Mass ingestion of gastroliths and other foreign bodies in three juvenile hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) stranded in north-western Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

We present here three clinical cases involving mass ingestion of foreign bodies in Hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) stranded in north-western Iberian Peninsula. Although the presence of gastroliths is considered to be normal in pinnipeds, the cases presented here highlight how an excessive presence of them as well as other foreign bodies could result in rapid onset of a potentially lethal gastrointestinal stasis syndrome, which has to be quickly resolved, medically or surgically. Ultrasound examinations and posterior X-ray confirmation have demonstrated their utility to a rapid detection of gastric bodies, and have to be taken into account in Hooded seal routine clinical protocols. Finally, we conclude that it is particularly important to avoid the use of loose stones or sand over resting areas and to take extreme precautions with small items near the rehabilitation pools when dealing with this seal species.