Nephrolithiasis and pyelonephritis in two West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus spp.).
Two West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus spp.) were reported with severe emaciation. One animal was a Florida manatee from the Everglades; the other was an Antillean manatee from Cuba. On necropsy, both animals had nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis, and moderate to severe renomegaly. Histopathology revealed multifocal to diffuse pyelonephritis, interstitial nephritis, and nephrocalcinosis. The stones were analyzed and consisted primarily of calcium carbonate. Serum chemistry values for the Florida animal revealed no renal abnormalities. The mechanism of calculus formation remains unclear in manatees. In horses, another hindgut fermenter, the most common urolith is also calcium carbonate. Urinalyses performed on manatees are very similar to those of horses (i.e., alkaline urine, low specific gravity, and calcium carbonate crystals). Formation of uroliths in manatees may have a pathogenesis similar to equine urolithiasis.
Keller
Martha
M
Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory, 3700 54th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33711, USA. martha.keller@gmail.com
Moliner
José L
JL
Vásquez
Grettys
G
Cruz
Danilo
D
Bello
Orestes
O
Costidis
Alex M
AM
Rommel
Sentiel A
SA
Mays
Maron B Calderwood
MB
Gearhart
Scott
S
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005260:Female; D053040:Nephrolithiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D020457:Trichechus manatus