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MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF A LARGE NONRESTRICTIVE ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT IN A CRAB-EATING MACAQUE (MACACA FASCICULARIS)

Antonin Boutibou1, Norin Chai2, Morgan Bureau3

  • 1La Tanière-Zoo refuge, ferme du Grand, Archevilliers, 28630 Nogent-le-Phaye, France.

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
|April 2, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study details the first successful long-term medical management of atrial septal defects in a crab-eating macaque. Treatment with spironolactone and taurine led to significant clinical improvement and defect size reduction.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Cardiology
  • Primate Medicine
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are common congenital heart diseases in humans and domestic animals.
  • Limited reports exist on ASDs in wildlife species, posing diagnostic and management challenges.
  • Ensuring treatment compliance and follow-up in non-domesticated animals is particularly difficult.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first successful long-term medical management of a nonrestrictive atrial septal defect in a crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis).
  • To document the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of medical treatment for ASD in this species.

Main Methods:

  • A seven-year-old male crab-eating macaque diagnosed with a severe left-to-right shunting ASD was treated medically.
  • Treatment involved spironolactone and taurine.
  • Serial echocardiographic examinations were performed to monitor defect size and cardiac status.

Main Results:

  • The macaque showed progressive clinical improvement with medical management.
  • Echocardiography revealed a substantial reduction in ASD size from 7.5 mm to 0.9 mm.
  • Right-sided volume overload and right heart enlargement significantly decreased.
  • Two years post-diagnosis, the animal remained clinically well without ongoing treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Medical management with spironolactone and taurine can be effective for nonrestrictive atrial septal defects in crab-eating macaques.
  • This case demonstrates the feasibility of long-term treatment and successful outcomes for congenital heart disease in non-human primates.
  • Further research into managing congenital heart disease in wildlife is warranted.

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