Pet Dolphin Diseases: Everything You Need to Know

 Pet Dolphin Diseases: Everything You Need to Know

Pet dolphins are common in marine parks, aquaria, and are owned by research institutions. To appropriately maintain the health of a dolphin, it is crucial to know the diseases to which dolphins are susceptible. This article details some of the diseases in pet dolphins, why they occur, their symptoms, treatments, and how to prevent them.

 

Introduction

Dolphins are known as “man’s most intelligent and social” marine animal, so it is very interesting creatures to learn and observe. However, maintaining their health also requires some special expertise and care. Dolphins are vulnerable to a range of diseases, some with parallels to those found in other marine animals, and some resulting in specific health concerns for dolphins, due to their unusual physiology and the inordinate pressure they face from sea pollution and the demands of industrial fishing.

 

Understanding Dolphin Health

Physiology and Anatomy of the Dolphin

To understand what makes dolphins sick, you need to understand dolphin biology. Dolphins are mammals and must rise to the surface to breathe air through their alveolar lungs. They are torpedo-shaped, with a dorsal fin for stability, pectoral fins for steering, and a powerful tail fluke to propel themselves. They have leathery, rubbery skin to help them glide through water.

The dolphin has a very advanced echolocation system, which is very helpful when it's swimming and foraging through the hazy ocean waters. They feed primarily on fish and squid, and need a humane diet for disease prevention.

Clinical Signs of Disease in Dolphins

The detection of illness in dolphins is vital for early diagnosis and treatment. Common signs of illness in dolphins are:

Behavioral changes (lack of activity, less interaction)

Loss of appetite

Breathing distress (huffing and puffing, abnormal surfacing behavior)

Skin sores or changes in colour

Abnormal swimming patterns

Weight loss

Discharge from blowhole or eye(s)

 

Bacterial Infections

Brucellosis

A: Brucellosis is an infection with a type of bacteria called Brucella. It is zoonotic, in other words, it passes from animals to people. In dolphins, brucellosis can result in reproductive failure, abortions, and neurological problems.

Symptoms:

Abnormal swimming behavior

CNS symptoms (seizures, disorientation)

Breeding problems (infertility, abortions)

Treatment:

Antibiotic therapy

Supportive care

Prevention:

Regular health screenings

Quarantine new animals

Good hygiene practices

 

Mycobacteriosis

Mycobacteriosis, caused by Mycobacterium spp., is a chronic bacterial infection of the respiratory system, skin, and internal organs of dolphins.

Symptoms:

Chronic cough

Skin lesions

Weight loss

Lethargy

Treatment:

Radical antibiotic therapy

Supportive care

Prevention:

Regular monitoring

Management for good water quality

Quarantine of cases

 

Viral Infections

Cetacean Morbillivirus (CeMV)

Cetacean Morbillivirus takes the form of an extremely infectious virus that attacks dolphins and other marine life. It’s like the measles virus in humans, and can lead to severe outbreaks.

Symptoms:

Respiratory distress

Neurological symptoms (such as seizures or disorientation)

Skin lesions

Pneumonia

Treatment:

Symptomatic treatment (fluids, antibiotics for secondary infections)

No specific antiviral treatment is currently available

Prevention:

Immunization (in the works)

Isolation and quarantine of the infected parties

Regular health monitoring

 

Dolphin Poxvirus

Dolphin poxvirus produces unique, pox-like lesions on the skin of affected dolphins. It isn’t life-threatening but can be very unpleasant.

Symptoms:

Round, discolored spots on the skin

Itching and irritation

Treatment:

Supportive measures (local therapy to alleviate discomfort)

Proper upkeep of water quality

Prevention:

Regular health monitoring

Good hygiene practices

 

Fungal Infections

Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is a respiratory fungal infection in dolphins caused by Aspergillus species. It is common in dolphins whose immune systems are weakened.

Symptoms:

Respiratory distress

Nasal discharge

Coughing

Lethargy

Treatment:

Antifungal medication

Supportive care

Prevention:

Regular health monitoring

Good state of Water quality engineering

Separation of cases

 

Parasitic Infections

Gastrointestinal Parasites

There have been reports of dolphins being infected with numerous types of gastrointestinal parasites, such as worms, including nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes. The parasites can lead to digestive problems and malnutrition.

Symptoms:

Weight loss

Diarrhea

Abdominal discomfort

Reduced appetite

Treatment:

Antiparasitic medications

Supportive care

Prevention:

Regular fecal examinations

Good hygiene practices

Proper diet management

 

External Parasites

Dolphins can also become infected with external parasites, such as lice and barnacles, resulting in sore skin and secondary infections.

