Polioencephalomalacia in Captive Harbour Seals (Phoca vitulina)

Summary In a colony of 11 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina Linné 1758) two episodes of central nervous disorders occurred within 2 years causing fatalities in seven adult animals. Clinical signs comprised dyspnoea, anorexia, apathy, incoordination and lateral recumbency. Vitamin B complex therapy was s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of veterinary medicine. Series A 2003-04, Vol.50 (3), p.145-150
Main Authors: Wohlsein, P., Peters, M., Geburek, F., Seeliger, F., Böer, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Feed
Animals
Animals, Wild
Brain - pathology
Cerebellum - pathology
Disease Outbreaks - veterinary
Encephalomalacia - epidemiology
Encephalomalacia - etiology
Encephalomalacia - pathology
Encephalomalacia - veterinary
Female
Germany - epidemiology
Male
Seals, Earless
Thiamine Deficiency - complications
Thiamine Deficiency - veterinary
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Summary:Summary In a colony of 11 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina Linné 1758) two episodes of central nervous disorders occurred within 2 years causing fatalities in seven adult animals. Clinical signs comprised dyspnoea, anorexia, apathy, incoordination and lateral recumbency. Vitamin B complex therapy was successful once. Pathomorphological examination of seven carcasses revealed acute and subacute malacia of the cerebellar grey matter. Additional acute malacic lesions located in the cerebral cortices and basal ganglia were observed. Mesencephalic nuclei were less severely affected and displayed acute changes. Despite intense search for environmental toxins and infectious agents, the cause of the fatalities remained undetermined. However, the type and pattern of the lesions are most suggestive of a thiamine deficiency.
ISSN:0931-184X
1439-0442
DOI:10.1046/j.1439-0442.2003.t01-1-00500.x