California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) that strand along the coast of central and northern California are brought to the Marine Mammal Center for care. Over 1,000 sea lions have been admitted to the Center since 1984. The most common problems seen are renal disease and respiratory problems. Other common problems include seizures, gunshot wounds, trauma and eye problems. All animals that are admitted to the Center have a physical examination performed, blood drawn for a CBC and biochemical analysis, fecal analysis for parasites, cultures taken when indicated, and an individual treatment regimen prescribed.

Renal disease is diagnosed by observing clinical signs and checking the results of the serum chemistries. The best prognostic indicator of renal disease is the serum phosphorus. In renal disease the serum phosphorus is generally a greater value than the serum calcium levels. Serum phosphorus elevated above 12 mg/dl is a grave prognostic indicator. Treatments include antibiotics, most commonly tetracycline 22 mg/kg PO TID or oxytetracycline 1 1 mg/kg IM SID, and fluid therapy.

Respiratory problems are diagnosed by auscultation, complete blood counts and serum chemistries, and radiographs. Common causes of respiratory disease in sea lions are lungworm infestation, viruses and bacteria. Treatment includes antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol 22 mg/kg PO TID or cephalexin 22 mg/kg PO TID, nebulization using a bronchodilator and a mucolytic agent, percussion, and fluids. Lungworm infestations are treated with ivermectin, 200 mcg/kg given subcutaneously. More severe cases of lungworm pneumonia are given ivermectin once and treated concurrently with 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg dexamethasone IM SID for 5 to 7 days.

Animals with seizures are given supportive care with fluids, and are given antibiotics if their complete blood count shows a significant elevation of white blood cells. The most commonly used antibiotics for seizuring animals are chloramphenicol 22 mg/kg PO TID, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 13 mg/kg PO or IM BID. The seizures are controlled by giving the animal 0. 1 to 0.2 mg/kg diazepam IM once to several times per day, depending on the severity, frequency and duration of the seizures.

Wounds are treated by cleansing, and in severe cases, giving the animals antibiotics. Cephalexin and ampicillin at 22 mg/kg PO TID are the most common antibiotics used for the treatment of infected wounds.