Lesions consistent with exertional myopathy (EM) were documented postmortem in four North American river otters (Lutra canadensis) during translocation for a population restoration project. Clinical signs in these otters included depression, anorexia and shock. Gross lesions in one otter included locally extensive linear, pale areas within the subscapularis, rectus abdominis, quadriceps, and dorsal laryngeal muscles. Microscopic lesions were characterized by acute to subacute myofiber necrosis of varying severity, and occurred in a variety of skeletal muscles as well as cardiac muscle in one otter. Based on these observations, we conducted a retrospective review of records of otters which experienced similar capture, transfer, and holding protocols between 1995 and 1997, but with a successful outcome (n = 69). Significant elevations in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine kinase (CK) were observed in 19 (28%) of the otters, but may have been higher due to delayed sample collection from some otters. However, none of the otters with elevated enzymes exhibited clinical signs suggestive of EM. These findings indicate that river otters may develop EM when translocated, but many cases may be mild or clinically inapparent.
Skip Nav Destination
Close
Article navigation
Research Article|
July 01 1999
EXERTIONAL MYOPATHY IN TRANSLOCATED RIVER OTTERS FROM NEW YORK
Barry K. Hartup;
Barry K. Hartup
4
1 Wildlife Health Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
4 Corresponding author (e-mail: bkh4@cornell.edu)
Search for other works by this author on:
George V. Kollias;
George V. Kollias
1 Wildlife Health Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Matthew C. Jacobsen;
Matthew C. Jacobsen
2 Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Beth A. Valentine;
Beth A. Valentine
2 Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
3 Present address: Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Kevin R. Kimber
Kevin R. Kimber
1 Wildlife Health Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
J Wildl Dis (1999) 35 (3): 542–547.
Article history
Received:
April 10 1998
Citation
Barry K. Hartup, George V. Kollias, Matthew C. Jacobsen, Beth A. Valentine, Kevin R. Kimber; EXERTIONAL MYOPATHY IN TRANSLOCATED RIVER OTTERS FROM NEW YORK. J Wildl Dis 1 January 1999; 35 (3): 542–547. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-35.3.542
Download citation file:
Close
Citing articles via
Clonal Spread of Quinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli among Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) Inhabiting an Urban City Park in Japan
Shiori Ikushima, Harumi Torii, Makoto Asano, Masatsugu Suzuki, Tetsuo Asai
ORAL RABIES VACCINATION STRATEGIES TOWARD RACCOON (PROCYON LOTOR) RABIES ELIMINATION ON SUBURBAN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, USA
Laura L. Bigler, John B. Ochwat, Salvatore C. Scarpitta, Bryan W. Matthews, Robert J. Rudd, Donald H. Lein
VIRUS NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODY FOLLOWING ORAL RABIES VACCINATION OF RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR) ON SUBURBAN LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, USA
Laura L. Bigler, John B. Ochwat, Salvatore C. Scarpitta, Bryan W. Matthews, Robert J. Rudd, Donald H. Lein
Anticoagulant Rodenticides in Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) from New York City, New York, USA, 2012–18
Joseph C. Okoniewski, Christine VanPatten, Ashley E. Ableman, Kevin P. Hynes, Angela L. Martin, Peter Furdyna
PLASMA BIOCHEMISTRY PROFILES OF WILD WESTERN TIGER SNAKES (NOTECHIS SCUTATUS OCCIDENTALIS) BEFORE AND AFTER SIX MONTHS OF CAPTIVITY
Damian C. Lettoof, Fabien Aubret, Francis Spilsbury, Philip W. Bateman, James Haberfield, Jordan Vos, Monique Marthe Gagnon