Hutch

Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps)

(MML 0006 )

Age Class	Adult
Gender	Male
Date Stranded	February 17, 2000
Location of Stranding	Jensen Beach, Florida (S. of Ft. Pierce)
Date of Arrival	February 17, 2000
Number of Days of Care	2 Days

Final Disposition

Died 20 Feb 2000

Hutch being "walked" around med tank on the day of his arrival.

18 Feb 00. Today, Hutch, a male pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps, arrived via truck, transported by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute of Ft. Pierce, to undergo rehabilitation at the Dolphin and Whale Hospital, Mote Marine Laboratory. He stranded earlier this morning on Jensen Beach, about 20 miles south of Ft. Pierce Inlet, Florida. He was pushed backed off the beach three times but returned each time, so it was decided to attempt rehabilitation. He arrived at the Dolphin and Whale Hospital just after 4 pm. A blood sample and two bacterial cultures were taken upon arrival and he was then placed in the 30 foot medical tank. Hutch appears to be suffering from severe dehydration and pneumonia, severe parasite infestation, lack of gastric function, and weight loss. He is being treated with antibiotics (amikacin) and lots of oral fluids to correct the dehydration and to stimulate gastric function. He is being supported 24 hours a day at this time.

19 Feb 00. Hutch is not doing very well today. He is not absorbing much of the fluid that is being given by stomach tube and is occasionally vomiting large numbers of parasites. He has a large amount of pulmonary fluid and we have had to give a diuretic to ease his breathing, despite the dehydration. His blood work shows kidney and liver problems and very low white cell count as well as severe dehydration. We plan to do a gastric endoscopy this afternoon to try to determine the cause of the gastric stasis. At this time, we are not terribly optimistic regarding this whale's chances for survival. Fortunately, he does not appear to be suffering at all at this time. We were able to weigh him (315kg = 693 pounds) and measure him (280cm = 9.2 feet). He appears to be a young mature animal.

people supporting male pygmy sperm whale in tank

20 Feb 00. Hutch died quietly this morning at about 7:30. We had been unable to fully correct the gut stasis although metaclopramide seemed to be helping. The dehydration was so severe that serum electrolyte levels were "off the scale". We will be performing a necropsy later this morning to learn everything we can about what was wrong with this animal and anything else that may help us with future cases.

NECROPSY: Gross Findings - Heavy parasitism (stomach, intestine, peritoneal cavity, blubber, muscles of head), pneumonia, severe dehydration, no intestinal blockage. Cause of death - electrolyte imbalance due to severe dehydration.