Husbandry and Preventative Medicine for pinnipeds in Managed Care - NOT DONE

Erlacher-Reid - AWHI 2026

what is the animal welfare act

ensures humane care and treatment of animals intended for

• research

• commercial sale

• public displays

• exhibition

• pets

who enforces animal welfare act

• USDA-APHIS

• IACUC (if research, too)

animal welfare act sets minimum standards for

• space & facilities

• handling & transport

• sanitation

• nutrition, feeding, & food prep

• water quality

• veterinary care

• employees or attendants

• separation & social grouping

Facilities typically (exceed/undermine) minimal requirements set by animal welfare act

exceed

temporary deviation require whose approval and justification?

veterinarian

the animal welfare act does NOT regulate what facilities?

marine mammal rescue & rehab facilities

who regulates cetacean and pinniped rehab

NMFS

who has developed guidance and criteria for release of cetaceans, pinnipeds, sea otters, manatees, & polar bears

NMFS with FWS

USDA-APHIS and AWA set water quality standards, including

• coliform count

• pH

• chemical additives

• salinity

how long must water quality results be maintained for?

1 year

coliform count is mandatory for housing marine mammals, even if the facility is ______

open to natural seawater

how often do samples need to be taken in coliform counts?

weekly

maximum coliform count

1,000 MPN/100mL water (10,000 MPN / L water)

the four genera found in coliform counts

• Escherichia

• Klebsiella

• Enterobacter

• Citrobacter

APHIS requires that pH be tested _____ for all marine mammals

daily

• EXCEPT if open to natural seawater (c.f., coliform count)

most facilities recommend a water pH between

7.2–8.4

APHIS requires _____ water tests of chemical additives that cause harm or discomfort

daily

types of chemical oxidizing substances

• chlorine-based oxidants

• bromine-based oxidants

• ozone

• copper

most facilities attempt what concentrations of chlorine?

<1ppm

typically 0.3-0.5ppm

most facilities attempt what concentrations of ozone?

<500-600 mV

higher levels of chlorine and ozone is associated with

damage to

• cornea

• skin

• respiratory system

what are differentials for causing white eye stripe in cetaceans?

• minor changes in chemical additives, or

• increases in UV index

APHIS requires primary encoluse to be salinized if the habitating marine mammal ______ saltwater

requires

do pinnipeds ‘require’ saltwater?

no, so they can be house in freshwater

in marine mammals, freshwater may lead to

disturbances to

• skin

• cornea

• serum electrolytes

if housed in freshwater, you MUST supplement

salt

range of salinity in saltwater enclosures

15–36 ppt

which pinniped lives in freshwater its entire life?

Baikal seal

three main categories of water systems

• closed (recirculated seawater)

• semi-closed (enclosed water mixed with new)

• open (natural seawater constantly circulating)

what is the trade off of different water systems

• water quality maintenance of closed systems

• vs.

• exposure to natural threats of open systems

  • pathogens

  • contaminants

housing must provide both

spaces for

• water

• haul-out

USDA calculates enclosure size by body length and

number of occupants

differences in pinniped housing

• otariids climb

  • pool can be sunken or raised, as long as ramp provided

• phocids cannot climb

  • needs sunken pool with water level close to edge

pool color may contribute to ocular disease: which color is less reflective, tan or blue

tan

sunlight is a risk factor for

ocular disease

gastric foreign bodies are common: you must be aware of public’s ability to

throw items in the bpool

how often should temperatuer be measured

daily

at risk temperature for hyperthermia

79-85 Fif not access to shade or water

sprinklers can ameliorate hyperthermia when

animal kept out of water (for medical reasons)

thaw food fish how?

under refirgeration (avoid too much vitamin degradation)

use fish within ____ once thawed

24 hours

bucketed fish on ice should be used within

15 minutes

differences in storage temperatures of fish

• fatty fish: 4-6 mo

• other fish: 1 y

typical seafood items for pinnipeds

• herring

• smelt

• mackerel

• capelin

• squid

signs of bad fish quality

• cloudy eyes

• pasty, brownish gills

• open lesions or discolored skin

• smell of ammonia

how much to feed young

8-15% BW / d

how much to feed adult

4-8% BW / d

typical supplmeents

• thiamine

• vitamin E

• NaCl if kept in freshwater

• lutein and grape seed extract (possible benefit for ocular health)

how often to do a physical exam

• 1-2x / y

• or when ill