Diniz L S, Oliveira P M
Laboratória Doenças Infecciosas por Bactérias e Fungos, Faculdade Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Unividade São Paulo, Brazil.
J Zoo Wildl Med. 1999 Mar;30(1):76-80.
A 20-yr retrospective study of disease prevalence was carried out for 51 sloths (34 Bradypus sp. and 17 Choloepus sp.) at the São Paulo Zoo. A total of 81 clinical disorders were detected, including nutritional (45.7%), digestive (12.3%), and respiratory (12.3%) problems and injuries (6.1%). A definitive diagnosis was not possible in 8.6% of the cases. The incidence of disease varied according to seasonal climate (winter, 32.5%; spring, 24%; summer, 22.9%; autumn, 20.5%), time in captivity (96.4% of diseases occurred within the first 6 mo and 3.6% occurred thereafter), and type of enclosure (quarantine cage, 96.4%; exhibition enclosure, 3.6%). Both young animals (86.7%) and adults (3.2%) were affected. Parasites were identified by fecal examination in 45.4% of animals with clinical illness (Ascaris sp., 80%; Coccidia sp., 20%). Bacteria such as Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Citrobacter freundii were isolated from feces and/or organs. The first 6 mo in captivity are critical for these animals. Proper management and early identification of medical conditions in captivity have implications for sloth population in the wild.
对圣保罗动物园的51只树懒（34只三趾树懒属和17只二趾树懒属）进行了一项为期20年的疾病患病率回顾性研究。共检测到81种临床病症，包括营养问题（45.7%）、消化问题（12.3%）、呼吸问题（12.3%）和损伤（6.1%）。8.6%的病例无法做出明确诊断。疾病发病率随季节气候（冬季，32.5%；春季，24%；夏季，22.9%；秋季，20.5%）、圈养时间（96.4%的疾病发生在最初6个月内，3.6%发生在之后）和圈舍类型（检疫笼，96.4%；展览圈舍，3.6%）而有所不同。幼龄动物（86.7%）和成年动物（3.2%）均受到影响。在45.4%有临床疾病的动物中通过粪便检查发现了寄生虫（蛔虫属，80%；球虫属，20%）。从粪便和/或器官中分离出了肠炎沙门氏菌、大肠杆菌和弗氏柠檬酸杆菌等细菌。圈养的最初6个月对这些动物至关重要。圈养中的适当管理和疾病的早期识别对野生树懒种群具有重要意义。
