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Gangrenous dermatitis caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans in Richardson ground squirrels
M E Olson1, I Goemans, D Bolingbroke
1Department of Animal Care Services, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|August 1, 1988
Abstract:
Gangrenous dermatitis caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans developed in 63 of 350 wild Richardson ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii). Six squirrels died of toxemia and/or septicemia, but 57 responded to topical and parenteral administration of antibiotics. The epizo-otic was believed to be associated with fighting; infected and carrier ground squirrels most likely transmitted the C ulcerans through bite wounds. Individuals handling ground squirrels should be cautioned that C ulcerans may produce a diphtheria-like disease in human beings.