Renal Ultrasound Survey of Wild and Managed Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for Evidence of Nephrolithiasis
IAAAM 2012
Cynthia R. Smith1; Shawn P. Johnson1; Mauricio Solano2; Randall S. Wells3; Lori Schwacke4; Veronica Cendejas1; Jennifer Langan5; Brian Balmer3; Khashayar Sakhaee6; Teri Rowles7; Stephanie Venn-Watson1; Eric D. Jensen8
1National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA; 2Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA; 3Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, Chicago Zoological Society, Sarasota, FL, USA; 4Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Charleston, SC, USA; 5College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, and Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL, USA; 6Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Program, National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, MD, USA; 7University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; 8US Navy Marine Mammal Program, SSC Pacific, San Diego, CA, USA

Abstract

Ammonium urate nephrolithiasis has been documented in managed dolphin populations and can lead to anemia, azotemia, hematuria, obstruction, and reduced renal function.1,2 To better understand the disease process and identify risk factors, an ultrasound survey was conducted to look for evidence of renal nephrolithiasis in wild versus managed bottlenose dolphins. A standardized technique was developed and applied to ultrasound exams for 41 wild dolphins and 41 managed bottlenose dolphins. Wild dolphins were evaluated as part of capture/release health assessments conducted in Sarasota Bay, FL (15 animals) and Barataria Bay, LA (26 animals). Our data showed that none of the wild dolphins examined had sonographic evidence of nephrolithiasis, compared to 37% of the managed dolphins. Typical nephroliths were characterized by hyperechoic foci generating strong acoustic shadowing; some foci generated moderate to weak shadows. Of the managed animal study population, the presence or absence of nephroliths was confirmed with computed tomography in 6 of the cases and 1 control animal. This study demonstrates that nephrolithiasis significantly impacts managed dolphins in comparison to wild dolphins. Ongoing research efforts are focused on etiopathogenesis, prevention, and treatment options.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Jay Sweeney, Dr. Forrest Townsend, and Ms. Veronica Cendejas for their clinical support of this project. The US Navy Marine Mammal Program and the National Marine Mammal Foundation provided veterinary, training, and management support. We thank all of those involved in the wild dolphin health assessments in Sarasota, FL and Barataria Bay, LA. Dolphin Quest provided crucial support for the Sarasota Bay dolphin health assessments. Sarasota Bay health assessments were conducted under NMFS Scientific Research Permit No. 522-1785.

References

1.  Venn-Watson S, Smith CR, Daniels R, Townsend F. Clinical relevance of urate nephrolithiasis in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Dis Aquat Organ. 2010;89:167–177.

2.  Venn-Watson S, Townsend FI, Daniels RL, et al. Hypocitraturia in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): assessing a potential risk factor for urate nephrolithiasis. Comp Med. 2010;60:149–153.

  
URL: /doc/?id=5378075&pid=11354
f1a4ebf7-decd-4d10-b4b0-3d20506d394a.1732229076
Speaker Information
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Cynthia R. Smith
National Marine Mammal Foundation
San Diego, CA, USA


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