I have mailed both my summary of the meeting “Medical Care and Husbandry of Marine Animals" and the announcement concerning the formation of the IAAAM and its charter membership to the AVMA for publication in the "News" section. At this writing I still do not have the photograph; however, I could delay the announcement no longer as I am receiving many letters of inquiry concerning membership, etc.
Dr. Bill Klontz of the Western Fish Disease Laboratory in Seattle invites the members to submit their fish pathology problems for consultation at no charge.
Dr. Jesse White of the Miami Seaquarium is seeking information concerning the use of the artificial diet "Pinni-Poi" on Sea lions. He would like to know the acceptability, blood work in conjunction with the diet, how long it takes to convert an animal to the diet or anything else that might be of interest to both him and the membership.
Dr. John Simpson was recently charged with the responsibility of determining if petroleum from the famous Santa Barbara oil leak was killing elephant seals on San Miguel Island. There had been newspaper articles claiming hundreds of elephant seal deaths. John made four trips to the island and collected both necropsy material and blood from living animals. Solvent extraction of the specimens revealed no hydrocarbon residue. Some of the specimens were collected from seals with petroleum on their fur. He found no evidence of an excessive number of deaths. At any rate, he wrote, the question is raised as to whether crude petroleum on a seal's fur can, by itself, be toxic.
Dr. Mark Keyes has suggested that the association undertake a world census of captive marine mammals, starting with the U.S. He feels that there must be at least one veterinarian in each state who would be interested enough to make the census of his own state. He says that this will also find new members for our association. The problem as I see it is, how do you find these people? I would like to have the feeling of the membership concerning this suggestion. Perhaps the President can appoint a committee to look into it.
Dr. J.R. Geraci has informed me that he will soon have accurate information concerning the whaling industry and what is being done and by whom to stop this activity.
The following information on the killer whale was submitted by Dr. Jesse White:
Orcinus orca: Blood and Growth Data
Tables I and II present hematological and biochemical data, respectively, from three separate samplings of a 3-5 year old, male, Killer Whale, Orcinus orca. This animal was captured February 22, 1968. Growth data thus far collected is presented in Table III.
The animal is currently receiving 100-110 pounds of food daily. This consists of 60 lbs. Atlantic herring, Clupea harenqus harenqus, 20 lbs. blue runner, Caranx crysos, and 20-30 lbs. Atlantic mackerel, Scomber scombrus.
The only problems encountered with the animal to date was the appearance of numerous ulcerations of the buccal mucosa. These ulcers appeared on both the gums and at each corner of the mouth. The daily vitamin supplementation was increased on October 1, 1968. (See Table IV) He was maintained at this level until January 1969. The lesions were completely healed by December 1968. The supplementary vitamins were decreased to the levels given in Table V in January 1969. The buccal lesions have not reappeared. The relation of these lesions to any given vitamin has not, of course, been proven. This is presented only as a point of interest.
Table 1. Hematology
|
Date
|
RBC*
|
Hg
|
Hct
|
MCV
|
MCH
|
MCHC
|
Retic
|
Aniso
|
Platelet
|
|
Gm
|
%
|
M3
|
mmcg
|
%
|
%
|
|
mm3
|
|
10/10/68
|
4.31
|
16.8
|
43
|
100
|
39.0
|
39.1
|
4.20
|
1+
|
-
|
|
12/10/68
|
4.75
|
17.0
|
48
|
101
|
35.6
|
35.4
|
-
|
1+
|
210,000
|
|
3/18/69
|
3.81
|
15.5
|
45.3
|
116
|
40.1
|
34.2
|
4.40
|
1+
|
200,000
|
|
Date
|
WBC**
|
Differential
|
| |
Bas
|
Eos
|
Stab
|
Seg
|
Lym
|
M
|
|
10/10/68
|
5.7
|
0
|
7
|
1
|
71
|
21
|
0
|
|
12/10/68
|
8.0
|
0
|
3
|
17
|
49
|
29
|
2
|
|
3/18/69
|
6.8
|
0
|
3
|
8
|
59
|
29
|
1
|
* x106/CMM
**x103/CMM
Table II Blood Chemistry
|
Date
|
Na+*
|
K+*
|
C1-*
|
CO2 *
|
T.P.
|
ALB.
|
Ca++
|
ALK.
PHOS.
K.A.U.
|
| |
gm%
|
gm%
|
mg%
|
|
|
10/10/68
|
146
|
3.2
|
124
|
30
|
6.82
|
2.1
|
10.1
|
36
|
|
12/10/68-
|
|
|
|
|
6.70
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
3/18/69
|
148
|
3.6
|
108
|
23
|
7.35
|
2.4
|
9.40
|
50+
|
|
Date
|
T. Bili.
|
BUN
|
GLU.
|
SGOT
|
CHOL.
|
| |
mg%
|
mg%
|
mg%
|
KU
|
mg%
|
|
10/10/68
|
0.2
|
39
|
126
|
72
|
300
|
|
12/10/68
|
0.7
|
50
|
201
|
|
316
|
|
03/18/69
|
0.3
|
43
|
148
|
78
|
290
|
* = Meq/liter
Table III
|
Date
|
Length
|
Weight
|
Girth
|
Est. Weight
|
| |
cm
|
kilograms
|
cm
|
formula
|
|
2/22/69
|
398.8
|
873.15
|
|
|
|
5/15/68
|
411.48
|
|
|
|
|
10/10/68
|
459.74
|
|
|
|
|
12/10/69
|
467.36
(184")
|
1309.0
(2879.8 lbs)
|
269.24
(106")
|
2812.5 lbs
|
|
3/18/69
|
472.44
(186")
|
1420.5
(3125.1 lbs.)
|
285.75
(112.5")
|
3050.2 lbs
|
Table IV
|
Vit A
|
500,000 I.U.
|
|
Vit D
|
200,000 U.
|
|
Vit B1
|
200 mg
|
|
Vit B2
|
200 mg
|
|
Vit B6
|
100 mg
|
|
Vit B12
|
100 mcgm
|
|
Vit C
|
4000 mg
|
| |
|
|
Niacinamide
|
2000 mg
|
|
Ca Pan
|
400 mg
|
Per Day
October 68 - January 69
Table V
|
Vit A
|
250,000 I.U.
|
|
Vit D
|
100,000 U
|
|
Vit B1
|
100 mg
|
|
Vit B2
|
100 mg
|
|
Vit B6
|
50 mg
|
|
Vit B12
|
50 mcgm
|
|
Vit C
|
2000 mg
|
|
|
|
|
Niacinamide
|
1000 mg
|
|
Ca Pan
|
200 mg
|
Per Day
April 69
The right hand column in Table III contains my calculations of the weights based on the data supplied by Dr. White and use of the formula suggested by Dr. Kenney at the Stanford meeting. As you can see, there is pretty good agreement between actual and estimated weights. (I have made the assumption that the weights given by Dr. White are real, i.e., not calculated).
By now you have all probably received copies of the constitution and membership application form. Please take the time to read both and let me know if you have any corrections, additions or deletions to suggest. We will have to ratify these at the next meeting. Do not hand out the membership application forms for at least another month.
W. Medway