Otter’s significant recovery from rare spinal strokes offers hope for veterinary medicine

In an abnormal and illuminating situation described by the veterinarian, the Asian tiny otter has recovered from a suspected spinal stroke, providing valuable insights that can help diagnose similar diseases in captivity and family pets.

The extraordinary medical journey began with an 11-year-old male otter in an 11-year-old Japanese zoology facility accidentally falling off the stairs while sleeping. Initially, it seems to get severe soon when the caregiver notices that the animal has developed left paralysis and cannot move properly or maintain its balance.

Veterinarians from Metropolitan University of Osaka described the case in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine, which is very rare in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases in alien species.

The medical team initially treated the otter with a daily dose of prednisolone (an anti-inflammatory drug) with 0.5 mg/kg of anti-inflammatory drugs. Although this produced some improvements in the first ten days, paralysis was largely persisting, prompting doctors to use advanced imaging techniques to further research.

What they found was revealed – according to the case report, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified “there are clear, clear high-intensity lesions on the left side of the spinal cord at the C2-3 disc.” These findings combined with computed tomography (CT) scans have led veterinarians to suspect a rare disease called fibrobulin fixation embolization (FCE).

FCE is sometimes called a spinal stroke, and a spinal cord stroke occurs when substances from the intervertebral discs enter the bloodstream and block the small blood vessels that provide the spinal cord. Dogs are well documented, but few reports of wildlife species have been reported, which makes the situation in comparative medicine particularly noteworthy.

Dr. Toshiyuki Tanaka and colleagues adjusted the treatment plan based on the diagnosis and gradually narrowed the prednisolone dose. The results were excellent – On the 23rd day of the disease, “the otter was able to walk normally”, causing the doctor to stop the medication altogether.

What makes this situation particularly important is long-term follow-up. A year later, when the medical team underwent another MRI, they found that spinal lesions had been greatly reduced compared to the initial examination, confirming the diagnosis and documenting the healing process.

The case not only attracted its successful outcomes, but also led to knowledge that veterinarians treat similar situations. As the team noted, “The results show that the possibility of fibrosphere fibroembolic fibroem should be considered when animals experience acute paralysis without asymptomatic worsening.”

Wildlife veterinarians face unique challenges when diagnosing the neurological conditions of alien species and often have to infer knowledge about domestic animals or human medicine. Documentation of successful treatment (such as in this case) helps to build a knowledge base for future veterinary interventions.

The small Asian otter (aonyx cinereus) is the smallest otter species in the world and is increasingly preserved in zoological collections. These social animals are native to South and Southeast Asia and are listed as vulnerable in the IUCN red list due to habitat loss and pollution.

For zoos and aquariums containing these attractive mammals, this case study provides valuable information on potential health challenges and treatment options. Rapid identification and treatment of otter disease may lead to its complete recovery, thereby enhancing the importance of rapid veterinary intervention.

In addition to alien species, the case also has an impact on companion veterinary medicine. FCE is more common in dogs, especially in larger breeds, and often leads to sudden paralysis or weakness. Imaging techniques and treatments used by otters can inform veterinarians to handle similar cases in domestic pets.

As veterinary medicine continues to use more complex diagnostic tools and treatments, such success stories show how the knowledge gained from treating one species can benefit many others.

Currently, the recycled otters continue to flourish without recurrence of neurological symptoms – a testament to the growing capabilities of modern zoological medicine and the dedication of the veterinary team, who refuse to give up on their unusual patients.