Animal welfare and the harp seal hunt in Atlantic Canada

Much attention has been given over the years to animal welfare issues surrounding the seal hunt in Atlantic Canada. However, very little information is available on this subject in the scientific literature. This article reports the results of observations made by representatives of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association at the hunt in recent years and compares them with observations made by members of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The conclusion is that the large majority of seals taken during this hunt (at best, 98% in work reported here) are killed in an acceptably humane manner. However, the small proportion of animals that are not killed effectively justifies continued attention to this hunt on the part of the veterinary profession.     

The effects of two dosages of midazolam on short-duration anesthesia in the harp seal (Phoca groenlandica).

The purpose of this study was to provide safe anesthesia for bronchoalveolar lavage and assess the utility of premedication with i.m. midazolam for short-duration anesthesia with isoflurane in harp seals (Phoca groenlandica). Fourteen yearling harp seal pups were anesthetized three times each as part of a prospective, cross-over, blinded study. Each animal received i.m. premedication with saline, low-dose, or high-dose midazolam (respectively 0.1 and 0.2 mg/ kg). Following premedication, anesthesia was induced with 4% isoflurane in oxygen delivered through a mask and connected to a Bain non-rebreathing system. A significantly longer time was taken from the end of general anesthesia to head movement in the high-dose group compared with the saline group (P = 0.002). A significantly longer time was taken from the end of general anesthesia to ambulation in the high-dose group compared with the saline group (P = 0.006). There were no significant differences between groups in the subjective assessment of anesthetic quality or ease of intubation. Premedication with i.m. midazolam at the dosages used did prolong recovery from anesthesia, although to a degree unlikely to be significant clinically.     

Bilateral ocular abnormalities in a wild stranded harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) suggestive of anterior segment dysgenesis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous

A male yearling harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) stranded and was brought to Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration's Seal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. The seal presented with a bilateral pendular vertical nystagmus, negative menace response, and a positive palpebral response. Ophthalmological examination by slit lamp biomicroscopy revealed perilimbal corneal edema, excessive iridal surface structures, pupils that appeared to be shaped improperly (dyscoria), and suspected cataracts. Attempts to dilate the pupils with both dark-lighted conditions and repeated dosages of 10% phenylephrine and 1% atropine ophthalmic solution in each eye (OU) were unsuccessful. Ocular ultrasonography findings suggested bilateral cataracts with flattened anterior-posterior (A-P) diameter and possible persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. It is possible that these structural congenital abnormalities could produce further ocular complications for this seal including uveitis, secondary glaucoma, retinal detachment, and/or vitreal hemorrhage in the future. This case demonstrates the importance of a thorough ophthalmological examination in stranded wild animals, especially if their symptoms appear neurological.     

Histoplasmosis in a dog from New Brunswick

A young dog was presented with a history of chronic diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss. Histoplasma capsulatum was suspected, based on cytologic examination of lymph node aspirates and peritoneal fluid, and confirmed by fungal culture. To our knowledge, this is the first case of histoplasmosis diagnosed in a dog in Atlantic Canada.     

Histoplasmosis in dogs and cats

Histoplasma capsulatum is endemic throughout most of the United States with a high prevalence of infections in the Midwest and South. Histoplasmosis is the second most common systemic fungal disease in cats that may be more susceptible than dogs. Infection occurs by inhalation of conidia from the mycelial phase, which subsequently convert to the yeast form. Histoplasma capsulatum is phagocytized and harbored by cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. Infection may be subclinical or cause clinical pulmonary granulomatous disease or dissemination. Disseminated disease predominantly affects the liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, bone and bone marrow, integument, and eyes. Primary gastrointestinal histoplasmosis also occurs. Clinical signs of histoplasmosis often are nonspecific, including chronic wasting, fever, anorexia, respiratory signs, and lameness. Gastrointestinal signs (eg, diarrhea with hematochezia or melena) are common in dogs. The definitive diagnosis is made by identification of the yeast in tissue samples. Itraconazole is the treatment of choice.     

Cataract extraction in a fur seal

Cataracts are common in pinnipeds, but ocular examination and surgery are complicated because of the small pupil, which is difficult to dilate with mydriatics. Vision was evident after a cataract was removed from a fur seal, using a manual technique of irrigation and aspiration. Access to the lens was limited by the constricted pupil, which could not be dilated with tropicamide, phenylephrine, or atropine.     

Naturally Occurring Histoplasmosis in Guinea Pigs

Histoplasmosis naturally occurring in laboratory guinea pigs is described in its clinical, necropsy, histological and mycological aspects.

The animals if adult show a chronic disease with progressive emaciation and lameness of the hind legs. The young below three months of age died in 2 to 4 weeks presenting ruffled fur, great dorsal curvature and sometimes closed eyelids and catarrhal conjunctivitis.

