78 



(five samples) did the ratio of white blood cells to epithelial cells rise to above 1:1 

 (subclinical inflammation), and only once was there encountered a ratio of above 2:1 

 (Lono in November, 1991). In no instance did any of the dolphins exhibit clinical 

 symptoms of respiratory abnormalities over this time period. In Lono's case in 1991, 

 the rise in the sputum celluleu- ratio was not associated with either symptoms, 

 changes in blood analyses or abnormalities on physical examination, thus his condi- 

 tion remained subclinical. In this case, he was administered an antibiotic and subse- 

 quently, respiratoiy specimen ratios returned to normal levels. 



The retrospective presentation here is exactly what one might expect from a nor- 

 mal group of healthy dolphins, maintained under the close scrutiny of an effective 

 preventive medicine program. Had there been any influence in this clinical presen- 

 tation by the introduction of human derived respiratory disease, there would have 

 been a clear impact in these animals by the occurrence of repeated subclinical or 

 clinical inflammatory insults to the respiratory tract, identifiable as changes in the 

 cellular material monitored here. 



CONCLUSIONS 



From the clinical data presented here, representing an in-depth three year study 

 of retrospective analytical information collected from the six Dolphin Quest dol- 

 phins, it is clear that respiratory disease from any cause has been absent from with- 

 in this group. The dolphms have exhibited no clinical symptoms of respiratory dis- 

 ease, and they have ejoiibited only extremely rarely occurring evidence of subclinical 

 inflammation. With the sensitivity of the diagnostic procedure utilized here, capable 

 of identifying minor changes in cell populations witnin the respiratory tract of the 

 dolphins, the few instances of transient ratio elevations were well within the limits 

 of expectations of normal health parameters. Without Question, there has been no 

 influence whatsoever of respiratory disease in this population related to interaction 

 with humans in the SWTD programs offered by this facility. 



