Trichobezoars in Captive-Bred Fat-Tailed Dunnarts and Potential Preventative Protocols

TL;DR

This paper describes how trichobezoars caused deaths in captive fat-tailed dunnarts and introduces effective preventative measures using paraffin oil and tree bark.

Contribution

The study introduces new preventative protocols to reduce trichobezoar-related mortality in captive fat-tailed dunnarts.

Findings

Three dunnarts died due to trichobezoars causing gastrointestinal obstruction.

Adding paraffin oil and autoclaved tree bark to enclosures prevented further deaths.

No trichobezoar-related deaths occurred after implementing the new protocols.

Abstract

Trichobezoars have been reported in numerous species including, but not limited to, humans, cows, cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and marsupials. In non-human animals, they are caused by an accumulation of hair in the gastrointestinal tract that has been ingested typically through routine grooming. This work describes the presence of trichobezoars occurring in fat-tailed dunnarts and outlines successful preventative methods. The addition of dietary paraffin oil alongside the inclusion of autoclaved tree bark in the dunnart enclosures were preventative protocols implemented to avoid trichobezoar-related deaths in a captive-bred population housed at a research facility.

Fat-tailed dunnarts (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) are an emerging model species for developmental, reproductive, and conservation biology research. Understanding their husbandry and enrichment needs is integral to ensuring best welfare in captive-bred populations. This was made evident following the sudden deaths of three dunnarts from a population housed at a university research facility between 2018 and 2022. Necropsy results revealed significant trichobezoars causing gastrointestinal obstruction. Following these findings, adjustments were made to the dunnart enclosures with the addition of autoclaved tree bark to capture loose fur as well as the inclusion of paraffin oil in the diet for the purpose of gastrointestinal lubrication. Since these husbandry interventions, no further deaths attributed to trichobezoars have been reported. Here, we present these data and outline new best practice methods for captive dunnart husbandry.

Figures