DIABETES AND CATARACT IN CAPTIVE PLAINS VISCACHAS (Lagostomus maximus) AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF A DIET CHANGE

摘要

Sixteen captive plains viscachas (Lagostomus maximus), including nine animals with bilateral cataracts, were diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus. Diagnosis was based on the presence of obesity, hyperglycemia, hypercholesteremia, elevated serum fructosamine levels, and glucosuria during a clinical examination of animals under general anesthesia. A complete diet change with marked reduction of energy was initiated, and six individuals received additional monitoring at 3, 6, and 9 mo. Mean body weight decreased by 15% over this period. Glucose and fructosamine were within reference ranges at 3 mo, and cholesterol normalized by 6 mo. After diet change, the captive population of plains viscachas had increased vitality and activity.