Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Apr 2024)

Case Report: Ambergris coprolite and septicemia in a male sperm whale stranded in La Palma (Canary Islands)

  • Antonio Fernández,
  • Antonio Fernández,
  • Cristian Suárez-Santana,
  • Cristian Suárez-Santana,
  • Paula Alonso-Almorox,
  • Paula Alonso-Almorox,
  • Francesco Achille Consoli,
  • Francesco Achille Consoli,
  • Zuleima Suárez González,
  • Zuleima Suárez González,
  • Ignacio Molpeceres-Diego,
  • Ignacio Molpeceres-Diego,
  • Claudia Iglesias González,
  • Claudia Iglesias González,
  • Marta Lorente Hernández,
  • Amaranta Hugo Pérez,
  • José Luis Martín-Barrasa,
  • José Luis Martín-Barrasa,
  • Laura Iglesias Llorente,
  • Félix M. Medina,
  • Raiden Grandía Guzmán,
  • Raiden Grandía Guzmán,
  • Diego Llinás Rueda,
  • Diego Llinás Rueda,
  • Manuel Arbelo,
  • Manuel Arbelo,
  • Eva Sierra,
  • Eva Sierra

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1388276
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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On the 21st of May 2023, a dead adult male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) of 13 m in length and estimated weight of around 18,000 kg was reportedly stranded at Playa Los Nogales, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. A necropsy was performed 48hpm. A 50 cm diameter and 9.5 kg coprolite was found obstructing the caudal colon-rectal lumen. Necro-hemorrhagic lesions were found in heart muscles and three different bacteria of intestinal origin were isolated and identified (Edwarsiella tarda, Hathewaya limosa and Clostridium perfringens). It is reported a lethal septicemia of intestinal origin associated with ambergris coprolite as cause of death in this sperm whale.

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