A Case of Chronic Purulent Pneumonia in False Killer Whale ( Pseudorca crassidens)

Abstract

A female false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), estimated to be more than 25-years-old, died from chronic purulent pneumonia in spite of antibiotic therapy. At the necropsy, Vibrio alginolyticus was isolated from all samples including the lungs. Histopathologic examination revealed that multiple abscesses containing gram-positive cocci were present in the lungs. A comparison of the total protein, fibrinogen, leukocytes and average monthly temperatures for 8 years revealed an increase in total protein, an increase in subsequent average monthly temperatures, and an increase in both fibrinogen and leukocytes. Three items without the total protein were changed similarly. Bacteremia was observed in 4 out of 13 blood bacterial cultures. Additionally, in 3 out of 4 bacteremia, leukocytes were more than 20,000 / [mu] 1.