Salmon poisoning disease in two Malayan sun bears.
METHODS
2 captive sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) were evaluated because of acute onset of vomiting, mucoid diarrhea, lethargy, and anorexia 1 week after eating live trout from a northern California reservoir.


RESULTS
In 1 of the bears, a CBC and serum biochemical analyses revealed mild anemia, mild eosinophilia, moderate lymphopenia, moderate hypoalbuminemia, and high serum G-glutamyltransferase activity. Ultrasonographic examination of the same bear revealed ascites and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Histologic examination of gastrointestinal tract biopsy specimens revealed moderate to severe lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic gastritis, enteritis, and colitis. Ova of Nanophyetus salmincola, the trematode vector of Neorickettsia helminthoeca (a rickettsial organism that causes salmon poisoning disease), were detected in fecal samples from both bears.


RESULTS
The bears were treated with oxytetracycline, doxycycline, praziquantel, and famotidine. Within 1 week after initiation of treatment, the appetite and fecal consistency of each bear were considered normal. Fecal ova shedding began 4 days after onset of clinical signs and ceased 9 days later.


CONCLUSIONS
Salmon poisoning disease can be rapidly fatal in untreated animals, but if diagnosed early and treated appropriately, full recovery can be achieved. Domestic dogs and captive exotic bears are highly susceptible to clinical disease after ingestion of trematode-infected fish. Salmon poisoning disease may develop outside the geographic range in which the causative organism is endemic as a result of the transplantation of infected fish for sport fishing; veterinarians practicing in areas where infected fish may be transplanted should be aware of appropriate diagnostic and treatment protocols.
Gai
Jackie J
JJ
Oakland Zoo, Oakland, CA 94605, USA.
Marks
Stanley L
SL
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000980:Antiplatyhelmintic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015738:Famotidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D041102:Neorickettsia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014200:Trematoda / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000382:microbiology*; D014337:Trout / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D001503:Ursidae
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000980:Antiplatyhelmintic Agents; D015738:Famotidine; D011223:Praziquantel; D004318:Doxycycline; D010118:Oxytetracycline