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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: Tursiops truncatus (offshore stock) (bottlenose dolphin) Age Class: Calf-Juvenile (~ 1 yr at stranding) Gender: Male Date Stranded: 19 Sep 1995 Location of Stranding: Corolla, NC Date of Arrival at MML: 20 Oct 1995 Number of Days of Care: 32 at NMFS-NC, 98 at MML; 130 total Final Disposition: Euthanized on 26 Jan 1996 Findings: Enterocolitis (pseudomembranous) leading to intestinal infarct and enterotoxemia. Immunocompromised. Incidental finding of intestinal microsporidia. |
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Benny stranded in NC and was taken to the NMFS Lab in Beaufort. Initial diagnosis included a likely bacterial infection (neutrophilia, thrombocytopenia) and liver disease/trauma. The dolphin was inappetant and unable to swim. Started on antibiotics and oral fluids. Began eating on 30 September, swimming on 1 October. Developed a subcutaneous emphysema ~ 15 October which slowly improved but never resolved, cause unknown. Hepatitis=neg, morbillivirus=neg. Due to inadequate facilities, Benny was flown to MML by Coastguard on 20 Oct. The dolphin had periods of activity and lethargy, marked, chronic flatulence, and occasional vomiting throughout treatment. Multiple courses of antibitotics, antifungals, anti protozoals were administered. Bronchoalveolar lavage performed on 28 Sep and 9 Dec. (reults inconclusive, contamination likely). Immune panel and protein electrophoresis results demonstrated immunocompromise developed late in the case. The dolphin was euthanized and the necropsy revealed severe intestinal disease. |
| Lessons: 1- Methods of diagnosing colitis need to be improved (colonoscopy?) 2- Immune status should be evaluated to guide decision-making |
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