Korean Journal of Veterinary Research  2016;56(3):201-203

doi:10.14405/kjvr.2016.56.3.201

Intestinal rupture due to small bowel volvulus in a captive American black bear (Ursus americanus).

Kyoo Tae KIM 1 ; Seung Hun LEE ; Dongmi KWAK

Affiliations

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Keywords

American black bear; Ursus americanus; intestinal rupture; small bowel volvulus; zoo

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Intestinal rupture caused by small bowel volvulus was diagnosed in a captive 13-year-old male American black bear. The animal presented with decreased appetite, depression, lethargy, and mild abdominal distention for 3 days. The animal was treated with antibiotics, hypermetabolites, and digestive medicine daily; however, it died on the third day of treatment. The clinical symptoms included hemorrhagic ascites, gaseous extension of the small intestine, and intestinal rupture caused by small bowel volvulus. Hemorrhagic signs were observed in the lungs and heart. This is the first case to describe small bowel volvulus in mammals of the family Ursidae.