THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 311 



Administered 1.8 cc. Sparine. (Based on a dose of 2 mg. Sparine per lb. body- 

 weight, the weight was 43 lb. which resulted in a total dose of 90 mg. 

 Sparine comes 50 mg./cc.) Dose administered approx. 0900 hrs 2 November, 

 the animal died 1230 hrs 2 November. Lungs completely hemorrhagic. Trachea 

 extremely hemorrhagic. Blood dark red, tarlike coagulations. Heart showed 

 compensatory enlargement. Liver pale and anemic looking. Remaining organs 

 normal with some postmortem discoloration. Stomach partially filled with 

 food. 



Overheating was probably also an important factor in the deaths 

 of these animals. Post mortem examinations revealed that three 

 captive otters were suffering from intussusceptions of the small 

 intestine. This condition prevents the normal passage of intestinal 

 contents. The reason that it occurred is not known but I suspect 

 that stresses created by unsatisfactory holding facilities and dur- 

 ing travel were important factors. 



In review, captives died (1) as a result of chilling when the fur 

 became soiled and its insulating air blanket was destroyed, (2) as 

 a result of heat prostration in heated compartments when deprived 

 of bathing water, (3) when infections occurred in the extremities, 

 (4) when old and ill animals failed to eat after capture, (5) when 

 parasitic roundworms (Terranova) ingested with fish flesh pene- 

 trated the intestine and caused peritonitis, (6) of lung hemor- 

 rhages when "tranquilized" otters were carried in small cages 

 aboard a heated, passenger-carrying aircraft, (7) of lung con- 

 gestion caused by a heavy infestation of nasal mites (Halarachne) 

 (Kenyon et al., 1965), and (8) of intussusceptions of the small 

 intestine. Enteritis was a frequent terminal condition. Causes of 

 death are discussed further in the section on Parasites and Miscel- 

 laneous Diseases. 



In conclusion, when parasite-free food requirements are met 

 and the essential physical features of the sea otter's marine en- 

 vironment are duplicated, it adjusts easily to a healthy life in 

 captivity. 



Drug Use 



Certain drugs were found useful in the care of captive otters. 

 If drugs had not been used, some captives that survived probably 

 would have died. No attempt was made to use drugs fired from a 

 gun to capture sea otters. 



Nembutal 



Stullken and Kirkpatrick (1955) found that the normal anes- 

 thetic dose for dogs (40 mg. per kg. or 80 mg. per lb. of body 



