Haematological and biochemical values for grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) during early rehabilitation

Haematological and biochemical data were collected over a period of six years from grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups undergoing rehabilitation. Pups bled during the first three days were allocated retrospectively to one of seven clinical groups and statistical analyses were carried out on six of these groups (130 pups). Compared with reference ranges, all the groups had lower mean packed-cell volumes (pcv), red blood cell (rbc) counts haemoglobin and albumin levels, pups with severe trauma had higher total white blood cell (wbc) and neutrophil counts, pups with severe trauma and malnourished pups had higher total bilirubin levels, and pups in all the clinical groups except those with severe trauma had lower sodium levels. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between some clinical groups for mean pcv, rbc counts, all wbc counts except monocytes, haemoglobin, total bilirubin, creatine kinase, amylase and potassium levels. Forty-nine pups were bled more than once during the first 10 days of rehabilitation for haematology, and 11 were bled more than once for biochemistry. There were significant decreases (P<0.05) during this period in pcv, and in the activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, and significant increases in all wbc counts, total protein, globulin, amylase and calcium levels.

Health status of harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, concurrent with their expanding range

Beach surveys for harp (Phoca groenlaandica) and hooded (Cystophora cristata) seals documented a dramatic increase in their numbers on Sable Island in mid 1990s. In the 1980s, no more than five animals of both species were observed on this island each year, however, during late 1994 to 1998, 1,191 harp and 870 hooded seals, mostly young animals, were recorded. Although some of these seals had been killed by sharks, most (roughly 75%) were found alive or as intact carcasses on the beach, and some of the live seals were later found dead. Emaciation/starvation was considered the primary cause of death in seals that were not obviously killed by sharks. Factors that may have compounded this poor body condition included gastric impaction with abnormal ingesta, hemorrhagic diathesis possibly induced by parasitic migration and secondary vasculitis, and stomatitis (in hooded seals only). Some harp and hooded seals expanding their range in recent years may be unable to feed successfully, although the reasons for this are unclear.

Animal welfare and the harp seal hunt in Atlantic Canada

Much attention has been given over the years to animal welfare issues surrounding the seal hunt in Atlantic Canada. However, very little information is available on this subject in the scientific literature. This article reports the results of observations made by representatives of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association at the hunt in recent years and compares them with observations made by members of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The conclusion is that the large majority of seals taken during this hunt (at best, 98% in work reported here) are killed in an acceptably humane manner. However, the small proportion of animals that are not killed effectively justifies continued attention to this hunt on the part of the veterinary profession.

Conditions in grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) presented for rehabilitation

A survey was carried out on the condition of 188 live grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups presented for rehabilitation from the coasts of south-west England between 1992 and 1998. The survey was carried out to assess the incidence of malnutrition, hyperthermia, respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, and also the incidence of traumatic, skin, oral and ocular lesions. Malnutrition was a common finding in pups approaching weaning (mid-moult pups) and those at the point of weaning or postweaning (moulted pups) (62 per cent and 82 per cent, respectively). Separation from the dam, believed to be the main cause of malnutrition in grey seals, was encountered frequently in unweaned pups (91 per cent). Thirty-nine per cent of pups presented with a respiratory condition, 38 per cent with hyperthermia and 9 per cent with diarrhoea. Seven per cent and 14 per cent of pups had confirmed respiratory and gastrointestinal parasitic infestations respectively, although these were probably underestimates. Clinically significant traumatic lesions were seen in 41 per cent, oral ulceration in 26 per cent, ocular conditions in 13 per cent, nail bed infections in 13 per cent and oiling in 10 per cent of pups. Umbilical infections and other skin and oral conditions were also encountered. The incidence of these conditions is compared with data from dead grey seals, and clinical conditions in other pinniped species presented for rehabilitation.

Findings in pinnipeds stranded along the central and northern California coast, 1984-1990

Personnel at The Marine Mammal Center (The Center) treated 1,446 stranded marine mammals recovered from the central and northern California (USA) coast from 1984 through 1990, including California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi), northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi). The primary disease findings in stranded California sea lions were renal disease, renal disease complicated by severe verminous pneumonia, verminous pneumonia, seizures of unknown etiology, and renal disease complicated by severe pneumonia of unknown etiology. Stranded elephant seals included pups, yearlings with dermatological problems, and neonates. Most harbor seals admitted to The Center were underweight and premature pups. Stranded northern fur seals included animals with seizures of unknown etiology and emaciated pups. Stranded Steller sea lions included underweight pups and aged adult females with pneumonia. Two Guadalupe fur seals had hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. Incidental findings at the time of stranding among the six species included verminous pneumonia and pneumonia of unknown etiology, renal disease, internal parasitism, ophthalmologic problems, gastrointestinal disorders, otitis externa, and external wounds.

Pathological findings in the Hawaiian monk seal

Postmortem examinations were performed on 45 Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) collected during field research on the beaches of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (USA) from 1981 to 1985. Both males and females of all age groups, perinatal through adult, were examined. Frequent findings included parasites, trauma, cardiovascular disease (congenital and acquired), and respiratory infections. Emaciation was a common condition. All animals except neonates were infected with parasites; infection was severe in several cases. Splenic hematopoiesis was a universal histopathologic finding. Some cases exhibited lesions consistent with renal, gastrointestinal, and toxic disorders; ectopic tissue calcification; gallstones; and ophthalmologic and dental problems.