THE SEA OTTER IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN 315 



captives became heavily infested with Terranova decipiens. The 

 effectiveness of the vermifuge was difficult to evaluate but it had 

 no ill effect on the sea otters. 



Vitamins 



Because certain fish contain thiaminase, an enzyme that inhibits 

 the proper utilization of vitamin B (Lee, 1948), thiamine hydro- 

 chloride was administered as a prophylactic measure. Pills contain- 

 ing vitamin B complex imbedded in the flesh of fish are readily 

 eaten by otters and are administered daily to otters held per- 

 manently in captivity. 



A ntibiotics 



Infections in paws, particularly the front paws, occurred when 

 captive animals apparently scratched or cut these members during 

 capture or in cages. An adult male with a badly infected front 

 paw was given 600,000 units of Benzathine penicillin G "Bicillin" 

 (Wyeth) and the infection disappeared after about 4 days. Two 

 weeks later, however, the paw again began to swell and an addi- 

 tional dose of 600,000 units of Bicillin was administered and the 

 infection disappeared permanently. The life of this animal, as well 

 as those of several additional otherwise healthy animals, were 

 probably saved through the injection of either Crystalline potas- 

 sium penicillin G "Penicillin" (Wyeth) or Bicillin. 



Pentobarbital sodium 3.7 gr. in each cc, isopropyl alcohol 10.5 

 percent, propylone glycol 10.5 percent, '^Lethol" ( H aver-Lockhart ) 



This drug administered intramuscularly was used to kill otters 

 that were captured in nets and for various reasons were needed 

 as specimens. The manufacturer recommended a dose of 1 cc. for 

 every 5 lb. of body weight, but the sea otter was easily affected 

 and we found that a dose of 10 cc. would kill large adults. The 

 immediate effect is similar to other tranquilizers. Death followed 

 injection in about 8 to 10 minutes. 



Transportation of Captives 



During transit from one location to another, the difficulty of 

 controlling environmental temperatures and of furnishing suffi- 

 cient bathing water causes severe complications. The longer the 

 period in transit the more critical these factors become. 



Sea otters have been transported in automobiles, aircraft, and 



