Publikationsdatenbank

Epidemiologic survey on the period prevalence of pinniped ocular disease and husbandry conditions within central European facilities (2019)

Art

Poster

Autoren

Stach, Miriam (WE 20)

Eule, Corinna (WE 20)

Kongress

World Marine Mammal Conference 2019

Barcelona, Spain, 07. – 12.12.2019

Quelle

Book of Abstracts : Workshops // December 7-8, 2019 : Main Conference // December 9-12, 2019 — Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (Hrsg.)

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, 2019 — S. 412–413

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://www.wmmconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/WMMC-Book-of-Abstracts.pdf

Kontakt

Klein- und Heimtierklinik

Oertzenweg 19 b
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 62422
kleintierklinik@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

A high prevalence of ocular disease from captive pinnipeds and its contributing factors from husbandry has been discussed in the past. However, there have been only a few primary studies and their data originates mainly from US-American marine parks. Therefore, an epidemiologic survey was conducted to assess pinniped morbidity as well as the husbandry of Central European facilities.
The period prevalence of ocular disorders within a timespan of two years was analysed for interdependencies between management and husbandry parameters, such as (ocular) medical training, (supplemented) saltwater, water change/filtration system, ozone/chlorine disinfection and chemical/bacteriological water screenings. Twenty-five facilities from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, keeping 35 pinniped groups consisting of 209 animals, took part in the study. There was an overall period prevalence of 32 %. The data showed a difference between the period prevalence of otariids and phocids, and otariids were more often kept in disinfected water.
The proportion of males was higher in groups of phocids, and there was a strong correlation between the number of male pinnipeds in a group and the number of diseased males, which was not the case amongst females. In addition, ocular trauma was only reported in phocids. A significant difference in period prevalence was found between animals kept only in fresh water and those living in saltwater or offered an additional saltwater pool. However, no
difference resulting from salt concentration was detected. Within the study sample, lower period prevalence was seen in groups with medical training, filtration systems and water chlorination.
In conclusion, intraspecific fighting might be the main cause of period prevalence differences between otariids and phocids and suggests that
facilities should keep groups with a higher proportion of females or neuter males. In addition, saltwater, water filtration and disinfection can
lower period prevalence. Frequent water screenings and daily medical training may help to prevent ocular disease.