International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management
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(esp. around approx. 10 to 11 years old) <strong>and</strong> possible associated health problems in Part B<br />
below <strong>and</strong> Chapter 4.<br />
Distemper has not been reported to cause any giant otter deaths/illnesses in captivity. A<br />
parvovirus infection combined with severe cryptosporidiosis caused the death of a 7 1/2 month<br />
old otter in a European zoo (Hagenbeck & Wünnemann 1992; Flügger 1997). A Venezuelan<br />
rancher reported two h<strong>and</strong>reared orphaned wild cubs died from parvovirus, although no<br />
necropsy or veterinary consultation was reported therefore the diagnosis must be considered<br />
unconfirmed. The cubs weighed approx. 2 kg (4.41 lbs.) at their death <strong>and</strong> they were<br />
h<strong>and</strong>reared for 24 days until their death (Lopez de Ceballos pers. comm. 2000). At least two<br />
captive-born otters contracted leptospirosis at a Brazilian Zoo <strong>and</strong> both of these animals died<br />
(one female died at 1 year <strong>and</strong> 2 months old <strong>and</strong> the other died before he reached 2 years old<br />
(Louzada da Silva & Pimentel, pers. comms.). It seems that one of the two aforementioned<br />
animals may have contracted leptospirosis two times <strong>and</strong> the first time it was successfully<br />
treated (Pimentel et. al), although this remains uncertain from available records. These cases<br />
were supposed to have occurred because the otters were fed much more fish than they could eat<br />
at each feeding <strong>and</strong> staff felt that the significant amounts of fish left over in the enclosure during<br />
the day/overnight attracted rats that carried leptospirosis. (Left-over food should be minimized<br />
by feeding only what otters eat readily to avoid these problems.)<br />
Disease prevention methods should be promoted <strong>and</strong>/or developed. Some appropriate/safe<br />
medical vaccinations are not used or they are not available or produced in many countries/zoos.<br />
The availability <strong>and</strong> production of specific appropriate/safe medical vaccinations need to be<br />
increased. Some vaccinations that had been formerly used for giant otters are no longer<br />
produced <strong>and</strong> there is a dem<strong>and</strong> for them. An adequate/safe vaccination for distemper is<br />
currently lacking or very difficult to find in South America, Europe, <strong>and</strong> the U.S. For example,<br />
in Germany killed parvovirus <strong>and</strong> killed distemper vaccinations have been used for giant otters,<br />
although currently neither are produced (Osmann, pers. comm.). The company, Hoechst AG,<br />
that used to produce killed canine parvovirus, is no longer in business. (See below under<br />
Hagenbeck <strong>and</strong> Dortmund vaccination schedules.)<br />
Vaccinations<br />
<strong>Otter</strong>s are susceptible to contracting feline <strong>and</strong> canine diseases such as distemper, parvovirus,<br />
leptospirosis, <strong>and</strong> rabies (Duplaix-Hall 1975; Foster-Turley 1990). Pet, domestic, feral/stray,<br />
wild (e.g. rodents, raccoons, foxes), <strong>and</strong> zoo animals can transmit diseases to captive otters.<br />
There is a possibility (although no cases were found) that wild giant otters may be susceptible to<br />
contracting canine distemper or canine parvovirus through contact with infected domesticated<br />
dogs or their excretions (Schenck et al 1997).<br />
“<strong>Giant</strong> otters are susceptible to most viral diseases of dogs <strong>and</strong> cats…. They should be<br />
vaccinated, if possible, only with killed vaccine [referring to all vaccines]! There is too little<br />
experience to take a risk with these endangered animals.” (Wünnemann 1995). Killed<br />
parvovirus (canine or feline origin vaccine), killed rabies, killed leptospirosis, killed canine<br />
distemper (see cautions for modified-live distemper below) vaccinations should be considered<br />
for otters held where these diseases are present <strong>and</strong> there is a risk of contraction (Lewis 1995;<br />
Moore 1997). [With regards to parvovirus, univalent / monovalent vaccines are preferable over<br />
polyvalent (combination) vaccines in mustelids (Hinshaw et al 1996; Petrini et al 2001). Only<br />
killed virus rabies vaccines should be given (Merck 1986; Hinshaw et al 1996; Moore 1997).<br />
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