MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF COELOMIC DISTENTION, ABNORMAL SWIMMING, SUBSTRATE RETENTION, AND HEMATOLOGIC CHANGES IN A REEF MANTA RAY (MANTA ALFREDI).

Abstract

An adult, female, reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) was evaluated for abnormal swimming and coelomic distention after colliding with a floating dock in an exhibit. Initial clinical signs included abnormal posture and swimming. Clinical signs progressed to include muscle wasting, poor body condition, and coelomic distention. Further diagnostics revealed excessive exhibit substrate within the gastrointestinal tract, gastric ulcers, free coelomic fluid, possible spinal lesion, possible uterine abnormality, and hematologic changes. The ray was treated with repeated gastroscopic examinations to remove substrate from the stomach. Psyllium and mineral oil were administered in gel food to assist with passage of substrate through the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric ulcers were treated with sucralfate. Vitamin B complex, iron dextran, and Yunnan Paiyao were used to treat the anemia. Amikacin and sulfadimethoxine-ormetoprim were administered for suspected bacterial and coccidial infections, respectively. Over the course of 11 mo the ray returned to normal health.

• Authors: Alexa J McDermott, Cara L Field, Lisa A Hoopes, Tonya M Clauss
• Journal: Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (J Zoo Wildl Med) Vol. 47 Issue 3 Pg. 927-930 (Sep 2016) ISSN: 1042-7260 [Print] United States
• PMID: 27691938 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Ulcer Agents
• Sucralfate

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Ulcer Agents (therapeutic use)
• Body Fluids
• Elasmobranchii (blood)
• Feeding Behavior
• Female
• Fish Diseases (therapy)
• Spinal Injuries (complications, veterinary)
• Stomach Ulcer (diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)
• Sucralfate (therapeutic use)
• Swimming
• Wounds and Injuries