Abstract
Reproductive diseases have been well documented in domestic livestock such as sheep, goat, cattle and pigs. However, there is very little information on these diseases in the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The agouti is used for its meat in South America and the Caribbean. More recently, intensive farming of this animal is being practiced in the Neotropics. There is dearth of information on dystocia and vaginal prolapses in the agouti. This document reports on three cases of reproductive diseases in captive reared agoutis in Trinidad and Tobago. The first case was a female agouti weighing approximately 3 kg that was in the last stage of pregnancy, which was found dead in its cage. The vulva of the mother had the protruding hind-limbs of the fetus. Necroscopic evaluation of carcass revealed little fat tissue and the mother had two fetuses in the right horn of the uterus. Each fetus weighed approximately 200 g. The fetuses were well formed with fur, teeth and eyes. The placenta was attached to each fetus. The pathological findings suggested that dystocia resulted from secondary uterine inertia which was the cause of death of the adult female agouti. The second case was that of an adult female agouti weighing 2.5 kg. This female had given birth to an offspring three weeks prior and was observed to have had a vaginal prolapse. Surgery was performed and the prolapsed vagina was placed back into the pelvic cavity. Further to this intervention, the vagina prolapsed twice. Subsequent to the re-insertion of the vaginal tissue the agouti was euthanized. The third case was also that of a dystocia. However, the fetuses weighed 235 g and 165 g respectively and were in normal presentation, posture and positioning. The fetus however was unable to pass via the vagina and was trapped in the pelvic cavity. This caused secondary uterine inertia which was the cause of death. The causes of reproductive diseases in these cases are unknown but the feeding management and space allowance given to the agouti in late gestation may be contributing factors.
Highlights
The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a rodent that belongs to the hystricomorphic group of rodents
Health and diseases in this Neotropical rodent has been less frequently reported than other species
In the first and third cases the proposed cause of death was due to difficulty in parturition
Summary
The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a rodent that belongs to the hystricomorphic group of rodents. The exploitation of these animals in the wild can lead to decreasing numbers in wild populations This rodent lives in social groups in its natural habitat (Lall et al, 2020). Lall et al, (2018) reviewed infectious diseases present in the agouti and found that few animals showed clinical signs of diseases. Dystocia has been reported in other domesticated rodents such as the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) (Minarikova et al, 2015), and chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) (Saunders, 2009). It is usually associated with an oversized foetus or malposition (Saunders, 2009). Dystocia has been recorded in captive reared viscacha (L. maximus) (Rubel, 1999)
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Schedule a callMore From: Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
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