At necropsy the principal lesions were ulcerative gastritis, hemorrhagic and catarrhal enteritis, enlarged spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes. Sometimes the liver, lungs, mediastinal lymph nodes and other organs showed lesions.

Histological and mycological demonstration of the fungus completed the diagnosis and the surviving animals were burned and sanitation measures instituted.

Histological evidence of histoplasmosis in a cow's lung from the area from which the grass was obtained for the feeding of the guinea pigs suggests an epidemiological link. Efforts will be made to isolate and demonstrate H. capsulatum in wild animals on the same area.

     

Histoplasmosis in the lung of a race horse with yersiniosis.

A 4-year-old female thoroughbred race horse died of acute peritonitis caused by necrotizing granulomatous duodenitis. Yersinia enterocolitica was immunohistochemically demonstrated in macrophages in granulomas developed in the duodenum, lung, liver and abdominal lymph nodes. The yeast-like fungi were found in the cytoplasmic vacuoles of macrophages in the lung that infiltrated into the granulomas and surrounding alveoli with congestive edema. The yeast-like fungi were positively stained by Gomori-Grocott chromic acid methenamine silver stain and immuno-histochemically stained with anti-histoplasma antibody. In this case, it was considered that granulomas formed in the duodenum, lung, liver and abdominal lymph nodes were primarily caused by Yersinia enterocolitica due to idiopathic weakening of the immune system. Yeast-like fungi immunohistochemically identified as histoplasmas secondarily infected the lung. This is the first case regarded as equine histoplasmosis capsulati in Japan.     

Mandibular fracture repair in a harbor seal

A 30-year-old captive female harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) bit down upon a metal ring within a hoop-net normally used to assist in securing the seal for routine physical examination. Radiographic examination performed under general anesthesia revealed a unilateral closed fracture of the rostral left mandible between the first and second premolar teeth. The rostral fragment was displaced ventrally and slight laxity of the mandibular symphysis was noted. The fracture was repaired surgically using an oral dental acrylic splint incorporating circumferential mandibular cerclage wire. The mandibular symphysis was stabilized using interdental wire between the right and left canine teeth. The fixation device was removed following evaluation of radiographs that showed signs of bony union 12-months postoperatively.     

Histoplasmosis infection in two cats from California

Systemic mycotic infections are typically localized to specific geographic regions of the country, because the organisms involved have certain environmental requirements for growth. Suspicion of infection relies on travel to or residence in recognized endemic regions. This report describes infection with histoplasmosis in two indoor cats from central California, an area not considered to be endemic for the disease. Systemic mycotic infections should be considered as differential diagnoses in any cat with compatible clinical signs, regardless of travel history or residence, especially if the cat is presented within a recognized endemic region.     

Reference values for serum biochemical parameters in free-ranging harp seals

Background — The harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) is one of the most important predators in the Northeastern Atlantic ecosystem. Establishing biochemical reference intervals is important for evaluating the health status of harp seals kept in captivity and for evaluating the effects of environmental changes on the health of populations in the wild. Objective — The purpose of this study was to determine reference values for serum biochemical parameters in wild adult harp seals using readily available current methods. Methods — Blood samples were obtained from 14 adult female harp seals and 9 suckling pups on the pack ice of the Greenland Sea in early March 1998. Seven seals were humanely killed on the ice by permission of the Norwegian Directory for Fisheries and in conjunction with several other research projects. The seals were sampled within 15 minutes postmortem. Remaining seals were captured alive and sampled via the extradural intravertebral vein. Serum biochemical parameters were measured using a Technicon Axon analyzer and included electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium), substrates (free fatty acids, triglycerides, fructosamine, and glucose), end products (urea and uric acid), and proteins (total protein, globulins, and albumin). Serum protein electrophoresis also was done. Data were tested for normality and reference limits were calculated as mean ±1.96 × SD. Results between groups were compared using 2‐tailed t‐tests. Results — Serum levels of glucose and triglycerides were lower, but serum levels of urea were higher in dead animals than in animals that were captured alive. Serum levels for 7 of 17 parameters were significantly different in pups compared with adults. Separate reference intervals were calculated for adult seals and seal pups. Conclusion — Both sampling method and age should be considered when evaluating the results of analysis of serum parameters in wild and captive harp seals.     

Itraconazole for the Treatment of Histoplasmosis in Cats

Eight cats with histoplasmosis were treated with itraconazole at 5 mg/kg per dose PO bid. There were multiple sites of infection, and 2 of the cats had hypercalcemia that was attributed to the histoplasmosis. All 8 cats were eventually cured, but 2 cats experienced recurrences of disease after completion of therapy, requiring 2 to 3 additional months of itraconazole. There were no clinically relevant adverse effects during treatment. Although a limited number of cats were treated, the study suggests that itraconazole is a well-tolerated and effective drug for the treatment of histoplasmosis in the cat.