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1 September 2018 ANTEMORTEM DIAGNOSIS AND SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF A COMPLETE MOLAR PREGNANCY IN A GERIATRIC BONOBO (PAN PANISCUS)
Meredith E. Persky, Yousuf S. Jafarey, Tracy A. Moegenburg, Annette Laubscher, Michael J. Lasser, Victoria L. Clyde, Michael M. Garner
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Abstract

A 47-yr-old multiparous female bonobo (Pan paniscus) tested positive for pregnancy on a routine urine test. Because this geriatric animal was considered postreproductive, oral contraception had been discontinued. Sequential transabdominal ultrasound evaluations were performed under voluntary behavior and revealed that the uterus contained a mass of heterogenous tissue which was rapidly increasing in size. Due to a lack of normal fetal development and the ultrasonographic appearance of the uterine tissue, a molar pregnancy was suspected. Ovariohysterectomy was performed, and a complete hydatidiform mole was confirmed through human chorionic gonadotropin levels as well as gross and histological examination of the uterus. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time a complete molar pregnancy has been reported antemortem in a nonhuman great ape, although a single case of partial hydatidiform mole was previously documented in a chimpanzee on postmortem examination. This case describes the successful medical and surgical management of complete molar pregnancy in a bonobo and provides support for extending the age range of birth control recommendations in geriatric captive great apes that exhibit active breeding behavior.

Copyright 2018 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Meredith E. Persky, Yousuf S. Jafarey, Tracy A. Moegenburg, Annette Laubscher, Michael J. Lasser, Victoria L. Clyde, and Michael M. Garner "ANTEMORTEM DIAGNOSIS AND SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF A COMPLETE MOLAR PREGNANCY IN A GERIATRIC BONOBO (PAN PANISCUS)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 49(3), 828-832, (1 September 2018). https://doi.org/10.1638/2017-0144.1
Accepted: 24 April 2018; Published: 1 September 2018
KEYWORDS
Bonobo
complete molar pregnancy
gestational trophoblastic disease
great ape
hydatidiform mole
Pan paniscus
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