Abstract

A 26 year old, female, California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) suffered a single grand mal seizure on June 12, 2008. Post seizure the animal exhibited a severe left sided hemiparesis, functional blindness and anorexia. Physical exam findings were consistent with a unilateral lesion. The animal was anesthetized¹ and transported to the local human hospital for CT imaging and cerebrospinal fluid collection.^3,4 Evaluation of imaging and CSF indicated an acute intracranial bleed. Recovery was uneventful and after approximately seven weeks she exhibited a (nearly full) recovery of motor function, had regained sight, and had overcome a significant dysphagia. On October 16th 2008, four months after her initial cerebro-vascular injury, she was euthanized due to recurrent seizures. Post-mortem MRI² revealed a lesion on the right lateral frontal lobe. Post-mortem examination confirmed a necrotic lesion with histologic characteristics most consistent with infarction.

Access to advanced diagnostics allowed the animal care staff at Dolphins Plus to make informed decisions about humane medical management and timely euthanasia of this animal.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the staff at Dolphins Plus, Kyle Lane, Billy Budd, Fran Glick, Pat Sauerman, the imaging department at Mariner's Hospital, The Baptist Healthcare System and the Anatomic Pathology Service at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine.

References

1.  Gage LJ. Anesthesia of Pinnipeds. In: Fowler, M.E. (ed.) Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Current Therapy 3, Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, 1993.

2.  Goldstein T, Mazet JA, Zabka TS, Langlois G, Colegrove KM, Silver M, Bargu S, Van DF, Leighfield T, Conrad PA, Barakos J, Williams DC, Dennison S, Haulena M, Gulland FM 2008. Novel symptomatology and changing epidemiology of domoic acid toxicosis in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus): an increasing risk to marine mammal health. Proc Biol Sci 275(1632):267-276.

3.  Gulland FMD, Haulena M, Dierauf LA 2001. Seal and sea lion medicine. CRC Handbook of Marine Mammal Medicine, Second Edition, LA Dierauf and FMD Gulland (eds.) p.911.

4.  Mylniczenko N, Kearns K, Melli A 2008. Diagnosis and treatment of Sarcocystis neurona in a captive harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 39(2): 228-235.