Intraperitoneal foreign body disease in a baboon (Papio hamadryas)

Abstract

In a baboon group housed at the German Primate Center one animal became conspicuous with signs of massive abdominal pain in the upper gastric region. After clinical investigation an acute bloat-syndrome was suspected as cause of the animals' sickness. Symptomatic therapy was started but the animal died within a few hours. At necropsy a large piece of wood was found within the right kidney and liver. Prior to this, the foreign body passed the gastrointestinal tract and perforated the proximal colon. A clinico-pathologic description of this uncommon spontaneous foreign body disease is given. The significance of injuries related to environmental enrichment is discussed.

Ultrasonographic examination in non‐human primates with acute abdomen signs

“…This animal had access to irregular feeding. It is known that non‐human primates are curious and, like children, may place objects in the mouth increasing the risk of foreign body ingestion and consequent injury . Appendicitis was discounted due to the location of the lesion .…”

Risks associated with environmental enrichment: intestinal obstruction caused by foraging substrate

“…Obstruction and injury due to foreign bodies is not rare in non‐human primates and has involved a variety of materials [1]. These included pieces of wire [3, 8], wood splinters and fibres [6, 5] as well as sisal rope fibres [4]. Notable is that none of the harmful materials mentioned above originated from the foraging substrate.…”

“…Questions are occasionally asked about the safety of some enrichment techniques, as some may be potentially harmful in ways, which are not always immediately predictable. Amongst the more frequent problems described are gastrointestinal obstruction, injury and infection caused by the ingestion of foreign bodies [1, 6], usually affecting one individual. The materials involved were from climbing equipment, cage wiring and fencing.…”

Balancing Animal Research with Animal Well-being: Establishment of Goals and Harmonization of Approaches

“…In some situations it is easy to assess the impact of an enrichment strategy on research objectives when the approach leads to the removal of an animal from the study (Bazille et al 2001;Hahn et al 2000;Mätz-Rensing et al 2004;Murchison 1993;Shomer et al 2001). However, even under these situations, the animal research team must move cautiously and weigh the magnitude of the actual and perceived risk to the research paradigm with the potential for benefit to the animals.…”