| Summary Information |
| Diseases / List of Bacterial Diseases
/ Disease summary |
| Alternative Names |
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| Disease Agents |
- Associated with inadequate hygiene in the preparation of formula or
in the maintenance of the
equipment used to make the milk formula. (B16.9.w9,
B64.26.w5)
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| Infectious
Agent(s) |
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| Non-infectious
Agent(s) |
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| Physical
Agent(s) |
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| General Description |
In Bears:
- Bacterial gastroenteritis has been reported in young bears. (B16.9.w9,
B64.26.w5)
- This is common in hand-reared bears that have not received colostrum from
their mothers. (J23.9.w4)
Clinical signs:
- Diarrhoea.
- Depression.
- Anorexia.
- Dehydration.
- Fever (normal body temperature is 98.8 - 99.0 °F or 37.1 - 37.2 °C for
young cubs in an
incubator).
(B16.9.w9, B64.26.w5)
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| Further Information |
Prevention
- Ensure scrupulous hygiene in the maintenance of equipment used to
make the milk formula and in preparation of the formula. (B16.9.w9, B64.26.w5)
- Single dose of long-acting broad spectrum antibiotic given as soon
as possible. (J23.9.w4)
- If hand-reared bears have not received colostrum, they can be given
serum from their mother (or another bear of the same species). This
may be given orally and parenterally. (B16.9.w9,
B64.26.w5, B338.24.w24,
J2.30.w3,
J23.14.w3, D251.8.w8)
- 10 to 12 mL administered subcutaneously may
provide temporary immunity. (B16.9.w9,
B64.26.w5)
- Based on recent information for dogs, 22.0 mL/kg should be given
(i.e. have 10-15 mL banked serum ready per cub), subcutaneously; oral
administration can be used but absorption after 12 hours is
minimal. (B338.24.w24)
- For further suggested doses and routes see: Hand-rearing Polar Bears
Treatment:
- Kaolin pectin (kaopectate) suspension 1-2 ml/kg orally every two to four hours. (B16.9.w9
B64.26.w5)
- Appropriate oral antibiotic (B16.9.w9), such as
chloramphenicol 20-50 mg/kg
every eight hours, neomycin or sulphamethazine. (B64.26.w5)
- Intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy with lactated Ringer's
solution (Hartmann's Solution). (B64.26.w5)
- Possibly replace alternate feeds with lactated Ringer's
solution. (B16.9.w9, B64.26.w5)
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| Associated Techniques |
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| Host taxa groups /species |
Further information on Host species has only
been incorporated for species groups for which a full Wildpro "Health and
Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature
review has been undertaken). Host species with further information available are listed
below:
(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this
infectious agent)
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