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Environmental enrichment-related injury in a macaque (Macaca fascicularis): intestinal linear foreign body

N E Hahn1, D Lau, K Eckert

  • 1Office of Laboratory Animal Care, University of California, Berkeley 94720-7150, USA.

Comparative Medicine
|December 1, 2000
PubMed

Insights

A young macaque ingested rope, leading to severe gastrointestinal issues including perforations and septic peritonitis. This case highlights the dangers of environmental enrichment devices in non-human primates.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Primate Medicine
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Environmental enrichment is crucial for captive non-human primate welfare.
  • Careful selection and monitoring of enrichment materials are necessary to prevent accidental ingestion.
  • Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are susceptible to gastrointestinal complications.

Observation:

  • A three-year-old male cynomolgus macaque exhibited anorexia and depression.
  • Clinical signs progressed over 48 hours, suggesting a critical health event.
  • Diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests indicated septic peritonitis.

Findings:

  • Exploratory laparotomy revealed multiple small intestine perforations.
  • Necropsy identified fibrous material in the stomach and cecum.
  • Small intestine exhibited ulcerations and linear fibrous material, consistent with rope ingestion.

Implications:

  • Accidental ingestion of environmental enrichment devices can cause life-threatening gastrointestinal perforations.
  • Veterinary professionals must consider foreign body ingestion when diagnosing non-human primates with acute abdominal signs.
  • Risk assessment of enrichment materials is vital to ensure animal safety and welfare.

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