abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of phlebotomy treatment on iron overload and chronic, episodic elevated transaminases in two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Procedures: Develop induction and maintenance phlebotomy therapy procedures adapted from protocols used to treat human iron overload. Simple linear regression was conducted to determine associations between the duration of phlebotomy treatment and the levels of serum iron and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Analysis of covariance was used to compare mean values of serum iron, liver transaminases and other selected blood variables during 365 days pre-treatment and 100 days post-treatment.

Results: Therapy consisted of weekly phlebotomy of 1-3 liters of blood drawn from the peduncle periarterial vascular rete. Duration of phlebotomy treatment during the induction phase of 149 to 165 days significantly predicted decreasing serum iron and ALT levels in both animals (P < 0.01). Compared to 365 days before treatment, the dolphins had significantly lower iron and liver transaminases during 100 days following induction treatments (P < 0.01), including a return of all hematologic and liver indicator values to normal levels.

Conclusions: Weekly phlebotomy, closely monitored with well-defined treatment end points, successfully treated iron overload and associated elevated aminotransferases in two dolphins with greater than 10 year histories of chronic, episodic hepatopathies.

acknowledgements

We thank our colleagues at the Navy Marine Mammal Program: Cynthia Smith, and Nate Daughenbaugh for their assistance and guidance with treatments and care of the animals. The U.S. Army Animal Care Specialists and Trainers were crucial in the implementation and execution of the treatments.