Abstract
A 17-year-old aquarium-housed female Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) presented for acute onset of dysorexia, difficulty swallowing, abdominal cramps, lethargy, and hematuria. The walrus received levothyroxine daily for hypothyroidism diagnosed previously. On urinary analysis, leukosuria and hematuria were present. Pending culture results, the walrus was started on amoxicillin/clavulanate (10 mg/kg q 12 h PO), doxycycline (5 mg/kg q 12 h PO), and tramadol (2 mg/kg q 12 h PO) for bacterial cystitis. Sucralfate (8 mg/kg q 24 h PO) and omeprazole (0.5 mg/kg q 24 h PO) were added for gastritis prevention. Urinary PCR for Leptospira spp. was negative. Urinary culture grew Enterococcus faecalis, Aptobacter phocae, and Escherichia coli, resistant to doxycycline and amoxicillin and warranting addition of sodium cefovecin (1.5 mg/kg IM once). As the clinical signs worsened over the following 6 days with complete anorexia, the walrus was anesthetized with medetomidine (0.06 mg/kg IM) and tiletamine/zolazepam (4 mg/kg IM) for further diagnostics. On hematology, toxic neutrophils were present without leukocytosis. On biochemistry, moderate hypercreatinemia and hyperglobulinemia were detected. During recovery from anesthesia, the walrus developed acute pulmonary edema and melena. Following the absence of response to furosemide (7.5 mg/kg total IV) and dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg IV), euthanasia was elected. Histopathology examination showed disseminated pyogranulomatous inflammation associated with fungal organisms, more severe in the lungs and thyroids. Blastomyces dermatitidis PCRa on lung tissues was positive, while antibody serology for B. dematitiditisb was negative. To our knowledge, this is the first report of disseminated blastomycosis in a walrus. Blastomycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of hematuria in pinnipeds.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the team of veterinarians and veterinary residents, as well as animal care team and trainers for their help during the management of this walrus.
Endnotes
a. Blastomyces dermatitidis RealPCR™ Test, Idexx, USA.
b. Blastomyces Antibody in serum by AGID, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA.