How to translate text using browser tools
1 September 2016 MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF COELOMIC DISTENTION, ABNORMAL SWIMMING, SUBSTRATE RETENTION, AND HEMATOLOGIC CHANGES IN A REEF MANTA RAY (MANTA ALFREDI)
Alexa J. McDermott, Cara L. Field, Lisa A. Hoopes, Tonya M. Clauss
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

An adult, female, reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) was evaluated for abnormal swimming and coelomic distention after colliding with a floating dock in an exhibit. Initial clinical signs included abnormal posture and swimming. Clinical signs progressed to include muscle wasting, poor body condition, and coelomic distention. Further diagnostics revealed excessive exhibit substrate within the gastrointestinal tract, gastric ulcers, free coelomic fluid, possible spinal lesion, possible uterine abnormality, and hematologic changes. The ray was treated with repeated gastroscopic examinations to remove substrate from the stomach. Psyllium and mineral oil were administered in gel food to assist with passage of substrate through the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric ulcers were treated with sucralfate. Vitamin B complex, iron dextran, and Yunnan Paiyao were used to treat the anemia. Amikacin and sulfadimethoxine-ormetoprim were administered for suspected bacterial and coccidial infections, respectively. Over the course of 11 mo the ray returned to normal health.

Copyright 2016 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Alexa J. McDermott, Cara L. Field, Lisa A. Hoopes, and Tonya M. Clauss "MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF COELOMIC DISTENTION, ABNORMAL SWIMMING, SUBSTRATE RETENTION, AND HEMATOLOGIC CHANGES IN A REEF MANTA RAY (MANTA ALFREDI)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 47(3), 927-930, (1 September 2016). https://doi.org/10.1638/2015-0187.1
Received: 19 August 2015; Published: 1 September 2016
KEYWORDS
Coelomic distention
hematologic changes
Manta alfredi
manta ray
medical management
substrate retention
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top