Recovery of Accidental Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in an Infant Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata) by Progesterone Therapy

Abstract

An infant male bonnet macaque with a history of accident and lateral recumbency presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, VCRI, Orathanadu. On examination he scored a 10 on the modified Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and the animal had racoon eyes. Immediately skull X-ray was taken and it revealed two radiating temporal bone fracture. These characteristics strongly pointed to a tentative diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury. In addition to supportive care, Progesterone, a neuroprotective steroid, was continuously administered to the animal at a dose rate of 0.2 mg per kg SID P.O. In order to manage and monitor the animal health, it was admitted to the critical care unit. On the tenth day, the animal showed slight improvement and had hemiparesis on the contralateral side of the cranial lesion. The animal's limb reflexes were fully restored by day 20. However cerebral and vestibular lesions persisted with signs of blindness, nystagmus, and circling. After 60 days of continuous treatment animal recovered uneventfully.