Cytology and Hematology Diagnostic Services, Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (U.Porto), Porto, Portugal.
Oceanogràfic Veterinary and Laboratory Service, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia, Spain.
J Vet Diagn Invest. 2024 Nov;36(6):852-858. doi: 10.1177/10406387241276032. Epub 2024 Sep 21.
A 15-y-old captive-born female bottlenose dolphin () had slowly progressive lethargy, inappetence, and pallor of the oral mucosa. Serial hemograms and serum biochemistry analysis revealed hemolyzed plasma, gradually severe anemia with reticulocytosis, spherocytosis, pronounced neutrophilia with left shift and toxic change, and indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Urinalysis identified both hemoglobinuria and bilirubinuria. Hyperglobulinemia with polyclonal gammopathy was evident by protein electrophoresis, and the saline agglutination test was positive. Splenomegaly and hyperechogenic liver were also observed on ultrasound. These findings meet the diagnostic criteria established for immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in small animals, which is extremely rare in cetacean species, and, to our knowledge, has not been fully documented. Several potential triggers of a secondary IMHA were ruled out, including the most common cetacean virus, exposure to new drugs, and recent vaccination events. Following recommendations from companion animal medicine, immunosuppressive therapy was implemented and proved effective in this bottlenose dolphin; the CBC returned to normal after 3 mo of treatment.
一只 15 岁圈养的雌性宽吻海豚（）逐渐出现嗜睡、食欲不振和口腔黏膜苍白。连续的血液学和血清生化分析显示溶血血浆，逐渐严重的贫血伴网织红细胞增多、球形红细胞增多、明显的中性粒细胞左移和中毒性改变以及间接高胆红素血症。尿液分析同时发现血红蛋白尿和胆红素尿。蛋白电泳显示球蛋白血症和多克隆丙种球蛋白血症，盐水凝集试验阳性。超声还显示脾肿大和肝脏回声增强。这些发现符合小动物免疫介导性溶血性贫血（IMHA）的诊断标准，在鲸目动物中极为罕见，据我们所知，尚未有充分的记录。已排除继发性 IMHA 的几个潜在诱因，包括最常见的鲸目动物病毒、接触新药和最近的疫苗接种事件。根据伴侣动物医学的建议，实施了免疫抑制治疗，这对这只宽吻海豚有效；经过 3 个月的治疗，CBC 恢复正常。
