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Suspected Case of Persistent Thiamin Deficiency in a Hand-Reared Caribou Calf
Kristin Denryter1, Kimberlee B Beckmen2
1Foraging Ecology and Wildlife Nutritional Analysis (FaWNA) Lab, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Palmer, Alaska, USA.
Zoo Biology
|September 25, 2024
Summary
Hand-reared caribou calves with suspected thiamin deficiency improved after rumen transfaunation. This procedure, using a moose donor, resolved polioencephalomalacia signs when injections alone were insufficient.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Wildlife Nutrition
- Animal Husbandry
Background:
- Hand-reared animals are crucial for wildlife nutrition research, but disease management protocols, especially for young ruminants, require further development.
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1) deficiency is a significant, potentially fatal disease in young ruminants, treatable if diagnosed early.
Observation:
- A case of suspected thiamin deficiency and polioencephalomalacia in a hand-reared caribou calf (Rangifer tarandus granti) persisted for over three months.
- Initial treatment with thiamin injections temporarily resolved clinical signs, which recurred upon cessation of injections.
Findings:
- Rumen transfaunation from a fistulated moose (Alces alces) was performed after two months of thiamin injections.
- Following rumen transfaunation, the caribou calf showed no recurrence of thiamin deficiency or polioencephalomalacia clinical signs.
Implications:
- Rumen transfaunation is recommended for treating suspected thiamin deficiency in hand-reared ruminants when thiamin injections alone are insufficient.
- Heterospecific rumen donors (e.g., moose) can be effective if conspecific donors are unavailable.
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