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4 October 2023 RENAL PATHOLOGY IN CAPTIVE ADULT ALAOTRAN GENTLE LEMURS (HAPALEMUR ALAOTRENSIS)
Alberto Rodriguez Barbon, Athanasia Kapetanou, Gale Glendewar, Daniela Denk, Mark F. Stidworthy, Andrew Routh
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Abstract

Full medical histories from captive Alaotran gentle lemurs or Bandro (Hapalemur alaotrensis) > 1 yr old that died between 1990 and 2016 were requested from holding institutions. Eighty-six individuals died during the period analyzed. Full postmortem reports were received from 40 (46.5%) animals from 16 different institutions across Europe (15) and North America (1). Eighteen animals (45%) showed azotemia within three months of death, with accompanying histological renal lesions. Another 17 (42.5%) showed histological renal lesions, but no renal function assessment was carried out antemortem, or results were within normal limits. Only five animals (12.5%) showed no renal lesions. Of the 35 (87.5%) animals with histological renal lesions, 18 were females, and 17 were males, 11 were wild caught, and 24 were captive born. Twenty-seven animals were euthanized, seven were found dead, and in one case, no details were provided. Sixty-four blood samples from 22 animals were available. Azotemia was observed on average 407 d antemortem, with a case observed as early as 2,318 d antemortem. Twenty-nine urinalyses from 12 animals were carried out antemortem. All animals showed hematuria or proteinuria in at least one antemortem sample. A pH decrease from 8.5 to 5.0 was observed in two animals antemortem. Gross renal lesions most frequently reported were irregular surface (n = 14), abnormal shape (n = 12), and/or presence of cysts (n = 9). The most common histological lesions were interstitial nephritis (n = 25), interstitial fibrosis (n = 26), tubule dilation (n = 16), and glomerulosclerosis (n = 12). Development of additional diagnostic tools, standardization of ante- and postmortem diagnostic protocols, and further investigation into potential etiologies, such as diets offered in captivity and genetic factors, should be considered as the next steps for the veterinary management of this species in captivity.

Alberto Rodriguez Barbon, Athanasia Kapetanou, Gale Glendewar, Daniela Denk, Mark F. Stidworthy, and Andrew Routh "RENAL PATHOLOGY IN CAPTIVE ADULT ALAOTRAN GENTLE LEMURS (HAPALEMUR ALAOTRENSIS)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 54(3), 600-606, (4 October 2023). https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0005
Accepted: 14 June 2023; Published: 4 October 2023
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