Symptoms:

Parasites seen on the skin

Skin irritation and lesions

Scratching against surfaces

Treatment:

Removal of parasites

Topical treatments

Supportive care

Prevention:

Regular health inspections

Proper management of the water quality

 

Nutritional Drawbacks

Vitamin Deficiencies

Dolphins need a well-balanced diet that is full of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin deficiencies may contribute to a variety of health problems, such as immune impairment and skin diseases.

Common Deficiencies:

Vitamin A: Can lead to vision problems and skin lesions.

Vitamin E: Possible muscle weakness, reproductive problems.

Vitamin D: Necessary for the development of healthy bones.

Symptoms:

Poor coat condition

Lethargy

Reproductive issues

Vision problems

Treatment:

Dietary supplements

Proper diet management

Prevention:

Balanced diet

Regular health monitoring

 

Stress and Environmentally Induced Pathologies

Captivity Stress

Stress appears to play a major role in the health of captive dolphins. Space,  poor water quality, and lack of social interaction and routine are stressors.

Symptoms:

Behavioural changes (aggressiveness with withdrawal)

Loss of appetite

Repeated (circle) Behaviours

There is a high probability of falling ill

Treatment:

Stimuli of the environment, such as toys, activities.

Play and interaction with other dolphins

Consistent routines

Prevention:

Enough room and complicated sections

Adequate management of the quality of water

Routine observation of health and behavior

 

Water Quality Issues

The lower quality of water can result in different health problems in dolphins, such as respiratory and skin infections.

Symptoms:

Respiratory distress

Skin lesions

Lethargy

Eye irritation

Treatment:

Water quality (filtration, chemical balance) and so forth.

Provision of care for impacted dolphins

Prevention:

Routine water quality monitoring

Appropriate filtration and enclosure maintenance

 

Prophylaxis and Health Care

Regular Health Check-Ups

Routine veterinary health examinations are important for early diagnosis and treatment of disease.

The College Health Check-Up: Terms:

Physical examination

Blood tests

Fecal examinations

Skin scrapings

Imaging (X-rays and ultrasounds)

 

Quarantine Procedures

Isolation and quarantine for dolphins that are new or sick restricts the spread of infectious diseases.

Course of Quarantine Actions:

Separate new or ill dolphins into another pen

Provide a comprehensive health examination

Check for signs of sickness

Carry out treatment and care plans as prescribed.

 

Vaccination Programs

Dolphin vaccination is currently under development, but offers potential for protection against some viral diseases.

Potential Vaccines:

Cetacean Morbillivirus

Other new viral threats

Environmental Enrichment

Offering enrichment reduces stress and benefits the mental and physical well-being of dolphins in human care.

Types of  Enrichment:

Toys and puzzles

Social interaction

A variety of challenging environments

Training and play sessions

Diet and Nutrition

Maintaining a nutrient-rich and diverse diet is essential for the prevention of nutrient deficiencies and for overall health.

Elements of a well-balanced diet:

High-quality fish and squid

Vitamins and mineral supplements

Watching what you’re eating and making changes. So move on.

Behavioral Monitoring

Keeping track of what is normal for dolphins can be quite helpful to detect any unusual behaviour that might be related to health problems.

Key Behaviors to Monitor:

Activity levels

Social interactions

Feeding habits

Respiratory patterns

Staff Training and Education

The health and welfare of dolphins are dependent on comprehensive training and education for those staff in charge of their care.

Training Components:

Identification and diagnosis of disease

Appropriate positioning and restraints

Diet and environmental control

Stress reduction strategies

 

Conclusion

The breeding and husbandry of these pet dolphins it needs to be comprehensive grasp of the characteristics of healthy pet dolphins, how to care for pet dolphins, the onset of diseases, and prevention and control. By becoming familiar with the symptoms of frequent illnesses, by applying appropriate treatment regimens, and by practicing preventative measures, caregivers can help to keep these intelligent, social creatures healthy and happy.

Preventive veterinary medicine, such as annual health checks, sound environmental water quality control, and adequate feeding, is also important for dolphin health. Furthermore, offering environmental enrichment and minimizing stress are both important in ensuring a good living standard for captive dolphins.

By providing care and attending to their needs, we can enable captive dolphins to live healthy and rewarding lives and, as such, enhance the enrichment of our understanding and enjoyment of these amazing marine mammals.