Rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuric nephrosis (capture myopathy) in a striped dolphin

Abstract

This report describes delayed myoglobinuric capture myopathy, in a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) found stranded alive oil the coast of Fuerteventura (Canary, Islands, Spain). The animal was transported to Gran Canaria where it died 48 hr after stranding. The main lesions consisted of acute rhabdomyolysis affecting both cardiac and skeletal muscles, and myoglobinuric nephrosis Using, immunohistochemistry, degenerate myofibers with depletion of myoglobin, and all intracytoplasmatic immunoreaction for fibrinogen were observed. Orange-red pigmented casts in renal tubular lumens were strongly immunolabeled for myoglobin. To our knowledge, this is the first pathologic description of capture myopathy with myoglobinuric nephrosis ill stranded cetaceans. Stress, exertion, trauma, and crush injury caused during the stranding, restraint, and transportation were the main causes of rhabdomyolysis in this case.