Hematological, macroscopic and microscopic findings in two stranded whales (Mesoplodon densirostris and Kogia sima) and possible causes of deaths

Issue Date

6-2017

Abstract

Stranded marine mammals may serve as opportunities for probing scientific queries. This study subjected formalin-fixed tissues of two cetaceans, Mesoplodon densirostris (Blainville's beaked whale) and Kogia sima (dwarf sperm whale), found stranded in Region 11 (Davao) of the Philippines between April and July 2014 to histopathological examination following necropsy and hematological evaluations. Lesions observed in 2 of 2 animals (100%) were congested hepatic sinusoids, hemorrhages, hemosiderosis, parasitic disease and pulmonary edema. Other lesions (1 of 2, 50%) were seen in the gastrointestinal tract (congestion, Lieberkhun mononuclear cell infiltrations, villi blunting and adhesion), kidney (blood sludging, membranous glomerulopathy, tubular cell atrophy) and lungs (fungal granuloma, pneumonia). M. densirostris showed severe iron deficiency and thrombocytopenia but with lymphocytosis. K. sima revealed low white blood cell count and neutropenia but with thrombocytosis and hemoconcentration. This study suggests that systemic infection for both animals with membranous glomerulopathy and endoparasitism-associated pneumonia (in M. densirostris) and microthrombi formation (in K. sima) were the major causes of their deaths. Presented results, however limited, may serve as baseline data underpinning cetacean clinicopathological research in the Philippines.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine

ISSN

0031-7705

Volume

54

Issue

1

Page

63-69

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

illustrations, tables

Language

English

Subject

Hematology, Histopathology, Kogia sima, Mesoplodon densirostris, Stranding

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

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