International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management

Mycotic Diseases (Fungal Diseases): Mycotic dermatitis was found in a dead 27 day old
captive born cub (Flügger 1997). Dermatitis through yeast was found in a dead 23 day old
captive born cub (Flügger 1997).
Nephritis [kidney inflammation]: A necropsy revealed severe bilateral nephritis with multiple
stone build-up in a 10 year old captive-held female (Flügger 1997 citing Murmann &
Hagenbeck 1984).
Parasites: Parasites are found in captive and wild giant otters (Flügger 1997; Hagenbeck and
Wünnemann 1992; Schenck 1997). Cestode (tapeworm / unidentified species), cestode /
Diphyllobothrium, Nematode / Strongyloides (in one case severe diarrhea was reported in
connection with a strongyloides infection (Wünnemann 1995), ascaridoid nematodes were all
found in a zoo in Germany (Flügger 1997). Nematode / Ancylostoma sp. were frequently found
in wild orphaned cubs brought to a Brazilian wildlife rehabilitation center. (Lazzrini 1998, pers.
comm.). Parvovirus and a severe cryptosporidiosis infection / infestation caused the death of
one 7 1/2 month old otter in a German zoo (Hagenbeck and Wünnemann 1992; Flügger 1997).
The history of the last otter aforementioned is as follows “At four months one pup, “Blacky”,
suffered severe diarrhoea. No bacterial or parasitic infection was found but the problem
occurred several times over the following months until the animal’s death at the age of sevenand-a-half
months. The post-mortem examination revealed severe cryptosporidiosis and a
parvovirus infection.” ( Wünnemann 1992). Also described was the earlier successful treatment
of a strongyloides infection within that pup (Flügger 1997, Wünnemann 1992).
Pneumonia: One 2.5 year old giant otter died suddenly and quickly after she developed
pneumonia (she showed no symptoms of pneumonia or being sick before her death) and a 5 year
old otter died of pneumonia (Brasilia Zoo pers. comm.). As well at the same institution, a 4
month old cub died of gastroenteritis and another 3 month old cub died of pneumonia.
Pneumonia caused the death of an adult giant otter in a Venezuelan zoo. More than 3/4 of its
lungs were severely affected, “but the otter showed no sign of illness, playing actively and
feeding well until the day of its death.” (Trebbau 1972). At an institution in Belem, Brazil an
adult giant otter died of bronchopneumonia. Also, see the beginning of this Section and under
“Handreared Orphaned Wild Giant Otters” above and “Poor Fur Coat Condition” below.
Poor Fur Coat Condition: can be caused by inappropriate enclosure conditions. When the
coat is in poor condition serious health problems such as infections or even death can result. In
the past, river otters were thought to be aquatic animals and unfortunately exhibits were
designed with this misconception in mind (Duplaix 1972 citing Hediger 1970). Inappropriate
enclosure conditions, esp. improper land to water ratios resulting in not enough land area or/and
improper substrates, were often the reason that poor fur coat condition and associated poor
health and death by infections, occurred among various river otter species. In the present,
exposure to continually very damp/wet surfaces, caused by the aforementioned inappropriate
enclosure conditions, has caused poor coat condition, infections and death in giant otters. See
Chapter 2 Section 3 for a discussion on this topic. (See above under “Foot/Toe Pad, Webbing,
and Skin Health Problems” for a brief description of how very damp/wet conditions are caused.)
Sometimes circumstances, other than those related to inappropriate enclosure conditions, can
cause poor coat condition, although this has not been reported to occur among captive giant
otters.
Pyometra-OP: a female otter died during recovery from surgery for pyometra (Flügger 1997)
(See Chapter 4 and Part B below for more information.)
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