Trichobezoars in Captive-Bred Fat-Tailed Dunnarts and Potential Preventative Protocols
Fat-tailed dunnarts (<i>Sminthopsis crassicaudata</i>) are an emerging model species for developmental, reproductive, and conservation biology research. Understanding their husbandry and enrichment needs is integral to ensuring best welfare in captive-bred populations. This was made evid...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/7/625 |
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| author | Christine Moschos Shari Cohen Emily L. Scicluna Stephen Frankenberg Andrew J. Pask Keshuan Chow |
| author_facet | Christine Moschos Shari Cohen Emily L. Scicluna Stephen Frankenberg Andrew J. Pask Keshuan Chow |
| author_sort | Christine Moschos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fat-tailed dunnarts (<i>Sminthopsis crassicaudata</i>) are an emerging model species for developmental, reproductive, and conservation biology research. Understanding their husbandry and enrichment needs is integral to ensuring best welfare in captive-bred populations. This was made evident following the sudden deaths of three dunnarts from a population housed at a university research facility between 2018 and 2022. Necropsy results revealed significant trichobezoars causing gastrointestinal obstruction. Following these findings, adjustments were made to the dunnart enclosures with the addition of autoclaved tree bark to capture loose fur as well as the inclusion of paraffin oil in the diet for the purpose of gastrointestinal lubrication. Since these husbandry interventions, no further deaths attributed to trichobezoars have been reported. Here, we present these data and outline new best practice methods for captive dunnart husbandry. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-99d897af8e844ef0875873e87b9d1a3b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-99d897af8e844ef0875873e87b9d1a3b2025-08-20T02:47:13ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-06-0112762510.3390/vetsci12070625Trichobezoars in Captive-Bred Fat-Tailed Dunnarts and Potential Preventative ProtocolsChristine Moschos0Shari Cohen1Emily L. Scicluna2Stephen Frankenberg3Andrew J. Pask4Keshuan Chow5School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, AustraliaAnimal Welfare Science Centre, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, AustraliaTIGRR Laboratory, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, AustraliaTIGRR Laboratory, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, AustraliaTIGRR Laboratory, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, AustraliaOffice of Research and Integrity, Research Innovation and Commercialisation, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, AustraliaFat-tailed dunnarts (<i>Sminthopsis crassicaudata</i>) are an emerging model species for developmental, reproductive, and conservation biology research. Understanding their husbandry and enrichment needs is integral to ensuring best welfare in captive-bred populations. This was made evident following the sudden deaths of three dunnarts from a population housed at a university research facility between 2018 and 2022. Necropsy results revealed significant trichobezoars causing gastrointestinal obstruction. Following these findings, adjustments were made to the dunnart enclosures with the addition of autoclaved tree bark to capture loose fur as well as the inclusion of paraffin oil in the diet for the purpose of gastrointestinal lubrication. Since these husbandry interventions, no further deaths attributed to trichobezoars have been reported. Here, we present these data and outline new best practice methods for captive dunnart husbandry.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/7/625fat-tailed dunnart<i>Sminthopsis crassicaudata</i>hairballtrichobezoarenrichmentcaptive breeding |
| spellingShingle | Christine Moschos Shari Cohen Emily L. Scicluna Stephen Frankenberg Andrew J. Pask Keshuan Chow Trichobezoars in Captive-Bred Fat-Tailed Dunnarts and Potential Preventative Protocols Veterinary Sciences fat-tailed dunnart <i>Sminthopsis crassicaudata</i> hairball trichobezoar enrichment captive breeding |
| title | Trichobezoars in Captive-Bred Fat-Tailed Dunnarts and Potential Preventative Protocols |
| title_full | Trichobezoars in Captive-Bred Fat-Tailed Dunnarts and Potential Preventative Protocols |
| title_fullStr | Trichobezoars in Captive-Bred Fat-Tailed Dunnarts and Potential Preventative Protocols |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trichobezoars in Captive-Bred Fat-Tailed Dunnarts and Potential Preventative Protocols |
| title_short | Trichobezoars in Captive-Bred Fat-Tailed Dunnarts and Potential Preventative Protocols |
| title_sort | trichobezoars in captive bred fat tailed dunnarts and potential preventative protocols |
| topic | fat-tailed dunnart <i>Sminthopsis crassicaudata</i> hairball trichobezoar enrichment captive breeding |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/7/625 |
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