MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN LIVINGSTONE FRUIT BATS (PTEROPUS LIVINGSTONII)

Abstract

Eleven cases of dilated cardiomyopathy have been diagnosed and treated in captive Livingstone fruit bats ( Pteropus livingstonii) in the United Kingdom over the past 7 yr. All but one case received treatment with a diuretic plus an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), and, or pimobendan. One case is still under treatment with pimobendan alone, following diagnosis before onset of clinical signs. Diuretic treatment consisted of furosemide at a dose rate of 0.5-5 mg/kg, one to three times daily, and, or spironolactone at a dose rate of 1-4 mg/kg, once or twice daily. When used, the ACEI imidapril was given at a dose rate of 0.24-0.38 mg/kg q 24 hr, and pimobendan at a dose rate of 0.2-0.5 mg/kg bid. This report is intended to provide anyone seeking to medically manage heart failure in Pteropus species, particularly P. livingstonii, with a review of drugs and doses that have been used.

Flight patterns in zoo‐housed fruit bats (Pteropus spp.)

“…In a literature search, we could find almost no studies of the effect of enclosure design on flight in captive fruit bats, or on methods for evaluating flight skills, despite the fact that preserving the ability to fly in captivity is essential for health (Charnley et al, ; Dickson et al, ; Killick et al, ), psychological wellbeing (Purcell, Thomas, Leblanc, & Walsh, ), social communication (Chaverri, Ancillotto, & Russo, ), education and display (Luebke, Watters, Packer, Miller, & Powell, ), and ultimately, the success of conservation programs (Markus, ; Ruffell et al, ). We therefore developed definitions of flight patterns that distinguished different levels of complexity, and used these to investigate the factors affecting flight in two Pteropus species.…”

“…We looked at the frequency of flying and the nature of the bats’ flight patterns in relation to species, age and sex in a two‐phase study, and tested the following predictions: The smaller P. rodricensis would exhibit more complex flight paths than the larger P. livingstonii (Phase 1), as their smaller body mass and shorter wingspan should enable them to make tighter turns. As older bats are both heavier and more likely to have health problems, we expected younger Livingstone's fruit bats to fly more than older bats (Phase 2). Dominant male bats defend small feeding territories within the colony, and are therefore often more sedentary (Thorncroft, Wormell, & Price, ). This age‐sex class also tends to be heavier, and exhibits a higher frequency of cardiomyopathy (Dickson et al, ; Killick et al, ). We therefore expected that older, dominant male Livingstone's bats would fly less than older female bats, but that a sex difference would not be apparent in younger bats (Phase 2).…”

“…Dominant male bats defend small feeding territories within the colony, and are therefore often more sedentary (Thorncroft, Wormell, & Price, ). This age‐sex class also tends to be heavier, and exhibits a higher frequency of cardiomyopathy (Dickson et al, ; Killick et al, ). We therefore expected that older, dominant male Livingstone's bats would fly less than older female bats, but that a sex difference would not be apparent in younger bats (Phase 2).…”

“…Bringing them into captivity, with its constraints on movement and activity, is therefore likely to have consequences for weight, fitness and ultimately health and reproduction unless adequate space is provided for extended flight. Captive Livingstone's fruit bats, though not Rodrigues fruit bats, are prone to obesity and, probably as a result, cardiac disease (Charnley, Goatman, Thomasson, Routh, & Barbon, ; Dickson, Davies, Routh, Killick, & Barbon, ; Killick et al, ). Greater activity should lead to improved health, but achieving this for bats presents challenges.…”

Radiographic anatomy of the heart of fruit bats

“…Normal cardiographic data could be used to explain cardiomyopathy in bats (Dickson et al., 2016). However, radiographic data on bat heart are still minimal and were only found in large fruit bats of the genus Pteropus (Dickson et al., 2016; Gardner et al., 2007; Killick et al., 2017). Similar studies on Small fruit bats, especially the Indonesian short‐nosed fruit bat ( Cynopterus titthaecheilus ), the lesser short‐nosed fruit bat ( Cynopterus brachyotis ), and the Leschnenault's rousette ( Rousettus leschenaultii ), have not been reported.…”