Acute Gastric Dilatation with Volvulus in a Northern fur Seal (Callorhinus ursinus)

Abstract

Acute gastric dilatation with volvulus occurred in a 4-year-old female northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus). The animal had been maintained in an outdoor exhibit at Mystic Marinelife Aquarium (Mystic, Connecticut, USA) from June 1989 to March 1994. On necropsy, we observed a 360° clockwise rotation of the stomach about its mesenteric axis as viewed ventrodorsally. The stomach was markedly distended with gas, fluid, and partially digested fish. The spleen followed the rotation of the stomach 360° and was enlarged and congested with twisted mesentery. This is the first reported case of acute gastric dilatation with volvulus in a pinniped.