Evaluation and comparison of the health status of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct health assessments and compare outcomes in 2 populations of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Design-Repeated cross-sectional study.


METHODS
171 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.


METHODS
During June and August of 2003 through 2005, 89 dolphins from the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida, and 82 dolphins from estuarine waters near Charleston, SC, were evaluated. A panel of 5 marine mammal veterinarians classified dolphins as clinically normal, possibly diseased, or definitely diseased on the basis of results of physical and ultrasonographic examinations, hematologic and serum biochemical analyses, and cytologic and microbiologic evaluations of gastric contents and swab specimens.


RESULTS
Prevalence of dolphins classified as definitely diseased did not differ significantly between the IRL (32%) and Charleston (20%) sites. Proportions of dolphins classified as possibly diseased also did not differ. Lobomycosis was diagnosed in 9 dolphins from the IRL but in none of the dolphins from Charleston. Proportions of dolphins with orogenital papillomas did not differ significantly between the IRL (12%) and Charleston (7%) sites. From 2003 through 2005, the proportion classified as definitely diseased tripled among dolphins from the Charleston site but did not increase significantly among dolphins from the IRL. Dolphins from the Charleston site were more likely to have leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, and low serum concentrations of total protein and total J-globulins than were dolphins from the IRL.


CONCLUSIONS
High prevalences of diseased dolphins were identified at both sites; however, the host or environmental factors that contributed to the various abnormalities detected are unknown.
Reif
John S
JS
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Fair
Patricia A
PA
Adams
Jeffrey
J
Joseph
Brian
B
Kilpatrick
David S
DS
Sanchez
Roberto
R
Goldstein
Juli D
JD
Townsend
Forrest I
FI
McCulloch
Stephen D
SD
Mazzoil
Marilyn
M
Zolman
Eric S
ES
Hansen
Larry J
LJ
Bossart
Gregory D
GD
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D050681:Bottle-Nosed Dolphin / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology*; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006304:Health Status; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance / Q000662:veterinary; D012737:Sex Factors; D013022:South Carolina