Bacterial infections, either primary or secondary, account for
many of the cases treated at The Center. If diagnosed early
enough, these diseases can be treated. Some of these diseases
are also seen in humans, again underscoring the connection between
marine mammal and human medicine.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis occurs mainly in California sea lions, but has
been found in other pinnipeds. Periodic outbreaks occur in
central and northern California. The bacteria damage the kidneys,
and if not treated, will cause kidney failure. Animals displaying
clinical signs of leptospirosis are treated with antibiotics,
phosphate binders and aggressive fluid therapy. If treated
in time, leptospirosis is treatable. It is thought that leptospirosis
is transmitted to sea lions through agricultural runoff. Leptospirosis
is a common disease in many animals and has been diagnosed
in people as well.
Abnormalities resulting from kidney failure are:
- Failure to excrete sodium and phosphorus (the sodium and
phosphorus levels will be high in the bloodstream),
- High blood concentrations of urea (a waste product of
protein metabolism),
- High blood concentrations of creatinine (a waste product
in the blood),
- Dehydration,
- Acidosis (decreased blood pH),
- Oliguria (lack of urine),
- Anuria (complete suppression of urine formation by the
kidney),
- Seizures due to a build-up of toxins in the body.
Unlike humans, sea lions and other marine mammals have hundreds
of renules that comprise a single kidney. An individual renule
acts as an independent kidney.
When bacteria destroy the kidney tissue, the damage is permanent.
Even if the bacteria are killed with an antibiotic, if there
is too much damage to the kidney, the animal will not survive.
When less than one third of the kidney is functioning, the
animal dies because of toxic levels of electrolytes (such
as sodium), metabolites (substances produced by metabolism),
pH, and fluid abnormalities.
Salmonella
Salmonellae are a group of bacteria that can be opportunistically
pathogenic, i.e. they may be normally found in healthy animals
but may cause diseases in already stressed animals. It can
occur in all marine mammals. Culturing feces from a rectal
swab identifies salmonella. At The Center, we have found that
in healthy pups salmonella tends to resolve without treatment.
Pups showing diarrhea, vomiting, or who are severely underweight
are treated with antibiotics. Some infected animals, however,
suddenly may die, without showing symptoms.
Bacterial pneumonia
Primary or secondary pneumonia is very common in all marine
mammal species. It is diagnosed by listening to chest noises
and taking radiographs. Antibiotics combined with treatment
of the primary lesion (such as parasitism) are given to treat
the pneumonia.
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Bacterial
Diseases 