Transcript California Sea Lion - Central Michigan University

CASE 5
CALIFORNIA SEA LION
Charmane Thurmand
Shauna Decker
Aaron Clark
Sarah Glazier
INFO ABOUT SEA LIONS
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Phylogenetic/Taxonomic
Placement:
Order: Carnivora
Family: Otariidae
Genus: Zalophus
Species: Z. californianus
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Range:
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Found from Mexico north through
California to British Columbia.
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Live along the coast and up to ten
miles out to sea
MORE INFO
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Interesting facts
 Average
lifespan 17 yrs (in wild)
 Seal nose shut to stay under water up to 15 min
 Travel at average speed of 10.8 km/hr = 6.7 mph
 Swim
 Diet
at speeds of 2.7 m/s or 8.8 ft/s
includes variety of seafood, mainly squid and
fish. Will cooperate with sharks, dolphins and
seabirds when hunting large schools of fish
 Intelligent, trained easily
CASE BACKGROUND
A young stranded California Sea Lion admitted to a
rehabilitation center in June.
 Emaciated
 Diarrhea
 High white blood cell count (Neutrophilia)
 Elevated levels of protein and albumin
 Decrease in blood urea nitrogen concentration
 Determined to be dehydrated and malnourished
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CASE CONT.
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Two Weeks Later
Anorexic
Blood/mucus around oral cavity
Corneal opacity in right eye (transparent structure on front of
eyeball. Occurs when cornea becomes scarred)
Leukocytosis (raised white blood count with larger ratio of
immature neutrophils to mature neutrophils)
Anemia (deficiency of hemoglobin in red blood cells)
Thrombocytopenia (relatively few blood platelets in blood)
Died two weeks after admission, and necropsy performed
POST MORTEM
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Hemorrhaging in lung lobes
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Lungs contaminated with Escherichia coli
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Pus present
Clotting in pulmonary blood vessels
Enlarged/hemorrhaged lymph node
Blood-tinged mucus in trachea and bronchi
150 nematodes collected from the pulmonary arteries
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Swollen and damaged arteries
Interstitial Pneumonia with scarring
Two nematodes found in right ventricle of the heart
Nasopharyngeal acariasis (mites in nose and throat)
No parasitic cysts or Helminth eggs/larvae found in fecal samples
HYPOTHESIS
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Nematodes were present within the lungs along with the
greatest amount of bodily harm.
Possible Nematode Infections affecting the lungs
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Lungworm (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea)
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Lungworm (Parafilaroides decorus)
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Attachment blocks airways, induces mucus production, and can lead to secondary bacterial
infections,
Hyperemia (excess blood), hemorrhaging, cellular infiltration, verminous pneumonia
“Lungworms are common in all pinnipeds [marine mammals). Sea
lions have Parafilaroides decorus , while true seals are usually
parasitized by Otostrongylus circumlitus . The latter parasite is also
found in the hearts of some phocids [seals, sea lions, etc]; however,
it does not produce a microfilaremia. Both of these parasites use fish
as intermediate hosts.” (Thanks Merck Veterinary Manual)
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/170810.htm
WHAT WE THINK IT IS
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Otostrongylus circumlitus
 Although
typically affecting true seals, the
symptoms for this particular nematode fit with the
information given in the case.
Mucus and blood around the oral cavity and within the trachea
 Internal hemorrhaging (from attachment?)
 Secondary E. coli infection in the lung
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ACTUAL INFECTION
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Metastrongyloid Nematode (Otostrongylus
circumlitus)
EXAM QUESTION
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Question
 What
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is the host of Otostrongylus circumlitus?
Answer
 True
seal’s