First report of decompression sickness (DCS) in a sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) stranded in southern Peninsular Malaysia

Citation

Lokman, Norina and Arshat, Norsharina and A. H., Nurnadiah and Kalam, Sarol and M. T., Nurliyana and Fahmi, and M., Aida and Mohamed Mustapha, Noordin and Abd Rahman, Nor Yasmin and M. D., Hassan and I., Kamaruddin and M. N., Munir and Syed Abdul Kadir, Syed Abdullah and Ali Ahmad, Mohd Tamimi (2017) First report of decompression sickness (DCS) in a sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) stranded in southern Peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Veterinary Research, 8 (1). pp. 57-64. ISSN 2180-3897

Abstract

Decompression sickness, a condition in whales caused by bubble formation in certain body tissues from dissolved inert gases. It occurs during transition from a high pressure environment to one of lower pressure, resulting in a range of conditions from itching to joint pain, convulsions, and death. A carcass of a stranded Sei Whale, Balaenoptera borealis, found on the shores of southern coast of Peninsular Malaysia was presented for postmortem. Investigation results showed that the male Sei Whale, named Si Corner showed pathologic lesions as seen from histology with the formation of fibrosis, emphysema and edema in the lungs and hepatic atrophy which indicated chronic starvation. It believed that he also suffering from “Barotrauma or decompression sickness” which affected the ear or lungs which lead to unbalanced movement due to changes in air pressure. This may have caused the whale to beach and consequent mortality. The pathologic lesions found give an insight into possible causes of death of beached whales in Malaysia.

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Additional Metadata

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Publisher:	Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia
Keywords:	Sei whale; Balaenoptera borealis; Barotrauma; Decompression sickness; Peninsular Malaysia
Depositing User:	Nabilah Mustapa
Date Deposited:	03 Aug 2017 04:49
Last Modified:	03 Aug 2017 04:49
URI:	http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/56569
Statistic Details:	View Download Statistic

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