Causes of mortality and severe morbidity requiring euthanasia in captive Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) in Tasmania

Abstract

Background Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a contagious cancer causing marked population declines in wild Tasmanian devils. In response to this threat, a captive insurance population has been established. This study investigated causes of death in captive Tasmanian devils. Methods Clinical and laboratory records of captive Tasmanian devils held in seven Tasmanian captive facilities were analysed for cause of death or severe morbidity requiring euthanasia. Results Neoplasia was found to be the most common cause of mortality/severe morbidity, accounting for 27/63 of deaths. Cutaneous lymphoma was the most frequently observed tumour (10/27), at a higher incidence than previously reported. The most common cause of severe morbidity, following neoplasia, was leucoencephalomyelopathy, which caused severe, progressive hindlimb paresis and ataxia. Conclusion Neoplasia, specifically cutaneous lymphoma, and degenerative neurological conditions are the most frequent causes of death in captive Tasmanian devils in Tasmania. Further work to determine the aetiologies of these conditions, as well as effective treatments, would be valuable.

Curse of the devil: molecular insights into the emergence of transmissible cancers in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

“…Interestingly, non-DFTD neoplasia is a major cause of mortality and morbidity of devils in captivity. A recent study reported that over an eight-year period in Tasmania, non-DFTD cancers accounted for 43% of deaths in captivity [134]. Of these cancer-related mortalities, cutaneous lymphomas, cutaneous round cell tumours, squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas were most common.…”

A novel system to map protein interactions reveals evolutionarily conserved immune evasion pathways on transmissible cancers

“…Cancer incidence in domestic animals is generally less than 10% ( N = 202,277) ( 3 ). However, two studies performed 40 years apart reported that greater than 40% of Tasmanian devils develop spontaneous, often severe neoplasia in their lifetime ( 5 , 7 ). Devils are also unique because they are affected by two of the three known naturally occurring transmissible cancers in vertebrate species ( 8 , 9 ).…”

In this issue – April 2019: Reasons for euthanasia of captive Tasmanian devils · Reptarenaviruses in Australian snakes · Antimicrobial dosing for equine drugs · Tarsal slab fractures in young Thoroughbreds · Complications following oesophageal foreign body removal in dogs · Antebrachiometacarpal arthrodesis in dogs

“…Tasmanian devils are listed as endangered and a captive insurance population has been set up in response to the threat of devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). Veterinary care is critical and our first study this issue aimed to assess the causes of deaths or euthanasia in captive Tasmanian devil facilities …”