Treatment of a strandling whale (Kogia breviceps)

Authors: MacDonald GJ, Kirk EJ, Price MC, Graham SL
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 32, Issue 3, pp 31-33, Mar 1984
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Aquatic animal, Sea mammal, Wildlife
Subject Terms: Animal handling, Trauma/injuries, Pathology, Treatment/therapy
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: A stranded young pygmy sperm whale was nursed for four days in a pool, fed an artificial diet via a stomach tube and injected intramuscularly with antibiotics and corticosteroids. Initially unable to maintain her balance or to swim, she showed progressive improvement and by the third day could swim and dive quite strongly. Early on the fifth day her condition rapidly worsened and she died. An autopsy revealed extensive deep bruising in the head and mid-abdominal regions consistent with injuries sustained during the stranding.

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