International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

and glucose administration has limitations. Hypothermic individuals often have poor peripheral
circulation, so fluids may be absorbed erratically or slowly. In addition, warmed fluids may
cause local vasodilations in a hypothermic animal, compounding problems with shock (Finco
1972).” (Read & Meier 1996). If vets are not soon available, glucose solutions should be
administered orally (by bottle or tube feeding) only after the cub reaches normal body
temperature, becomes responsive, and can swallow and/or nurse normally.
Heating pads or blankets, hot water baths (i.e. at blood heat temperature), heat lamps, or even
hair dryers (in worst cases) can be used for warming in emergency cases where cubs are
profoundly hypothermic, if they are used with extreme caution (Read and Meier 1996. Cub
body temperature (i.e. rectal, mouth (test with finger), and general body surface temperatures)
and behavior must be closely and frequently monitored during the warming process. Cubs
must not be left unattended during warming and they must be warmed up gradually.
Overheating or heating too quickly can be just as dangerous and/or deadly as being too
cold (i.e. cubs can overheat very easily and possibly die and body burns could also occur more
easily on sick cubs). (See below for low heat tolerance.) Afterwards normal cub temperature
can be maintained by using a heat lamp, heating pad, hot water bottle, blanket (can be warmed
in a clothes dryer), incubator, or warm room etc. (see Sections 13 and 14). If cubs are just
slightly below normal body temperature, more gentle and slower warming methods such as
those just mentioned should be used. Cubs must have enough space within their housing
container to move away from heat sources when they need to, but not so much space, that they
cannot find their way back to the heat source. See section 14 for warming in non-emergency
situations.
Body temperatures may also be above normal if the cub has been stressed, in excess heat (e.g.
direct sun, heatstroke), is sick (e.g. fever, infections / seek vet care), or severely dehydrated. A
cub with heatstroke may be hot to the touch, panting heavily, extremely lethargic or limp, be
unconscious, or having seizures. The otter’s temperature must be lowered slowly and
gradually. The cub could be put into shock if its temperature is decreased rapidly and this
could cause death. If external environmental factors (e.g. excess heat, stress) have caused
elevated body temperatures, cubs must be removed from these factors. Animals with heat
exhaustion should be moved to a cool and shaded area and wiped down with a cool (not cold)
damp cloth or with cool water. If the cub has a very high body temperature, the cub can be
placed directly in a shallow room-temperature water bath until its body temperature approaches
normal. Cubs must not be left unattended and the cub’s head, neck, and upper shoulders must
not be exposed to the body of water. Temperature and behavior must be checked frequently
during these cooling processes. The cub must never be placed in cold water. The shock of
the cold water could kill it. As well, if the animal is conscious and responsive, fluids can be
administered to help lower body temperatures. If body temperatures do not soon return to
normal, vet assistance should be sought immediately. (Merck 1986; Read and Meier 1996)
Section 3
Elimination (Feces / Urine) & Dehydration
Health problems or inappropriate handrearing practices can cause abnormalities with
elimination. These problems must be identified and resolved as quickly as possible to promote
and maintain cub health. Stool (feces/spraint) and urine appearance, condition, general amount,
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