Novel presentation and pathophysiology of heavy parasitic burdens in Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) during sedation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Marine mammals act as sentinel species, with top predators' overall health reflecting their ecosystem, integrated across multiple trophic levels. Yet apparently healthy wild animals may have significant subclinical pathology that goes undetected due to unknown medical histories. Marine mammals, particularly phocid seals, often suffer from heavy parasite burdens. While there are documented cases of severe respiratory infections resulting in complications during sedation, there have been no reports of gastrointestinal parasites contributing to poor outcomes during examinations requiring sedation or anesthesia. This report describes two unique presentations of high intestinal parasite loads that purportedly predisposed Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) to complication

SUBMITTER: Shero MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12039106 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature