title: Clinical problems of sloths (Bradypus sp. and Choloepus sp.) in captivity.
abstract: A 20-yr retrospective study of disease prevalence was carried out for 51 sloths (34 Bradypus sp. and 17 Choloepus sp.) at the São Paulo Zoo. A total of 81 clinical disorders were detected, including nutritional (45.7%), digestive (12.3%), and respiratory (12.3%) problems and injuries (6.1%). A definitive diagnosis was not possible in 8.6% of the cases. The incidence of disease varied according to seasonal climate (winter, 32.5%; spring, 24%; summer, 22.9%; autumn, 20.5%), time in captivity (96.4% of diseases occurred within the first 6 mo and 3.6% occurred thereafter), and type of enclosure (quarantine cage, 96.4%; exhibition enclosure, 3.6%). Both young animals (86.7%) and adults (3.2%) were affected. Parasites were identified by fecal examination in 45.4% of animals with clinical illness (Ascaris sp., 80%; Coccidia sp., 20%). Bacteria such as Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Citrobacter freundii were isolated from feces and/or organs. The first 6 mo in captivity are critical for these animals. Proper management and early identification of medical conditions in captivity have implications for sloth population in the wild.
authors.affiliation: Laboratória Doenças Infecciosas por Bactérias e Fungos, Faculdade Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Unividade São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Diniz
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000293:injuries; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012896:Sloths / Q000293:injuries; D013696:Temperature; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary