Capture Myopathy: An Important Non-infectious Disease of Wild Animals

Capture myopathy

“…A similar condition has been described in humans and is most often attributed to military training, endurance sports and severe crushing injuries (Paterson 2014). In animals, CM is caused by prolonged pursuit, entrapment, restraint, live-stranding (marine mammals) and/or transport (Cattet et al 2008;Herráez et al 2013;Breed et al 2019;Dinesh et al 2020;Hurtado et al 2021). Some theories propose it evolved as a symbiotic relationship between predator and prey wherein an affected prey animal experiences a rapid death, and the predator conserves energy; however, most experts believe the condition is purely iatrogenic and does not occur in natural circumstances (Breed et al 2019).…”

“…The pathophysiology of CM involves several concurrent systemic changes in the affected animal, many of which are progressive without intervention. Overexertion or prolonged compression of skeletal muscles, particularly those of the limbs and pectorals, leads to necrosis and release of intracellular potassium and myoglobin into the blood (Cattet et al 2008;Dinesh et al 2020). Simultaneously, altered blood flow from muscle compression and/or insufficient nutrient and oxygen delivery to tissues from extreme demand results in diffuse tissue hypoxia, metabolic acidosis and cell dysfunction, exacerbating muscle cell degeneration and necrosis (Paterson 2014;Breed et al 2019;Dinesh et al 2020).…”

“…Overexertion or prolonged compression of skeletal muscles, particularly those of the limbs and pectorals, leads to necrosis and release of intracellular potassium and myoglobin into the blood (Cattet et al 2008;Dinesh et al 2020). Simultaneously, altered blood flow from muscle compression and/or insufficient nutrient and oxygen delivery to tissues from extreme demand results in diffuse tissue hypoxia, metabolic acidosis and cell dysfunction, exacerbating muscle cell degeneration and necrosis (Paterson 2014;Breed et al 2019;Dinesh et al 2020). Myoglobin is an intrinsically nephrotoxic protein and exerts damage by further constricting vessels and reducing blood flow to the kidneys as well as precipitating into casts in the renal tubules, leading to tubular necrosis.…”

“…While any animal may be at risk of CM in the right circumstances, a compilation of predisposing factors has been identified that seem to increase an animal's probability of succumbing to this condition. The mnemonic SECONDS is used to describe the factors (Paterson 2014;Breed et al 2019;Dinesh et al 2020).…”

“…CM, also known as exertional rhabdomyolysis, white muscle disease and stress myopathy, is a non-infectious metabolic disease with significant morbidity and mortality potential (Paterson 2014;Dinesh et al 2020). It was first described in a Hunter's antelope (Beatragus hunteri) in 1964 and has since been reported in other terrestrial mammals, marine mammals, birds and reptiles, though ungulates and long-legged wading birds are overrepresented in the literature (Jarrett et al 1964;Paterson 2014;Breed et al 2019).…”