Tag A. Gornall; Alan McNeil; K. G. Hewlett
Marine Animal Resource Center, Seattle, WA; Vancouver Public Aquarium, Vancouver, BC
A female killer whale (Orcinus orca) died after 13 years in captivity. Length and weight at postmortem were 5.77 m and 2984 kg, respectively. The animal was apparently healthy until September 18, 1980, when she sought refuge in a small holding pool adjacent to the main tank. Blood samples taken the next day suggested a systemic infection. Blood chemistry values were not specific. A program of antibiotic injections and oral medication was started. Later examinations revealed a vaginal infection, which responded well to uterine boluses. Vaginitis was treated effectively with furacin solution rinses. The animal died on October 5, 1980, and postmortem examination showed multi-focal areas of mycotic infarcts in all major organ systems. Penicilliumsp. and Mucor sp. were cultured from lung tissue. It is thought that Mucor was the causative agent in death.