Clinical evaluation of American river otters in a reintroduction study

Ten American river otters (Lutra canadensis) were evaluated clinically before release into Oklahoma waterways. Otters were immobilized for physical, radiographic, and electrocardiographic examinations and for collection of blood samples. Hematologic and serum biochemical analyses, urinalyses, parasitologic examinations, surgical omental biopsies, and necropsy findings were included. Respiratory tract disease, bacterial and parasitic infections, and starvation apparently were contributing causes of postrelease mortality in 4 of the otters.