Table 2.
List of veterinary processing sample collection from hands-on physical examinations during common bottlenose dolphin health assessments.
| Procedure | Description | Use | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood sample (Figure 4) |
Obtained from the periarterial rete on the ventral aspect of the tail fluke | Biochemistry Hematology Blood gas analysis Endocrinology Immunology Serology Genetics |
(23, 29, 30, 74, 91–93) |
| Surgical biopsy | Full thickness wedge biopsies of skin and blubber are routinely taken via an inverted “L” block under local anesthesia from the left lateral body wall caudal to the dorsal fin | Genetic population structure (skin) Foraging ecology (skin) Chemical contaminants (blubber) Hormone levels (blubber) Microbiome |
(31, 33, 49, 57, 94–96) |
| Urinalysis | Bladder catheterization | Renal function assessment Dietary analysis |
(91, 97–99) |
| Tooth extraction | Single tooth extracted under local anesthesia | Age determination | (17, 100) |
| Ultrasonography (Figure 3) |
Thoracic and abdominal internal assessment | Lung pathology Reproductive Assessment Full abdominal exam including renal assessment Blubber thickness |
(77, 97, 101–103) |
| Electrocardiography (Figure 6) | Adapted field use in and out of water | Cardiac assessment | (104) |
| Morphometrics (Figure 7) |
Standardized full body measurements: lengths, girths, weight | Assess body condition and growth rates | (105) |
| Auditory evoked potential | Portable unit adapted for field assessment audiograms | Assess hearing range and sensitivity | (106) |
| Lesion biopsy | Sample of abnormal skin lesions e.g., pox or freshwater lesions | Histopathology | (57, 93) |
| Blow analysis (Figure 5) |
Exhaled breath vapor | Pathogen and hormonal analysis Metabolites Respiratory function testing |
(107, 108) |
| Microbiology | Swabs/culture plates from oral respiratory or genital orifices | Bacteriology Virology |
(109) |
| Freeze brand | Dorsal Fin | Identification | (110) |
| Feces and urine collection | Swabs or catheter | Biotoxin analysis | (46) |
| Skin biopsy Electronic and/or roto tagging |
Skin sample from biopsy or during dorsal fin tagging | Genetics, sex, stable isotopes identification Ranging patterns reproductive status Survival |
(70, 111, 112) |