Urinalysis Reference Intervals between Rough-Toothed Dolphins (Steno bredanensis) and Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Kept Under Human Care

Abstract

Rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) are a little-known species, distinguished by their particular rostrum. At the time of the study, only six individuals were under human care in North America at the Gulf World Marine Park without any urinalysis reference. This facility has a pod of sixteen common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Urinalysis is a rapid, easy, and inexpensive laboratory tool that presents essential information to veterinarians about a patient's overall health status. Also, it is possible to diagnose health diseases before showing symptoms. Urine samples from both species were collected and analyzed to determine baseline parameters in the rough-toothed dolphins for the first time and compare them with those of the common bottlenose dolphins. Urinalysis was performed by voluntary voided under medical operant conditions and analyzed for all 22 dolphins for gross, chemical, and microscopic findings. The values obtained were used to establish the standard parameters for urinalysis to help veterinarians and dolphin facilities to perform better daily physical routine examinations of rough-toothed dolphins. In addition, a comparison between rough-toothed and common bottlenose dolphins showed no significant differences in urine values. These results help to understand the similarity between these two species in terms of renal function and to develop better care procedures in rescue and rehabilitation facilities that maintain dolphins under human care.