Mark

Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

(MML 9628)

Age Class	Adult
Gender	Male
Date Stranded	September 16, 1996
Location of Stranding	Gulfside of Longboat Key, FL
Date of Arrival	September 16, 1996
Number of Days of Care	15

Final Disposition

Euthanized on 1 Oct 1996

Mark stranded with numerous, fresh, severe shark bite wounds and unusual, extensive, discrete, hyperplastic, firm skin nodules of unknown etiology. Antibiotic therapy and treatment for Nasitrema parasites were begun along with wound and supportive care. Infection of shark bite wounds and pneumonia developed. The dolphin's condition slowly deteriorated, resulting in the decision to euthanize.

Necropsy and histopathology revealed pneumonia and hepatic failure with a resultant septicemia. Additionally, three fractured ribs showing some healing were also discovered.

Lessons:
1- On the beach, consider removing dolphin with fresh, bleeding wounds from the water rather than holding animal in the water, exposing people to possible attack by sharks.
2- Multiple full biopsies of unusual lesions should be taken. Some should be stored in -70 freezer, some in formalin, and some in gluteraldehyde.