Case Synopsis for MML 9313 aka Lunar


Species: Feresa attenuata (pygmy killer whale)
Age Class: Adult			Gender: Male
Date Stranded: 16 Nov 1993
Location of Stranding:  Marco Island, FL
Date of Arrival at MML: 16 Nov 1993
Number of Days of Care: 40
Final Disposition: Died
Date of Death: 25 Dec 1993
Cause of Death: Upon necropsy, Meningioencephalitis due to Nasitrema sp ova was diagnosed.
Additional findings: bacterial pneumonia, Aspergillosis of duodenum, contra-comp hemorrhage of brain.

Lunar stranded in the company of two other whales of the same species that soon departed.  The fate of these two individuals is unknown.  Initially, Lunar was weak, listing, dehydrated, and exhibited occasional arching of his tail.  Bloodwork was not remarkable.  He was placed on antibiotics and ulcer medication, and later was treated for a fungal infection as well.  Lunar showed some slight improvement in being able to swim slowly and eat squid, but his condition soon worsened resulting in inappetance, vomiting, and frequent episodes of head and tail arching.

lessons:
1- Euthanasia criteria should be developed.
2- Consider CT or MRI for difficult cases

Presentations
Rhinehart, H. L., C. A. Manire, F. W. Klutzow, and G. D. Bossart.  "Brain lesions and clinical signs in two pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) associated with Nasitrema sp."  Poster presentation at the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine 30th annual conference, Boston, MA.  1999.