Edema disease in a California sea lion.

Edema disease, similar to that occurring in swine, was diagnosed in a california sea lion (Zalophus californianus). The prominent features included a thickened, edematous stomach wall and generalized fibrinoid necrosis of arterioles. A beta-hemolytic Escherichia coli, serotype 0147:K . :H52, was the predominant organism isolated from the gastrointestinal tract. The organism caused fatal infection when administered orally and intraperitoneally to mice.