VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY-ASSOCIATED LESIONS IN A COLONY OF COMMON VAMPIRE BATS (DESMODUS ROTUNDUS) IN A ZOO FACILITY

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Nutrition
• Comparative Pathology

Background:

• Common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) at the Milwaukee County Zoo exhibited unexplained deaths and health issues.
• Affected bats displayed symptoms including bone fractures, cerebellar necrosis, and subcutaneous hemorrhages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cause of multiple deaths and severe health conditions in a colony of common vampire bats.
• To determine if nutritional deficiencies were contributing to the observed pathologies.

Main Methods:

• A therapeutic trial was conducted comparing vitamin C supplementation versus vitamin K supplementation in affected bats.
• Serum ascorbic acid levels were measured in one affected bat.
• Clinical signs and lesion resolution were monitored following treatment.

Main Results:

• Bats treated with vitamin C showed significant improvement, while those receiving vitamin K did not.
• Low serum ascorbic acid levels were recorded in a hemorrhaging bat.
• All bats supplemented with vitamin C experienced resolution of lesions, including hematomas and bleeding.

Conclusions:

• The study identified vitamin C deficiency as the cause of severe hemorrhage, bone fragility, and neurological issues in the vampire bat colony.
• Vitamin C supplementation is crucial for collagen synthesis, wound healing, and maintaining vascular and skeletal integrity in susceptible bat species.
• This is the first documented case of vitamin C deficiency in a common vampire bat colony, highlighting the need for adequate dietary vitamin C.