Abstract

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is an endangered, omnivorous canid native to South America. This species has been kept in captivity in the United States for more than 30 years and has a documented history of diarrhea, unthriftiness (hair loss, poor coat condition), low reproduction, and cystinuria. Despite advances in the knowledge of cystinuria in maned wolves, three animals have died over the past 5 years due to complications from cystine urolithiasis. In addition to genetics, nutrition is a main factor contributing to this disease.² A nutritional survey was completed in the fall of 2006 to determine what diets are currently fed to captive maned wolves. To complement this survey, the Maned Wolf Species Survival Plan© (MWSSP) is currently seeking funding to perform serum nutritional assays on captive maned wolves. In addition, research is being conducted to determine whether nutrition is playing a role in the poor rate of reproduction observed over the past 3+ years.

Naïve maned wolves may be sensitive to modified live canine vaccines (parvo and canine distemper viruses) and have been known to contract disease after vaccination.^1,5 As of 2006, there is no commercially available killed canine parvovirus vaccine in the U.S. For the past several years, maned wolf pups have been vaccinated with the killed feline parvovirus product (Fel-O-Vax® PCT, Ft. Dodge Laboratories, Ft. Dodge, IA), and titers have been followed (Table 1). Once the parvo titers were measurable and/or the pups reached ∼6 months of age, the modified live canine vaccine was given (i.e., Duramune® Max Pv, Ft. Dodge Laboratories, Ft. Dodge, IA). No adverse effects have been noted.

Table 1. Maned wolf pup parvovirus vaccination (vax) schedule and titers 2006

Table 2. Maned wolf pup canine distemper vaccination (vax) schedule and titers 2007

^aPups were vaccinated with Merial’s PURE VAX™ Ferret Distemper vaccine.

With the advent of a recombinant canarypox-vectored canine distemper vaccine (PURE VAX™ Ferret Distemper vaccine, Merial, Athens, GA), the MWSSP has recommended this vaccine for use in maned wolves. No adverse reactions have been reported. Serologic titers in response to vaccination have been documented in maned wolves and are considered to be protective based on previous studies in other species.³

Conservation of the maned wolf in situ is another priority of the MWSSP, which is currently helping to support several international field projects. The Maned Wolf Conservation Project in Serra da Canastra National Park, Brazil, involves monitoring radio-collared maned wolves, analysis of fecal cortisol metabolites and periodic hands-on assessment of health and reproduction. Results obtained during the past 3 years show that human development significantly affects hematologic values and adrenal activity of free-ranging maned wolves. Wolves living on farmed land have higher fecal cortisol metabolites than those living around park borders and inside the park. Pending funding, it is hoped that serum nutritional analysis from the wild maned wolves can be compared to the parameters observed in captive individuals. A similar maned wolf health project in Noël Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia, is currently looking at disease transmission from domestic canids, and co-investigators have recently published a serosurvey of maned wolves.⁴

Contraception is necessary for certain captive maned wolves. GnRH agonists, such as deslorelin, are recommended by the AZA Wildlife Contraception Center as the safest reversible contraceptive method. In addition, the MWSSP reproductive advisor is investigating the use of deslorelin in estrus induction in maned wolves for artificial insemination.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all institutions holding maned wolves and especially the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center for the information regarding canine distemper titers.

Literature Cited

1.  Backues, K.A. 1994. Problems with maned wolf puppies and parvovirus immunization. Zoo Vet News 10(2):6.

2.  Childs, S.E., R. Angel, and M.E. Allen. 2001. Nutritional considerations of the captive maned wolf with emphasis on management of cystinuria. 2001 Proc. Am. Assoc. Zoo Vet. Annu. Meet. Pp. 282–286.

3.  Coke, R.L., K.A. Backues, J.P. Hoover, J.T. Saliki, J.W. Ritchey, and G.D. West. 2005. Serologic responses after vaccination of fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda) and meerkats (Suricata suricatta) with a live, canarypox-vectored canine distemper virus vaccine. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 36(2):326–330.

4.  Deem S., and L. Emmons. 2005. Exposure of free-ranging maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) to infectious and parasitic disease agents in the Noël Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 36(2):192–197.

5.  Thomas-Baker, B. 1985. Vaccination-induced distemper in maned wolves, vaccination-induced corneal opacity in a maned wolf. 1985 Proc. Am. Assoc. Zoo Vet. Annu. Meet. Pp. 53.