The Marine Mammal Center operates much like a human or domestic
animal hospital when diagnosing or prescribing treatment for
its marine mammal patients. However, the unique anatomic and
physiologic adaptations that enable marine mammals to live life
at sea present challenges that require developing special procedures
or modifying those used for people or other animals. For example,
many suture materials are rejected by pinnipeds because of their
thick blubber layer. Anesthesia is complicated because marine
mammals tend not to breathe, slow their heart rate, and pool
blood centrally during anesthesia due to their "dive reflex".
Our clinicians employ a variety of diagnostic
techniques to gather information. Physical examinations,
patient observation, blood draws and wound swabs analyzed
in our in-house laboratory help provide the necessary information
to diagnose the patient. Diagnostic imaging, including radiology,
ultrasound, laparoscopies and endoscopies, conducted in our
state of the art marine mammal surgery
center permit further investigation.
There are many reasons why marine mammals strand. Causes
may include bacterial
diseases, viruses,
northern elephant
seal skin disease (nessd), trauma,
parasitic
disease, cancer
and biotoxin
poisoning. In addition, many of our pups are admitted
due to premature
maternal separation. Documenting human-caused
conditions (including trauma and harassment) is an important
part of our process since we have the opportunity to report
illegal interactions with marine mammals and to educate people
on how to minimize their impact on marine mammals in the wild.
Since the field of marine mammal medicine is relatively new,
we have the opportunity to add to the body of knowledge by
diagnosing previously unknown diseases and conditions and
developing appropriate treatment protocols. Research
also involves understanding the connections between the health
of the marine mammals we treat and the health of the ocean.
Medical therapy and nutritional support form the basis of
most clinical treatment for our marine mammal patients. However,
approximately 50-80 anesthetic procedures are carried out
in our surgery center to facilitate diagnosis and treatment
of a variety of conditions. Surgical procedures may include
fracture repair, wound management, eye surgeries, transmitter
implants, or laparoscopic procedures. Special anesthesia
protocols have been developed at our hospital to address the
unique physiologic and anatomic adaptations of marine mammals.
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