Infectious Diseases of Six Non-Domesticated Neo-Tropical Animals In Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

This review serves to shed light on some common infectious diseases: their names, prevalence, site of infection and diagnostic tools for identificationof six (6) neo-tropical animals that are found in Trinidad and Tobago with the potential for domestication. These are theagouti(Dasyprocta leporina/ D. agouti), lappe/paca (Cuniculus paca/ Agouti paca), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), manicou/opossum (Didelphis marsupialis insularis), collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu/ Peccari tajucu) and red brocket deer (Mazama americana).There is over Ninety (90) references were used, with the earliest being 1951 and the most recent being in 2017.Where literature was lacking, information from other species within the same genus was incorporated and identified clearly. It was interesting to note that the majority of animals, despite being infected with pathogenic organisms were clinically healthy. In animals that showed clinical signs of disease there was a large quantity of pathogens present. This manuscript sheds some light on the pathogens that may use these animals as natural reservoirs. This review paper also includes many of the earliest identification of these pathogens in Neo-tropical animals in specific geographic regions.

Dystocia in a Captive Reared Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

“…The majority of diseases highlighted have been related to some infectious agent. Lall et al [19] reviewed pathogenic diseases present in the agouti and found that few animals showed clinical signs of diseases. This made the agouti a major reservoir of diseases for domesticated animals.…”

Mammary Diseases in a Captive Reared Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad

“…have also been found in wild agoutis [ 12 , 13 ] but not in captive reared animals [ 14 ]. Lall et al [ 15 ] further summarized infectious agents that infected the agouti but found few cases of clinical diseases due to these agents.…”

Omnivorous Behaviour of the Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina): A Neotropical Rodent with the Potential for Domestication

“…In South America, analysis of blood hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) and the oestrus cycle was investigated in the agouti, and the duration of the cycle was approximately 28 days [9]. Pathogen harboured by the agouti was reviewed but no apparent clinical effects on the animals were noted [10]. Gastrointestinal parasitic organisms were found in wild agoutis in Trinidad, but no effect on the animals' health or performance was observed [11, 12].…”