Fatal Gastroenteritis In An Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin From The Ingestion of Non-Food Items
Paul T. Cardeilhac1, DVM, PhD; Robert L. Jenkins2
On 11 November 1980, a sub-adult female Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found dead in the large Circular Tank at Marineland of Florida. Indications of any overt problem prior to death were lacking. Gross necropsy showed a massive gastroenteritis that was the result from the ingestion and retention of nonfood items. Necropsy findings will be discussed along with a brief history of similar occurrences in other cetaceans.