 30 Dec 98 Number of Days of Care: 68 Final Disposition: Died on 6 Mar 99 Cause of Death: Thickening of majority of intestinal tract, cardiac fibrosis. Possible viral etiology being investigated (perhaps related to equine viral arteritis). |
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Herc and Holly were two of four dolphins from a mass stranding of 12 individuals that were transported to the DWH from the Florida panhandle. Two of the dolphins died enroute. Herc was initially the healthier of the two and was eating by day 4. He had an elevated WBC and liver values. Treated with antibiotics and antifungal medications. By mid February his condition had begun to deteriorate including going into renal failure, although this was corrected. Although there were brief periods of improvement, Herc's downward trend continued until his death on 6 March. Necropsy revealed severe intestinal disease and heart disease with a possible viral etiology. |
| Lessons: 1- This case shows similarities with the mass stranding (MML9711 A-D) a year ago in approximately the same location. Serology supports a viral etiology, related to equine viral arteritis, in both stranding events. 2- Tissue samples need to be taken for virus isolation, electron microscopy whenever new diseases are suspected (some preserved frozen at - 70 C and some fixed in gluteraldehyde). 3- Banking extra serum samples was critical for retrospective studies. Save extra serum from early and late in the rehabilitation process. |
