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1 March 2014 OMENTAL TORSION IN A CAPTIVE POLAR BEAR (URSUS MARITIMUS)
Jose L. Mendez-Angulo, Francisco J. Funes, Ava M. Trent, Michelle Willette, Kerry Woodhouse, Anna C. Renier
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Abstract

This is the first case report of an omental torsion in a polar bear (Ursus maritimus). A captive, 23-yr-old, 250-kg, intact female polar bear presented to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center with a 2-day history of lethargy, depression, and vomiting. Abdominal ultrasound identified large amounts of hyperechoic free peritoneal fluid. Ultrasound-guided abdominocentesis was performed and yielded thick serosanguinous fluid compatible with a hemoabdomen. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a large amount of malodorous, serosanguineous fluid and multiple necrotic blood clots associated with a torsion of the greater omentum and rupture of a branch of the omental artery. A partial omentectomy was performed to remove the necrotic tissue and the abdomen was copiously lavaged. The polar bear recovered successfully and is reported to be clinically well 6 mo later. This condition should be considered as a differential in bears with clinical signs of intestinal obstruction and hemoabdomen.

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Jose L. Mendez-Angulo, Francisco J. Funes, Ava M. Trent, Michelle Willette, Kerry Woodhouse, and Anna C. Renier "OMENTAL TORSION IN A CAPTIVE POLAR BEAR (URSUS MARITIMUS)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 45(1), 169-172, (1 March 2014). https://doi.org/10.1638/2013-0077R.1
Received: 21 April 2013; Published: 1 March 2014
KEYWORDS
Hemoabdomen
laparotomy
omentum
polar bear
Ursus maritimus
volvulus
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