Eleven cases of dilated cardiomyopathy have been diagnosed and treated in captive Livingstone fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii) in the United Kingdom over the past 7 yr. All but one case received treatment with a diuretic plus an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), and, or pimobendan. One case is still under treatment with pimobendan alone, following diagnosis before onset of clinical signs. Diuretic treatment consisted of furosemide at a dose rate of 0.5–5 mg/kg, one to three times daily, and, or spironolactone at a dose rate of 1–4 mg/kg, once or twice daily. When used, the ACEI imidapril was given at a dose rate of 0.24–0.38 mg/kg q 24 hr, and pimobendan at a dose rate of 0.2–0.5 mg/kg bid. This report is intended to provide anyone seeking to medically manage heart failure in Pteropus species, particularly P. livingstonii, with a review of drugs and doses that have been used.
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1 December 2017
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN LIVINGSTONE FRUIT BATS (PTEROPUS LIVINGSTONII)
Rowena Killick,
Alberto Rodriguez Barbon,
Michelle Barrows,
Andrew Routh,
Richard Saunders,
Charlotte Day,
P.G.Cert. Exotic Animal Studies,
Adam Naylor,
Nicolette Hayward,
David Sewell,
Kieran Borgeat,
Aimee L. Drane,
Lois Wilkie
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cardiomyopathy
furosemide
imidapril
pimobendan
Pteropus livingstonii
spironolactone
