On August 15, 1986 (day 1) a young adult male California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus), weighing approximately 400 lbs, previously diagnosed to have blastomycosis, was transfered to the Palos Verdes Marine Animal Care Center at Marineland in California from a temporary facility in Santa Clara, CA. The animal was originally housed at a permanent facility of Marine Animal Productions in Biloxi, Miss. Treatment at Marineland lasted for 91 days and resulted in the first successful treatment of a deep, systemic mycosis reported in a marine mammal. Squeeze cage restraint was utilized for all physical examinations and force feedings. Daily supplements of vitamins and minerals were provided. Refer to Table 1 for drug therapy.

Upon arrival, the animal showed good body condition and was bright and alert. Examination showed one cutaneous lesion (approx. 5 cm) at the left abdominal flank (mid-lateral) open and draining with necrotic debris but not pus. A specimen taken for cytology, stained with lactophenol cotton blue, revealed numerous Blastomyces dermatitidis organisms. Lung sounds at the right thorax revealed diffuse muffled sounds ventrally and no sounds dorsally and posteriorally.

The animal ate less than I his normal daily intake (approx. 10 lbs) but was successfully medicated (Table 1) for two days. On day 3 the animal became very lethargic, refused to eat, and all treatment was interrupted for three days. On day 6 a blood sample was taken for CBC. Examination showed no change in the cutaneous lesion and a sputum sample revealed no Blastomyces dermatitidis organisms. In response to the anorexia, the course of therapy over the ensuing seven days included oral administration (via stomach tube) of 2 liters of water with medications added (Table 1).

On day 13, while taking blood for serology, air was aspirated from deep tissues and within three hours following handling the animal exhibited gross subcutaneous emphysema, extreme dyspnea, reluctance to move, and moderate prolapse of the anus and prepuce. The skin lesion was approximately ½ of it's original size with little necrotic debris and appeared to be healing. At this time all medications were administered parenterally due to the extreme dyspnea present resulting from the gross subcutaneous emphysema. Of note in the therapy is the daily use of injectable flunixin meglumine (Table 1). The animal resumed eating on day 16, three days following the first exposure to the drug. Over the next twelve days, the subcutaneous emphysema progressively regressed and the animal's appetite stabilized, so that on day 28 all swelling and prolapsed areas were resolved and the flunixin therapy was discontinued.

By day 19 the skin lesion had reduced in size to a 2-3 cm slit with pink subcutaneous tissue underneath. Healing was apparent and the animal became progressively more alert.

On day 30 the animal began to perform some previously trained behaviors and on day 33 performed a front flipper stand which , due to the exertion required to perform this behavior, was used as a means to monitor overall endurance of the animal for the remainder of treatment at Marineland.

Examination on day 42 revealed the skin lesion to be totally healed. The animal had lost considerable weight since arrival but was quickly gaining it back. Both lung fields auscultated clearly with normal resonance.

On day 49 the animal coughed up some samples of phlegm which were stained and examined microscopically to reveal the presence of Blastomyces dermatitidis organisms. Following this occurrence, no further signs of congestion or coughing were noted and the animal's weight continued to improve. He remained strong and alert, eager to do behaviors, with only sporadic and temporary lapses in an otherwise strong appetite. On day 91 the animal was transferred back to his permanent facility in Mississippi.

Course of Therapy Utilized in a California Sea Lion with Blastomycosis (approximate weight: 400 lbs).

Table 1

Table 1

^aNizoral, Janssen Pharmaceutical Inc., Piscataway, NJ.
^bChlorsmphenicol, Zenith Laboratories Inc., Northvale, NJ
^cItraconazole, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Belgium
^dBanamine, Schering Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ
^eGentocin, Schering Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ
^fTrimox, E.R. Squibb & Sons Inc., Princeton, NJ