Long-term assessment of glucosuria in captive okapi (Okapia johnstoni) after a dietary change

Glucosuria in okapis (Okapia johnstoni) was first documented in 1980, yet the etiology remains unclear. In August 2006, an attempt to lower glucosuria in captive okapi by diet modification (omitting all fruit and adding unmolassed beet pulp) was started at the Antwerp Zoo. To study the possible relationship between glucosuria and diet, stress, and/or pregnancy, four okapis were monitored over a period of 4.5 yr. One animal, born in 2006, became glucosuric near the age of three. Three okapis were adults at the start of the study and had been glucosuric for more than 5 yr. The glucose/creatinine urinary ratio values of these four glucosuric animals did not change considerably over time despite dietary changes. Stress did not appear to influence glucosuria in these okapi. Urinary ratio decreased during the second half of pregnancy in two females. In conclusion, the diet change did not reduce glucosuria, but pregnancy appeared to lower urinary glucose in okapis.