Shaheen Nakeeb; B. Babus; D. Velle
Abstract
Candidiasis is a common problem in captive bottlenose dolphins and often fatal. Available treatment methods are not successful. A new medicine, "Ketoconazole", (PM-341,400) was used in treating a progressive case of cutaneous candidiasis in a three year old female bottlenose dolphin. A daily oral dosage of 20 mg per kg body weight given in four divided doses for five days showed remarkable recovery. No clinical manifestation of toxic effect was noticed in the eighteen day course of treatment. Pre and post treatment hematology and blood chemistry did not reveal significant changes. Ketoconazole is a very promising drug for the control of candidiasis in dolphins.
Notes
Ketoconazole is - presently under study by Pitman-Moore.
- effective against Candidiasis of the crop.
- an imidazole derivative.
- used at 5 mg/kg QID dosage in dolphins.
Treatment of Candidiasis
Levamisole treatment slowed the spread of Candida lesions. Amphotericin B is used to prevent gastric and esophageal complications of candidiasis but does not seem to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Topical treatment is not effective in dolphins because it washes off.
Some other antifungal agents are Levorin, Miconazole and Nystatin.